Hello and welcome to the Evening News.
As free agency continues, we’ll keep you updated every evening.
What’s happening today?
Warriors add O’Neal and Douglas
After signing Marreese Speights to a three year deal last night, the Warriors continued to bolster their bench depth today with the additions of Jermaine O’Neal and Toney Douglas.
Jermaine O’Neal, I’m told, is bound for the Golden State Warriors
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 9, 2013
Toney Douglas’ deal with Golden State is for one year and $1.6 million, I’m told.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 9, 2013
The 34-year-old O’Neal had a bounce back season with Phoenix in 2012-2013. 
He played in 55 games (remarkably his second highest total since 2006-2007) and averaged 8.3 points per game along with 5.3 rebounds. With Golden State’s plethora of big men, O’Neal will not be relied on too heavily and should be able to stay productive in limited minutes.
Douglas, meanwhile, has proven himself to be a capable backup point guard in the NBA. Although he is a tad undersized, his aggressive defense and strong perimeter shooting make him a viable spark plug off the bench. Regardless, he is undeniably a downgrade from Jarrett Jack.
Kings trade for Mbah a Moute
After finishing with the NBA’s worst defensive efficiency ranking last season, the Sacramento Kings have taken a step in the right direction by acquiring one of the league’s most underrated defenders:
The Bucks have agreed to trade Luc Richard Mbah a Moute to Sacramento for draft picks, league sources tell @CBSSports.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) July 9, 2013
While Mbah a Moute’s offensive game has proven to be limited (a career 29% three point shooter), he is strong enough to defend power forwards in the paint and is long and quick enough to shut down small forwards on the wing.
In my opinion, he is one of the league’s best kept secrets and will surely become a valuable contributor for the upstart Kings immediately. At only 26 years old, he still has plenty of room to grow as well.
The Bucks will save $9 million dollars over the next two years and will receive two second round picks in the trade.
Mbah a Moute sounds excited about the move:
Just landed in Cameroon and got told i’ve been traded to Sacramento!!
— Luc Mbah a Moute (@mbahamoute) July 9, 2013
Ellis choosing between Atlanta and Dallas
It looks as though the Monta Ellis sweepstakes may finally be coming to an end:
Sources: Monta Ellis hoping to choose btwn ATL, Sacramento, Charlotte and Dallas within next 36-48 hours
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 9, 2013
Monta Ellis deciding between Atlanta, Dallas, per source. Also interested in Sacramento but Mbah a Moute deal may take Kings out of mix.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 9, 2013
With Atlanta also interested in Andrew Bynum and Brandon Jennings, Ellis faces pressure to agree to terms on a contract before the Hawks use their remaining cap money elsewhere. 
Ellis turned down a three-year, $36 million dollar extension from the Bucks before free agency started. It looks extremely unlikely that he will able to make that type of money in free agency.
