TITLE: West Roundup: Horford’s Contract Details, Hardaway Jr. Joins Nuggets, Mavericks Add Banton
SLUG: west-roundup-horford-contract-hardaway-nuggets-banton-mavericks
CONTENT:
Golden State Warriors
Al Horford’s new two-year agreement with the Warriors is valued at the full taxpayer mid-level exception and features a player option for 2025-26, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. The deal also carries a 15% trade kicker.
The 38-year-old center becomes eligible to be traded on Jan. 1, three months after the signing date.
Forward Jonathan Kuminga will reach trade eligibility on Jan. 15. Because Golden State is operating under a hard cap, any move involving Kuminga must account for his trade kicker. Without base-year compensation restrictions, however, the club could move him more easily during the season than via a summer sign-and-trade. A hypothetical swap with Sacramento’s Malik Monk plus draft assets is now cap-legal.
Denver Nuggets
Tim Hardaway Jr. said he received interest from “three or four” teams in free agency but chose Denver in part because of the coaching staff’s new additions. The guard told The Denver Post that seeing former Dallas colleagues J.J. Barea and Jared Dudley on Michael Malone’s bench influenced his decision.
“It gives you more confidence,” Hardaway said. “Jared Dudley was my assistant coach in Dallas for years, so he knows what I can do on and off the floor.”
After starting 77 games for Detroit last season, Hardaway signed a veteran-minimum contract with the Nuggets and is expected to lead the second unit. “Sulking and being upset is just being an energy drainer,” he added. “I want to lift guys up, take them to dinner, get the team together. Whatever it takes.”
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks have signed swingman Dalano Banton and waived camp invitee Matthew Cleveland to open a roster spot. Banton, 25, was the No. 46 pick in 2021 and has appeared in 216 NBA games with Toronto, Boston and Portland.
Last season the 6-foot-9 guard averaged 8.3 points, 2.4 assists and 2.0 rebounds while shooting 39.1% overall, 32.4% from three and 72.8% at the line.
Banton’s contract is expected to be non-guaranteed with Exhibit 9 or Exhibit 10 language. He will compete with Brandon Williams and Dennis Smith Jr. for the 15th roster spot. Joining camp a week late could complicate his bid; if waived, he would be eligible to play for the G League Texas Legends and earn up to $85,300 in Exhibit 10 bonuses.
Source: Hoops Wire
