NBA Trades and Free Agent Tracker for 2016-17 Season: Vujacic to Knicks, Humphries to Hawks
The 2016-17 NBA Season will begin on Oct. 25. For now, teams are looking at free agency and trades to improve their rosters. In a sense, the rest of the NBA teams not named Golden State Warriors are looking to correct the power imbalance created by Kevin Durant's new team.
Here are the latest free agency updates for NBA Season 2016-17.
1. Sasha Vujacic Rejoins the New York Knicks
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Sasha Vujacic agreed to sign a one-year veteran's minimum worth $1.4 million to rejoin the New York Knicks this season.
Vujacic decided it's best to return to New York after hearing offers from European clubs and other NBA teams. He had a four-season stint in Europe, mostly in Turkey, Italy and Spain.
The current New York Knicks include three solid guards: Derrick Rose, Courtney Lee and Brandon Jennings. Vujacic will play as a reserve, but his inclusion in the team is mostly due to the fact that he is acquainted with the Knicks triangle offense.
Vujacic had an average of 4.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on 14.9 minutes played per game last season.
2. Kris Humphries Re-signs with Atlanta Hawks
Kris Humphries used Twitter to announce his comeback with the Atlanta Hawks. He tweeted, "I'm excited to be back in the A next season! #TrueToAtlanta."
Humphries signed a one-year, $4 million deal to rejoin the Hawks' frontcourt rotation. Last season, he played for three different teams. Starting with the Washington Wizards, Humphries was traded to the Phoenix Suns. The Suns reached a buyout agreement, so Humphries had to be waived, and Atlanta signed him last April.
According to Mike Budenholzer, head coach for the Hawks, "Kris is a versatile veteran with playoff experience who fits well with our group and within our system. We are fortunate to have Kris join our team and would like to welcome him to the Hawks family."
In just 21 season and four post-season games with the Hawks, the team decided to re-sign Humphries, who, according to Hawks writer KL Chouinard, "will be even more useful without Horford." Humphries will provide floor spacing, since he has expanded his range to include three-point shooting.
Humphries averaged 6.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.6 assist per game with the Hawks last season.
3. Bulls Remove Butler from Trade Market
Chicago Bulls is intent on keeping their most valuable player. Jimmy Butler signed a five-year, $95 million contract with the Bulls last year, and it appears this contract will remain active, at least for now.
According to Zach Lowe of ESPN, "Butler is off the market for now, per league sources, and it's tempting to read Chicago's all-in splash as an effort to maintain a winner around him."
Jimmy Butler will work alongside Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo and Robin Lopez to get the Bulls back into playoff contention. If things don't go as planned, that might decide whether the team gets involved in Butler trade talks or not.
4. Gobert Delays Contract Extension Talks with Jazz
Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com tweeted that Rudy Gobert and Utah Jazz will delay talks regarding contract extension until the Olympics comes to an end. Gobert will play for the French national team, which qualified during the Manila leg Olympic qualifiers.
