NEWSLETTER
In the past, watching free agency open up felt like watching the Bulls front office chill in a Lazy Boy recliner, while wearing a snuggie and eating Benny the Bull’s popcorn. Now, I’m pretty sure Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley are hooked up to an IV of Red Bull with ten phones pressed to their ears.
Here are some of the latest:
Bulls Reportedly Still Going After DeMar DeRozanhttps://t.co/sL9aYuhY3j
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 2, 2021
REPORT(S): Bulls Working on a Three-Team Trade Involving Lonzo Ball and Lauri Markkannenhttps://t.co/UovXGaboFK pic.twitter.com/nMk9njMhRO
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 2, 2021
Don’t Forget: Dennis Schroder and Derrick Rose Are Also Reportedly on the Bulls Radarhttps://t.co/UWuRVLulbe
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 2, 2021
Report Indicates Lonzo Ball is “Ready to Sign” with the Chicago Bulls Tonighthttps://t.co/T9RIcfIzEv
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 2, 2021
The sheer amount of rumors that have surrounded the organization this summer is unlike anything we have seen in quite some time. The new front office seems incredibly eager to throw this team back under the winning spotlight next season, but can they do it? They better hope so, because the decisions made over the next few hours and days will likely have a lasting impact on this franchise for years to come.
Two of those decisions surround key role players Tomas Satoransky and Thaddeus Young, now on fully guaranteed contracts (more on that in a second); however, I’m not sure either is long for Chicago.
With everything we’ve heard, I have to assume trades are on the horizon. https://t.co/mVTxoSaTI3
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 2, 2021
The same can be said about Lauri Markkanen, who’s been included in multiple trade rumors throughout the day (and the weeks/months preceding today). All of the Bulls plans seem to center around landing Lonzo Ball, but they’re not the only team in pursuit.
In any case, it’s about to get really crazy, so I’m going to do my best to update this post with ALL free agency rumors and transactions for the rest of the day. Feel free to just leave the tab open and hit refresh so this can be your one-stop shop for all deals/intel!
Free Agency open up at 5:00 pm CT.
• Update (4:58): Contracts of Tomas Satoransky and Thaddeus Young have become fully guaranteed.
The Contracts for Tomas Satoransky and Thaddeus Young Have Been Guaranteed (Trades to Come?)https://t.co/jgfQE4MUle
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 2, 2021
• Update (5:01): Literally right as the bell rang and free agency opened up, the Chicago Bulls landed their guy – the point guard to whom they’ve been connected for MONTHS – Lonzo Ball.
Lonzo Ball has agreed to a four-year, $85 million deal with the Chicago Bulls, CEO of Klutch Sports Rich Paul tells @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 2, 2021
• Much, much more on Ball (and the Bulls corresponding moves) coming soon, but we’re off to a fantastic start.
Bulls Get Lonzo Ball on a 4-Year, $85 Million Sign-and-Trade Deal with the Pelicanshttps://t.co/8JUIEnxEHR
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 2, 2021
• In the meantime, there’s a lot going on.
Free agent Mike Conley Jr. has agreed to a three-year, $68 million deal to return to the Utah Jazz, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 2, 2021
• Another big point guard domino falls. Who will the Pelicans get?
Free agent center Boban Marjanovic has agreed to a deal to re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 2, 2021
• Former Bulls All-Star gets a massive extension.
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1422317995297214469?s=20
• Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley is quite the frontcourt to build around for the Cavaliers. Now, will they keep Collin Sexton?
Restricted free agent C Jarrett Allen has agreed to a five-year, $100 million contract to stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers, his agents Derrick Powell and Jim Tanner tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2021
• The Knicks are keeping some of their key role players around. Noel’s stock improved quite a bit last season with his performance on the defensive end. Speaking of which, do not be shocked if the Bulls find their own rim-protector over the next couple of hours.
Free agent C Nerlens Noel is returning to the New York Knicks on a three-year, $32M contract, his agent @GeorgeLangberg tells ESPN. Tom Thibodeau keeps his rim protector.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2021
Free agent G Alec Burks has agreed to a three-year, $30M contract to stay with the New York Knicks, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2021
Free agent Tim Hardaway Jr. has agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal to return to the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 2, 2021
Update (5:55)
• To no one’s surprise, Chris Paul inks a new massive deal with the team he just led to the Finals. The four-year contracts will take Paul into his 40s. But based on the way he played last season, Paul looks like he has plenty left in the tank.
Phoenix Suns All-Star guard Chris Paul has agreed to stay on a new four-year deal that could be worth as much as $120 million, his agents Steve Heumann and Ty Sullivan of @CAA_Basketball tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2021
• The San Antonio Spurs make an interesting move by adding former Bull Doug McDermott. The role player had a strong year with the Pacers, shooting 53.2 percent from the field and 38.8 percent from downtown. This signing seems to suggest the Spurs will not look to take too big of a step toward rebuilding next season, which could make them even more eager to get their hands on Lauri Markkanen, who they are reportedly interested in.
Free agent Doug McDermott has agreed to a three-year, $42 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 2, 2021
• The Miami Heat do what everyone expected. Kyle Lowry will leave Toronto and join Jimmy Butler to make one of the more lethal backcourts in the Eastern Conference. After losing in the first round this past season, Miami could very well be right back in the Finals-conversation in 2021-22. Also, if the Bulls keep adding talent, maybe we can get back to a Bulls-Heat rivalry?
Three-year deal in a sign-and-trade for Kyle Lowry, source tells ESPN. https://t.co/BkmFIjAwQp
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2021
• Miami also PAID Duncan Robinson.
