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It was the night of the ESPY’s where NBA definitely left its mark by awarding several talented players. Wednesday also saw the start of the Samsung NBA Summer League knockout stage, however there was still a lot of free agency news on Wednesday which was not to be missed.
Here’s all the news from Day 16 of NBA Free Agency:
Lance Stephenson signs with the Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets turned their attention to Lance Stephenson the moment their first door closed after the Utah Jazz decided to match their offer for Gordon Haywood. Stephenson met owner Michael Jordan and rest of the members of the organization on Tuesday in Las Vegas, and the meeting turned out to be quite fruitful as both parties agreed to the terms of the deal.
Although the franchise has not officially announced the signing which is expected on Friday, according to multiple reports Stephenson agreed to a three-year deal worth $27 million including a team option for the third year. The versatile 6”5’ inches shooting guard was offered a 5 year contract worth $44 million by his former team, the Indiana Pacers, but he turned it down.
Coming off his best NBA season with averages of 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, Stephenson also led the league last season in triple-doubles with five. He does bring with him a fair share of controversial antics, but most importantly he brings the Playoffs experience and toughness to a team that has not won a single post-season game in the last 10 years.
Players from Miami Heat added to other teams on veteran’s minimum
The Cleveland Cavaliers are wasting no time in not only surrounding LeBron James with shooters to spread the floor, but with shooters he is familiar with from his days in Miami. A day after adding Mike Miller to the roster the Cavs added James Jones to a one year veteran’s minimum contract of $1.4 million.
James Jones shot 46% on shot attempts from long range played in 20 games last season for the Heat. Aged 34, Jones has not been a regular contributor for the Heat since averaging 19.1 minutes playing time during the 2010-11 season, LeBron James’ first season in Miami.
While Jones stayed with James and took his talents to Cleveland, another former Heat player Rashard Lewis also signed a contract worth veteran’s minimum with Dallas Mavericks. Owner Mark Cuban made the move official after it was announced online by a Cyber Dust account that Cuban and his team control.
Lewis a two-time All-Star, has played 16 seasons in the NBA for four teams after being drafted in the NBA Draft of 1998 straight out of high school. His one year deal comes on the same day that the Dallas franchise officially confirmed the signing of Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons.
Lakers grab Forward Ed Davis
Reports suggest that the Los Angeles Lakers have grabbed former Memphis Grizzlies Forward Ed Davis to a two-year $2 million deal which includes a player option for the second year. Davis became a free agent after the Grizzlies decided against presenting him a qualifying offer.
Drafted 13th overall pick in 2010, Davis showed great potential to excel in his playing days with the Toronto Raptors. However, after he was traded to Memphis in exchange for Rudy Gay, he struggled after receiving limited minutes due to a loaded Grizzlies front court.
