由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
- Bobby Marks, ESPN，2024年7月11日，美国东部时间上午7:00
自 6 月 30 日 NBA 自由球员市场正式开启以来，一周多的时间里，市场已经显著降温。自那以后，各支球队已经适应了联盟的“第二工资帽时代”，并进行了一些会影响到 2024-25 赛季阵容的交易。
ESPN 排名前 20 位的自由球员中，除三位外，其他人都已经找到了新东家或与现有球队续约，其中最引人注目的是勒布朗·詹姆斯(LeBron James)重返洛杉矶湖人队，保罗·乔治(Paul George)同意与费城76人队续约，以及奥比·托平(OG Anunoby)继续留在纽约尼克斯队。加里·特伦特(Gary Trent Jr.)、泰厄斯·琼斯(Tyus Jones)和马克尔·富尔茨(Markelle Fultz)三位球员尚未达成新协议。
截至 7 月 10 日，哪些球队通过球员和具体的合同交易获得了最大的收益？哪些球队执行了球员选项，并且已经花费了过多的工资帽空间？在那些更引人注目的交易中，哪些球员获得了丰厚的奖励条款或难以触发的不可交易条款？让我们来看看这个自由球员市场期间我们都看到了什么。
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最超值签约 | 物有所值 | 令人费解的交易
奖励条款、选秀权交易和不可交易条款
市场上的最超值签约
克里斯·保罗(Chris Paul)，圣安东尼奥马刺队
合同： 一年，1050 万美元
保罗(Chris Paul)本可以轻松加盟一支争冠球队，去追逐那枚难以捉摸的 NBA 总冠军戒指。然而，保罗离开了金州勇士队，与圣安东尼奥马刺队签署了一份为期一年、价值 1050 万美元的合同，为名人堂教练格雷格·波波维奇(Gregg Popovich)和球队基石维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)效力。我们可以把保罗看作是波波维奇教练组的延伸，但这位 39 岁的老将也将在球场内外提供帮助。
根据 Second Spectrum 追踪数据，马刺队上赛季的失误率排名第 24 位，场均失误排名第 27 位，传球失误率排名第 28 位。上赛季，保罗的助攻失误比仅次于泰厄斯·琼斯(Tyus Jones)。他在空接扣篮助攻数方面排名现役球员第一，共计 715 次。
保罗的合同中有八项奖金条款，其中包括如果马刺队（或他赛季结束时效力的球队）赢得 32 场或更多比赛，他将获得 26.2 万美元的奖励。
凯莱布·马丁(Caleb Martin)，费城76人队
合同： 四年，3200 万美元，以及 800 万美元的额外不太可能实现的奖金
考虑到乔治签约后费城面临的财政限制，这份四年 3200 万美元的马丁合同堪称是一笔妙笔。马丁这份对球队友好的合同（他今年 810 万美元的薪水仅占工资帽的 5.8%）的好处不仅在于本赛季，也关乎费城的下一个赛季。76人队已经为乔尔·恩比德(Joel Embiid)、保罗·乔治(Paul George)和泰雷塞·马克西(Tyrese Maxey)投入了超过 1.4 亿美元。
马丁上赛季为迈阿密热火队效力，场均得到职业生涯最高的 10 分，并且在季后赛中得分有所提高。在过去的两个赛季中，他场均得到 12.5 分，投篮命中率为 52%，三分球命中率为 43%。
如果马丁至少出战 67 场比赛，并且费城赢得 49 场比赛并进入季后赛第二轮，他将额外获得 120 万美元的奖金。
海伍德·海史密斯(Haywood Highsmith)，迈阿密热火队
合同： 两年，1080 万美元
在马丁离开前往费城后，热火队只剩下两种选择。他们可以在自由球员市场的底薪球员中淘宝，签下一名老将前锋。这种做法将使迈阿密在财政上更灵活，可以签下第 15 名球员，并保持在第二工资帽以下，但这并不能改善他们的阵容。或者，热火队可以采取积极的态度，签下自由球员市场上剩下的最好的侧翼防守球员——海史密斯(Haywood Highsmith)。他们选择了后者。
