It’s the busiest time of the NBA offseason, with players joining new teams left and right and so many deals we can barely think straight. But we just have one question… if teams are spending so much money, why is it called free agency?

Today’s Lineup

Free Agent Frenzy

The first day of Free Agency may as well be a national basketball holiday. And it’s pretty tough to keep track of all the different signings, so here’s an overview of some of the heavy hitters.

Chris Paul to San Antonio — 1 year, $11M

After being released from Golden State, the Point God hit the open market for the first time since 2018, and it didn’t take long for him to find a new home. Uniting CP3’s wicked passing with Gregg Popovich’s scheme (not to mention a guy named Victor Wembanyama who you might’ve heard of) is a scary thought. We can’t wait to see Paul ball in the twilight of his storied career.

KCP’s Magic Trick — 3 year, $66M

After contributing heavily to two championships over the past five years, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was one of the most sought-after wings in this year’s free agent class. Orlando, coming off a tough first round loss, was looking to spend money and add a veteran presence to their young core. The Magic got their guy, and KCP gets the bag he deserves after so many years of solid play. 💰

You’re a Wizard, Jonas! — 3 year, $30M

Jonas Valanciunas is many things: one of the league’s best rebounders, a Travis Kelce lookalike, and (now) the newest member of the Washington Wizards. After a nice stint with the Pelicans, Valanciunas heads to DC where he’ll provide a nice post presence for the Wiz and help mentor #2 overall pick Alex Sarr.

⚡ LIGHTNING ROUND! ⚡

• Derrick Jones Jr. to the Clippers — 3 year, $30M

• Andre Drummond to the 76ers — 2 year, $10M

• Naji Marshall to the Mavericks — 3 year, $27M

• Mason Plumlee to the Suns — 1 year, $3M

• James Harden, Kevin Love, Kelly Oubre Jr., Obi Toppin, Patrick Williams, Max Christie, and Luke Kornet all resigned with their respective squads

Two of the biggest names in this year’s free agent pool have yet to make their decisions. Paul George is reportedly set on leaving the Clippers, with the 76ers the “strong frontrunner” to sign him. Klay Thompson also seems to be on his way out of Golden State, with the Lakers, Mavericks, Clippers, and 76ers all in the mix for his services. We can’t wait to see all these dominoes fall! 😁

Keep up with all the latest in free agency here.

Dejounte Murray ➡️ NOLA

There have already been a few exciting trades this offseason, but few offer as much intrigue as the Hawks shipping Dejounte Murray off to New Orleans. From one bird squad to another, Dejounte now gives the Pelicans a true point guard to add to their existing core of Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and Brandon Ingram (for now).

Pelicans receive: Dejounte Murray

Hawks receive: Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels, E.J. Liddell, 2025 first round pick, 2027 first round pick

All in all, this deal makes sense for both teams. On New Orleans’ end, having a capable distributor like Murray unlocks the strengths of their stars—notably Zion Williamson. And for Atlanta, it was clear that the two-guard experiment between Murray and Trae Young was not working out because of how ball-dominant both of them are.

Is a Brandon Ingram deal next for the Pels? Will the Hawks stand pat? Find out next time on the best reality show on television: the NBA offseason. 👀

Just Business!

Summer can be a chaotic time for everyone, but we can bet you haven’t had a crazier couple of weeks than J.B. Bickerstaff. After being fired by the Cavaliers a month ago, the NBA’s most uniquely named coach went through a whirlwind hiring process to eventually be named the new top dog in Detroit yesterday.

After leading Cleveland to back-to-back playoff appearances, Bickerstaff will hopefully bring some much needed consistency to the Pistons’ coaching staff. The last time a head coach lasted more than five seasons in Detroit was Chuck Daly from 1983-1992, and the Motor City hasn’t won a playoff game since 2008. Wishing all the best to Bickerstaff—here’s hoping he can rev some life into Detroit’s engine!

Three in the Key

Signing Off

And we out! Thanks for spending a portion of your day with us. This week, try to be as appreciative as you can to everyone around you. Whether it’s your cashier at the grocery store or your closest friend, gratitude goes a long way towards making us all feel better. Talk soon!

-Walker Carnathan