Day sixteen of NBA Free Agency has ended, and it was a very quiet day. Nothing happened involving any of the notable free agents remaining, and there was only one signing, made by the Houston Rockets. However, the Atlanta Hawks saw their negotiation with Marreese Speights fall apart, while a semi-retired veteran wants to play in the league again.
Rockets strike a deal with Luc Mbah a Moute
The Houston Rockets have signed veteran combo forward Luc Mbah a Moute to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum. Mbah a Moute entered the free agency market after he declined his $2.3 million player option with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Rockets will be the sixth different team he has played for. Entering his 10th season in the League, he is still seen as a top-defender who just had his best season shooting three-pointers. Last season, Mbah a Moute played in 80 games for the Clippers, starting 76 of them. He averaged 6.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1 steals while shooting 50.5% from the field and 39.1% on three-pointers.
Negotiations between Hawks and Speights fall apart
Speaking of former Los Angeles Clippers players, Marreesse Speights had been deep in contract discussions with the Atlanta Hawks. However, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski report that the week-long talks had fallen apart and Speights would be re-entering the free agent market.
Like Luc Mbah a Moute, Speights also declined his $1.45 million player option with the Clippers. He should draw interest from some teams since Speights is one the best shooting center available in a league that loves three-pointers.
In his nine seasons in the NBA, Speights has played for five different teams. He was an important piece in the Golden State Warriors title runs over two seasons, before spending last year with the Clippers.
Last season, Speights played in all 82 games, starting two of them. He averaged 8.7 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 44.5% from the field and 37.2% on three-pointers.
Kendrick Perkins wants back in the NBA
Last week, former NBA big man Kendrick Perkins told the 'Boston Globe' that he hopes to get an invite to an NBA team's training camp.
He also said that he has been working on getting in shape and has not given up on his career. Perkins sat out last season after getting no interest in free agency but says the time off made him appreciate basketball even more. He last played in 2015-16 for the New Orleans Pelicans, playing in 37 games and starting five of them. He averaged 2.5 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 53.3% from the field.
