No rest in the NBA. After the coronation of the Golden State Warriors, followed by the Draft 2022, it is now the Free Agency which opened its doors at the beginning of July. This period sees players at the end of the contract being free to commit where they want, or to extend the adventure with their current franchise. An important moment of the year in the United States since we often see record contracts being signed and important departures being recorded.
But the Free Agency does not prevent franchises from making numerous exchanges elsewhere, or players still under contract from requesting a transfer, like Kevin Durant who would like to leave the Brooklyn Nets. Here are the moves to remember from the start of summer 2022 in the NBA.
After 9 seasons at Jazz, Rudy Gobert goes to Wolves
It is necessarily the transfer that makes the most noise in France. At 30, Rudy Gobert will discover a new franchise, he who has so far only known the Utah Jazz. The French pivot was indeed sent to Minnesota, in exchange for five players and four draft rounds. At the WolvesRudy Gobert will form an interesting pair with Karl-Anthony Towns and will be well surrounded with Anthony Edwards, D’Angelo Russell or even the nugget Jaden McDaniels.
Drafted in 2013 by the Jazz, the French pivot made Utah history with three All-Star selections, four All-NBA selections, and three Defender of the Year titles. For both parties, it’s a page that turns. It now remains to be seen whether the arrival of Gobert in Minnesota will allow the franchise and the Frenchman to take a step forward.
The trade (exchange):
Minnesota receives Rudy Gobert.
Utah receives Malik Beasley, Pat Beverley, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro, first round of Draft 2023, first round of Draft 2025, first round of Draft 2027, first round of Draft 2029.
Jalen Brunson signs with the New York Knicks
The Knicks are active this summer. In addition to having extended the contract of pivot Mitchell Robinson ($60 million over four years), the New York franchise has brought in point guard Jalen Brunson from Dallas. The 25-year-old American signed free for $104 million over four years.
With the Mavs from Dallas, Brunson won alongside Luka Doncic, finishing last season averaging 16.3 points and 4.8 assists before shining in the play-offs. The adventure had stopped in the conference final once morest the Warriors of Stephen Curry (4-1).
Nice operation for Atlanta who takes Dejounte Murray
Best San Antonio Player Spurs last season, Dejounte Murray flew to Georgia. The Atlantas Hawks achieve a big blow by recovering the 25-year-old leader, whom they can associate with Trae Young to form a duo that promises sparks.
In exchange, the Spurs picked up Danilo Gallinari, who they quickly decided to cut (end the contract) as well as a 2023 first-round pick, 2025 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick, 2026 pick swap. San Antonio’s strategy is now clear: aiming for the future by focusing on the 2023 pick.
The trade:
Atlanta receives Dejounte Murray.
San Antonio receives Danilo Gallinari, a 2023 first-round draft pick, a 2025 first-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2026 swap pick.
Celtics strengthen by signing Danilo Gallinari and Malcolm Brogdon
Finalist of the last NBA season, the Boston Celtics continue to build around their two stars Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The Massachusetts franchise has announced the signing of winger Danilo Gallinari for two years. The 33-year-old Italian was therefore free following being cut off by the Spurs from San Antonio as part of the transfer of Dejounte Murray.
Complete player, Gallinari will discover a sixth franchise following the Knicks (2008-2011), the Nuggets (2011-2017), the Clippers (2017-2019), le Thunder (2019-2020) and the Hawks (2020-2022). Galinari should come to reinforce the bench of the Celtics just like Malcolm Brogdon.
The 29-year-old leader arrives from the Indiana Pacers who traded him in particular for pivot Daniel Theis and a first round of Draft 2023. A solid profile that will come to fill Boston’s rotation a little more.
The trade:
Boston gets Malcolm Borgdon.
Indiana recovers Daniel Theis, Nik Stauskas, Malik Fitts, Juwan Morgan, a first round of Draft 2023.
Nikola Jokic stays
Serbian pivot Nikola Jokic extends his adventure in Colorado. The two-time MVP has signed a record-breaking new contract with the Denver Nuggets. He should receive 264 million euros over five years, the biggest contract in NBA history.
Drafted in 41st position in 2014 by Denver, Jokic has become a superstar as discreet as it is essential for the Nuggets.
The Serb is not the only one to have extended this summer: Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Zac Lavine (Chicago Bulls) or Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies) have also signed their extensions of contract.
John Wall goes to LA
Stranded in Houston, John Wall has found a way out. The American leader has agreed with his franchise to buy out his remaining years of contract to sign free with the Los Angeles Clippers. Last season, Wall did not play a single game, shelved by the Rockets.
Wall has signed a two-year contract in LA It remains to be seen what role the 31-year-old will have, in a position where the Clippers already have Reggie Jackson.
Portland get Jerami Grant…
After a disappointing 13th place in the West, Portland does not intend to live a new season without playoffs. The Blazers have picked up a player of good caliber in the person of Jerami Grant. The winger comes from the Detroit Pistons where he averaged 19.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
In exchange, the Pistons get several draft picks including a 2025 first-round pick.
The trade:
Portland receives Jerami Grant, the 46th 2022 draft pick (via a pick trade).
Detroit receives a 2025 first-round, 2025 second-round, 2022 pick swap (Pistons’ 46th pick becomes 36th), most favorable pick in the 2026 second-round between Portland and New Orleans.
…and shield Damian Lillard!
Centerpiece of the Blazers, Damian Lillard will extend his contract for a record amount. The American point guard signed a nearly $122 million extension over two seasons. Lillard will therefore receive a total of 270 million with the remaining three seasons on his contract.
READ ALSO. NBA. League boss tackles Kevin Durant and players asking for transfer
At 31, Damian Lillard, six times all-star, is still aiming for a first NBA final, he who has never known better than a conference final in 2019.
