With the 2024 NBA Draft in the rear view, this week marks the start of NBA free agency. Multiple current or former All-Star players hit the open market to decide their next stop, including LeBron James, James Harden, Paul George, Klay Thompson, Chris Paul, and DeMar DeRozan.
Some of those top names and others have signed major deals in the first few days of free agency. George signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on a four-year max deal; Harden signed a two-year deal to remain with the Los Angeles Clippers; Thompson joined the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year deal with the defending conference champions.
All of their deals were official within the first few days of free agency. Here's how experts at ESPN, Bleacher Report,
Pursuing George was the obvious path once the Sixers committed to using cap space this summer at the trade deadline. Unlike teams that trade for stars, Philadelphia has managed to accumulate three All-Stars without jeopardizing future draft picks... Given the concerns about depth, adding George might not bring a long-awaited title to Philadelphia.
George isn't quite the defender he once was, but he can still handle a variety of assignments on that end. He can be a high-end floor spacer flanking actions with Maxey and Embiid... He might still be good enough to be more of a 2B than a No. 3 option, and the 76ers are emerging from this all-important offseason as a bona fide title contender."