根据 Second Spectrum 的数据，海史密斯上赛季将 2024 年全明星球员的有效投篮命中率限制在 40.3%，在至少防守 100 次投篮的球员中排名第三。他还提高了自己的三分球命中率，从前两个赛季在迈阿密的 33.6% 提高到 2023-24 赛季的 39.6%。
罗伊斯·奥尼尔(Royce O’Neale)，菲尼克斯太阳队
合同： 四年，4200 万美元，以及 200 万美元的额外不太可能实现的奖金
为了留住奥尼尔(Royce O’Neale)而额外支付的 4000 万美元奢侈税惩罚应该让他无缘这份榜单。但考虑到菲尼克斯目前的财政困境以及奥尼尔在球场上的影响力，940 万美元的首年薪水还是物有所值的。奥尼尔是过去两个赛季中仅有的四名球员之一，能够在每个赛季都至少投进 150 个三分球、完成 50 次抢断和 40 次盖帽，另外三名球员是安东尼·爱德华兹(Anthony Edwards)、基根·穆雷(Keegan Murray)和杰森·塔图姆(Jayson Tatum)。
奥尼尔此前效力于布鲁克林篮网队，自 2018-19 赛季以来已经出战了 456 场比赛，在同期 NBA 球员中排名第三，仅次于米卡尔·布里奇斯(Mikal Bridges)和巴迪·希尔德(Buddy Hield)。
约纳斯·瓦兰丘纳斯(Jonas Valanciunas)，华盛顿奇才队
合同： 三年，3030 万美元，第三年为非保障合同
我们将瓦兰丘纳斯(Jonas Valanciunas)列为第三好的自由球员中锋，排在尼克·克拉克斯顿(Nic Claxton)和以赛亚·哈尔滕施泰因(Isaiah Hartenstein)之后。克拉克斯顿与布鲁克林篮网队签署了一份四年 1 亿美元的合同，而哈尔滕施泰因则与俄克拉荷马雷霆队签署了一份三年 8700 万美元的合同。克拉克斯顿与他现在的球队续约，而俄克拉荷马城则利用了两年的财政窗口期向哈尔滕施泰因支付了溢价合同。克拉克斯顿和哈尔滕施泰因签署的合同不应该掩盖瓦兰丘纳斯及其表现的价值。
瓦兰丘纳斯上赛季为新奥尔良鹈鹕队出战了全部 82 场比赛，并且在过去五个赛季中，他的总二次进攻得分都排名前十。在 2023-24 赛季，奇才队的场均二次进攻得分和场均油漆区得分均排名联盟垫底。
一份物有所值的续约合同
乔纳森·艾萨克(Jonathan Isaac)，奥兰多魔术队
合同： 五年，8400 万美元
自 2019-20 赛季以来，艾萨克(Jonathan Isaac)只出场了 69 场比赛，再向他支付 6800 万美元的新增金额似乎是一场鲁莽的赌博。但以下就是为什么奥兰多将艾萨克本赛季 1740 万美元的原始薪水提高到 2500 万美元，然后在明年将其降低 40% 至 1500 万美元，这代表着 NBA 中一份更物有所值的合同的原因。
艾萨克在健康时是一名全明星级别的防守球员。根据 Second Spectrum 的数据，上赛季，他在作为干扰防守者时的对手有效投篮命中率方面领先所有球员。在每 36 分钟的盖帽数方面，艾萨克也排在上赛季至少出场 500 分钟的球员中的前十名。由于他漫长的伤病史，奥兰多在第三年到第五年都得到了保护。例如，如果艾萨克在 2025-26 赛季至少出场 52 场比赛，那么他在 2026-27 赛季 1450 万美元的薪水将得到保障。如果他没有做到，奥兰多可以裁掉他，在剩下的三个赛季中只支付 800 万美元。
最令人费解的交易
凯莱布·马丁(Caleb Martin)，前东家迈阿密热火队
合同： 据报道拒绝了迈阿密提供的四年 5800 万美元的续约合同
马丁完成了一项罕见的壮举，在这份榜单的两个类别中都榜上有名——他的签约对费城来说是一笔超值交易，而他拒绝迈阿密的报价则是一个令人费解的决定。
