$200M REASONS TO SMILE
As free agents move, Stephen Curry gets record deal to stay
A look at five of the more notable stories leading up to and following the NBA’s free agency negotiating period, which opened Saturday at 12:01 a.m.
THE FIRST SUPER MAX DEAL
Golden State’s Stephen Curry, fulfilling a strict criteria of individual honours coupled with playing for only one team in his career, has agreed to a five-year deal that will surpass $200 million. Curry was paid just over $12 million last season, the best bargain in the NBA. He becomes the first player to ever get the contract only made possible by the new league-union collective bargaining agreement.
GUARDS GONE WILD
Ricky Rubio was traded from Minnesota into Utah’s available cap space, Jeff Teague left Indiana for the Timberwolves (three years, $57 million) and Jrue Holiday stayed in New Orleans (five years, $126 million). With Chris Paul in Houston already, two point guards are being squeezed by the market — Toronto’s Kyle Lowry and George Hill of the Jazz. Lowry will likely end up back with the Raptors, Hill has to find a job.
GO WEST, YOUNG MAN
The Indiana Pacers were likely to lose all-star Paul George for nothing after next season, so they traded him for little more. Continuing the westward ho nature of the league, George was sent to Oklahoma City for an underwhelming package of Domantas Sabonis and Victor Oladipo and zero draft picks. It keeps George out of the East and away from costing the Pacers, but it was a low return.
DENT IN THE ARMOUR?
No one leaves the glamour and greatness of the Golden State Warriors, right? Maybe not. Andre Iguodala, who was the “glue guy” as the Warriors sixth man and a former NBA final MVP, met with Houston on Saturday and promptly cancelled all other meetings. Whether he’s bound to another super team or making the Warriors match a deal remains to be seen. If he leaves, it’s a blow to Golden State.
THE PROCESS GOES ON
Bryan Colangelo is not a patient man. The former Raptors president swung a deal for the No. 1 draft pick to get Markelle Fultz, and on Saturday he got JJ Redick on a one-year, $23million deal. Redick is basically a perfect fit for a young team, one of the best three-point shooters ever who will benefit from Philly’s youth and athleticism and someone who will provide a veteran presence in the locker room.