The NBA continues its fast and furious turn around towards the 2021 season, which is still scheduled to get underway on December 22.  That’s less than a month away now and there is still so much to be done.  The trades are still happening, and the latest updates show that there is a lot of movement to come.

NBA Trades Bring Surprising Moves

The NBA Draft went off smoothly enough, although without much excitement or drama this time around.  N ow we are in free agency and the trading lamp is lit. Unless you are watching all this very closely, it is easy to miss a move here and there.

The Portland Trailblazers will get to keep All-Star Carmelo Anthony for one more year, at least, as they have just agreed to a deal for 2021.  Big man Dwight Howard will join the Philadelphia 76ers on a one-year contract at $2.6 million.

In Memphis, Tennessee, the Grizzlies have re-signed De’Anthony Melton for four years at $35 million.  The Grizzlies also signed restricted free agent forward Jontay Porter to a three-year deal worth $6 million to remain in Memphis.

Jayson Tatum Signs Long-Term In Boston

Meanwhile, up in Boston, the Celtics have locked up forward Jayson Tatum in a huge 5-year extension worth up to $195 million for the third overall pick in 2017.  He had a stellar year in 2019, averaging 23.9 points per game, and the Celtics also just dealt for center Tristan Thompson for two seasons worth $19 million.

The Dallas Mavericks have retained the services of one of their centers, big man Willie Cauley-Stein, with a $8.2-million deal for two years.  At the same time, rookie All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell has signed a five-year, designated rookie max extension for $195 million to stay with the Utah Jazz.

No trade period would be complete without a little drama.  Bogdan Bogdanovic, who is a restricted free agent, has just signed a $72-million offer sheet for four years with the Atlanta Hawks.  The Sacramento Kings were given 48 hours to match the offer sheet or Bogdanovic, averaging 15.1 points per game, will join the Atlanta Hawks.

The LA Clippers are going to have their own dynamic duo after signing Serge Ibaka to a 2-year deal worth $19 million to join the Clips and play once more with his former teammate, Kawhi Leonard in Los Angeles.

The Suns Shine In Phoenix

Out in Phoenix, Dario Saric has signed on for a 3-year contract for a cool $27 million to play for the Suns along with guard Jevon Carter, who just agreed to a $11.5-million contract to return to Phoenix to play for the Suns for three more years.

The New York Knicks have contracted center Nerlens Noel to a one-year deal for $5 million and also have picked up shooting guard Austin Rivers on a three-year, $10 million deal.

The Chicago Bulls have agreed to a one-year deal with guard Denzel Valentine for $4.6 million and the Toronto Raptors are signing former Suns Center Aron Baynes for $14.3 million over two years.  The Raptors also re-signed power forward Chris Boucher to a 2-year deal for $13.5 million.

Lakers Lose And Win

Guard Rajon Rondo has left the Lakers and worked himself out honey of deal with the Atlanta Hawks on a two-year contract for a cool $15 million.

Then there are the LA Lakers who appear to be one of the most active traders in the NBA this time around, signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a three-year deal for a whapping $40 million, perhaps for shooting over 37% from 30-point range during the NBA Playoffs last season.

The Lakers are also finalizing a two-year contract with big man center Marc Gasol, giving the Lakers some incredible height and power on the inside for next season.