The NBA offseason is coming to a close in a couple of weeks and teams are finalizing their roster for their annual summer camp. It is obvious that next season will be a new NBA where 4 All-Stars changed team and a couple of rules being changed by the NBA board. Here are some new updates on the free agency scene:
Lauvergne set to join San Antonio
The San Antonio Spurs have always been known for their amazing scouting skills when it comes to signing players, especially international players. From Tony Parker (France), Mau Ginobili (Argentina) and Patty Mills (Australia), the Spurs seem to always have the most geographically diversified team in the NBA and this offseason they add another solid international player in the name of Joffrey Lauvergne.
NBA.com reported that the San Antonio Spurs have signed 6'11" center French center to a deal for next season (terms of the contract were not disclosed). Lauvergne has played three seasons in the NBA (Oklahoma, Denver, and Chicago) He also played for the French National team in 2016 along with Tony Parker. He has career averages of 6.1 points, four rebounds, and 0.9 assists while shooting 47.1% from the field in 153 games in the NBA. If he gets into the rotation Lauvergne will give the Spurs much needed length for next season with Dedmon parting ways with them this offseason.
Mario Chalmers to return to Memphis
With the Memphis reshaping their team and getting rid of Zach Randolph and Vince Carter they are in desperate search for some second unit fire power next season.
Adrain Wojnarowski of ESPN has reported that Mario Chalmers, after rupturing his Achilles tendon a few years back, will return to the Memphis Grizzlies this offseason to help out the second unit production.
Mario Chalmers is a nine year veteran in the NBA and was part of the Championship run of Miami in 2012 and 2013. He has career averages nine points, 3.8 assists, 0.2 steals and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 42.1% from the field and 35.8% from beyond the arc.
Chalmers averaged his career high in points in 2016 where he first played for Memphis and with his return (hoping he will be healthy) could be a big help for the Memphis to stay alive in the NBA playoff hunt next season with the West being so tough.
So many changes have been made this offseason with new rules, new uniforms (now being sponsored by Nike) and of course All-Stars changing teams. As a basketball fan, I truly can not wait for next season of the NBA to begin and see how the newly formed team can contend with the Warriors and Cavs.
