NBA Free Agency: SGA Supermax, Dame Waived, Knicks Add Depth
Jeffrey Phelps/AP
The summer has officially begun, and you know what that means. It’s NBA Free Agency time! Every summer, we see drastic shifts in the NBA landscape that completely alter the balance of power. This offseason has already seen massive trades, from Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets and Desmond Bane to Orlando. We’ve also seen jaw-dropping franchise decisions, such as the Milwaukee Bucks waiving star guard Damian Lillard, that left many shocked.
Let’s dive into some of the latest big news in this NBA Free Agency mailbag.
Shai Signs Supermax
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander agreed to a four-year, $285 million supermax deal with Oklahoma City. His extension begins in the 2027-28 season, with his contract running through the 2030-31 season.
Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a historic campaign. He averaged 32.7 points in the regular season and 30.3 in the Finals. He won league MVP and Finals MVP while leading the Thunder to their first championship.
Only Jordan, LeBron, Bird, Magic, Duncan, Hakeem, Kareem, Shaq, Malone, and Reed had achieved that feat before him. Shai became the first MVP and scoring champ to win the title since Shaq in 2000.
He joined Jordan and Kareem as the only players to average 30+ points, win the MVP award, and secure a championship. His scoring average was the highest ever on a title team, edging Jordan’s 1993 mark. His 3,172 combined points were the highest total since Jordan’s points that season.
Oklahoma City acquired him in the Paul George trade. That deal also netted multiple draft picks, including Jalen Williams.
Dame Waived by Milwaukee
The Bucks waived Damian Lillard after two injury-plagued seasons. The move frees $113 million in cap space. Milwaukee stretched Lillard’s contract to complete a four-year, $107 million agreement with Myles Turner.
Lillard is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered against Indiana. The injury ended his postseason and time in Milwaukee. He now returns to Portland to rehab, where he became a franchise legend.
Lillard averaged 25.7 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.3 rebounds across 900 regular-season games with the Blazers. He ranks first in franchise history in points and threes and second in assists.
Knicks Add Bench Depth
Tom Thibodeau relied heavily on his starters last season. New York led the league in regular-season and playoff minutes with 14,674 per StatMuse and 335 playoff minutes per NBA.com. They needed scoring and relief for Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Knicks signed Jordan Clarkson on a veteran minimum deal. He averaged 15+ points per game since 2018-19 and scored 20.8 points in 2022-23. Clarkson brings shot creation and floor spacing off the bench.
New York also added Guerschon Yabusele on a two-year, $12 million deal. He provides size, energy, and efficient shooting. Yabusele shot 50% from the field and 38% from three last season in Philadelphia.
