Day 2 NBA Free Agency Recap

After one of the more active first days of NBA Free Agency we’ve seen in recent years, teams continued maneuvering and negotiating at a frenzied pace, but we didn’t get nearly as much actual movement on day two.

We’ll remind you that even though the terms of deals are being announced, most players can only agree to terms with teams at this stage until the free agency moratorium ends at 12:01 a.m. on July 9.

Playing the waiting game

Much like last year’s free agency race, sans all the day one action, a significant number of free agents are essentially ‘circling the runway’ at this point, waiting patiently until the largest domino (LaMarcus Aldridge) ultimately determines where he wants to play. The Los Angeles Lakers had two chances at meetings with Aldridge, but still were not able to convince the four-time All-Star to don the ‘purple and gold’ for the next four seasons. The San Antonio Spurs appeared to have the inside track at the end of Wednesday’s team meetings, but the Phoenix Suns have continued to emerge as a viable option for the 30-year-old power forward.

According to Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, the Suns have already moved forwards Marcus Morris, Danny Granger and Reggie Bullock in order to clear cap space, and would reportedly be willing to also part ways with forwards P.J. Tucker and/or Markieff Morris if necessary to create the extra cap space to sign both center Tyson Chandler (agreed to terms on Thursday) and the highly sought-after Aldridge.

Aldridge has reportedly said he’d like to agree to a deal by July 4, so an answer could be coming within the next 24 hours.

Sticking around town

Portland didn’t take long to agree to terms with point guard Damian Lillard, as the two-time All-Star has reportedly accepted an extension that would keep him with the Trail Blazers for the next six seasons for between $125-$129 million, according to Yahoo Sports’ Marc Spears. Lillard averaged 21 points, 6.2 assists and 4.6 rebounds for the Blazers this past season, but will likely be asked to shoulder even more of the load with the other four starters either already in another city (Batum to Charlotte) or likely heading to one.

Dwyane Wade has also reportedly agreed to terms with the Miami HEAT on a one-year deal that will pay him $20 million. There was widespread speculation that Wade could opt to seek a longer deal with another team, but the lifelong member of the HEAT elected to stay near South Beach for at least another season.

Tim Duncan will also stick around with the Spurs for another season, as the 18-year veteran reportedly told Mike Monroe of SpursNation.com that he would be “back on the court next year” on Thursday. Terms of the agreement were not released at this time.

Time waits for no man… or ‘big-named’ free agent

Shooting guard Wesley Matthews certainly didn’t waste much time, as the six-year veteran reportedly turned down a sizable offer from the Sacramento Kings in favor of agreeing to terms with the Dallas Mavericks. Matthews is still recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in March. Matthews has reportedly stated he would like to return to playing basketball by August, but no exact timetable has been established as of yet.

The exact terms of the deal are unknown at this point, but there is speculation that the size of his deal could be contingent upon whether the Mavericks are also able to land free agent center DeAndre Jordan as well.

Greg Monroe also found a new home as the 25-year-old big man has agreed to a three-year, $50 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. Monroe received plenty of interest from several other teams, but ultimately decided to go with a young Milwaukee team that seems primed to take the next step in their continued ascension through the ranks of the Eastern Conference.

Monta Ellis has agreed to terms with the Indiana Pacers on a four-year deal that will reportedly pay the shooting guard $44 million. Ellis should finally give the Pacers the legitimate scoring threat alongside Paul George to fill the void left by Lance Stephenson around this time last summer.

The Blazers were able to find a replacement for Aldridge as the team has reportedly agreed to terms with power forward Ed Davis on a three-year deal that will pay the 26-year-old vet $20 million. Davis was one of the few bright spots for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2014-15, but L.A. was unable to keep him in town once the Blazers came knocking with the favorable deal.

Power forward Thomas Robinson has reportedly found his sixth NBA team within his first four seasons in the league, as the 24-year-old former No. 5 overall pick has agreed to terms with the Brooklyn Nets. The deal is reportedly for two years with a player option for the second and is worth $2.2 million. Robinson is hoping to finally find a home in Brooklyn as the Nets continue to also search for the right mix of talent to remain competitive in an improving Eastern Conference.

Swingman Jared Dudley will be traded to Washington for a trade exception and likely future second-round pick. Dudley is expected to help fill the void left by veteran Paul Pierce’s exit, but could face competition from Otto Porter Jr.

Other news and notes from around the league on Thursday:

• Arron Afflalo has agreed to terms with New York for two years, $16 million.
• Lavoy Allen has agreed to terms with Indiana for three years, team option for final year.
• Shane Larkin has agreed to terms with Brooklyn for two years, $3 million.
• Aron Baynes has agreed to terms with Detroit for three years, player option for third year.
• James Anderson has agreed to terms with Sacramento on a multi-year deal.
• Walter Tavares has agreed to terms with Atlanta to a multi-year deal.

Other players reportedly close to agreeing to terms include center Marc Gasol (Grizzlies), Tristan Thompson (Cavaliers) and Robin Lopez (Knicks). Terms of those potential deals and plenty more should continue to be announced over the next couple weeks, so be sure to continue to check with us each day for your free agency recap!