NBA free agency is here, and there have already been several moves over the first few days. With the cap rising, players are landing lucrative deals, especially compared to previous seasons. Many big names have already signed, although Kevin Durant has yet to make his decision. The rumor mill is buzzing with meetings and contracts, and we're here to get you caught up on what's happened so far. Here are all the latest NBA rumors and news you need to know.
BREAKING: Durant agrees to sign with Warriors
Celtics making late push for Durant
Durant is expected to announce his decision on The Player's Tribune today, and the Boston Celtics were hoping to make one last impression. According to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, the Celtics called Durant last night with their hope of improving their standing:
Sources say that the Boston Celtics called Kevin Durant's camp last night in an effort to make strong final impression before his decision.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 4, 2016
Source close to Kevin Durant camp says he's legitimately torn about this decision. He's intrigued by GS/BOS, but leaving OKC is a HARD call.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 4, 2016
Durant is still expected to sign with either the Warriors or Thunder, but that call appears to have put the Celtics more firmly in the mix.
Gasol to sign with either Spurs or Raptors?
Pau Gasol is expected to be one of the biggest dominoes to fall after Durant signs, and he has narrowed his list of teams. Gasol is now expected to sign with either the Spurs or Raptors, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard.
San Antonio, Toronto, Portland all battling for Pau Gasol. SA & Toronto currently the frontrunners, source says. Blazers not out of it tho
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 4, 2016
The Bulls and Timberwolves are no longer in the running to sign Gasol, who averaged 16.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per game for Chicago last season.
Wade latest
Dwyane Wade has been listening to other teams in free agency after he didn't like the Heat's initial offer to him, but his situation will likely be resolved after Durant makes his decision. The Bucks and Nuggets are trying to lure Wade away from Miami, and ESPN reports that might just happen:
The Denver Nuggets, armed with some $28 million in salary-cap space, continue to pursue Dwyane Wade, sources told ESPN's Marc Stein.
Wade has made it known that he will not play for less than last season's $20 million salary.
According to sources, Wade has grown frustrated with the Heat, as they prioritized Kevin Durant and Hassan Whiteside in free agency. Durant met with Heat representatives on Sunday in The Hamptons and is expected to make his free-agency decision Monday, while Whiteside reached a verbal commitment with Miami on a four-year contract that could be worth up to $98 million.
According to the Miami Herald's Ethan J. Skolnick, the Heat know they still have some work to do to bring Wade back:
Now, it’s clear the Heat needs to re-recruit Wade. According to multiple team and league sources, he was given some preliminary potential parameters but was essentially asked to wait for specific figures until the Hassan Whiteside and Durant situations played out. That was likely largely logistical. Dallas and Portland made it known they would pursue Whiteside, and the center declared he wanted his situation settled quickly; that’s exactly what happened, as he struck a deal with Miami seven hours after free agency opened.
Wade played his college basketball at Marquette in Milwaukee, making the Bucks the biggest threat to the Heat.
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