Hello everyone, and welcome to NBA Free Agency season! The league has been thrown into a whirlwind since free agency kicked off on July 1st, with some of the NBA’s biggest names changing teams with blockbuster deals. The news of DeMarcus Cousins’ deal with the Golden State Warriors was second only to LeBron James’ deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, and many fans believe that the Cousins signing completely buried the buzz around LeBron. More moves are very likely to happen as several big names are still available, and teams are working hard to configure their rosters.
The needs of every team in the league has been and still will change on a day-to-day, or even minute-to-minute basis this summer, which will lead to trades and, unfortunately, waives. With the help of NBA.com & Basketball-Reference.com, I’ve compiled a list of the former University of Kentucky Wildcats in the NBA, with an introductory list of players who have struck deals this summer.
When a player is a restricted free agent, the player can field contract offers from other teams, but his current team has the right to match an offer in order to keep the player. At that point, the team is bound by the terms of that offer.
When a player is an unrestricted free agent, a player can accept any contract offer he chooses, no strings attached.
Contract talks began on July 1st, and contracts can be signed starting on July 6th.
First, let’s take a look at the players who have made deals, and a few who are still available. Then, check out the updated list of where our former Wildcats are today. Enjoy!
ISAIAH BRISCOE: Signed with the Orlando Magic, details not released yet
DEMARCUS COUSINS: Reportedly agreed to a 1-year $5.34MM contract with the Golden State Warriors
AARON HARRISON: no signing yet
ENES KANTER: opted in to the final year of his contract, will remain with the New York Knicks
NERLENS NOEL: Reportedly agreed to a 2-year minimum salary contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder
JULIUS RANDLE: Reportedly agreed to a 2-year $17.71MM contract with the New Orleans Pelicans
RAJON RONDO: Reportedly agreed to a 1-year $9MM contract with the Los Angeles Lakers
TYLER ULIS: no signing yet
JAMES YOUNG: no signing yet
CHARLOTTE HORNETS: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Malik Monk
DALLAS MAVERICKS: Aaron Harrison (restricted free agent)
DENVER NUGGETS: Trey Lyles, Jamal Murray, Jarred Vanderbilt
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: DeMarcus Cousins
INDIANA PACERS: Alex Poythress
LA CLIPPERS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
LOS ANGELES LAKERS: Rajon Rondo
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: Andrew Harrison, Marquis Teague
MIAMI HEAT: Bam Adebayo
MILWAUKEE BUCKS: Eric Bledsoe
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: Karl-Anthony Towns
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: Anthony Davis, DeAndre Liggins, Darius Miller, Julius Randle
NEW YORK KNICKS: Enes Kanter, Kevin Knox
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: Hamidou Diallo, Dakari Johnson, Nerlens Noel, Patrick Patterson
ORLANDO MAGIC: Isaiah Briscoe
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS: James Young (was waived in March 2018; unrestricted free agent)
PHOENIX SUNS: Devin Booker, Brandon Knight, Tyler Ulis
SACRAMENTO KINGS: Willie Cauley-Stein, De’Aaron Fox, Skal Labissiere
WASHINGTON WIZARDS: Jodie Meeks, John Wall