Big deals for point guards as NBA free agency opens

Point guards were the focus when the NBA’s freeagency window opened Monday night, with Kyle Lowry headed to the Miami Heat, Lonzo Ball on his way to the Chicago Bulls, and Chris Paul and Mike Conley landing lucrative deals to remain with their current teams.

Lowry and the agency that represents him, Priority Sports, said he was headed to the Heat. A person with knowledge of the deal said he would be signing a threeyear contract worth nearly $30 million annually in a signandtrade that sends Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa from Miami to Toronto.

Ball will be acquired by the Bulls from New Orleans in a signandtrade deal worth $85 million, agency Klutch Sports announced. The deal includes sending Tomas Satoransky and Garrett Temple to the Pelicans. Also, Alex Caruso is leaving the Lakers for the Bulls on a fouryear deal worth a reported $37 million.

The Pelicans also agreed to send a draft lotteryprotected 2022 firstround choice to Charlotte for guard Devonte Graham, who broke out two seasons ago but became a reserve when the Hornets drafted LaMelo Ball.

Paul agreed to a contract to remain with the Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns, a source said. It would be worth nearly $120 million if all four years are completed.

Conley confirmed on Twitter that he agreed to a $73 million, fouryear deal to stay with Utah.

Among other deals, the Knicks agreed to sign Evan Fournier to a fouryear deal worth as much as $78 million, and Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks are returning to New York for big raises; the Bucks are keeping Bobby Portis; Toronto agreed to keep Gary Trent Jr.; the Nuggets reached twoyear deals to keep guard Will Barton and forward JaMychal Green; The Mavericks agreed to a fouryear, $74 million deal to retain Tim Hardaway Jr.; and Cleveland keeps center Jarrett Allen on a fiveyear, $100 million deal.