Duncan Robinson – host of the @TheLongshotPod – has agreed to a 5-year, $90M contract to stay with the Miami Heat, his agent Jason Glushon of @GlushonSM tells ESPN. The deal, largest ever for an undrafted player, also includes an ETO after the fourth year.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2021
• TJ McConnell will be around to give Coby White fits for seasons to come.
TJ McConnell has agreed to a four-year, $35M deal to return to Indiana, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 2, 2021
• Pacers also add another high-caliber defender.
Free agent F Torrey Craig has agreed to a two-year, $10M deal with the Indiana Pacers, his agents Dave Spahn and Austin Brown of @caa_sports tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2021
Update (6:16):
• Role players …
Free agent F Moe Harkless has agreed to a two-year, $9M deal with the Sacramento Kings, agent Nima Namakian of @InnovateSports tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2021
Free agent Sterling Brown has agreed to a deal with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 2, 2021
Backup center Boban Marjanovic's new deal with Dallas will be for one season, a source said. That will give him three seasons with the Mavs, who will have his full Bird rights next summer.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) August 2, 2021
• I like this signing for the Nuggets. I thought Jeff Green could be an interesting cheap option for the Bulls to improve power forward depth, but $5 million per year with a player option involved might be a bit too much to invest with other holes to fill.
Free agent forward/center Jeff Green has agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal with the Denver Nuggets, his agent Jason Glushon of @GlushonSM tells ESPN. The deal includes a player option in the second year.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) August 2, 2021
Update (6:32):
• Zach Collins only played 11 games in 2019-20 and did not see the court this past season. So, yeah, this feels a bit risky from the Spurs.
Free agent Zach Collins has agreed to a three-year, $22M deal with the Spurs, his agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2021
• Worth it.
Gary Trent Jr., has agreed to a three-year, $54M deal to return to the Toronto Raptors, his agent and @KlutchSports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. Deal includes a player option on third year.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2021
Update (7:02):
• The Knicks have some of the most cap space in the league this summer, and they have decided to make their first big purchase. Nikola Vucevic’s former teammate will head to New York on a four-year deal worth nearly $78 million. All things considered, it feels like a good signing for a Knicks team looking to build on a shocking playoff appearance this past season. Fournier is a lethal 3-point shooting threat who will fit in nicely to the team’s defense-first mantra. The question now for New York is … will this be their biggest signing?
Free agent Evan Fournier has agreed to a four-year deal that could be worth as much as $78M with the New York Knicks, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 3, 2021
• Batum has a tremendous bounce-back year and gets rewarded.
Free agent Nicolas Batum has agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 3, 2021
• Howard won his first ring with the Lakers, and he will return after a year-long stint with the 76ers to try again.
Free agent Dwight Howard is returning to the Lakers, his agent Qais Haider tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 2, 2021
Update (9:22):
• So to probably no one’s surprise … things got busy. The Chicago Bulls went on to shocking sign defensive-minded guard Alex Caruso, while Daniel Theis ended up inking a deal with the Houston Rockets. I’ll drop both posts below.
SURPRISE: Chicago Bulls Ink Alex Caruso to Four-year, $37M Dealhttps://t.co/0xsyR5aQHP
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 3, 2021
• The Theis situation is developing. The Bulls are either going to get a trade exception as part of this sign-and-trade deal with the Rockets to us later OR use that trade exception immediately as a means of turning the Caruso signing into a sign-and-trade with the Lakers. Why would they do that? Well, if Caruso is a sign-and-trade, the Bulls would then be able to open up the majority of their mid-level exception again to attack more roster upgrades. I know, I know, cap stuff is confusing. The Athletic’s John Hollinger talks about it a little more in here, so perhaps reading it in his words can also help clarify.
Daniel Theis Is Headed to Houston in What Appears to be a Sign-and-Tradehttps://t.co/6FrD3Z4ITA
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 3, 2021
• The Blazers made Powell a priority in the trade market earlier this season, so it was only a matter of time before they got a deal done.
Free agent G Norman Powell has agreed to a five-year, $90M deal to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, his agent Thaddeus Foucher of @Wasserman tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 3, 2021
• Griffin is staying with a title contender.
Six-time All-Star F Blake Griffin has agreed on a one-year deal to stay with the Brooklyn Nets, his agent Sam Goldfeder of @excelbasketball tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 3, 2021
• The Pelicans missed out on Kyle Lowry, and I guess things did not work out on the Spencer Dinwiddie front. Devonte’ Graham is a fine consolation prize, but I’ll be very curious to see how protected that first-round pick is that they sent to Charlotte. At the end of the day, I’m thinking I’d rather have Ball and a first-rounder than Sato + Temple + a 2nd + Graham. I guess New Orleans disagrees.
The New Orleans Pelicans are landing Charlotte restricted free agent guard Devonte Graham on a four-year, $47M contract in a sign-and-trade deal, agents Ty Sullivan and Austin Brown of @CAA_Basketball tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 3, 2021
Sources: Restricted free agent Devonte' Graham is signing with the Pelicans via sign-and-trade, with New Orleans sending first-round pick to Charlotte.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 3, 2021
Update (11:25)
• This might be the last update of the night. Spencer Dinwiddie is reportedly nearing a deal with the Washington Wizards, who recently saw point guard Russell Westbrook traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Teams like the Bulls and Pelicans were reportedly interested in Dinwiddie’s services but both ended up going in another direction.
Free agent guard Spencer Dinwiddie is nearing a deal with the Washington Wizards, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 3, 2021
