We're now closer to the start of the 2018-19 NBA season than we are to the end of the NBA Finals, which is pretty crazy to think about. Next season's schedule is out, but teams haven't stopped making free agency moves just yet. The big name stars you know and love like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and Paul George have long ago inked new deals. And by this point even restricted free agents like Clint Capela and Marcus Smart have signed as well. Plus there's been some big trades, with Kawhi Leonard finally moving on from San Antonio, and Carmelo Anthony escaping Oklahoma City and signing with the Rockets. There are a handful of questions still to answer, including what Dwyane Wade will do, and where other vets like David West and Jamal Crawford end up. To keep all the rumors surrounding free agency straight, we'll continue to update this post with all the latest on reported deals, trades and negotiations. Monday, August 13 Melo officially signs contract with Houston The Rockets made it official -- former Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony, as expected, has signed with the Houston on a one-year, $2.4 million deal. Story Wednesday, August 8 Knicks looking to dump Noah The Knicks apparently have no intention of keeping Joakim Noah and the $37.8 million left on his contract around for the rebuild in New York. The team will look to trade the veteran center, and if nothing materializes they will waive and stretch him some time after Sept. 1, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ian Begley. The former All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year has played just 53 games in two seasons with the Knicks, including only seven last year. Okafor to join Pelicans Jahlil Okafor has found a new home. According to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski, the former top-five pick has agreed to a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. Tuesday, August 7 Grizzlies agree to deal with Shelvin Mack The Grizzlies have agreed to add free agent guard Shelvin Mack on a one-year deal, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The seven-year NBA vet was a reserve for the Orlando Magic last season, averaging 6.9 points and 3.9 assists in 20 minutes per game. Monday, August 6 Monroe agrees to join Raptors The Raptors have agreed to a one-year, $2.2 million deal with free agent center Greg Monroe, according to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports. Toronto gave up their previous backup center, Jakob Poeltl, in the Kawhi Leonard trade, so Monroe will likely fill in those minutes. After being bought out by the Suns, Monroe averaged 10.2 points and 6.3 rebounds in a reserve role for the Celtics last season. Cavs trade for Dekker The Cleveland Cavaliers are finalizing a trade to add Sam Dekker from the Clippers in a move that simply clears a roster spot for the Clips, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Wednesday, August 1 Mavs get Onuaku from Rockets The Mavericks have acquired center Chinanu Onuaku and cash from the Houston Rockets in exchange for a 2020 second-round pick swap, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports. Perhaps best known for shooting his free throws underhanded, Onuaku has played just six NBA games in two seasons, spending most of his time in the G League. Cavs agree with Nwaba The Cleveland Cavaliers have reportedly come to an agreement with free agent guard David Nwaba. This is a smart deal for the Cavs, as in their post-LeBron period, they might as well look into any young player that's shown some solid potential. Rockets pursuing Bazemore? The Houston Rockets are reportedly still looking for wing replacements after losing Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute this summer. ESPN's Zach Lowe mentioned on his podcast that the team is chasing another wing, and said a deal for the Hawks' Kent Bazemore has been rumored. Additionally, Lowe said he's heard the Rockets "kicked the tires" on J.R. Smith. Tuesday, July 31 Wolves agree to deal with Williams The Minnesota Timberwolves have made a move to bolster their wing depth. According to a report from Shams Charania, the Wolves have agreed to a deal with C.J. Williams. Sunday, July 29 Raptors interested in Monroe The Toronto Raptors still have a few roster spots to fill, and they're reportedly looking in the veteran direction. According to TSN in Canada, the Raptors have interested in Greg Monroe to improve their frontcourt depth. Friday, July 27 Capela, Rockets agree to five-year deal There was some talk that Clint Capela might take the qualifying offer and opt for unrestricted free agency next summer, but instead he has agreed to a five-year, $90 million deal to stay in