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Unlike previous years, most of the major dominos in the 2018 Free Agency fell early, leaving fans with insignificant deals being announced even a day before the 4th of July.
The only real big-name player, which still has a lot of buzz around him is Kawhi Leonard who isn't even a free-agent. The players that agreed to contracts on July 3rd might be insignificant in the big picture but were quite important to the teams that signed them up to fill up roster spots. You might not see a round-up tomorrow given the July 4th holiday in the United States but before we let go off that, it's time to take a quick recap of all the deals agreed to on July 3rd.
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On Day 3, it was the Washington Wizards which made key moves:
#1 Washington Wizards sign Dwight Howard and Jeff Green
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In 2018-19, the Washington Wizards owe three players (John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter Jr.) $70 million while also needing to play $15 million to a non-contributing center in Ian Mahinmi. So it was key for them that whatever move they make, it does not hurt them financially. Well, their front office nailed that.
Giving out deals to Dwight Howard and Jeff Green.
While Howard will most likely be their starting center, replacing Marcin Gortat who the team traded to the LA Clippers prior to Free Agency. In turn, Jeff Green also proves to be a handy pickup given the price, as he only bolsters the team's wing and bench depth, something they were lacking in previous years.
Fit and financially, these moves meet the demand.
#2 Raymond Felton re-signs with the Oklahoma City Thunder
Say what you want about his shape, Raymond Felton played quite a pivotal role for the Oklahoma City Thunder as their back-up point guard. Thus, it should come as no surprise that they went back to him, given the continuity they have tried to maintain with the rest of their roster.
The Thunder were already paying a hefty price when they brought back Paul George and Jerami Grant. To make matters worse, Carmelo Anthony opted into his deal as well. So the franchise was already paying a hefty tax bill and signing Raymond Felton, even to the small number that it is, made some history.
#3 Tyreke Evans agrees to deal with Indiana Pacers
There was a lot of trade talk last February, surrounding the Memphis Grizzlies and at what price they were ready to let go of Tyreke Evans. Well, eventually, they didn't deal him and have let him walk.
It's clearly the Grizzlies loss as the 2009 Rookie of the Year received a huge payday. He went from a $3.3 million deal with the Grizzlies last year to $12 million for the 2018-19 season. The only real player that the Pacers lost was Lance Stephenson, who agreed to a deal with the Lakers, and as a replacement, they get Evans who is certainly better than the former.
Not a bad move at all.
#4 Utah Jazz complete deals to bring back full team from last year
The 2017-18 season was quite a successful one for the Utah Jazz, give all the injuries they had to overcome. Despite all of those, they still battled.
Heading into Free Agency, they weren't seen as big players for any trades or as buyers for any players. That's exactly what happened. The franchise basically signed up all three of their free-agents to new deals and kept the team intact.
Note: They re-signed Derrick Favors on July 2nd.
As mentioned earlier, the franchise basically kept their team intact with no more room or spot to sign anybody more.
#5 Houston Rockets sign Michael Carter-Williams; Kevon Looney re-signs for Warriors
Signing Michael Carter-Williams was probably a play by the Houston Rockets to add a wing playmaker because he obviously doesn't make up for the defence and long-range shooting that was Trevor Ariza, who signed with the Phoenix Suns a couple of days prior.
On the other hand, it was suspected that the reason the Golden State Warriors let JaVale McGee walk is that they wanted to invest in their young bigs like Damion Jones and Kevon Looney. While Jones is still under contract, Looney was a free agent but the team was quick to ensure he didn't stay on for long.
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