July 2, 2017 – NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog

Paul Millsap to sign with Nuggets

An early theme of 2017 free agent negotiations continues: Yet another really good NBA player is leaving the Eastern conference and heading West. The latest being versatile power forward Paul Millsap, who will reportedly say goodbye to the Atlanta Hawks and sign with the Denver Nuggets. Here’s the Denver Post reporting:

The Nuggets landed one of the most significant free agents in franchise history Sunday night, agreeing to a three-year, $90 million deal with power forward Paul Millsap, a league source confirmed.

Millsap, 32, was an all-star with the Atlanta Hawks each of the last four seasons and gives the Nuggets an impact frontcourt presence alongside center Nikola Jokic.

Justin Holiday to sign with Bulls

Here’s the NY Post reporting on Justin Holiday, a soon-to-be former Knick who will once again be a member of the Chicago Bulls:

The Knicks’ second-round draft pick, 6-foot-6 guard Damyean Dotson, has flashed his 3-point prowess and a body ready for the NBA here at summer league.

Which is a good thing since Justin Holiday, their backup point guard last season, is gone, according to a source.

Holiday agreed to a two-year, $9 million deal Sunday with the Bulls, who originally dispatched him to the Knicks in last summer’s Derrick Rose trade. A source said the Knicks never made a formal offer to retain Holiday.

Pistons, Langston Galloway agree to deal

Here’s the Detroit News reporting on a solid Pistons backcourt addition:

Pistons president Stan Van Gundy said before the start of free agency that the main roster needs were for a scoring guard, a third point guard and a third center.

With one move, the Pistons may have knocked out two-thirds of that shopping list. On Saturday, the Pistons agreed to terms with guard Langston Galloway — reportedly for three years and $21 million, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski — and may have some other benefits as well.

Galloway, at 6-foot-2, can play either guard spot, but projects more as a reserve shooting guard for the Pistons, with the ability to be the third point guard behind Reggie Jackson and Ish Smith, if pressed into that situation.

Kings make big offer to Otto Porter

Wizards restricted free agent small forward Otto Porter Jr is about to get paid. The question is, by who. Right now it’s all about the Kings and their offer. Here’s the NY Post reporting:

The Wizards didn’t offer Otto Porter Jr. a maximum contract, but the Kings did.

Now the question is: Will the Nets offer the restricted free agent one as well if they meet? And will the Wizards really match it?

The Kings’ offer to Porter — first reported by ESPN — is for four years and $106.5 million, the same amount the Nets could offer. Porter will continue taking meetings, even though sources told The Post the Wizards will match any offer for the small forward…

Despite Washington’s ability to match, trying to out-recruit the Kings is still a worthwhile pursuit. Porter, 24, is young enough to be part of a lengthy rebuild and is the top restricted free agent on the market. Porter was second in the NBA in Offensive Rating (129.1) and fourth in 3-point shooting (.434).

Hornet sign rookie Malik Monk

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has signed 2017 first-round draft pick Malik Monk to his NBA rookie contract.

According to the Charlotte Observer, “under terms of the collective bargaining agreement, all first-round picks are guaranteed at least two seasons of salary. As the 11th pick, Monk will make in excess of $5 million over those two seasons.”

A consensus 2016-17 All-American Second Team selection, Monk also earned the 2016-17 Jerry West Award, which honors the nation’s top shooting guard. He was named 2016-17 SEC Player of the Year (as voted by media), 2016-17 SEC Freshman of the Year and 2016-17 All-SEC First Team following his lone season at Kentucky, where he averaged of 19.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 32.1 minutes per game.

The Lepanto, Ark., native led the SEC in total points scored (754), three-pointers made (104) and three-point field goal percentage (.397, 104-of-262) during the 2016-17 season. He ranked second among NCAA freshman in scoring average (19.8), totaling 36 games with double-figure scoring, including 19 games of 20-or-more points and four games with 30-or-more.

Monk’s 754 total points set a Kentucky record for most points ever scored by a freshman and was the fourth-highest total among all players in school history. Monk helped the Wildcats to the 2017 SEC Championship and an Elite Eight appearance in the 2017 NCAA Tournament in his sole season at Kentucky.

Following his senior season at Bentonville High School in Bentonville, Ark, Monk was named a 2016 McDonald’s High School All-American, also participating in the 2016 Jordan Brand Classic, where he was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

Jodie Meeks to sign with Wizards

Here’s the Washington Post with an update on the Wizards, on the second day of league free agency:

On Sunday, the Washington Wizards added shooting depth to its bench unit by agreeing to terms with free agent Jodie Meeks.

Washington will bring in Meeks on a short-term deal for two years and $7 million by using its bi-annual exception: a salary-cap exception the team can use every two years.

Meeks, who will turn 30 years old in August, has played for five teams over his eight-year career. Known as a three-point threat, Meeks shot a career-best .409 percentage through a scattered and injury-plagued 2016-17 season with the Orlando Magic.

Raptors to re-sign Serge Ibaka

The Raptors, who won 51 games last regular season and remain one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, will reportedly retain one of their key frontcourt contributors. Here’s the Toronto Star reporting:

Serge Ibaka is headed back to the Raptors.

NBA sources have confirmed a report by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that the free agent power forward/centre has agreed to a three-year, $65 million (all figures US) contract with Toronto.

The deal won’t become official until the NBA’s moratorium on free agent signings is lifted Thursday but it will keep the 6-foot-10, 27-year-old in Toronto and is a major step towards keeping the Raptors roster intact for at least the short-term future.

Timberwolves to add Taj Gibson

The Minnesota Timberwolves are making big moves this offseason. The latest adds nice depth to their frontcourt. Here’s the St Paul Pioneer Press:

Slowly, but surely, Tom Thibodeau is getting his old band back together.

Minnesota has agreed to a two-year, $28 million deal with free-agent forward Taj Gibson, a source confirmed. The deal can’t be signed until Thursday, per NBA rules.

Gibson, 32, played under Thibodeau for five years in Chicago. He provides needed depth to a front court that features Karl-Anthony Towns and Gorgui Dieng.