消息人士向 ESPN 证实，马丁可以选择执行他下赛季 710 万美元的合同。然后，他将再续约四年，获得 5800 万美元。而马丁 710 万美元的薪水将使迈阿密能够保持在第二工资帽以下。
热火队的做法类似于上赛季纽约尼克斯队和约什·哈特(Josh Hart)的情况，后者选择了执行他 1300 万美元的合同，然后以四年 8100 万美元的价格续约。财政上的灵活性让纽约得以签下丹特·迪温琴佐(Donte DiVincenzo)。
“我的意思是，你总是希望自己能赚到尽可能多的钱，”马丁在费城签约后说道。“这是比赛的一部分，也是生活的一部分。你要活到老学到老。你要承担风险。有时会成功，有时则不然。”
帕特里克·威廉姆斯(Patrick Williams)，芝加哥公牛队
合同： 五年，9000 万美元，最后一年为球员选项
威廉姆斯(Patrick Williams)今年 22 岁，年薪 1800 万美元（五年内保持不变）是一份着眼于潜力的合同。然而，令人费解的是，芝加哥在第五年加入了球员选项。威廉姆斯在他的前四个赛季中有两个赛季的出场次数都不到 45 场。上赛季，他的投篮命中率创下职业生涯新低的 44.3%，并且职业生涯中首次从替补席出场。
他与安东尼·爱德华兹(Anthony Edwards)、泰雷塞·哈利伯顿(Tyrese Haliburton)、拉梅洛·鲍尔(LaMelo Ball)、杰登·麦克丹尼尔斯(Jaden McDaniels)和德文·瓦塞尔(Devin Vassell)属于同一个 2020 届新秀。这五名球员在上个休赛期都签署了五年续约合同，其中都没有球员选项。
托拜厄斯·哈里斯(Tobias Harris)，底特律活塞队
合同： 两年，5200 万美元
哈里斯(Tobias Harris)的合同很丰厚，尤其是考虑到除了活塞队之外，没有其他球队愿意为这位前 76 人队前锋投入巨资。反驳的理由是，活塞队必须花费其工资帽的 90% 才能达到最低工资帽标准。别误会我的意思，哈里斯符合活塞队现在就想争夺胜利，同时又能在不久的将来保持灵活性的时间线。
哈里斯上赛季场均得到 17.2 分，高于 2022-23 赛季的 14.7 分，但他的三分球命中率下降到了 35.3%。在没有乔尔·恩比德(Joel Embiid)的 34 场比赛中，他的三分球命中率为 32.4%。
小凯文·波特(Kevin Porter Jr.)，洛杉矶快船队
合同： 两年，480 万美元，15% 的交易保证金和球员选项
波特(Kevin Porter Jr.)在 2022-23 赛季为休斯顿火箭队效力时场均得到 19 分，但他的合同出现在本节有多个原因。首先，波特去年 9 月因涉嫌在纽约市一家酒店袭击当时的女友而被捕，并被控犯有殴打和勒颈罪。今年 1 月，他承认犯有与今年 1 月事件有关的轻罪殴打和骚扰罪。波特很可能会在本赛季面临 NBA 的某种形式的禁赛，类似于迈尔斯·布里奇斯(Miles Bridges)上赛季在夏洛特黄蜂队的遭遇。
其次，即使快船队认为签下波特没有风险，但他们也保证了两个赛季的合同，并且包含了 15% 的交易保证金和球员选项。如果波特继续进行自我改造，并像在休斯顿那样打出高水平，那么如果快船队失去他，他们所做的这笔小投资就可能毫无价值。
奥比·托平(OG Anunoby)，纽约尼克斯队
合同： 五年，2.125 亿美元，外加 15% 的交易保证金和球员选项
在尼克斯队球迷太过担心之前，我要说的是，与托平(OG Anunoby)续约是一个明智的举动。尼克斯队在常规赛中取得了 20 胜 3 负的战绩，而这位前锋是 NBA 的精英防守者之一。他也正处于职业生涯的黄金时期，7 月 17 日年满 27 岁。
为什么托平的合同会出现在令人费解的交易中，归根结底是两个问题：15% 的交易保证金以及合同的五年都得到了全额保障。尼克斯队可以说，这份合同会随着时间的推移而变得越来越值钱，尤其是考虑到在可预见的未来，工资帽预计每年将增长 10%。第三年的 4250 万美元薪水低于效力时间六年或以下球员的最高薪水。然而，伤病问题一直困扰着托平，他在过去四个赛季中平均只打了 50 场比赛。
