One NBA season morphs into another.
NBA free agency is here, not that far ahead of next season.
Following two unusual seasons in which COVID-19 impact the regular season and playoffs, the league is slated to get back on its regular schedule this season.
FYI: Training camp opens Sept. 28, and the regular season begins Oct. 19.
There are some All-Stars and future Hall of Famers available and then a bunch of solid role players in free agency. Who ends up where? Which teams have salary cap space or the front-office know-how to get a franchise-altering deal done?
Here are players who reached deals with teams during free agency.
Monday's deals (Aug. 2)
► Point guard Lonzo Ball agreed to a four-year, $85 million offer sheet with the Chicago Bulls, and the New Orleans Pelicans have two days to match the contract if they want to retain Ball.
► Kyle Lowry has agreed to a three-year deal with the Miami Heat.
► Miami restricted free-agent guard Duncan Robinson reached a five-year, $90 million to stay with the Miami, a person familiar with negotiations told USA TODAY Sports.
► Restricted free-agent center Jarrett Allen agreed to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers on a five-year, $100 million contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports. This gives the Cavs their rim-protecting big who is a solid pick-and-roll player with an improving offensive game. Allen averaged 12.8 points, 10 rebounds and 1.4 blocks last season.
► Will Barton agreed to a two-year, $32 million to stay with the Denver Nuggets, two people familiar with the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The Nuggets considered retaining Barton to be their biggest off-season priority. Barton provided dependable scoring and defense during his seven years there. The Nuggets will sorely need Barton's services to offset the loss of point guard Jamal Murray, who remains sidelined indefinitely with a torn ACL in his left knee.
► All-Star guard Mike Conley agreed to a three-year, $72.5 million deal to stay with the Utah Jazz, a person familiar with the terms confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The Jazz considered retaining Conley to be their biggest off-season priority. Though Conley missed all but Game 6 of the Jazz's second-round loss to the Los Angeles Clippers because of a right hamstring injury, the Jazz are optimistic Conley will be fully healthy next season.
► Guard T.J. McConnell will stick with the Indiana Pacers on a four-year, $35 million deal, according to The Indianapolis Star.
► Forward-center Kelly Olynk plans to sign a three-year, $37 million with the Detroit Pistons.
► Center Nerlens Noels agreed to return to the New York Knicks on a three-year, $32 million deal.
► Guard Alec Burks agreed to return to the Knicks on a three-year, $30 million deal.
► Guard Cameron Payne will re-sign with the Phoenix Suns on a three-year, $19 million deal.
► Guard Tim Hardaway Jr. agreed to a four-year, $74 million deal to stay with the Dallas Mavericks, a person familiar with the details confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.
► All-Star guard Chris Paul agreed to a four-year deal with the Phoenix Suns that could be worth as much as $120 million, a person familiar with the details confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. Paul had declined a $44 million player option after leading to the Suns to the NBA Finals at 36 years old. The Suns agreed to a deal that could ensure Paul plays up to age 40 amid both his productive play while avoiding major injuries.
► Shooting guard Doug McDermott is headed to the San Antonio Spurs on a three-year, $42 million contract.
► Forward Bobby Portis shows his loyalty to the Milwaukee Bucks, reaching a two-year, $9 million deal to remain with the 2021 champions, a person familiar with agreement told USA TODAY Sports.
► Forward Moe Harkless agreed to a two-year, $9 million with the Sacramento Kings, a person with direct knowledge of negotiation told USA TODAY Sports.
► The Los Angeles Lakers and free-agent guard Wayne Ellington agreed to a one-year deal, two people familiar with the terms confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The Lakers made this move to bolster their outside shooting and defense. Ellington, who also played with the Lakers in the 2014-15 season, has shot 38.2% from 3-point range during his 14-year NBA career. Ellington shot 42.2% from deep last season with the Detroit Pistons.
► Center Dwight Howard agreed to a one-year deal to to re-join the Los Angeles Lakers, a person familiar with the deal told USA TODAY Sports. This marks Howard's third stint with the Lakers two years after helping the Lakers win the 2020 NBA title. Howard played with Philadelphia last season after the Lakers determined to go younger. But the Lakers missed Howard's rim protection. Howard hoped to have a second year to his deal, a person told USA TODAY Sports, but the Lakers wanted to maximize roster flexibility for next season that included after playing for Philadelphia last season. Howard helped the Lakers win the 2020 title.
