The Latest on NBA free agency (all times EDT):
9:35 p.m.
Julius Randle is going to play alongside All-Star Anthony Davis.
Randle agreed to sign with the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday
Sam Hubbard Color Rush Jersey , doing so quickly after his rights were renounced by the Los Angeles Lakers hours earlier. His decision was confirmed by
a person familiar with the negotiations and speaking on condition of anonymity
because nothing has been signed.
ESPN, which first reported the Randle agreement, said it was a two-year, $18 million deal.
The move pairs Randle in the Pelicans’ frontcourt with Davis, another former Kentucky star.
Davis and DeMarcus Cousins formed perhaps the best 1-2 frontcourt punch in basketball last season before Cousins got hurt. And now, Cousins has gone to the
defending NBA champions after agreeing Monday to a one-year, $5.3 million deal
to sign with the Golden State Warriors.
– Reporting by AP Sports Writer Brett Martel
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8:55 p.m.
DeMarcus Cousins is heading to the Golden State Warriors, looking for a title.
Cousins agreed Monday to accept a one-year deal to join the two-time defending NBA champions for $5.3 million. The terms were confirmed to The
Associated Press by a person directly involved in the negotiations who spoke on
condition of anonymity because the contract has not been signed.
It’s a low-risk, high-reward move for the Warriors, with Cousins set to return at some point this season once he completes his recovery from tearing his
Achilles tendon in January.
And immediately, Cousins’ soon-to-be teammates welcomed the move. ”The 3rd splash Brother,” Stephen Curry tweeted.
Cousins averaged 25.2 points last season for New Orleans, and for his career the six-time All-Star averages 21.5 points and 11 rebounds.
– Reporting by AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami
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6:30 p.m.
The Boston Celtics signed guard Brad Wanamaker, who spent the last seven years playing in Europe.
The 6-foot-4 former Pittsburgh Panther averaged 11.5 points for Fenerbahce Ulker last season, when the team won the Turkish league championship and he was
named the finals MVP.
He is a former European teammate of Celtic Daniel Theis.
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5:35 p.m.
Rajon Rondo is teaming up with LeBron James.
A person with knowledge of the situation says Rondo has agreed to sign a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized.
ESPN
Authentic Mike Gesicki Jersey , which first reported the agreement, said Rondo will make $9 million.
James and Rondo have gone head-to-head 54 times in their NBA careers, 25 of those coming in the playoffs – the last of those matchups in 2012, when James
and the Miami Heat rallied from a 3-2 deficit to beat Rondo and the Boston
Celtics on the way to the NBA title.
The Lakers become Rondo’s sixth team. He averaged 8.3 points and 8.2 assists for New Orleans last season.
– Reporting by AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami
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4:40 p.m.
Veteran forward Anthony Tolliver is joining the Minnesota Timberwolves, returning to one of the nine NBA teams he’s played for during his career.
A person with knowledge of the agreement says Tolliver will sign a one-year contract for $5.75 million with the Timberwolves. The person spoke to The
Associated Press Monday on condition of anonymity because the league’s free
agency moratorium is in place until Friday.
Tolliver will likely replace Nemanja Bjelica off the bench, a sharp shooter who can back up both forward spots. Tolliver, who played for Minnesota in the
2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, played for Detroit in 2017-18 while averaging 8.9
points and 22.2 minutes per game with a career-best 3-point percentage of
43.6.
– AP Sports Writer Dave Campbell reporting from Minneapolis
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4:30 p.m.
Jose Calderon is joining his former coach in Detroit.
The veteran guard agreed to a contract with the Pistons, who recently hired former Toronto coach Dwane Casey. Calderon’s agency, Priority Sports, announced
the veteran’s minimum deal in a tweet congratulating Calderon.
The Spanish guard played last season for Cleveland, averaging 4.5 points in 57 games, including 32 starts. At 36, Calderon has lost some foot speed but
remains a reliable shooter and respected teammate in the locker room.
He began his career with the Raptors in 2005 and has also played with the Pistons, Dallas
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—
3:30 p.m.
Derrick Favors was a top priority for Utah, and the Jazz have succeeded in their quest to retain him.
A person with knowledge of the negotiations says Favors and the Jazz have come to terms on a two-year contract that could be worth up to $36 million, The
person spoke to The Associated Press Monday on condition of anonymity because
the deal remains unsigned, with the NBA’s offseason moratorium still in
place.
Favors averaged 12.3 points last season for the Jazz, who reached the Western Conference semifinals.
He turns 27 later this month and the deal represents a nice raise for Favors, who made $12 million last season.