托平近期内不会去任何地方，但尼克斯队增加的交易保证金可能会在不久的将来成为障碍。这笔保证金目前为 2200 万美元，比德章泰·穆雷(Dejounte Murray)在被亚特兰大老鹰队交易到新奥尔良鹈鹕队的交易中获得的金额还要多 1000 万美元。
本次自由球员市场期间的更多合同要点
资金紧张的球队签下了老将合同
蒙特·莫里斯(Monte Morris)（菲尼克斯）、阿莱克·伯克斯(Alec Burks)（迈阿密）和托林·普林斯(Taurean Prince)（密尔沃基）都与资金紧张的球队签署了一年老将底薪合同。这三名球员在 2024-25 赛季的总收入为 890 万美元。在这三人中，普林斯是职业生涯出场次数最多的球员（502 场），其中包括上赛季为湖人队出战的 78 场比赛。他的三分球命中率为 39.6%，现在加入了雄鹿队，后者在三分球出手次数上排名前五。
莫里斯两年前在华盛顿奇才队时场均送出职业生涯最高的 5.3 次助攻，他填补了太阳队控球后卫位置上急需的空缺。在纽约尼克斯队，伯克斯在上赛季第二轮输给印第安纳步行者队的比赛中场均得到 14.3 分，三分球命中率为 42.9%。
勒布朗和难以触发的不可交易条款
勒布朗·詹姆斯(LeBron James)加入了布拉德利·比尔(Bradley Beal)的行列，成为唯一拥有真正不可交易条款的球员。詹姆斯之所以有资格获得这一条款，是因为他已经在 NBA 征战了至少八年，并在湖人队效力了四个赛季。詹姆斯和凯文·加内特(Kevin Garnett)是 NBA 历史上仅有的两位在两支不同球队都拥有不可交易条款的球员。
七名二轮秀签署了四年合同
在泰勒·希罗(Tyler Herro)的带领下，2024 届新秀中有 10 名球员签署了二轮秀特例合同。希罗与尼克斯队签署的这份四年 900 万美元的合同是 2023 年劳资协议下二轮秀签署的最大合同，其中包括 650 万美元的保障金额。在这 10 名二轮秀中，有 7 人签署了四年合同，其中包括布朗尼·詹姆斯(Bronny James)与湖人队的合同。
德罗赞的全明星奖励条款
有七名球员的合同中包含奖励条款，其中包括新加盟萨克拉门托国王队的前锋德玛尔·德罗赞(DeMar DeRozan)。如果德罗赞入选全明星首发阵容、替补阵容或递补阵容，他每个赛季都将获得 100 万美元的奖金。德罗赞的合同结构也是最独特的之一，其中包括他合同最后一年 2570 万美元薪水中的 1000 万美元是受保障的。
如果德罗赞在 2024-25 赛季或 2025-26 赛季入选全明星阵容，保障金额将增加到 1200 万美元。如果他在这两个赛季都入选全明星阵容，保障金额将进一步增加到 1400 万美元。最后，如果德罗赞在 2024-25 赛季或 2025-26 赛季至少参加 60 场常规赛，并且带领萨克拉门托打进总决赛，那么他的合同将完全得到保障。
以下球员获得了交易保证金
托平(OG Anunoby)、马丁(Caleb Martin)、乔治(Paul George)、小凯文·波特(Kevin Porter Jr.)、詹姆斯·哈登(James Harden)、尼古拉斯·巴图姆(Nicolas Batum)、勒布朗·詹姆斯(LeBron James)、纳吉·马歇尔(Naji Marshall)、德里克·琼斯(Derrick Jones Jr.)和克莱·汤普森(Klay Thompson)的合同中都包含交易保证金。交易保证金的计算方法是根据交易时剩余薪水的百分比确定的。在不太可能发生的情况下，如果乔治在本赛季被交易，那么这笔保证金将失效，因为它超过了允许的最高薪水。
点击查看原文：NBA free agency's best bargain signings and biggest overpays: Which deals make the list?
