Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
NBA free agency reportedly saw a sharp uptick in spending this year.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks and Tim Bontemps reported that NBA teams collectively spent “$2.7 billion on free agents signed to contracts in July and August.” That figure represents a $600 million increase from the $2.1 billion spent in 2023.
Some notable contracts signed in this period include Paul George’s four-year, $212 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, Klay Thompson’s three-year, $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks and DeMar DeRozan’s three-year, $73 million deal with the Sacramento Kings in a sign-and-trade with the Chicago Bulls. LeBron James’ two-year, $104 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers was also a major factor in the enormous sum.
The trend of increased spending coincided with another rise in the salary cap. The base cap went up to $140.5 million while the first apron increased to $178.1 million and the second apron moved to $188.9 million.
Some notable free agents who could cash in next offseason include James, Lauri Markkanen, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle and Kyrie Irving, among others.
Until then, the NBA teams will hope their respective offseason moves can help them vie for an NBA Championship in 2024-25 and beyond.
Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesMiami Heat star Jimmy Butler took exception to comments team president Pat Riley made during his exit interview after the 2023-24 NBA
The NBA G League All-Winter showcase came to its end on Sunday, and it was one to behold. Many players have put their names on the map as they fight for a spot
Sports fans can earn an enormous $250 Christmas Day bonus thanks to the latest FanDuel promo code offer. Click here to unlock a bet $5, get $250 bonus offer fo
It’s the most wonderful time of the year in the NBA. Christmas Day is a tradition like no other in the association, and we’ve got quite a smorgasbord of hig