It's a bit like their own transfer window, but with even crazier sums.
The NBA's "Free Agency" opened its doors last night in the United States, allowing players at the end of their contract to be able to sign in the franchises they wish, or for some to extend their contract where they are. already.
We summarize for you, in a few points, what to remember from this first night.
Jokic signs the biggest contract in history
Two-time NBA player of the season Nikola Jokic will extend his career with the Denver Nuggets after signing a record five-year, 264 million euro contract, US media reported Thursday.
The Denver Post is one of many outlets to report on the deal, the biggest in league history, with Serbian center Jokic, 27, as the free agent negotiation period begins.
As the Post points out, this news was not unexpected, Jokic, elected in May most player of the NBA regular season for the second consecutive year, had affirmed that he was not interested in a transfer at the end of Denver's loss to the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs.
Asked about such an offer, he said: “Of course I will accept it because I really like this organization, I really like the people who work here”.
He said he had "very good relations with everyone, from the owner to the equipment manager".
Drafted in 41st position in 2014 by Denver, Jokic has become a superstar as discreet as it is essential for the Nuggets.
Batum two more years at the Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers French winger Nicolas Batum announced on Friday that he has extended his contract for two more seasons with the California franchise.
“I am very excited to find this organization which welcomed me at my lowest point,” explained the 33-year-old player on his Twitter account.
In November 2020, Batum was cut from the Charlotte Hornets roster before joining the Clippers.
It's 12:45am here in Paris and I have to get up at 4am for my 5am workout 😅
I don't care, I'm very excited to be back with this organization who welcome me at my lowest point.
Love you #ClipperNation #BatumBatallion Stand up💪🏽🔵🔴⚪️
— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) June 30, 2022
He started 54 of the 59 games he appeared in last season, averaging 8.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Batum is expected to earn 11 million dollars (10.5 million euros) per season until 2024. The French international, who will not play in the European basketball championship in September, plans to retire at the start of the season. outcome of the Paris-2024 Olympic Games.
Durant wants to leave the Nets, cleaning to be planned in Brooklyn
Brooklyn Nets superstar winger Kevin Durant has asked to be transferred from the New York team, where he has been playing since 2019, American media reported on Thursday.
Two-time NBA champions with the Golden State Warriors, crowned best player in the North American League in 2014 for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Durant would like to go to Phoenix or Miami, according to ESPN.
In 2021, Durant, whose association with Kyrie Irving and James Harden -- transferred earlier this year to Philadelphia -- never succeeded in allowing the Nets to reach the heights hoped for, had extended with the Nets for four years and $198 million.
The year of the Nets was marked by the difficulties, between the refusal of Kyrie Irving to be vaccinated against the Covid, which prevented him from playing for a large part of the season, the dissatisfaction displayed then the transfer of James Harden , and finally a 4-0 elimination in the first round of the play-offs by the Boston Celtics.
Durant's transfer request comes just three days after Kyrie Irving announced that he would opt out of an additional season with the Nets, although he too could eventually be transferred.