UConn in the NBA: Free Agency Madness!

The clock struck free agency for the NBA at midnight on July 3rd as the new salary cap allowed teams to offer monstrous amounts of money to this year’s free agent crop. $18 million a year for Joakim Noah? Sure! $64 million for Timofey Mozgov over four years? Come on down!

While most of the basketball world is still dealing with Kevin Durant’s decision to sign with the Golden State Warriors, a few former UConn Huskies were moving and shaking as well.

Andre Drummond

Drummond has solidified himself as one of the premier centers in the league for the Detroit Pistons after a season where he made the All-NBA Third team. Because proven difference-makers at center are so hard to find, Drummond, who hails from Middletown, Connecticut, will be earning every penny of the reported 5-year, $130 million contract extension he will be signing with Detroit.

Shabazz Napier

Napier’s time in the NBA has not seen very much success, unfortunately. After being drafted by a Heat team that didn’t actually want him and then failing to break through with the Magic, Napier is reportedly heading to Portland, where he’ll have a chance to play behind Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. Hopefully he makes the most of it, because there may not be many more chances out there for him.

Ray Allen

Allen reportedly is fielding heavy interest from the Warriors to come back to the NBA and join the mega team that formed after Durant’s decision. There is also interest from the Clippers, Spurs and Cavaliers.

Ryan Boatright

Boatright spent some time in the D-League and overseas in Italy last season, and has secured a spot on the New Orleans Pelicans’ Summer League roster in Las Vegas this year. It’ll be nice to see the Boat stationed on this side of the globe at least for a little while. We’ll be sure to keep tabs on his performance to see if he might have a chance to earn a roster spot.

Kemba Walker

He isn’t going anywhere, but his supporting cast has certainly been upgraded as the Hornets have reportedly agreed to deals with Roy Hibbert (1 year, $5 million), Ramon Sessions (2 years, $12.5 million), Marvin Williams (4 years, $54.5 million) and Nicolas Batum (5 years, $120 million). The Hornets finished sixth in the Eastern Conference last year and are poised to potentially contend with these additions to the roster and a still-improving Walker.