June 30, 2019
It's important to remember that NBA free agency doesn't officially begin until 6 p.m. on Sunday night — oh, who the hell are we kidding? That doesn't seem to matter at all.
As of 12:01 a.m. on Sunday morning, several deals — big deals — already appear to be in place, deals that won't be made official until at least July 6. Several of them, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times, are worth north of $100 million, including Klay Thompson re-upping with the Warriors for five years, $190 million, Kristaps Porzingis staying in Dallas for five years, $158 million, and Kyrie Irving (Nets) and Kemba Walker (Celtics) each agreeing to four-year, $141M deals with their new teams.
It's June 30! Deals coming later today on Day 1 of free agency:
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 30, 2019
*Kyrie Irving & Nets (4/$141M)
*Kemba Walker to Celtics (4/$141M)
*Klay Thompson & Warriors (5/$190M)
*Kristaps Porzingis & Mavs (5/$158M)
*Nikola Vucevic & Magic (4/$100M)
*Harrison Barnes & Kings (4/$88M)
UPDATE [9:10 p.m.] — After a couple of quiet hours, the Woj bombs began firing again on Sunday night, with news that the Sixers and Heat are completing a sign-and-trade for Jimmy Butler. The deal will reportedly include Josh Richardson coming to the Sixers in return.
Miami is finalizing a sign-and-trade with Philadelphia to acquire Jimmy Butler, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
Our own Kyle Neubeck has much more info on the Butler deal, including details about what the Sixers were willing to offer Butler in an attempt to keep him in Philly. I highly recommend checking that out now.
Wojnarowski also then immediately reported that the Sixers would be signing veteran free agent Al Horford to a four-year, $109 million deal.
Five-time All-Star F/C Al Horford has agreed to a four-year, $109M deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, agent Jason Glushon tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
Kyle has more on Horford, here.
UPDATE [7:15 p.m.] — Tobias Harris will return to the Sixers, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Free agent forward Tobias Harris has agreed to a five-year, $180M contract to return to the Philadelphia 76ers, his agent and father, Torrel Harris of Unique Sports Management, tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2019
Kyle Neubeck has more on Harris' deal, here.
In related Sixers news, the Mike Scott Hive can celebrate tonight, as the fan-favorite will be back in Philly for the next two seasons.
Sources: Free agent Mike Scott has agreed to a two-year, $9.8M deal to return to the Philadelphia 76ers.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2019
UPDATE [6:05 p.m.] — Well, that didn't take long — it appears the Sixers won't be entirely running it back. Within the first minutes of free agency, Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news that JJ Redick will be joining the Pelicans on a two-year deal.
Free agent guard JJ Redick has agreed to a two-year, $26.5M deal to join the New Orleans Pelicans, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2019
Kyle Neubeck has confirmed Woj's report, and you can read more on what that means for the Sixers here.
Additionally, Woj is reporting that the Sixers have started talking about a contract extension with Ben Simmons.
The 76ers have started discussions with agent Rich Paul on a contract extension for All-Star guard Ben Simmons, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2019
UPDATE [5:30 p.m.] — Kevin Durant has made his decision and will reportedly sign with the Brooklyn Nets, along with Kyrie Irving and De'Andre Jordan.
Brooklyn is making a clean sweep tonight: Brooklyn will sign Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2019
Looks like the East just got a little tougher.
In addition to the Durant news, David Aldridge is reporting that Tobias Harris, who is seeking a max contract, will meet with the Sixers once free agency opens at 6 p.m.
UFA Tobias Harris will meet with the 76ers at the start of the free agent period at 6 p.m., per source. Harris is seeking a max deal.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) June 30, 2019
With much of the Sixers free agency rumors surrounding Jimmy Butler, it will be interesting to see if Harris gets something done quickly with the Sixers or if he opts to take meetings elsewhere.
UPDATE [3:35 p.m.] — We have some more info on Jimmy Butler's meeting with the Miami Heat, thanks to Marc Stein. Butler will reportedly meet with the Heat on Sunday night at 6:01 p.m., but is still drawing interest from several other teams, including the Lakers.
Jimmy Butler meets with Heat officials at 6:01 PM ET tonight but continues to draw interest from a number of suitors, league sources say, with the Lakers making the latest aggressive bid. Lakers officials, I'm told, are pushing for a pitch meeting with Butler
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 30, 2019
UPDATE [2:15 p.m.] — This is not the news Sixers fans were hoping to read hours before NBA free agency is set to open. According to the Associated Press' Tim Reynolds, who is based out of Miami, Jimmy Butler is expected to tell the Heat that he wishes to play in Miami.
Not that this is a surprise - or means anything - but Jimmy Butler is expected to tell Miami officials tonight that he wishes to play for the Heat, per source.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) June 30, 2019
Of course, Butler to Miami would require a sign-and-trade with the Sixers, so Philly would presumably be getting something back in return — perhaps guys like Goran Dragic or Josh Richardson. Of course, that's little compensation for losing a player of Butler's caliber.
Also, it's unclear whether or not that reports means that Butler is only interested in signing with the Heat, or if he's still open to signing elsewhere, but is willing to go to Miami in a sign-and-trade. Because Reynolds says it should't come as a surprise (and possibly doesn't mean anything), that probably means it's the latter, because Butler suddenly being laser focused on Miami would be a dramatic shift from the reports that came out just a day earlier.
Either way, stay tuned, because it looks like the Jimmy Butler-to-Miami rumors have some serious legs.
UPDATE [1:15 p.m.] — It looks like the Al Horford rumors are picking up some more steam:
The Al Horford situation has been very tricky to figure out, but one team that I'm told has very real interest is Philly (moving parts there obviously with their own free agents, Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris)
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 30, 2019
As The Athletic's Sam Amick points out, there are a lot of moving parts there, depending on how the Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris situations play out. This is definitely worth keeping an eye on.
The Sixers also reportedly have interest in free agent big man Kyle O'Quinn, who spent last season with the Pacers and averaged just 3.5 points and 2.6 rebounds in 8.2 minutes per game (45 games). In his seven-year career, O'Quinn averages 5.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in 14.4 minutes.
Kyle O'Quinn has received interest from the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls, per sources.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 30, 2019
This free agency period will be a big one for the Sixers. Not only are they expected to be busy, as the try to keep (or replace) Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris and the rest of their free agents. On top of that, it will also be general manager Elton Brand's first free agency period at the helm for Philly, and it will be interesting to see how the former power forward operates — and, more importantly, what he's able to accomplish.
We've already written extensively about the Sixers and free agency, and that can help keep you busy during the few rare moments when the news and rumors slow down:
Otherwise, keep it locked right here for the latest news, rumors and analysis as NBA free agency gets underway.
What he said...
Follow Matt on Twitter: @matt_mullin
Like us on Facebook: PhillyVoice Sports
