Day eight of NBA free agency has come and gone, although it only had one actually signing. It did, however, see the fate of two offer sheets finally get decided. It also saw the Houston Rockets give James Harden the biggest extension in the history of the NBA.
Jamal Crawford joins Timberwolves after buyout
Jamal Crawford has agreed to a two-year, $9 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, which includes a player option for the second season. This follows his buyout from the Atlanta Hawks after being sent there as part of the Danilo Gallinari sign and trade that also involved the Clippers and Nuggets.
This move came as a surprise since the Cleveland Cavaliers were rumored to be interested and sources said that Crawford preferred to play for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Crawford is that latest in a group of veteran players that include Jeff Teague, Jimmy Butler, and Taj Gibson to join a young Timberwolves core of Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. Last season he averaged 12.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting 41.3% from the field and 36% on three-pointers.
Knicks get Tim Hardaway Jr. after Hawks decline to match offer
The Atlanta Hawks declined to match the New York Knicks 4-year, $71 million offer sheet to shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr., meaning that he will once again be a Knick after spending the last two seasons with Atlanta.
The offer sheet also includes a player option for the fourth season and a 15% trade bonus. To make this move the Knicks waived Marshall Plumlee and renounced their rights to Derrick Rise, Sasha Vujacic and Ron Baker. The team also pulled Baker's qualifying offer but have agreed to a new deal with him. Last season, the 25-year-old Hardaway Jr.
averaged 14.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 45.5% shooting from the field and 35.7% on three-pointers.
Otto Porter Jr. is staying with the Wizards
The Washington Wizards have matched the 4-year, $106 million max-contract offer sheet that the Brooklyn Nets were offering Otto Porter Jr. By matching the deal, Porter Jr.
is now the highest paid player on the team and will have a no-trade clause for the upcoming season.
Despite the Wizards agreeing, Brooklyn's cap space will still be tied up in Porter Jr. until he reports to the Wizards and passes a physical. Last season, the 24-year-old averaged 13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals. He also shot 51.6% from the field and 43.4% on three-pointers.
James Harden gets richest extension in NBA history
The Houston Rockets have given star guard and perennial MVP candidate James Harden a supermax extension of 4-years, $170 million. With two-years, $59 million still remaining on his contract before the deal, Harden is now guaranteed $228 million through the 2022-23 season. Harden is coming off of a season in which he averaged 29.1 points, 11.2 assists, 8.1 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks.
