The NBA holiday season is upon us. 

On July 1, restricted free agents, unrestricted,  and players who have player options and choose to become free, get hoop fans worked up in a frenzy because, possibilities. You really just never know, despite what “experts” predict. There’s always surprises. Wheter it’s someone being completely over-paid (*cough* Timofey Mozgov *cough*) over valued, or underrated, all eyes are on the NBA today. And maybe through next week.

So far, eight hours in here’s how things are shaping up:

• Free agent Nicolas Batum has reached an agreement with the Charlotte Hornets on a five year $120 Million deal per Shams Charania of the Vertical
• Jordan Clarkson has reached a four year dea’ on a $50 million dollar deal with the Los Angeles Lakers per Shams Charania of The Vertical 
• DeMar DeRozan reaches an greement with the Toronto Raptors worth  $139 million over the course of five years per Shams Charania of The Vertical 
• Andre Drummond and the Detroit Pistons have reached an agreement for five years $130 million per Marc Stein of ESPN

• Joakim Noah and the New York Knicks are nearing an agreement on a 4-year deal worth $72 million per Chris Broussard 
• Bradley Beal comes to an agreement with the Washington Wizards on a five year $128 million deal per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical  
• Jodie Meeks was traded from the Detroit Pistons to the Orlando Magic for a second round pick

With the exception of Joakim Noah, those are some decent sized fish in this big NBA pond staying put. Noah will join his former Chicago Bulls teammate Derrick Rose, who was traded last week to the Knicks in a five-player deal. New York is also reportedly after free agent Eric Gordon as well. Phil Jackson is really taking some chances on players with a history of injuries. High risk high reward for the Knicks.

Kevin Durant, the biggest name in the 2016 free agent class, has meetings set up with the following teams:

• Thunder June 30th
• July 1st with The Golden State Warriors /LA Clippers 
• July 2nd with The San Antonio Spurs/Boston Celtics 
• July 3rd with the Miami Heat

Once KD makes his decision, I’m sure we’ll see the domino effect take place with the likes of; AL Horford, Dwight Howard,  Kent Bazemore, and Rajon Rondo, among others. 

The above mentioned Kent Bazemore is reportedly asking for a salary range of $19-20 million. I’m not exactly sure who’ll be willing to pay such a price, considering he’s widely considered more up-and-coming,  than franchise cornerstone. 11 points-5-rebs-2 ast aren’t stats worthy of such a contract. However seeing as teams have to spend at least 85% of their cap space, I’m sure the deal he receives will come fairly close. 

Free agent Chandler Parsons has been reportedly offered a Max deal from the Portland TrailBlazers, for four years $96 million per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.  That would be a nice pick up for Dame Lillard and those young Trailblazers,  but I’m not sure I would give Parsons that much money. He has yet to play a full season in the Association, so basically Portland would be spending big money on hope. But, I’m not a General Manager. 

Two names I have yet to mention are, Mike Conley and Hassan Whiteside. Both players have scheduled meetings with the Dallas Mavericks. I would love to see both players signed there. It would be a great duo for Mavs fans to enjoy watching for a number of years, and it would take a lot of pressure off an aging Dirk Nowitzki. Conley has a chance to go to a contender, and escape a team in the Grizzlies who are going nowhere fast! Hassan Whiteside emerged as a top tier center in the league this year, after a rough start to his career; finds himself a signature away from gaining a few extra relatives. 

Stay tuned to thecouchsports.com for future updates 

*Update*

• Center AL Jefferson agrees to a three year deal with Pacers worth $30 million per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical 
• Jeremy Lin agrees to terms with the Brooklyn on a three year deal worth $36 million per Chris Broussard of ESPN 
• D.J. Augustin signs four year deal worth $29 million with the Orlando Magic  per Chris Broussard of ESPN 
• Evan Fournier gets a five year, $85 million contract extension with the Orlando Magic per Marc Stein of ESPN 
• Evan Turner agrees to a four $70 million deal with the Portland TrailBlazers per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical 
• Chandler Parsons agrees to a four year $94 million deal with the Memphis Grizzlies per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical 
• Mike Conley agrees to biggest contract in NBA history.  5 years $153 Million, to stay with the Memphis Grizzlies 
• Kent Bazemore agrees to four year $70 million deal to stay in Atlanta per Shams Charania of The Vertical 
• Dwight Howard agrees to three year $70.5 million deal to play for his hometown Atlanta Hawks per Shams Charania of The Vertical 
• Jeff Green agrees to a one year deal worth $15 million per The Vertical 
• Joe Johnson agrees to a two year $22 million deal per David Aldridge 
• Bismarck Biyombo agrees to a four year $72 million deal with the Orlando Magic per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical 
• Aaron Afflalo agrees to a two year deal worth $25 million deal with the Sacramento Kings per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical 
• Luol Deng agrees to a four year deal worth $72 million with the Los Angeles Lakers  per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical 
• Ryan Anderson agrees to terms with the Houston Rockets on a four year $80 million dollar deal per Adrian Wojnarowski 
• Trevor Booker agrees to a two year 18.5 million deal with the Brooklyn Nets per Adrian Wojnaroski