Houston, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Full story Bucks, Connaughton agree to deal The Trail Blazers chose not to extend a qualifying offer to guard Pat Connaughton, and the Bucks have swooped him up. According to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports, the three-year pro has agreed to a two-year deal with Milwaukee that's slightly above the minimum in both years. Thursday, July 26 Devin Harris back with Mavs In an expected move, the Mavericks and Devin Harris have agreed on a one-year, veteran's minimum deal, according to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports. Harris has spent nine of his 14 NBA seasons as a Maverick, and this will be his third stint with the team. Jefferson spurns Pacers for China Al Jefferson will reportedly be making his way overseas next season. According to TNT's David Aldridge, Jefferson turned down an offer from the Pacers to take more money in China. Celtics re-sign Bird The Celtics have made another minor move in free agency. According to a report from Shams Charania, the team has agreed to a two-year deal with restricted free agent Jabari Bird. Wednesday, July 25 Vince Carter to sign with Hawks Vince Carter will turn 42 next season, but that hasn't stopped him from agreeing to a one-year, $2.4 million veteran minimum deal with the Atlanta Hawks, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports. Carter is expected to serve as a mentor to Atlanta's young players during the rebuilding effort.<doc-sep>After finishing just one win away from an appearance in the 2018 NBA Finals, the Houston Rockets are now revamped heading into next season. While their core is largely intact, they lost key players like Trevor Ariza as well as Luc Mbah a Moute in free agency. While both veterans played key roles, Houston still looks to be one of the better teams in the league and can compete with the defending champion Golden State Warriors. We looked at the starting lineup and rotation for the Houston Rockets next season. (Author’s Note: This post was updated after the team made a trade with the Phoenix Suns.) Starting Lineup Clint Capela , Big Man PJ Tucker , Forward James Ennis , Forward James Harden , Guard Chris Paul , Guard Just a reminder that the Rockets were 53-7 when Chris Paul, James Harden, and Clint Capela played. — Salman Ali (@RedNationHoops) July 27, 2018 From top to bottom, it’d be hard to find a better starting lineup than what the Rockets have next season. The team had beyond better than a winning record (.883) when all three played and nearly defeated the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. Even though the Rockets lost veteran free agent forward Trevor Ariza, they can hope that James Ennis can replace his productivity. No team was more efficient than Houston was when running in a transition offense (1.20 points per possession) last season. Ennis was used on this play type for 22.4 percent of his possessions, averaging 1.42 PPP. He was one of the ten most efficient players in transition among those who had at least 50 opportunities. Meanwhile, their backcourt of James Harden alongside Chris Paul offers two of the most efficient one-on-one scorers in the NBA. If they stagger their minutes, the team can always have two of the best ballhandlers in the league on the court at all times. Clint Capela, who returns on a long-term contract as their big man, matches up well against any of the best in the league. PJ Tucker plays power forward in their system and can add even more scoring on a good night. The four-man group outscored their opponents by 8.3 points per 100 possessions during the regular season and 11.8 points per 100 during the postseason. According to a model by BBall Index’s Jacob Goldstein, however, the starting lineup listed above with Ennis projects to outscore opponents by 19.1 points per 100 next season. When looking at the same core group in Goldstein’s model with Anthony in to replace Ennis, the Rockets would only be projected to outscore opponents by 6.0 points per 100. If they used Anthony instead of Tucker with Ennis still in the starting five, the model projects them to have a 14.0 net rating. It seems their best bet is to have Anthony off the bench. While it’s unclear if he would accept such a role, the veteran forward can be another scoring threat when on the court with perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate Eric Gordon. As a spot-up shooting power forward, Anthony would replace Ryan Anderson in the rotation for the Rockets. Anthony spotted up on nearly one-quarter of his total offensive possessions last season. He could play select minutes with the starting rotation but his poor defense wouldn’t need to be as much a liability in this scenario. Second Unit Brandon Knight , Guard Eric Gordon , Guard Gerald Green , Forward Carmelo Anthony , Forward Nene Hilario , Big Woj says Melo is coming off the bench. It doesn’t matter who starts. What matters is who finishes. — The Dream Shake (@DreamShakeSBN) August 13, 2018 Assuming that the Rockets can eventually convince Anthony that this is what would best help him get his first NBA Championship ring, they’ll have one of the better second units in the Western Conference. The 34-year-old could also come in to close games. Eric Gordon, meanwhile, may be used more often alongside Paul and Harden, which would give Brandon Knight a bigger role in the second unit backcourt. Guaranteed contracts Isaiah Hartenstein , Big Marquese Chriss , Forward Michael Carter-Williams , Guard Daryl Morey bringing in Brandon Knight, Marquese Chriss, Michael Carter-Williams, and Carmelo Anthony after pushing the Warriors to 7 in the conference finals is the ultimate heat check. — Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) August 31, 2018 Isaiah Hartenstein averaged 16.8 points and 13.2 rebounds per 36 minutes for the Rockets during summer league in Las Vegas. While his role with the team is unclear, any flashes of potential could help the squad. Houston also added former Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams and former All-Rookie Second Team recipient Marquese Chriss, who both have a chance to revitalize their career with the squad. Two-way Contracts RJ Hunter , Guard Gary Clark , Guard First-round pick Jacob Evans on his collegiate teammate Gary Clark: "Whatever team that gets him is going to be very, very happy … You give a guy like him the opportunity, he’s going to go after it." More on @Gary11_Clark: https://t.co/SM7ORgnLLH #Rockets pic.twitter.com/BLzPbSVYal — Bryan Kalbrosky (@BryanKalbrosky) June 24, 2018 Earlier this offseason, former collegiate teammate Jacob Evans (who was drafted by the Golden State Warriors) told me that Clark was “one of the best utility guys” he’d ever seen. “People are going to wonder why people weren’t talking about him.” Non-Guaranteed contracts Zhou Qi , Big Vincent Edwards , Forward Rob Gray , Guard #Rockets summer league was overall a success. Found three potential 2018 roster contributors in De'Anthony Melton, Danuel House, and Zhou Qi. Also have some G-League guys to keep an eye on in Isaiah Hartenstein, Deng Adel, Vince Edwards, Trevon Duval, and RJ Hunter. — Rob Kimbell (@RobKSports) July 14, 2018 Even if they are mostly used in the G League, both players are just 22 years old. They both played well during Summer League in Las Vegas and the two showed potential to eventually earn minutes with the NBA squad.<doc-sep>Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press A year ago, Carmelo Anthony laughed at the idea of coming off the bench for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The question now is if he'll embrace that role or push for a starting job after inking a one-year deal with the Houston Rockets on Monday. "Let's just let it play out, though," Anthony told TMZ Sports on Tuesday. "I don't even know what's going on. I just signed—let it start first." Anthony started all 78 games in which he appeared for the Thunder last season, and he made it clear at year's end that serving as a sixth man didn't appeal to him moving forward. "I'm not sacrificing no bench role," he said in April, according to MassLive.com's Fred Katz. "That's out the question." Looking ahead, Anthony will reportedly be afforded a shot to prove he deserves a starting gig alongside Chris Paul and James Harden. According to ESPN.com's Adrian Wojnarowski, "Anthony will have a chance to compete for a starting spot in training camp, but could ultimately come off the bench based on what Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni decides is best for the team." Video Play Button Videos you might like "All I know is that we’ll try different combos—preseason, early season, and the good thing is that with analytics and with gut feelings and coaches and players, we’ll figure out what is the best way to play," D'Antoni told USA Today's Sam Amick. "And again, if everybody is on board, then it'll be, 'Hey, this is where we're the best. This is how we can win the championship.' I don’t know yet, but we’ll make sure we get it right as good as we can."