NBA Free Agency: Channing Fyre to Orlando Magic while Miami Heat sign two players

Carmelo Anthony fans across the world are still waiting for him to make his much anticipated decision as there was no news all through Monday. Many reports suggest the Los Angeles Lakers are the biggest threat to Anthony’s plans of re-signing with the New York Knicks.

Meanwhile, the suspense around LeBron James also continues to build as he ponders over his future. Over the last couple of days the pitch from the Cleveland Cavaliers to James was considered impressive enough to lure the King back home. However, his former team the Miami Heat sent a message with a couple of moves on Monday, their first moves since free agency kicked off on July 1st.

Miami Heat agree to contract with Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts

Danny Granger

The pressure is on Pat Riley to assemble a younger and fresher team and then make a lucrative pitch to the former Big 3. After trading for point guard Shabazz Napier on draft night, the Heat franchise got involved in the free agency market for the first time this summer.

On Monday, Miami Heat agreed to sign a contract after the July 10th deadline with two free agents- Josh McRoberts from Charlotte Hornets (previously Bobcats) and Danny Granger of the Los Angeles Clippers.

McRoberts shot 36% from beyond the arc and adds much needed size to the Heat’s frontcourt. Averaging 8.5 points and 4.8 rebounds, he found a place in Steve Clifford’s primary rotation in Charlotte. He preferred to opt of the fourth year player option on his contract with the Hornets and become a free agent this summer which eventually led him agreeing with the Heat on a four-year contract worth $23 million.

On the other hand, Danny Granger comes off a rough season officially being part of three teams- the Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers and the Clippers. Granger returned from a knee injury only to find himself a place on the Pacers bench with Lance Stephenson and Paul George establishing themselves as the starters for the 2 and 3 positions. He was traded to Philadelphia along with Lavoy Allen for Evan Turner, where he was waived only to be picked by the Clippers in March for the remaining portion of the season.

Granger who averaged 8.2 points last season playing for the Pacers and Clippers agreed to join the Heat on a two-year contract worth $4.2 million.

Channing Fyre agrees to a four year deal with the Orlando Magic

Channing Fyre

The offense Orlando Magic lost by trading Arron Afflalo and the leadership they lost after waiving Jameer Nelson, they regained by signing Phoenix Suns big man Channing Fyre. After spending the previous four seasons with the Suns, Fyre came to terms with the Magic for a four year deal worth $32 million.

Aged 31, Fyre is in his 9th season in the NBA and brings a certain level of leadership to the Orlando Magic locker room. Averaging 11.1 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 37% shooting from beyond the arc, Fyre brings a dependable offensive option to the team.

Magic have continued to become younger through the Draft in each of the last two seasons and are currently looking good with a young core of Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton (10th pick in 2014 Draft) and Aaron Gordon (4th pick in 2014 Draft).

Fyre missed the entire season of 2012-13 with an enlarged heart, but started each and every one of the 82 games of the past season. He opted out of his contract with the Suns using the player option clause, a contract that would have paid him $6.8 million if he stayed in Phoenix.