– Reporting by AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami.
—
1:15 p.m.
The massive LeBron James banner hanging in downtown Cleveland is being removed again following the superstar’s announcement he’s leaving the
Cavaliers.
The 10-story billboard, which shows James wearing his No. 23 jersey with his arms spread wide has become a city landmark. It was also ??While winning at
Lambeau Field means a lot to the Minnesota Vikings, the NFC North champions have
bigger goals in mind.A first-round playoff bye is well within reach, and could
be secured as soon as Sunday.The Vikings took care of business on their end with
a 16-0 victory Saturday night over the injury-depleted Green Bay Packers, the
team’s first shutout in 24 years. Having already clinched the division title,
Minnesota (12-3) can wrap up a first-round bye if the Carolina Panthers lose or
tie on Sunday against Tampa Bay.“I’m hoping we can get one more win, work on
some things we need to work on … and then go out and play our rear ends off in
the playoffs,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said.Stefon Diggs caught a 4-yard pass
from quarterback Case Keenum just inside the back line of the end zone in the
first quarter for the only touchdown. After the game, Keenum stopped before
heading up the tunnel at Lambeau
Hayden Hurst Color Rush Jersey , clapping his hands above his head while Vikings fans chanted “Skol! Skol!”They felt right at home in Titletown.“Defense
played absolutely incredible today, and we did enough. It doesn’t matter how, it
matters how many,” Keenum said.The Packers (7-8) managed to hold a 239-236 edge
in total yards. They were still shut out twice in a season for the first time
since 2006.“I never felt more defeated, more embarrassed by a performance. Yeah,
we had opportunities, and we didn’t connect when we did,” receiver Randall Cobb
said.In its defense, the team fielded a lineup that often looked like one coach
Mike McCarthy might send out for a game late in the preseason. The Packers had
already been eliminated from playoff contention.Brett Hundley was 17 of 40 for
130 yards with two interceptions in taking over at quarterback again for Aaron
Rodgers, who returned to injured reserve this week after missing seven games
earlier in the year with a collarbone injury.“It’s so frustrating just because
of the fact that I know what I can do,” Hundley said. “But to go out there and
not be consistent ??which is my number one goal ??and just give our team an
opportunity to win each game, that hurts.”MINNESOTA MILESTONES: The Vikings
forced an incompletion into the end zone on fourth-and-4 from the 14 early in
the fourth quarter to turn away the Packers’ last best effort to cross the goal
line. Minnesota safety Harrison Smith ended another Green Bay drive with an
interception at the Vikings 5 late in the second quarter. Minnesota left frigid
Lambeau Field with its first shutout since a 13-0 win over Detroit on Dec. 5,
1993. It was the first shutout over the Packers since Nov. 14, 1971.THAT HURTS:
Starting outside linebackers Clay Matthews (hamstring) and Nick Perry
(ankle/shoulder) missed the game for Green Bay, along with cornerback Damarious
Randall (hamstring). The Packers didn’t have leading receiver Davante
Adams
Broncos Su'a Cravens Jersey , who is in the concussion protocol, and then lost wideout Jordy Nelson and tight end Richard Rodgers to shoulder injuries in
the first half.“Injuries are unfortunate. We had a lot of opportunities tonight.
We didn’t make the plays,” McCarthy said.FROZEN TUNDRA: The hard turf at chilly
Lambeau didn’t help, either, as some players had trouble with their footing
early in the game. With the Packers unable to connect on medium-to-long-range
passes, their best plays came when Hundley broke free for big gains on the run
.In the stands, fans bundled up in parkas, huddled under blankets and sipped on
free hot chocolate to stay warm. Purple-clad Minnesota backers celebrated on a
night when temperatures were in the single digits.STAT WATCH: Diggs finished
with five catches for 60 yards. Keenum was 14 of 25 for 139 yards. … The Packers
were also shut out 23-0 by Baltimore on Nov. 19. … Hundley finished the home
schedule having thrown no touchdowns and seven interceptions in six games at
Lambeau.INJURY REPORT: The Vikings said left guard Nick Easton will have surgery
after breaking his right ankle in the first quarter. Long snapper Kevin
McDermott (shoulder) left late in the second quarter, with backup TE David
Morgan taking over snapping duties. … For the Packers, RT Jason Spriggs was
carted off the field with a knee injury on the first play from scrimmage. Justin
McCray, who was starting at right guard for Jahri Evans (knee), slid over to
tackle with Lucas Patrick taking over at guard. … Green Bay RB Aaron Jones
(knee) didn’t return after getting hurt in the first half..