► Solomon Hill reached a two-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks, a person familiar with his free agency told USA TODAY Sports.
►Forward Mike Muscala and the Oklahoma City Thunder have reached an agreement on a two-year, $7M deal.
►Guard Alex Caruso agreed to join the Chicago Bulls on a four-year, $37 million deal, Caruso's agent, Greg Lawrence, confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. Caruso had fielded interest from "several" teams, but it remains unclear why the Lakers could not retain him. They had the ability to match his Bird Rights and had appreciated his hustle and ongoing growth. But the Lakers also agreed to terms with Ellington and Trevor Ariza in hopes of bolstering their 3-point shooting and defense. Caruso will team up with Ball after playing together for two seasons on the Lakers.
►The Clippers agreed to keep Nicolas Batum on a two-year deal, a person familiar with the terms told USA TODAY Sports. The person added that Batum's second year is a player option.
► Guard-forward Gary Trent Jr. and the Toronto Raptors came to terms on a three-year, $54 million deal.
► Shooting guard Evan Fournier reached a four-year deal to join the New York Knicks. The Celtics acquired Fournier at the 2021 deadline but were not able to re-sign him.
► Free-agent swingman Reggie Bullock agreed to a three-year, $30.5 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks, his agent, David Bauman, confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. Bauman said Bullock found the fit appealing for numerous reasons, including Luka Doncic's star power, the hiring of Jason Kidd as head coach, Mark Cuban's ownership presence, his potential role and no state income tax.
► Cory Joseph reached a two-year, $10 million deal with the Detroit Pistons, and Trey Lyles agreed to a two-year, $5 million deal with the Pistons, according to the Detroit Free Press.
►The Denver Nuggets agreed to bring back guard Austin Rivers on a one-year deal, a person familiar with the terms told USA TODAY Sports. The Nuggets became pleased with Rivers' attitude and willingness to in a backcourt reserve role after signing up to a 10-day contract about a month after the Oklahoma City Thunder waived him following a trade with the New York Knicks.
The Nuggets view Rivers' shooting and defensive potential as even more important next season because point guard Jamal Murray suffered a season-ending ACL injury to his left knee. Rivers will receive significant backup minutes behind Barton and Monte Morris.
► Free-agent guard Kent Bazemore agreed to a one-year deal with the Lakers, a person familiar with the details told USA TODAY Sports. The person said that the Golden State Warriors offered Bazemore more money after playing in his second stint there last season, but added that Bazemore chose the Lakers because of their NBA title chances and because he was promised a major role.
► Forward P.J. Tucker, who played a valuable role in Milwaukee's championship run with his defense and rebounding, will try to do the same with the Heat. The two sides came to terms on a two-year, $15 million deal, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports.
► The Portland Trail Blazers agreed to retain guard Norman Powell on a five-year, $90 million deal, a person familiar with the details confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The Blazers considered re-signing Powell as their top free-agency priority. Powell averaged 17 points on 44.3% shooting in his first season with Portland after spending the first six seasons with the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors dealt Powell to the Trail Blazers before the trade deadline for Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood.
► Blake Griffin plans to return to the Brooklyn Nets on a one-year contract, a person familiar with the deal told USA TODAY Sports. Griffin turned out to be a good fit with the Nets in complementary role alongside Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden.
►The Golden State Warriors secured Otto Porter Jr. on a veteran's minimum deal after declining a mid-level exception to play elsewhere, a person familiar with the details confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. Porter has shot 40.2% from 3-point range during his nine-year NBA career. Porter, at a listed 6-foot-8 at 198 pounds, is considered a dependable defender both at the small forward and power forward spot.
► Gabe Vincent agreed on a two-year, $3.5 million deal to return to Miami.
► Cody Zeller comes to terms on a one-year deal with Portland.
►Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to a five-year, $172 million maximum contract extension, a person familiar with the details told USA TODAY Sports. This marked a significant moment both for Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder after acquiring him two years ago as part of a centerpiece of the Paul George trade to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Thunder considered Gilgeous-Alexander worthy of All-Star consideration after averaging 23.7 points, 5.9 assists and 4.7 rebounds in only 35 games before suffering a plantar fascia tear.
►The Thunder also agreed to retain forward Mike Muscala on a two-year, $7 million deal, a person familiar with the details told USA TODAY Sports.
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