At 6 a.m. Beijing time on July 1, the NBA free market officially opened, and many teams launched a multi-player battle, with 8 major signings on the first day alone, with a total cost of $500 million.
Cunningham
Cunningham signed a five-year, $226 million contract extension with the Pistons, effective for the 2025-26 season. Cunningham played in 62 games last season, averaging 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game, shooting 44.9% from the field and 35.5% from three-point range.
Harden
In the case of George's departure, Harden still reached a two-year $70 million contract extension with the Clippers, and it was on the first day of free agency, indicating that the two sides reached an agreement early on and was not affected by George's stay. Harden has a player option for his second year. Harden averaged 21.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 8 assists per game in the playoffs, shooting 44.9% from the field and 38.3 from three-point range, a team-high in points and assists.
Pope
The Nuggets are a small-ball market after all, and since losing Bruce Brown last year, they can't afford to renew Pope's contract this year, and after Pope entered the free market, he attracted the favor of multiple teams, and the Magic signed him for three years and $66 million. Next season's salary is $20.95 million. Last season, Pope averaged 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 40.6% from three-point range.
Toppin
The Pacers and Toppin reached a four-year, $60 million contract extension, which will take effect next season, with salaries of $13.39 million, $14.46 million, $15.54 million, and $16.61 million for the next four years, respectively. Toppin averaged 10.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in the playoffs last season while shooting 54.1 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from three-point range.
Christie
After Christie's contract expired this summer and the free market opened, the Lakers re-signed Christie to a four-year, $32 million contract, who averaged 4.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game in the regular season last season.
Paul
The Warriors postponed Paul's $30 million non-guaranteed contract for next season by one day, but the Warriors finally cut Paul, and the Spurs immediately recruited him for one year and $11 million. 30 million is indeed a little expensive for Paul now, but 11 million is still more cost-effective.
Valan
Varan's contract expires this summer, and the Pelicans have no intention of keeping him, but Varan has no shortage of markets and was once one of the Lakers' targets, but the Lakers are still slower, and the Wizards signed Varland for 3 years and 30 million. Last season, Wallan averaged 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in the regular season and 14.5 points and 11 rebounds in the playoffs.
Drummond
Drummond returned to the 76ers for two years and $10 million, with a player option for the second year. Zhuang Shen didn't score much, but the number of appearances and rebounds were still guaranteed, and he won the 4-time rebounding king. He played 79 games with the Bulls last season, averaging 8.4 points and 9 rebounds per game, including 3.4 offensive rebounds, fourth in the league.