NBA free agency’s best bargain signings and biggest overpays: Which deals make the list?
- Bobby Marks, ESPNJul 11, 2024, 07:00 AM ET
NBA free agency has slowed down considerably more than a week after officially opening on June 30, and since then, teams have adjusted to the league’s “apron era” by making transactions that will affect their 2024-25 rosters.
All but three of ESPN’s top 20 ranked free agents have found new teams or re-signed with their current ones with the most notable ones including LeBron James returning to the Los Angeles Lakers, Paul George agreeing to a new deal with the Philadelphia 76ers and OG Anunoby staying with the New York Knicks. Gary Trent Jr., Tyus Jones and Markelle Fultz are the three who have yet to agree to new deals.
Which teams, through July 10, have landed the best bargains via player and specific contract deals? Which teams reached on player options and spent too much of their salary cap already? And of the more splashy deals, which players have lucrative incentives or elusive no-trade clauses? Let’s check out what we’ve seen this free agency period.
Jump to:
Best bargains | Good value | Head-scratchers
Incentives, draft-pick deals and no-trade clauses
Best bargains on the market
Chris Paul, San Antonio Spurs
The contract: One year, $10.5 million
It would have been easy for Paul to latch on to a contending team and chase that elusive NBA championship. Instead, Paul left the Golden State Warriors and signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract to play for Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich and franchise player Victor Wembanyama. We can think of Paul as an extension to Popovich’s coaching staff, but the 39-year-old veteran will also help on the court and in the locker room.
The Spurs last season ranked 24th in turnover percentage, 27th in turnovers per game and 28th in percentage of passes leading to a turnover, according to Second Spectrum tracking. Last season, Paul ranked behind only Tyus Jones in assist-to-turnover ratio. His 715 assists on alley-oop dunks rank most among active players.
Paul has eight sets of bonuses in his contract, including a $262K incentive if the Spurs (or the team he finishes the season with) win 32 games or more.
Caleb Martin, Philadelphia 76ers
The contract: Four years, $32 million and $8 million in additional unlikely bonuses
Considering the financial limitations Philadelphia faced once George signed, the four-year, $32 million Martin contract is a coup. The benefit of Martin on a team-friendly contract ($8.1 million of his salary this year is 5.8% of the salary cap) is not only about this season but also about the next one for Philadelphia. The 76ers have over $140 million committed to Joel Embiid, George and Tyrese Maxey.
Martin averaged a career-high 10 points last season for the Miami Heat and has seen his scoring increase during the postseason. He averaged 12.5 points and shot 52% from the field and 43% on 3-pointers in the past two postseasons.
Martin will earn an additional $1.2 million if he plays in at least 67 games and Philadelphia wins 49 games and then reaches the second round of the playoffs.
Haywood Highsmith, Miami Heat
The contract: Two years, $10.8 million
Once Martin left for Philadelphia, the Heat were left with two choices. They could bargain shop in the minimum aisle of free agency and sign a journeyman forward. This approach would have given Miami financial flexibility to sign a 15th player and remain below the second apron, however, that move would not have improved its roster. Or the Heat could take an aggressive approach and sign the best available wing defender left in free agency – Highsmith. They chose the latter.
Highsmith held 2024 All-Stars to 40.3% effective field goal percentage last season, third best among players to defend at least 100 shots, per Second Spectrum. He also improved his 3-point shooting from 33.6% in his first two seasons in Miami to 39.6% in 2023-24.
Royce O’Neale, Phoenix Suns
The contract: Four years, $42 million and $2 million in additional unlikely bonuses
The $40 million in additional tax penalties to retain O’Neale should disqualify the forward from the list. But considering the financial predicament Phoenix is in and the impact O’Neale has on the court, a first-year salary of $9.4 million is good value. O’Neale is one of four players to record 150 3-pointers, 50 steals and 40 blocks in each of the past two seasons, along with Anthony Edwards, Keegan Murray and Jayson Tatum.
