Zach LaVine is staying in Chicago
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The Bulls on Sunday formally matched the four-year, $80 million offer sheet LaVine signed with the Sacramento Kings, a move that was expected almost from the instant the restricted free agent got the offer.
LaVine is one of only six free agents to get deals worth that much so far this summer, joining Chris Paul ($160 million), LeBron James ($153 million), Nikola Jokic ($148 million), Paul George ($137 million) and Aaron Gordon ($80 million). Phoenix’s Devin Booker signed a $158 million deal as well, his coming in the form of an extension and not through a foray into free agency.
LaVine has missed 91 of a possible 162 games over the past two seasons because of injuries, and the Bulls will have some language in this contract protecting them if his surgically repaired left knee remains problematic.
”Zach showed a relentless work ethic in rehabbing his ACL injury to return to the court, and he has a visible passion for the game of basketball
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LaVine appeared in only 24 games for the Bulls last season, averaging 16.7 points on 38 percent shooting. The Bulls acquired LaVine a year ago, as part of the trade that sent Jimmy Butler from Chicago to Minnesota.
”We’re excited now that we get to keep him,” Paxson said.
Deals have continued coming at a relatively slow pace since the July 1 opening day of free agency, when basically $1 billion in new contracts were agreed to in 24 hours – and only $400 million or so more in deals have been struck since.
Paul’s four-year, $160 million deal to stay in Houston was officially signed Sunday. He announced that he agreed to the terms of that contract right at 12:01 EDT on July 1, when free agency was officially beginning.
Also Sunday, a pair of veteran centers found new homes.
Zaza Pachulia is signing a one-year
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Both deals were confirmed to The Associated Press by people directly involved in the negotiations, both of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because neither had been formally announced by the clubs involved.
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16. BALTIMORE RAVENS (9-7)
LAST SEASON: Needing victory over Cincinnati in season finale to end two-year playoff drought, Ravens yielded last-minute, 44-yard touchdown and lost 31-27 to finish. Though defense was sound for much of year, late-game collapses against Pittsburgh and Bengals in December knocked Baltimore from postseason for unprecedented third straight year under coach John Harbaugh. Emergence of running back Alex Collins (973 yards rushing) was not enough to offset inconsistent passing game that ranked 29th in NFL. General manager Ozzie Newsome sought to provide QB Joe Flacco better targets by signing free agent receivers John Brown and Michael Crabtree in March. Newsome also signed Robert Griffin III as Flacco's backup, just in case 33-year-old starter gets hurt or falters.
THEY NEED: WR, TE, DE
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THEY DON'T NEED: RB, RG, S, ILB, LS, P, PK.
POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama; T Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame; DE Marcus Davenport
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OUTLOOK: Newsome's final foray as leader in draft room comes when Ravens are desperate to add talent after enduring lengthy playoff drought. Obvious need is wide receiver, but Baltimore also could use pass rusher who can offer support to 35-year-old Terrell Suggs and perhaps serve as successor. By releasing RT Austin Howard, Ravens are thin on offensive line and are looking for bookend to LT Ronnie Stanley, sixth overall pick in 2016 draft. Pass-catching tight end is also priority; Benjamin Watson was not retained despite leading team with 61 catches in 2017. Also possible Newsome will snag QB in later rounds who can learn as third-stringer and perhaps serve as starter during next decade.
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