WEDNESDAY | 07.06.2016 | EXPRESS | 15
sports
NBA free agents make the grade THE THREE BEST
THE THREE WORST
Kevin Durant to Golden State
Al Horford to Boston
Dirk Nowitzki with Dallas
Harrison Barnes to Dallas
Joakim Noah to New York
Austin Rivers with L.A. Clippers
Two years, $54 million
Four years, $113 million
Two years, $40 million
Four years, $94 million
Four years, $72 million
Three years, $35 million
Durant not only keeps the Warriors atop the NBA for what should be years to come but also erases any small chance Stephen Curry would consider leaving next summer. The Warriors now have another answer for LeBron James and a chance to make a run at multiple titles. It’s hard to do better. The Grade: A+
Boston has long been dogged as a place players aren’t willing to sign. Horford has weakened that case. The last year or two of this deal might not look great, but Horford will be a massive upgrade on options like Amir Johnson and Jared Sullinger in the middle. This was an impact play for an impact player. The Grade: A
No, Nowitzki, 38, is not a superstar anymore. But he is loyal to a fault and had no interest in leaving the team that developed him. After the Mavericks failed to land the big fish they’d hoped for once again, owner Mark Cuban did the right thing by taking care of Nowitzki, who scored 18 points a game last season. The Grade: A
Throwing a big offer at the restricted free agent from Golden State reeks of desperation. The Mavericks will be overpaying for a new starting small forward, albeit one who can play with power, defend and shoot 3-pointers. Barnes’ skill set allows Dallas to join a league-wide trend of playing small. The Grade: D+
A two-year deal would’ve been manageable. A fouryear deal? That spells trouble. It’s impossible not to love Noah. He’s a competitor who will give everything to be on the court and wears his heart on his sleeve. But he played only 29 games last season, and past shoulder and knee injuries are concerns. The Grade: D
Rivers, the son of coach and general manager Doc Rivers, is back in Los Angeles after briefly surveying the market. He may not be quite as bad as people have said — he’s athletic and a decent defender — but he’s a backup point guard who can’t really create shots for others. The Grade: D TIM BONTEMPS (TWP)
WIZARDS
verbatim
“If I only had to focus on boxing, hell, I’d be neck and neck with Floyd right now,” UFC STAR CONOR McGREGOR , speaking for ESPN the Magazine’s “Body Issue,” on the possibility of fighting retired boxing champion Floyd Mayweather, who has admitted he started the rumor about a blockbuster crossover match between the two.
Scott Brooks names assistant coaches The first-year coach has finalized his staff with assistants Tony Brown, Sidney Lowe, Chad Iske, Mike Terpstra and Maz Trakh, the team announced Tuesday. Eric Sebastian joins the club as director of coaching operations, and Kamran Sufi as an advance scout. David Adkins remains on staff from the previous administration as the team’s director of player personnel. (THE WASHINGTON POST)
D.C. UNITED
Ben Olsen: club will spend on transfers The MLS summer transfer window opened on Monday. According to its coach, D.C. United will be aggressive. “We’ve got some money and we’re looking to spend it,” Olsen said, declining to identify targets or specific positions. United needs help on the attack. The team ranks 17th in shots on goal and 19th in corners. (TWP)
Is Something Missing From Your Resume? Complete your Bachelor of Arts Degree at Catholic University’s Metropolitan School of Professional Studies Majors in Interdisciplinary Studies, Social Work, Social Science, and Information Technology • Evening Classes for Working Professionals • Flexible Transfer Credit Policy • Scholarship Opportunities • Steps from Brookland/CUA Metro
Apply now at MSPS.CUA.EDU
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA The Catholic University of America admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, or disability.
Capitals’ Marcus Johansson files for player-elected arbitration