NBA Free Agency Recap: Day 1

(photo credit: slamonline.com)

The NBA free agency period began today, as we saw a multitude of players get huge contracts. Over $1 billion was spent on free agents today, as many players got career changing contracts. A lot of players re-signed with their teams, while some other players took off to sign with news teams. 

A few hours after the free agency period started, the Toronto Raptors retained one of their best players from last year. The Raptors re-signed shooting guard DeMar DeRozan to a five-year $139 million contract, which is the second largest contract in NBA history. DeRozan was selected by Toronto with the ninth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. DeRozan averaged 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game last year, as led the Raptors to their first Eastern Conference Finals last season. The Detroit Pistons also retained one of their best players, as they re-signed center Andre Drummond to a five-year max contract worth $130 million. 

Drummond led the Pistons to the playoffs this year, as he averaged 16.2 points, and 14.8 rebounds per game last season. A few hours after meeting with Dallas and Miami, center Hassan Whiteside decided that he will stay in South Beach. Whiteside, who's been with the Heat since 2014, signed a four-year deal worth $98 million. Whiteside averaged 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, and a league leading 3.7 blocks per game last season. The Los Angeles Lakers are bringing back a big part of their young core, while also adding a center to their front court. 

The Lakers re-signed guard Jordan Clarkson to a four-year contract worth $50 million. In his second season, Clarkson averaged 15.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists for the Lakers last year. Los Angeles also announced the signing of former Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov. Mozgov signed a four-year contract worth $64 million. Mozgov saw limited playing time with the NBA champions last year, as he averaged 6.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game last season. 

The Washington Wizards announced that they have re-signed guard Bradley Beal, who was selected by Washington with the third overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Beal signed a five-year max contract worth $128 million. Last year, Beal averaged 17.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. The Indiana Pacers bolstered their front court as they signed former Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson. Jefferson signed a three-year $30 million deal with the Pacers. Jefferson averaged 12.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game last season. The Memphis Grizzlies added some much needed offense to their roster, as they signed former Dallas Mavericks small forward Chandler Parsons. Parsons signed a four-year contract worth $94 million. 

Parsons averaged 13.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game last year with the Mavs. In the most shocking move of the day, Dwight Howard is going home to Atlanta. Howard and the Hawks agreed to a three-year contract worth $70.5 million. Howard averaged 13.7 points and 11.5 rebounds with the Rockets last year. The Grizzlies also re-signed point guard Mike Conley to a five-year contract worth $153 million, which is the biggest contract in NBA history. Conley averaged 15.3 points and 6.1 assists per game last year. All free agents can officially sign when the moratorium period ends on July 7.