NBA Trades and Free Agent Tracker for 2016-17 Season: Sullinger Joins Raptors; Duncan to Hold Retirement Press Con
Tim Duncan Ends 19-year Legacy with the San Antonio Spurs
With the noise created by Kevin Durant quieting, here are some of the latest NBA free agent and trade moves, with an additional segment on Tim Duncan's quiet retirement announcement.
1. Jared Sullinger Signs with the Toronto Raptors
Jared Sullinger signed a one-year, $6 million contract to play for the Toronto Raptors. Sullinger, who played for the Celtics last season, announced his new team with a tweet saying, "WE THE NORTH," along with a new Twitter avatar that has the Raptors' logo.
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The Celtics had to make cap space room for Al Horford, which includes withdrawing Sullinger's qualifying offer of $4.4 million. Sullinger may play as a starter with the Raptors.
The Raptors see Sullinger's addition as a power forward upgrade. The team had a great 2015-16 season, making it to the Eastern Conference Finals and getting their best season record as a franchise at 56-26.
Last season, Sullinger averaged 10.3 points, 2.3 assists and 8.3 rebounds per game.
2. Tim Duncan to Hold Retirement Press Conference
Tim Duncan has never been the vocal type, so his retirement announcement just fits his personality.
According to a tweet by Jeff McDonald of San Antonio Express-News, "Spurs have called a press conference Tuesday to address Tim Duncan's retirement. Tim Duncan will not be present. This is somehow perfect."
Adrian Wojnarowski, TheVertical.com editor, also tweeted that Tim Duncan will hold his own press conference this week.
Greg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs head coach, said of Duncan, "Timmy's never been a very outspoken or emoting sort of individual on the court. Everybody does it differently."
Duncan is, in many lists, NBA's best power forward of all time. In 19 seasons, he got five NBA championships, two MVP awards and 15 appearances during the All Star games, among other achievements.
Duncan is a San Antonio Spur for life. He played for the same team for 19 seasons; only Kobe Bryant, 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, stayed longer.
Not only that, Duncan's 19 seasons with the Spurs is the most successful stretch in NBA history, with a 1027-438 regular season record.
Duncan's career averages are 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.2 blocks per game.
3. Atlanta Hawks Signs Veteran Jarrett Jack
Hawks agree to a veteran-minimum contract for one year with Jarrett Jack. Jack's last team was with the Brooklyn Nets, but his season was shortened due to an ACL injury last January.
Jack became an unrestricted free agent last June when the Brooklyn Nets relinquished his $6.3 million contract.
Also, 32-year old Jarrett Jack averaged 12.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game last season, playing 32 games.
Jack will help Dennis Schroder as a backup point guard. The Hawks traded Jeff Teague, who now plays for the Indiana Pacers.
4. Other Free Agency and Trade News
The buzz is that Jahlil Okafor of the Philadelphia 76ers became upset when he heard rumors of being traded away. Okafor denied these chitchats.
Another rumor: the Brooklyn Nets are interested in getting Anthony Bennett, 2013 No. 1 overall pick. The Nets have just recently acquired Greivis Vasquez on a one-year deal.
