Cap and gone:
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver wants to end draftees wearing wrong hats on draft night.
Commissioner Adam Silver wants the hat game fixed.
Mindful that it was awkward for draft picks this year who were selected by one team and already had been traded to another — but because of league rules, were unable to be introduced by their actual franchise for more than two weeks — Silver said there was discussion Tuesday at the league’s board of governors meeting in Las Vegas about how to change that.
Several ideas are under discussion, including changing the rules about how and when draftnight trades can be announced. It could be earlier next season and not necessarily attached to the early July end to the moratorium on trades and certain signings.
“We’ve got to fix that,” Silver said.
Firstround picks were issued hats to wear at the draft, corresponding with the team that chose them. De’Andre Hunter went No. 4 overall, taken by the Lakers. His rights had been traded twice — first to New Orleans as part of the Anthony Davis deal, then to Atlanta. But because neither trade could be finalized before July 6, Hunter wore a Lakers cap on stage.
“We talk about being fan friendly, and that isn’t fan friendly,” Silver said.
For the draftnighttraded players, it’s about more than the hats. Because some draftees couldn’t be part of their franchises before July 6, they were assured of missing the start of NBA Summer League. It cost a few players the chance to play in summer league at all, which disappointed many of them. Free agency: Several deals were finalized Wednesday: Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are now officially with the Clippers. It might not be forever: Both can be free agents in two years.
The Clippers completed their blockbuster trade with the Thunder, acquiring George for guard Shai GilgeousAlexander, forward Danilo Gallinari and five firstround draft picks.
The 76ers completed the signings of forwards Tobias Harris (who ended last season with Philly) and Al Horford, who had been with Boston.
Washington signed twotime AllStar guard Isaiah Thomas to a oneyear deal.
The Timberwolves declined to match an offer sheet to guard Tyus Jones, clearing the way for him to join the Grizzlies.
The Mavericks signed Seth Curry to complete the guard’s return after a year away and resigned one of their restricted free agents in forward Maxi Kleber.