James Harden inks 3-year, $97M deal with Cavs

DeRozan was waived by the Kings in early July, and he has now found a new home for his 18th NBA season. He spent the last two in Sacramento and will remain in the West, though on a more competitive team. DeRozan will have a chance to start, but it is more likely that he is used in a reserve capacity. DeRozan has only come off the bench 12 times in his career, all during his rookie season. He’ll likely take another hit in production due to a minutes decrease next season.

Shortly after NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Thompson had reached a buyout agreement with Dallas, Shams dropped the news that Thompson was headed to South Beach. Thompson’s final season in Dallas was forgettable, but he’s still an elite shooter, which is exactly what the Heat need to build this team around Giannis Antetokounmpo. There is a chance that Thompson starts alongside Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Giannis and Bam Adebayo, though he should play a significant role regardless. Pelle Larsson may take on a smaller role than anticipated with Thompson in town.

In an interview with Cyro Asseo, Garland revealed that he had torn ligaments in his foot but is now fully healthy after a full offseason of recovery. He should play a significant role for the new-look Clippers and, if his health holds, remain a strong fantasy option as one of the team’s primary playmakers.

Whitmore was dealt to Cleveland as part of the Peyton Watson trade, but it doesn’t seem like the Cavs are interested in keeping him around. Stretching his $5.4 million contract over a few seasons will give them more flexibility to build out this team with players that are more ready to help win now. It isn’t official yet, but it seems likely that Whitmore won’t be playing in Cleveland next season.

Harden’s new deal includes a trade kicker and a player option, so he’ll retain some form of control over his future. The superstar guard was traded from the Clippers midseason, and Cleveland made the Eastern Conference Finals. The team will look to continue its upward trajectory with the pairing of Harden and Donovan Mitchell, and the former is still a reliable fantasy option heading into his 18th season.

Reese was added in to facilitate the Peyton Watson trade to Cleveland, though Denver had no intention to keep him around. Reese ended last season on a two-way deal with Washington and will look to find a new home for next season.

Whitmore was added in to facilitate the Peyton Watson trade, and he’ll end up as a young depth piece in Cleveland. However, there are likely too many players in front of him on the depth chart on a team that is trying to compete in the East for him to get much of an opportunity next season.

Mann was sent to Cleveland from Charlotte as part of the Dennis Schroder trade last week, but he’ll end up back in the Southeast division. Mann has shown flashes and could compete with Bub Carrington for the backup point guard job behind Trae Young, but with the compensation that was required for the Wizards to acquire him, it is unlikely they have big plans for him.

Strus will get a fresh start after three seasons in Cleveland. His defense and floor spacing should help make an immediate impact for the Clippers as they look to establish a new identity in the post-Kawhi Leonard era. Strus could start alongside Darius Garland, but his presence in a crowded backcourt will make the rotation difficult to project. Kris Dunn, Bennedict Mathurin (RFA) and Gradey Dick all stand to lose out on minutes with Strus on the squad.

The Cavs’ interest in Watson has been rumored for a while, and they were finally able to get a deal done, and it wasn’t just the trade. With the deal, Watson also agreed to a four-year, $88 million extension to stay in Cleveland for a while. Watson is coming off a breakout season and should fill in as the Cavs’ fifth starter alongside James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Watson’s role will look different than it did last season, but his versatility on both ends should fit in well in Cleveland as they look to compete in the East. Watson’s departure should officially lock in Christian Braun, Cameron Johnson and Aaron Gordon as starters in Denver, though Julian Strawther should step into extra minutes off the bench.