Houston Rockets Make Big Moves on First Night of NBA Free Agency
The first night of the 2023 NBA free agency was full of excitement and surprise as several teams made big moves to strengthen their rosters. Here are the winners and losers from the opening night:
Winners:
Houston Rockets: The Rockets came into free agency with a plan to pursue Fred VanVleet, Brook Lopez, and Dillon Brooks, and they wasted no time in landing VanVleet. The 29-year-old guard, who played a key role in the Toronto Raptors’ championship run in 2019, agreed to a max contract worth $130 million over three seasons. VanVleet brings scoring, playmaking, and championship experience to a young Rockets team in need of leadership.
Rich Paul and Klutch Sports: Paul’s agency, Klutch Sports, had an impressive night, securing lucrative contracts for several of their clients. Jerami Grant, Fred VanVleet, Draymond Green, and Trey Lyles were among the players who agreed to deals on the opening night. With a potential 4% fee for negotiating these contracts, Paul could earn a whopping $17 million payday.
Big Wings: Players like Cameron Johnson, Kyle Kuzma, and Jerami Grant, who are between 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-8, cashed in on the first night of free agency. These versatile wings earned a combined $370 million in new contracts, highlighting the value placed on their ability to defend multiple positions and score from anywhere on the court.
Tyrese Haliburton: The Indiana Pacers showed their faith in Haliburton by offering him a maximum rookie-scale extension worth a potential $260 million. The 21-year-old guard, selected 12th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, has proven himself as a valuable contributor and has also gained attention for his social media presence and meme-making skills.
Losers:
Daryl Morey: The president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers finds himself in a tough spot after failing to make a trade involving Ben Simmons. Morey had hoped to pair another star with Joel Embiid but may now have to settle for a lesser return if he decides to trade James Harden, who has expressed a desire to be traded for the third time in as many years. The Sixers’ championship hopes could take a hit if they lose both Simmons and Harden.
Boston’s Eastern Conference Challengers: The Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat could suffer significant losses if they are unable to retain key players. The Rockets’ pursuit of Brook Lopez could leave the Bucks without a reliable stretch 5 and impact their chances of winning another championship. The Heat, on the other hand, may lose Max Strus to the Cleveland Cavaliers, potentially leaving them with fewer wing options.
Overall, the opening night of NBA free agency provided plenty of excitement and set the stage for more moves to come. Teams will continue to make moves in the coming days as they look to bolster their rosters and compete for a championship in the 2023 season.