O’Neale, formerly with the Brooklyn Nets, has played in 456 games since the 2018-19 season, third most in the NBA during that span, trailing Mikal Bridges and Buddy Hield.
Jonas Valanciunas, Washington Wizards
The contract: Three years, $30.3 million, and the third season is non-guaranteed
We had Valanciunas ranked as the third-best free agent center, behind Nic Claxton and Isaiah Hartenstein. Claxton signed a four-year, $100 million contract in Brooklyn, meanwhile Hartenstein inked a three-year, $87 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Claxton re-signed with his current team and Oklahoma City took advantage of a two-year financial window to overpay Hartenstein. The contracts Claxton and Hartenstein signed should not discredit the value of Valanciunas and his play.
Valanciunas played all 82 games last season with the New Orleans Pelicans and ranked in the top 10 in total second-chance points in each of the past five seasons. In 2023-24, the Wizards ranked last in second-chance points per game allowed and 29th in paint points per game allowed.
An extension worth good value
Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
The contract: Five years, $84 million
Isaac has appeared in 69 games since the 2019-20 season, and paying him an additional $68 million in new money seems like a reckless gamble. But here is why Orlando increasing Isaac’s original $17.4 million salary this season to $25 million and then decreasing it 40% to $15 million next year represents one of the better value contracts in the NBA.
Isaac is an All-NBA defender when he plays. Last season, he led all players in effective field goal percentage allowed as the contesting defender, per Second Spectrum. Isaac also ranked in the top 10 in blocks per 36 minutes among players to play at least 500 minutes last season. Because of his lengthy injury history, Orlando is protected in Years 3 to 5. For example, if Isaac plays in at least 52 games in 2025-26, his $14.5 million salary in 2026-27 is guaranteed. If he doesn’t, Orlando could waive him and owe only $8 million for the remaining three seasons.
Most head-scratching deals
Caleb Martin, former team Miami Heat
The contract: Reportedly turned down a four-year, $58 million extension from Miami
Martin has accomplished the rare feat of making this list in two categories – his deal signaled a great value in Philadelphia and his rejection of Miami’s offer marked a head-scratcher of a decision.
Sources confirmed to ESPN that Martin was given the choice of opting in to his $7.1 million contract for this upcoming season. He would then extend an additional four years and $58 million. And Martin on a $7.1 million salary would have allowed Miami to remain below the second apron.
The Heat’s approach is similar to what occurred last season with the New York Knicks and Josh Hart, who opted in to his $13 million contract and then extended for $81 million over four seasons. The financial flexibility allowed New York to sign Donte DiVincenzo.
“I mean, you’re always going to wish you could make as much money as you can,” Martin said after he signed in Philadelphia. “It’s part of the game, it’s part of life. You live and learn. You take risks. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.”
Patrick Williams, Chicago Bulls
The contract: Five years, $90 million and a player option in the last year
Williams is 22 years old and the $18 million-per-year salary (it is flat over five seasons) is an upside type of contract. The head-scratching move, though, is Chicago including a player option for the fifth year. Williams has played fewer than 45 games in two of his first four years. Last season, he shot a career-low 44.3% from the field and came off the bench for the first time in his career.
He is part of the same 2020 draft class that includes Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Devin Vassell. Those five players all signed five-year extensions last offseason that did not include player options.
Tobias Harris, Detroit Pistons
The contract: Two years, $52 million
Harris’ contract is a rich one, especially when there were no teams outside of Detroit willing to throw big money at the former 76ers forward. The counterargument is Detroit had to spend 90% of its salary cap to reach the minimum salary floor. Do not get me wrong, Harris fits the timeline of the Pistons trying to compete now, while also preserving flexibility in the near future.
Harris averaged 17.2 points last season, up from 14.7 in 2022-23, but he saw his 3-point field goal percentage drop to 35.3%. In the 34 games without Joel Embiid, he shot 32.4% from deep.
