An official agreement is still pending, but James Harden appears to be toasting his new deal at a party with rapper Meek Mill, Sixers star Joel Embiid and his new teammate PJ Tucker. Meanwhile, the wait for the Kevin Durant trade continues and a German wants to stir up the Summer League.
Pictures emerged on Monday night that Harden in exuberant mood together with Embiid and Tucker at a party hosted by former Sixers shareholder Michael Rubin in the Hamptons. Negotiations between Harden and the Sixers about a contract extension are said to have taken place there at the weekend.
After the 32-year-old waived his player option for the upcoming season ($47.4 million) to give the franchise more financial flexibility in the offseason, a three-year deal is expected to be a little over $100 million. However, a confirmation is still pending.
In general, the entire NBA seems to be waiting for Kevin Durant’s trade before the free agency carousel picks up speed again. However, reported Brian Lewis (New York Post) that no deal was imminent and talks had not even reached an advanced stage.
Also Adrian Wojnarowski (ESPN) confirmed that the Nets will take their time finding what they think is a suitable deal. Although there was “continuous” contact between Brooklyn and Durant’s two preferred destinations, Phoenix and Miami, the Gobert trade to Minnesota drove the price up further.
The teams would have to get “creative” to come up with a trade proposal. But a trade to the Warriors is loud The Athletic “highly unlikely” after reporting an interest in dubs the day before.
NBA: Karim Jallow plays Summer League for Phoenix Suns
For example, there was only one fixed deal to report on the US National Day, Serge Ibaka will, according to Shams Charania (The Athletic) for a year with the Milwaukee Bucks. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks are likely to keep Frank Ntilikina, with the backup guard’s contract ($2 million next season) guaranteed for the entire season starting Tuesday.
Dennis Schröder is still waiting for a new contract, but he was unconcerned. “We’ll see where the journey goes. Everything will be fine,” said the 28-year-old after the German national team’s World Cup qualifying match against Poland in Bremen. “My advisor does his stuff. He gives me updates every day.”
From a German perspective, there was at least good news to report on Monday: Karim Jallow from ratiopharm Ulm is in the Phoenix Suns Summer League squad. The forward had planned to play for the Suns in Las Vegas last season, but an injury thwarted his plans. The first Summer League game in Las Vegas is scheduled for the Suns on Friday night.
NBA Free Agency: Day 5 contract extensions
- Serge Ibaka extends 1-year contract with the Milwaukee Bucks
