LeBron James is not officially a Los Angeles Laker yet, but the team did announce deals for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Rajon Rondo on Friday, the first official day free agents are permitted to sign new contracts.
Caldwell-Pope resigned on a one-year, US$12 million deal after joining the Lakers last summer on a one-year, US$18 million contract. Rondo is also on a one-year deal, worth US$9 million.
“We are excited to bring KCP back,” general manager Rob Pelinka said in a statement. “He is a true two-way player, which is very important for our team DNA. We think he will multiply his successes from last year as we move forward with roster continuity.”
Photo: AP
He added of Rondo: “We are thrilled to have Rajon bring his off-the-charts basketball IQ to the Lakers. He has a proven ability to play at an elite level during playoff and championship runs, and that is a highly valued skill. Rajon is also respected around the NBA as an extremely hard worker and relentless competitor and that mentality is key to how we want build our roster.”
GOLDEN STATE
The Warriors announced they have officially signed their newest big-name get, center DeMarcus Cousins. While terms of the deal have not been disclosed, the two sides reportedly agreed on a one-year contract worth US$5.3 million.
Cousins, who turns 28 next month, is recovering from a torn left Achilles tendon sustained in January, and a timetable for his return remains in question.
Before his injury, Cousins was averaging 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.6 blocks per game through 48 games with the Pelicans, figures that have never been reached by one player in a single season in NBA history.
The Lakers were believed to be a leading suitor for Cousins, but after news of his agreement with the Warriors broke, reports surfaced that LA passed on Cousins, because they did not want to wait “until January or February for Cousins’ return from injury,” the New York Times reported.
DALLAS MAVERICKS
The Mavs avoided a repeat of history and signed center DeAndre Jordan to the reported one-year, US$23 million deal the sides agreed upon early in free agency.
Three off-seasons ago, Jordan and the Mavs agreed to a deal, but the free agent changed his mind before signing and returned to the Los Angeles Clippers.
OKLAHOMA CITY
The Thunder officially put the city at ease, announcing the signing of forward Paul George.
In his first season in Oklahoma City, George averaged 21.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.04 steals, second in the league.
It was long believed the Southern California native would sign with the Lakers, but decided to stay in OKC on a reported four-year, US$137 million max contract.
The team also announced the signing of Nerlens Noel to what was reported to be a two-year deal with a player option for the second year.
PHILADELPHIA
The 76ers announced the official resigning of JJ Redick and acquisition of former Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler via trade.
“Our ability to retain JJ is big for us and his obvious shooting skills are only a part of his importance to our team,” head coach Brett Brown said in a statement. “His leadership and professionalism add to the overall special package that he brings to our team, and all of this makes him incredibly valuable.”
Brown added of Chandler: “Wilson’s veteran experience in the NBA, along with his inherent skill package, makes him a tremendous acquisition for our young team. He is a modern-day player, takes tremendous pride in playing defense and his ability to shoot from the perimeter is exactly what we are looking for.”
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Revelations of positive doping tests for nearly two dozen Chinese swimmers that went unpunished sparked an intense flurry of accusations and legal threats between the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the head of the US drug-fighting organization, who has long been one of WADA’s fiercest critics. WADA on Saturday said it was turning to legal counsel to address a statement released by US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart, who said WADA and anti-doping authorities in China swept positive tests “under the carpet by failing to fairly and evenly follow the global rules that apply to everyone else in the world.” The
Taiwanese judoka Yang Yung-wei on Saturday won silver in the men’s under-60kg category at the Asian Judo Championships in Hong Kong. Nicknamed the “judo heartthrob” in Taiwan, the Olympic silver-medalist missed out on his first Asian Championships gold when he lost to Japanese judoka Taiki Nakamura in the finals. Yang defeated three opponents on Saturday to reach the final after receiving a bye through the round of 32. He first topped Laotian Soukphaxay Sithisane in the round of 16 with two seoi nage (over-the-shoulder throws), then ousted Indian Vijay Kumar Yadav in the quarter-finals with his signature ude hishigi sankaku gatame (triangular armlock). He
Rafael Nadal on Wednesday said the upcoming French Open would be the moment to “give everything and die” on the court after his comeback from injury in Barcelona was curtailed by Alex de Minaur. The 22-time Grand Slam title winner, back playing this week after three months on the sidelines, battled well, but eventually crumbled 7-5, 6-1 against the world No. 11 from Australia in the second round. Nadal, 37, who missed virtually all of last season, is hoping to compete at the French Open next month where he is the record 14-time champion. The Spaniard said the clash with De Minaur was