First Home Grown Filipino in the NBA Dream Still Alive
Bobby (RayRay) Parks, Jr. was not one of those announced by Adam Silver during this year’s draft but his chances of being rostered by an NBA team still lives. He was invited to join the summer camp of the Dallas Mavericks during which time he can show more of his capability than just in a work out session. The Mavericks must have seen something in him for this invitation. Hoping for Parks to do a Pacquiao here where he will be taken in and perform well for the doors to be opened to other Filipino cagers that will be Philippine-trained.
More on Free Agency
The first two who indicated they were testing free agency went on different directions. Kevin Love is going back to Cleveland on a reported $110M, five year deal. Monta Ellis, however, is leaving Dallas and is headed to Indiana on a 4-year, $44M deal.
Include Lebron James among those who became free agents. He opted out of his final year of a two-year contract with the Cavs. It looks like, however, there will be no replay of the infamous “Decision” he made last 2010 when he jumped to the Miami Heat. He is expected to go nowhere and sign a new contract with Cleveland.
Paul Pierce also opted out of his two-year contract with the Wizards, leaving behind $5M he is entitled during the 2015-2016 season, his final year with the Washington deal. He is on his way home at Los Angeles not to retire but to play for the Clippers reuniting with former coach Doc Rivers on a 3-year, $10M deal. The Clippers traded away starting Barnes leaving a big hole at the Small Forward position where Pierce reigned most during his playing career.
Dwayne Wade also opted out of his contract with Miami. He chose to waive his right to a $16.1M annual salary next season to become a free agent. Pat Riley, however, was quick to resign Wade back to a $20M, one-year deal.
Brook Lopez declined his player option this season which was worth around $16.7M. He, however, agreed to a new deal with the Brooklyn Nets along with fellow unrestricted agent, Thaddeus Young. Lopez got a 3-year, $60M contract while Young agreed to a 4-year, $50M deal.
Greg Monroe, the outcast Piston center due to Andre Drummond, agreed to a 3-year, $50 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, according to reports. The New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Portland Trail Blazers reportedly offered similar maximum contract deals but Monroe chose Milwaukee because he thinks he has a better chance of winning a title.
The Boston Celtics agreed to a two-year, $24 million deal with big man Amir Johnson. Johnson is leaving Toronto and might be the object of hatred by Raptor fans as Boston is their tight Atlantic rival.
Former NBA champion Tyson Chandler is leaving Dallas to join the Phoenix Suns. He reported agreed to a 4-year, $52 million deal.
DeMarre Carroll was the first Hawk to disengage from the collective Players of the Month last January. He is set to join Toronto after agreeing on a 4-year, $60 million deal with the Raptors. His teammate, Paul Millsap, however, remained as expected. Millsap agreed to a 3-year, $59M deal.
Among the other expected moves, Tim Duncan told a paper he wants to return again next season although no details on his contract are yet finalized; Omar Asik is staying with the Pelicans, and Goran Dragic with the Heat.
Among the Big Name Free Agents, whose contracts actually expired this season and do not yet have a team, are LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett (!?), David West, and DeAndre Jordan.
Stay tuned to what is happening your favorite team and players. The players are now reacting in an unorthodox way on the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement while salaries are skyrocketing but under shorter terms.
