Rockets get Tucker, Nene; Ibaka rejoins Raptors

NEW YORK, USA – The Houston Rockets struck a deal with forward P.J. Tucker, with multiple reports saying it was for 4 years and $32 million. This following Andre Iguodala’s rejection of the Rockets, who landed point guard Chris Paul in a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers to join star shooting guard James Harden.

Tucker met with the Toronto Raptors, who obtained him last February in a deal with Phoenix, but talks with Houston players, including Harden and Paul according to ESPN, prompted him to join the Rockets.

Known for intense defensive play, Tucker averaged 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 81 games for the Suns and Raptors last season.

The Rockets also agreed to terms with Brazilian free agent center Nene, who took a 3-year deal worth $11 million, ESPN reported, after a 4-year offer for $15 million was withdrawn because it violated NBA salary level rules.

Meanwhile, Spanish free agent forward Serge Ibaka agreed to a 3-year deal worth $65 million to stay with the Toronto Raptors, ESPN and the Toronto Star reported. Ibaka averaged 14.2 points and 6.8 rebounds in 23 games after being traded from Orlando.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, who lost to Golden State in the finals for the second time in 3 seasons last month, reached deals to keep 3-point sharpshooter Kyle Korver and add Spanish reserve point guard Jose Calderon.

The Cavs reached a 3-year deal with Korver worth $22 million, ESPN reported, while Calderon has a one-year deal. Korver averaged 10.1 points a game for Atlanta and Cleveland but could not match that mark in the playoffs.

Minnesota and forward Taj Gibson agreed to a two-year deal worth $28 million, according to multiple reports, that reunites Gibson with former coach Tom Thibodeau. 

They were together from 2010 to 2015 with the Chicago Bulls, along with Jimmy Butler, who was traded by Chicago to the T-Wolves last month. Gibson was traded to Oklahoma City by the Bulls last season. – Rappler.com