NBA NEWS 🏀

Warriors Sign All-Star DeMarcus Cousins to 1⃣-Year, $5.3M Deal

All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins has agreed to a deal with the Golden State Warriors.

Cousins agreed to the deal on Monday. ESPN reported, and Yahoo Sports reports the pact is for one year and $5.3 million.

The two-time All-NBA selection and four-time all-star joins a decorated Golden State locker room coming off of its second consecutive NBA title and third championship in four years.

Cousins, 27, played the first six seasons of his career with the Sacramento Kings before he was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in February 2017. He posted 25.2 points, and a career-high 12.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game last season.

"The third 'Splash Brother,'" Warriors star Stephen Curry tweeted Monday. "Let's go Boogie Cousins."

Cousins played in 48 games last season before tearing his achilles tendon on Jan. 26 and ending his season. He is expected to be out until December or January, according to ESPN. Cousins was also considering a move to the Boston Celtics.

Golden State used its taxpayer mid-level exception to reach a deal with the 6-foot-11 center.

Cousins' signing came a day after four-time NBA MVP LeBron James announced he would sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers have also added Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and JaVale McGee.

LeBron’s Arrival Transforms Lakers Back into Glamour Show

From George Mikan to Kobe Bryant, superstars have been the Lakers’ lifeblood for decades.

LeBron James is already the biggest star of his generation, and he followed a familiar path to Los Angeles’ bright lights when he decided to sign with the Lakers as a free agent.

It’s no coincidence that this glamorous, 16-time champion franchise has consistently attracted already great players with outsized ambition. The 33-year-old James has taken on the challenge that Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal all accepted near the primes of their careers.

Becoming a basketball superstar is one thing, and nobody is bigger than James after 15 prolific NBA seasons and three championships. Succeeding with the Lakers is something different, according to many of the men who have worn this gold jersey.

Just ask Bryant, who won two Olympic gold medals as James’ teammate while spending his entire 20-year career with the Lakers.

“The NBA does better when the Lakers are at their highest potential,” Bryant, who retired in 2016, told Fox Sports Radio on Monday. “And for the city of LA, it’s important for us to have that star power. Jerry (West) was here. Elgin Baylor was here. Wilt was here. Magic was here. Cap (Abdul-Jabbar) was here. Shaq, myself, and now let’s carry it forward again. You’ve got LeBron here now. It’s his turn now. Hopefully he can — which he will — take this franchise back to prominence.”

All-Star Guard Rondo Joins LeBron’s Revamped Lakers

Rajon Rondo, who helped the Boston Celtics win an NBA title in 2008, reportedly joined LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday as a revamped lineup begins to take shape.

Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player James agreed to a four-year deal worth $154 million Sunday with the Lakers, just hours after the NBA free agency period began.

Four-time All-Star Rondo, a 32-year-old point guard, who has made stops in Boston, Dallas, Sacramento and Chicago, averaged 8.3 points, 8.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds a game last season for New Orleans.

ESPN, Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Times and New Orleans Times-Picayune reported Rondo will sign a one-year deal with the Lakers for $9 million after releasing forward Julius Randle to free up space under the NBA salary cap.

Milwaukee Super star Giannis Antetokounmpo: “I Would Never Leave for L.A”

During his interview with the Herd, Giannis Antetokounmpo stated he wouldn’t be interested in joining the Los Angeles Lakers, one day after LeBron James’ decision to sign with the 16-time NBA champions.

“To be honest with you, no. No way. I like finishing the stuff that I have with Milwaukee. So, I would never leave for L.A,” said the “Greek Freak”.

Antetokounmpo, who is also featured on the cover of NBA 2K19, added that his aim is to win the NBA title with the Milwaukee Bucks and help the team become a lot better.

"My goal is to win in Milwaukee, bring a Championship to the city... I would never leave for LA."

Seth Curry Signs 2⃣-Year Deal with Portland Trail Blazers

Redick was the veteran presence the Sixers needed as they became a threat in the Eastern Conference this past season. But, he wasn’t just the man charged to provide leadership. He was 2nd on the team in scoring and was a consistent threat from 3-point land throughout the year. His return will continue to provide stability for a team that’s looking to make some moves to make a run at the top of the Eastern Conference.

Redick’s new contract represents a paycut from the $23 million he earned in the 2017-18 season. This will allow Philadelphia to go out and bring in some more talent to bolster their ranks as the Eastern Conference has opened up to whichever team wants to take it in its grasp.

"Free agent guard Seth Curry has agreed to a two-year deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, league source tells ESPN. Deal -- which guarantees him $2.75M this year -- includes a player option on second season.", tweeted Wojnarowski.

Seth Curry leaves the Dallas Mavericks, where he was for two seasons. However, he missed the entire 2017-18 season with a stress fracture in his left tibia that eventually required surgery.

Curry joins fellow member of The Brotherhood Gary Trent, Jr., who was acquired by Portland two weeks ago in the 2018 NBA Draft. Portland is clearly looking to bolster their outside shooting, and Curry hopes to help turn that around next season. This could be a great move for Seth Curry if his leg is back to 100% and he can demonstrate that he can be a deep threat that can give the Blazers a boost. For Duke Blue Devils fans, the Portland Trail Blazers are starting to once again accumulate former Duke players and could be fun to watch this season.

JJ Redick Re-Signs with Philadelphia 76ers

JJ Redick will continue to Trust The Process. The veteran shooting guard agreed to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers valued at somewhere between $12 and $13 million, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski

"Free agent guard JJ Redick will return to the Philadelphia 76ers on a 1-year deal in the $12M-to-13M range, league sources tell ESPN", tweeted Wojnarowski.

Redick was the veteran presence the Sixers needed as they became a threat in the Eastern Conference this past season. But, he wasn’t just the man charged to provide leadership. He was 2nd on the team in scoring and was a consistent threat from 3-point land throughout the year. His return will continue to provide stability for a team that’s looking to make some moves to make a run at the top of the Eastern Conference.

Redick’s new contract represents a paycut from the $23 million he earned in the 2017-18 season. This will allow Philadelphia to go out and bring in some more talent to bolster their ranks as the Eastern Conference has opened up to whichever team wants to take it in its grasp.