clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

NBA Free Agency Underway, Timberwolves Look to Make Deals with Bjelica and Garnett

Plenty of teams are making free agency moves throughout the league, while the Wolves fly under the radar and draw up smaller contracts.

By Lindsey M. Young
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
NBA Free Agency News

Since the NBA Free Agency season started Wednesday at 12:00 a.m., plenty of moves have occurred around the league. Here are a few of the more notable transactions up to this point:

  • Anthony Davis Re-Signs with New Orleans. Less than five minutes into free agency, big man Anthony Davis agreed to a five-year, $145 million max contract extension. Interestingly enough, Davis wasn't even set to become a free agent until after the 2015-206 season, but the Pelicans worked to secure him early.
  • Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young Stay in Brooklyn. The Nets agreed to a three-year, $60 million deal with Lopez and a four-year, $50 million deal with Young.
  • Miami Secures Goran Dragic. The guard agreed to a five-year, $90 million deal with the Heat.
  • Tiago Splitter Moves to Atlanta. The Hawks acquired the center from San Antonio for a package of non-roster players, according to multiple reports.
  • Jimmy Butler Moving Toward Max Deal. Full details had not been released as of Thursday, but the Associated Press reported that Butler agreed to a five-year maximum contract with the Bulls. According to the report, the deal could be worth up to $90 million.
  • Kevin Love is Staying Put. It turns out Love really is choosing winning over location, as the power forward signed a five-year deal worth $110 million. Love made the "announcement" via the Player's Tribune Wednesday.
  • Tyson Chandler Joins the Suns. The free agent center signed a four-year deal with Phoenix worth $52 million.
  • Sacramento and Philly Do Business. The Kings traded Nik Stauskas, Jason Thompson and Carl Landry to the Sixers in exchange for the rights to overseas players. According to Wojnarwoski, Sacramento made the deal in efforts to clear cap space to pursue Rajon Rondo.
  • Monta Ellis Takes Talents to Indiana. The Pacers signed Ellis to a four-year, $44 million contract. The fourth year will be a player option, according to the Associated Press.
  • Tim Duncan Isn't Retiring. Duncan announced he will return to play for a 19th season in the NBA.
  • Monroe Chooses Milwaukee. Greg Monroe had meetings with four teams, including the Lakers and Knicks, but he chose to sign with the Bucks because he felt they have the best chance at the playoffs. Monroe's deal with the Bucks is for three years, $50 million. The third year will be a player option.
  • Dame Lillard Re-Signs with Portland. Lillard re-signed with the Trail Blazers with a contract that's worth $125 million over five years.
  • Dwyane Wade staying in Miami for one year, $20M.
To see every free agency move and see live updates, visit the NBA Free Agency Tracker.

Timberwolves News

According to Star Tribune Timberwolves guru Jerry Zgoda, EuroLeague MVP Nemanja Bjelica exercised a contract option with his Turkish team. The option will allow him to leave for the NBA, which in turn allows the Wolves to sign Bjelica.

Minnesota drafted the overseas player in the second round five years ago, so many fans may not even remember the name. Bjelica was playing in Istanbul, and he utilized his "out" clause shortly after his contract with the Fenerbahce Ulker team expired Wednesday.

Zgoda tells us the Wolves will sign Bjelica to a three-year contract that will probably end up being $12+ million.

Another move Minnesota will make is re-negotiating a deal with Kevin Garnett. The veteran is currently an unrestricted free agent but is of course expected to stay with the Wolves. Zgoda said the following:

"[Minnesota] will likely pay him between $6 million and $8 million for limited minutes and boundless mentoring."

In non-free-agency news, the Wolves announced Wednesday that they will hold an open scrimmage on July 8 at the Target Center. The event is being called the "Summer Showcase" and is open to the public. Players participating in the scrimmage include Andrew Wiggins, Shabazz Muhammad, Karl-Anthony Towns and Tyus Jones.


Lynx News

It's been a quiet week for the Lynx, whose last game was a 71-56 win over Phoenix on Saturday. The team should be well rested and prepared for a matchup with Seattle tonight.

Minnesota has defeated Seattle at the Target Center 10 consecutive times, including an easy home victory on June 11. Last week, Minnesota overcame an 18-point deficit and rallied to achieve a three-point win over the Storm on the road. The Lynx lead this season's series 2-0 heading into tonight's game.

On Tuesday, guard Lindsay Whalen received Western Conference Player of the Week Honors. Whalen is currently averaging 12.4 points and 5.2 assists per game over 29.6 minutes on the floor.


Lindsey's Friday Flick Recommendation

For this film suggestion, you still have time to go and see it in the theaters!

Jurassic World

I know there has been some criticism for this movie (the female lead wearing heels while racing through the jungle was arguably the most unrealistic part of the entire story line), but all in all I was incredibly happy with it! I found the writing to be creative and fun, and the special effects were great as well.

I think my favorite part was actually how they intertwined pieces of the original Jurassic Park into the movie, from the soundtrack to various props. If you're looking for an entertaining, intense flick to see over the holiday weekend, I don't think you'll be disappointed with Jurassic World.

Check out the trailer below, and happy weekending!