OAKLAND, Calif. -- Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers says a contract will be finalized with two-time MVP Stephen Curry once the free agency moratorium ends July 6.
The Warriors confirmed that in an email to The Associated Press on Friday night. Curry's agent, Jeff Austin of Octagon Sports, first told ESPN that the deal will be worth $201 million over five years, a record for the NBA.
Curry, who won the MVP the past two years and earned $12 million this season, scored 28.1 points in the playoffs while also contributing 6.7 assists and 6.2 rebounds.
On Thursday, NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant declined to opt in for the second year of his contract with Golden State and becomes an unrestricted free agent. That was an expected move, as he said he plans to do his part to keep the core of the champion Warriors intact to chase more titles by giving the team financial flexibility (see story).
Clippers: Griffin stays in LA on 5-year deal
Blake Griffin was in line to be one of the most pursued players in free agency.
That is, until he decided to skip free agency.
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And his reward for that will be one of the richest contracts in in NBA history.
Hours before other teams could officially start trying to woo him away from the Los Angeles Clippers, Griffin agreed to terms on a five-year deal worth approximately $175 million to remain with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal cannot be formally announced until at least July 6.
Griffin's deal will be worth about $22 million more than the then-record $153 million contract Memphis guard Mike Conley signed last summer. But the total value of Griffin's deal will likely be surpassed in this free-agent frenzy, with players like Golden State's Stephen Curry eligible to get even more.
Griffin was planning to meet with other teams this weekend, including Phoenix, but canceled those talks after striking the deal to stay in Los Angeles (see full story).
Timberwolves: Teague agrees to 3-year contract
MINNEAPOLIS -- It didn't take the Minnesota Timberwolves long to find a replacement for Ricky Rubio.
Just a few hours after trading Rubio to the Utah Jazz, the Wolves agreed to terms with free agent point guard Jeff Teague on a three-year deal worth $57 million. A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press the deal includes a player option for the third year.
Teague averaged 15.3 points and a career-high 7.8 assists for the Indiana Pacers last season. He shot 35.7 percent from 3-point range and is a better jump shooter than Rubio. The Wolves were looking to upgrade their shooting after trading for Jimmy Butler last week.
Spurs: Mills stays with San Antonio on $50M deal
A person with knowledge of the situation says point guard Patty Mills is returning to the San Antonio Spurs on a four-year deal worth $50 million.
The person spoke to The Associated Press Saturday on condition of anonymity because of the league moratorium preventing deals from being finalized until July 6.
Mills has spent the past six seasons with the Spurs, helping them win the 2014 NBA title. Keeping Mills was a priority for the Spurs for many reasons, including how point guard Tony Parker is still dealing with a left leg injury that knocked him out of last season's playoffs.
Mills averaged 9.5 points in a career-best 22 minutes per game last season. He also finished tied with Kawhi Leonard for the Spurs' lead in 3-pointers, with 147.
Rockets: Veteran big man Nene staying with 4-year deal
A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets have reached agreement with Nene on a four-year deal worth $15 million.
The sides came to an agreement Friday shortly before the free agent market opened, ensuring that Nene would remain with a team that just acquired star point guard Chris Paul. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been officially announced.
Nene will turn 35 in September. He averaged 9.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 67 games and is a trusted interior presence for a team that makes its living shooting 3-pointers and scoring at the rim.
The Houston Chronicle first reported the agreement.