<doc-sep>Carmelo Anthony signed a one-year $2.4m deal with the Houston Rockets this week FREE now and never miss the top F1 stories again SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top F1 stories again When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Forwards Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah A Moute both left the franchise after being offered superior deals elsewhere; Ariza will pocket $15m for a year with the Phoenix Suns, while Mbah A Moute will return to the Clippers on a $4.3m one-year deal. Both men offered the Rockets vital defensive versatility that almost proved enough to help Houston overcome a historically-strong Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. But the roster has since undergone a transformation, with scorer Anthony replacing the outgoing Ariza and Mbah A Moute. Anthony averaged career-worst marks in field goal percentage and points per game last year Fans and pundits alike have questioned whether, at 34 and coming off the back of a career-worst year in Oklahoma City, Anthony can provide enough upside to make up for the Rockets’ losses during free agency. Coach Mike D’Antoni is reportedly considering bringing the 10-time All-Star off the bench – but NBA legend Jalen Rose claimed the debate has ignored the fact that Anthony will likely be required to close games out during crunch time. “Really, the conversation shouldn’t be whether he starts, it should be whether he finishes [games],” Rose told ESPN. “The problem is, fans and media have elevated the starting position so much in sports because you get to hear your name called at the beginning, you run out with the best of the best. ‘If you really believed in me, you’d have me out there at the beginning of the game with the best five players.’ The 34-year-old is reportedly open to coming off the bench for the Rockets<doc-sep>
Carmelo Anthony finalised his move to the Houston Rockets this week Kawhi Leonard ‘Thank You’ Letter slammed by Spurs fans Kawhi Leonard finally broke his silence following his blockbuster trade from the San Antonio Spurs earlier this summer, penning a short note to fans thanking them for their support during his seven-year stay with the franchise. “I have been going back and forth the last few weeks trying to figure out the right things to say, and it comes down to two simple words: THANK YOU!” Leonard wrote. “There is not a more passionate or dedicated fan base than what I've witnessed in San Antonio. Through all the ups and downs — I'm glad there were many more ups! — I'll never forget what we have shared and accomplished together. Kawhi Leonard penned a thank you note to Spurs fans this week “While I'm looking forward to the next chapter in my career, I'll always remember the city and the people of San Antonio!” But the short letter angered many San Antonio fans after it arrived almost two weeks following his acrimonious departure from the franchise that drafted him in 2011. Speaking on the latest edition of the Spurs Insider podcast, host Chance Doorland explained the reasoning behind fans’ grievances. “From my perspective as a newer Spurs fan, I was put off immediately by what Kawhi didn’t do,” Doorland said. Kawhi Leonard thanks the San Antonio Spurs after Raptors trade “By his inaction, by his inability to communicate on this. You’re talking about the Spurs franchise and Gregg Popovich – they were talking about this, maybe they could have done things differently, but they were talking about it. “I would have been more comfortable with him not saying anything, continuing that, because it shows he was just so uncomfortable talking about this that is just sort of the handicap he is dealing with and that is why he didn’t talk about it before. “But the fact he has now eventually spoken about it makes me think he could have spoken about it earlier. I put the blame more in his court after the fact he now puts out this letter because what has made him wait this long? “I think now, thank you is a bad thing because he waited too long. He didn’t take any blame. The Spurs have talked about how they could have handled this differently – I didn’t get that from him. “I felt that this was a little bit just trying to make him look better. Trying to improve his image a little bit. This didn’t seem sincere to me.” Anthony and D'Antoni have history, having worked together in New York Mike D’Antoni on Carmelo Anthony’s arrival Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni says he is looking forward to working with new arrival Carmelo Anthony for the second time in his career, despite a disastrous end to his first spell coaching the 10-time All-Star. D’Antoni’s poor relationship with Anthony while in charge of the New York Knicks ultimately led to his decision to resign from his post back in 2012. But the 67-year-old claimed there are no hard feelings between Anthony and himself, suggesting this time around the superstar forward is a much better fit with the current roster. After a season in which Anthony produced a career-worst in both field goal percentage and points-per-game, there had been concerns about his ability to contribute for the Western Conference giants next season. Anthony, 34, had a season to forget in Oklahoma City last year