#nba-free-agency

#nba-free-agency

Free agent guard Monte Morris has agreed to a 1-year deal with the Indiana Pacers, his agents, Andy Shiffman and Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, told ESPN's Shams Charania on Tuesday. Entering his ninth NBA season, Morris provides backcourt depth to the Pacers, who will be without star guard Tyrese Haliburton for the entire season because of a ruptured Achilles tendon. The 30-year-old Morris spent last season with the Phoenix Suns on a one-year, $2.8 million deal.

The Knicks have been linked with veteran guard Ben Simmons to bolster the depth of their backcourt, but they have yet to offer him a contract. SNY's Ian Begley was the first to relay that New York has not submitted a formal offer shortly after Marc Stein reported that Simmons rejected a deal sent over by Leon Rose and Co.

Nine-time NBA All-Star guard Russell Westbrook has a cameo in Ciara's new "Dance With Me" music video, which was released Friday. At the two-minute mark, Westbrook and Ciara, who is married to New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson, dance while seated in chairs in front of the iconic Randy's Donuts in Inglewood, California. Ciara teamed up with Tyga on the track, which appears on her new album "CiCi," released Friday.

I just wanted to do what was best for me and my family, obviously. But I wanted to be here, I wanted to keep playing here, especially because I didn't have that many months here.

Deandre Ayton has signed with the Los Angeles Lakers for next season, earning $34 million between Portland and L.A. His agents finalized the agreement with Lakers president Rob Pelinka.

Free agent guard Tyus Jones has secured a one-year, $7 million deal with the Orlando Magic, solidifying their backcourt as they aim for Eastern Conference contention.

Jerome's rise out of seemingly nowhere mirrored Cleveland's ascent to title contention with a dominant 64-win season, highlighting his significant contribution as a bench player.

As you look at the rest of the team and what we're trying to do, there is no question our priorities would be to bring Al and Luke back. Those guys are huge parts of this organization. They're going to have, I'm sure, plenty of options all over the place, and that's well-deserved, but I think that would be a priority. At the same time, I don't want to put pressure on them.