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The NBA Free Agency period is now well underway, although a number of notable names remain available. Kawhi Leonard, DeMarcus Cousins, Danny Green, and Markieff Morris have yet to sign contracts, while teams such as the Lakers, Clippers, and Rockets remain keen to make further additions.
So, ahead of another potentially drama-filled day, here are all the latest news and rumors you need to know for July 2nd.
Kawhi Leonard to pick between the Lakers and Clippers
Kawhi Leonard's future continues to dominate the talk of the basketball world, although the silent assassin has offered no indications as to where he will land.
ESPN insider Brian Windhorst is reporting that Leonard's destination remains a mystery, but believes the Finals MVP will either sign for the Clippers or Lakers:
I do believe there is some real traction towards the Lakers. I still think the Clippers are the pick, but I admit I don’t know at this point.
Both Los Angeles franchises have the cap space available to add Leonard, although, with every other 'Tier A' free-agent snapped up, the Clippers will no longer be able to pair the 27-year-old with another star. Meanwhile, if Leonard joins the Lakers, he will form a deadly trio with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Jimmy Butler is heading to the Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have signed Jimmy Butler to a four-year, $142 million contract - completing one of the most unlikely deals in recent NBA history. ESPN is reporting that four teams were involved in the trade:
The Heat are sending center Hassan Whiteside to the Portland Trail Blazers, guard Josh Richardson to the Philadelphia 76ers and a protected 2023 first-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers to secure the salary-cap flexibility to complete the sign-and-trade deal with the 76ers
The acquisition of Butler is a major coup for a Heat team that has reached the playoffs just once in the past three seasons. Butler averaged 18.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists over 55 appearances in Philadelphia.
Golden State Warriors re-sign Kevon Looney but lose Jordan Bell
Kevon Looney has played an increasingly larger role on the Warriors over the past three seasons, and ESPN is reporting that the 23-year-old has agreed on a new deal:
Kevon Looney is returning to the Golden State Warriors on a three-year, $15 million deal, agent Todd Ramasar tells ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
During the 18-19 season, Looney averaged 6.3 points and 5.2 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game.
Meanwhile, Jordan Bell is joining the Minnesota Timberwolves following the expiration of his contract. The Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz also expressed interest in the 24-year-old, although Bell has opted to join a Timberwolves team where he may get more opportunities.
During his two seasons with the Warriors, Bell appeared 125 times, averaging 3.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant decided to join the Brooklyn Nets 'months ago'
The significant story from the opening night of free agency arrived when Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant announced their decision to form an All-Star pairing in Brooklyn. While it was widely known that Irving would link up with the Nets, the addition of Durant was a huge surprise.
Nevertheless, Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald is claiming that the deal was completed months ago:
I do know there was some tampering across the league. Kyrie and Kevin Durant were done in Brooklyn months ago.
After adding Durant and Irving, the Nets now boast one of the best rosters in the NBA. However, the team is expected to be without KD for the entire 19-20 season as the 2014 MVP recovers from an Achilles tear.
