As the offseason continues the NBA summer camp begins as draft picks show their talents and step on the court for the first time as an NBA player. Here are free agent updates as well as summer league updates:
Toronto ships Carroll to avoid luxury tax
With Toronto being able to resign Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka this offseason salary cap space now becomes a big problem for the Toronto as a week ago they exceeded the salary cap. Masai Ujiri, Toronto Raptors GM, directly confronted the issue by dumping DeMarre Carroll's 30 million dollar contract.
They traded DeMarre Carroll a future first round and second round draft pick for Justin Hamilton of the Brooklyn Nets, a day after they directly waived Justin Hamilton per sources from ESPN.
This smart move by Ujiri relieved some financial pressure for the Raptors and avoided the NBA luxury tax penalties.
Brooklyn is finally starting to properly rebuild after acquiring Russell from the Lakers and a couple of draft picks for the future. Carroll known for his defense and improved 3 point shooting has career averages of 8.9 points, 0.4 blocks, 1.1 steals, and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 44.3% from the field and 36.1% from beyond the arc in 10 seasons for the NBA.
Sixers rookie curse continues
This year's top draft pick in the NBA Markelle Fultz injured his left ankle in a summer league game against the Warriors last Saturday. The Sixers have had a long list of their top prospects getting injured, from Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor, Joel Embid, and last years number one overall pick Ben Simmons.
It seems like the Sixers can't just get a break with almost all of their prospect draft picks being injured in their rookie season. Although it has been reported by Ramona Shelburne of ESPN that the injury is a minor ankle sprain and with Fultz saying he is okay, it's still gotta hurt for Sixers fans who have been trying their best to trust the process this offseason.
Jamal Crawford leaves Clippers and Joins Butler
Acquiring Jimmy Butler was not enough for the Minnesota Timberwolves, they continue to make a splash in the NBA this offseason. The Timberwolves are becoming a solid threat for next year's season with the addition of All-Star Jimmy Butler and now the addition of former Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford.
The Wolves have signed Crawford to a two-year 8.9 million dollar contract with a player option in the last year. The 18 year NBA veteran has career averages of 15.5 points, 0.9 steals, 3.5 assists, and 2.3 rebounds while shooting 41% from the field and 35% from beyond the arc.
