The first day of NBA free agency brought big moves like Steph Curry's record contract, Blake Griffin staying with the Clippers, and J.J. Redick landing a one-year, $23 million deal with Philly. Things have been reserved for the most part on the market, with no real crazy offers made.
Here's a look at the five best available free agents on the market going into Sunday.
Hayward met with Miami on Saturday, the first of three planned meetings for the Jazz forward. Multiple Heat players were in attendance along with Pat Riley and other Heat executives like Alonzo Mourning. The meetings set off an emoji war. Meanwhile, it's notable that the Jazz agreed with Joe Ingles to a four-year, $52 million deal. Ingles shares an agent with Hayward.
Hayward is expected to meet with Utah and the Celtics this holiday weekend before making his decision next week.
With the Sixers having drafted Markelle Fultz, the Wolves having gone for Jeff Teague and the Spurs having committed $50 million of their already tight cap space to Patty Mills, most of Lowry's main suitors have gone elsewhere, fueling speculation that he was likely going to re-sign with the Raptors. That feeling was extenuated on Saturday according to reports.
Growing sense among NBA executives that Kyle Lowry will return to Raptors. Don't be surprised if deal is three years, approx $27M per season
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) July 2, 2017
Getting Lowry back at less than the max, on a deal that is significantly shorter than most star players expect, is a huge win for the Raptors if they can seal the deal. As it stands, there haven't been any reports or rumors of other teams interested. It sure looks like Lowry will remain in Toronto.
The Suns reportedly bailed on their pursuit of Millsap over the weekend. Millsap met with the Nuggets in Atlanta on Saturday. The meeting was for several hours, sources told CBS Sports, and members of the Denver Broncos, who happened to be in town, stopped by to recommend the city to Millsap. No deal was agreed upon Saturday night.
The Wolves were reportedly cooling on their approach towards Millsap as well. League sources did indicate they expected several teams to remain in contention for Millsap. He'll have options.
Ibaka issued a statement regarding rumors about his age on Saturday, which seemingly wasn't prompted by any specific conversation or recent report.
— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka_7) July 1, 2017
Meanwhile, conversations continued with Toronto, and like Lowry, it's widely expected that Toronto will re-sign Ibaka.
Porter met with the Wizards Saturday, but no agreement was reached.
Told Wizards' meeting with Otto Porter is over. Does not appear they reached agreement tonight. WAS has repeatedly vowed to match any offer.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 1, 2017
Porter will hold meetings from the Nets and Kings Sunday according to Aldridge, and both of those teams have space for a max offer and nothing to lose. The Wizards are clearly banking that by telegraphing their intention to match, no one will go for it, but given how the market has played out and Porter's value, it's likely he signs a four-year max offer sheet Sunday, which is matched in good time.
Next five best: George Hill, Dion Waiters, Danilo Gallinari, Taj Gibson, Nerlens Noel