Kevin Porter Jr., LA Clippers
The contract: Two years, $4.8 million, 15% trade bonus and a player option
Porter averaged 19 points with the Houston Rockets in 2022-23, but his contract lands in this section for multiple reasons. First, Porter was arrested last September and charged with assault and strangulation after an alleged attack on his then-girlfriend at a New York City hotel. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and a harassment violation in connection with an incident in January of this year. It is likely Porter will face some type of suspension from the NBA this season, similar to Miles Bridges with the Charlotte Hornets last season.
Second, even if the Clippers felt like there was no risk in signing Porter, they guaranteed both seasons and included a 15% trade bonus and a player option. If Porter continues to rehabilitate himself and performs at a high level like he did in Houston, the small investment the Clippers made could be worthless if they lose him.
OG Anunoby, New York Knicks
The contract: Five years, $212.5 million, plus a 15% trade bonus and player option
Before Knicks fans worry too much, re-signing Anunoby was a smart move. The Knicks were 20-3 with Anunoby in the regular season and the forward is one of the NBA’s elite defenders. He is also in the prime of his career, turning 27 on July 17.
Why the Anunoby contract is in the head-scratching section comes down to two issues: the 15% trade bonus and the fact that all five years of the contract are fully guaranteed. The Knicks could point to a contract that will age nicely, especially with the salary cap expected to increase 10% annually for the foreseeable future. The $42.5 million salary in Year 3 is below the maximum salary for a player with six years or less of experience. However, durability continues to be an issue with Anunoby, having played an average of 50 games the past four seasons.
Anunoby is not going anywhere soon, but the Knicks adding a trade bonus could be a hindrance in the near future. The bonus is currently $22 million, $10 million more than what Dejounte Murray received from the Atlanta Hawks in the trade to New Orleans.
More contract notes from this free agency period
Cash-strapped teams sign veteran contracts
Monte Morris (Phoenix), Alec Burks (Miami) and Taurean Prince (Milwaukee) all signed one-year veteran minimum contracts with teams that are financially strapped. The three players combined to earn $8.9 million in 2024-25. Of that trio, Prince has played in the most games in his career (502), including 78 for the Lakers last season. He shot 39.6% on 3-pointers and now joins a Bucks team that ranked in the top 5 in 3-point attempts.
Morris averaged a career-high 5.3 assists two years ago in Washington and fills a much-needed void at point guard for the Suns. With New York, Burks averaged 14.3 points and shot 42.9% from 3 in last season’s second-round loss to Indiana.
LeBron and the elusive no-trade clause
LeBron James joined Bradley Beal as the only players with a true no-trade clause. James was eligible because he has played at least eight years in the NBA and four seasons with the Lakers. James and Kevin Garnett are the only NBA players to hold a no-trade clause with two different teams.
Seven second-round draft picks sign four-year deals
Led by Tyler Kolek, 10 players from the 2024 draft have signed second-round pick exceptions. The four-year, $9 million contract Kolek signed with the Knicks is the largest contract a second-round pick has signed under the 2023 CBA, and there is $6.5 million in guaranteed money. Seven of the 10 second-round picks have signed four-year contracts, including Bronny James with the Lakers.
All-Star incentives for DeRozan
Seven players have incentives in their contract, including new Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan has a $1 million bonus each season if he is named an All-Star Game starter, reserve or replacement. DeRozan also has one of the more unique structures to a contract, including $10 million of the $25.7 million salary in the last year of his contract guaranteed.
If DeRozan is named to the All-Star team in either 2024-25 or 2025-26, the protection increases to $12 million. It will then increase to $14 million if he is named to the All-Star Game in both seasons. And finally, the contract becomes guaranteed fully if DeRozan plays in at least 60 regular-season games and leads Sacramento to the Finals in either 2024-25 or 2025-26.
It’s bonus time for these players
Anunoby, Martin, George, Kevin Porter Jr., James Harden, Nicolas Batum, LeBron James, Naji Marshall, Derrick Jones Jr., and Klay Thompson all have a trade bonus in their contracts. The bonus is calculated based on a percentage of remaining salary owed at the time of the trade. In the unlikely scenario George is traded during the season, the bonus is voided because it exceeds the maximum salary allowed.
via ESPN