Hinrich will return to Chicago to be Derrick Rose's backup, while Miller could spurn LeBron James. There were also a bevy of other small signings around the league as free agency trucks along.
Kirk Hinrich has agreed to a two-year, $5.6 million deal with the Chicago Bulls:
Bulls will sign Kirk Hinrich to two-year, $5.6M deal for room exception ($2.73M next season), w/player option for 2nd season, per source.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 14, 2014The room exception is only available for teams that go under the salary cap. To do this, the Bulls will amnesty Carlos Boozer. Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic have both agreed to deals that will take up all the cap space.
Hinrich also received considerable interest from the Charlotte Hornets and Utah Jazz, but the guard has spent much of his career in Chicago and is comfortable with his situation there. The 33-year-old averaged 9.1 points and 3.9 assists last season, once again taking a major role when Derrick Rose suffered another major knee injury.
Nuggets front-runners for Miller
When LeBron James decided to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the thought was that Mike Miller would once again join his friend. The Cavs are making a run at Miller, but it's the Denver Nuggets who are actually the leaders to sign the sharpshooter:
Denver currently the frontrunner to land Mike Miller, source told ESPN. Houston and Cleveland also in mix, but Nuggets offering best deal.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) July 14, 2014The Nuggets are offering a longer contract:
Cavs offer to Miller is for two years and about 5.5 million while Denver offering 3 years and 12 million, source told ESPN.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) July 13, 2014Miller made some big shots playing alongside James with the Miami Heat, but the 34-year-old was amnestied last offseason to trim luxury tax payments. Miller spent last year with the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 7.1 points while shooting 45.9 percent from three-point range.
Augustin, Butler join Pistons
With Hinrich taking the room exception to stay with the Bulls, there was not enough money to offer D.J. Augustin, who enjoyed the best year of his career in Chicago. Augustin quickly moved on, agreeing to a deal with the Detroit Pistons:
Free agent guard DJ Augustin has reached a two-year, $6 million deal with the Detroit Pistons, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 14, 2014The Bulls picked up Augustin off the scrap heap after he was released by the Toronto Raptors early last season. With Rose out, Augustin had a big role in Chicago, averaging 14.9 points and 5.0 assists while shooting over 41 percent from long range.
The Pistons also agreed to a deal with veteran wing Caron Butler:
Can confirm cia sources the Pistons have agreed to terms with Caron Butler and Dj Augustin... Butler is a one-yr w/team option for yr 2
— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) July 14, 2014Caron Butler's deal with Detroit is for 2 years, $9M.
— Gery Woelfel (@GeryWoelfel) July 14, 2014
Butler began last season with the Milwaukee Bucks, but he was bought out in late February. Butler joined the Oklahoma City Thunder and became a major part of their rotation, but he really struggled in the postseason.
Jefferson headed to Dallas
Richard Jefferson will join the Dallas Mavericks on a one-year deal at the minimum:
Yahoo Sources: Free agent Richard Jefferson agrees to one-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks. http://t.co/0c7DBAdupE
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 13, 2014Jefferson spent last season with the Utah Jazz, averaging 10.1 points and 2.7 rebounds. The 34-year-old shot well, making 45 percent of his shots overall and knocking down 40.9 percent from long range.
Roberts agrees to deal with Hornets
The Hornets were searching for a backup for Kemba Walker, and they now have their man in Brian Roberts:
Yahoo Sources: Free agent guard Brian Roberts leaving New Orleans, signing two-year deal with Charlotte. http://t.co/YyMGvsDbUR
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 13, 2014Charlotte had been pursuing Hinrich, but when it became clear he was heading back to Chicago, the Hornets turned to Roberts. The 28-year-old averaged 9.4 points and 3.3 assists with the New Orleans Pelicans last season.
Wade deal could come Monday
Dwyane Wade is expected to re-sign with the Miami Heat, but it won't happen until Monday at the earliest:
Heat's re-upping of DWade remains most expected move of 2014 Free Agency. But word is it's unlikely to be finalized until Monday at earliest
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 13, 2014Wade opted out of over $40 million with the Heat, only to see James bolt for Cleveland. Wade will take a pay cut in his new deal, but it remains to be seen just how big.