Hello and welcome to the Evening News.
As free agency kicks off, we’ll keep you updated every night.
What’s happening today?
San Antonio to retain Tiago Splitter
It appears as though the San Antonio Spurs value Tiago Splitter as much as most advanced statisticians do.
According to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, the Spurs are nearing a new contract with the Brazilian 28-year-old that will keep in San Antonio for at least the next four seasons.
There won’t be a fifth year on the Splitter deal. The terms will be four years, $36 million-plus, sources tell Y! Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 2, 2013
After initially declaring that the deal would go for four years, Wojnarowski reported that the contract could be for five years and $45 million instead.
While we will have to wait for the exact figures, $9 million annually for a player who has averaged under 20 minutes per game in his three year NBA career is certainly a testament to the Spurs’ confidence in the big man.
Splitter played well in the postseason alongside Tim Duncan and has improved in each of his three seasons in the league.
Per 40 minutes, Splitter averaged 16.8 points and 10.3 rebounds last season. He is also considered to be one of the best passing centers in the NBA.
Portland was reportedly preparing an offer sheet for Splitter that was comparable to the Spurs’ offer. In the end, Splitter’s desire to stay in San Antonio was made clear.
David West re-signs with Indiana
To no one’s surprise, the David West and the Pacers have agreed to a new contract.
Pacers are finalizing a three-year, approximately $36 million deal with David West, league source tells Y! Third year likely player option.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 2, 2013
West had stated his preference
was to stay in Indiana and the Pacers’ front office had made West their offseason priority early on.
While West has been one of the league’s most consistent big men since joining the Pacers in 2011, he will turn 33 in August. With age as a legitimate concern, the Pacers willingly sacrificed more dollars annually for a shorter contract.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Marc Stein reports that the Pacers have rescinded their qualifying offer to Tyler Hansbrough, making the former Tar Heel star an unrestricted free agent.
Bulls waive Richard Hamilton
After weeks of trying to find a taker for former All Star Richard Hamilton, the Chicago Bulls have finally given up. According to CBS Sports’ Ken Berger, the Bulls have waived the enigmatic shooting guard.
Rip Hamilton will soon be a free agent as the Bulls will waive him rather than guarantee his $5 million salary for next season, source says.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) July 2, 2013
Hamilton would have been guaranteed $5 million in 2013-2014 had he been on Chicago’s roster past July 10. 
With the Bulls’ addition of Mike Dunleavy in free agency yesterday, Hamilton became even more expendable.
Although he largely disappointed in his two seasons with the Bulls, Hamilton proved that he is still capable of scoring in the playoffs.
In the final two games of the Eastern Conference semi finals, Hamilton averaged 13 points on 43% from deep.
A contender will likely pick him up for the veteran’s minimum.
