Tweet of the Day: Amid World Cup Insanity, NBA Free Agency Takes Action

The United States Men’s National Team fought valiantly in losing 2-1 in extra time in Tuesday’s 2014 World Cup match against Belgium in the round of 16. Goalkeeper Tim Howard was amazing, amassing 16 saves. Yet, his near superhuman effort wasn’t enough.

Meanwhile, back in the states, NBA free agency is underway. The Cleveland Cavaliers made waves by announcing that they had secured the future of their point guard, Kyrie Irving, by reaching an agreement on a five-year, $90 million max-contract extension only an hour-and-a-half after teams were permitted to begin talking to players.

The Carmelo Anthony world tour began taking shape, with a visit to Chicago already in the bag and Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles (Lakers) and New York remaining on the itinerary. Derrick Rose, who made news earlier in the week when he said he would not recruit Anthony, was in the meeting. His involvement yielded one of the funniest tweets of the day from ESPN contributor Robin Lundberg.

Derrick Rose was part of the meeting with Carmelo Anthony. No basketball was played so it was just like being his teammate.

— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) July 1, 2014

Kyle Lowry has been busy, already having had talks with the Houston Rockets as well as the Toronto Raptors. Trade talks between Houston and Toronto involving a sign-and-trade have died, due to the Raptors desire to keep their star point guard. And, he still needs to consider if he wants to hear pitches from the Miami Heat and Lakers. Yahoo! Sports reporter Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted details (below).

After Toronto/Houston visits, Lowry huddling w/ agent Andy Miller. Heat, Lakers want meetings. Holding pattern, mulling Raps/Rockets offers. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 1, 2014

There have been numerous reports (ESPN, Oregonian, and NBA.com) about the amount of money that Wade and Bosh are likely to accept and how it will affect Pat Riley’s ability to build out their roster.

Heat telling free agents they will have $12+ million to spend, indicating Wade & Bosh ready to take huge pay cuts, sources told ESPN

— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 1, 2014

Chris Bosh’s 5-year deal with Miami expected to start at $11 million in year 1. Dwyane Wade will sign four years, $12 million in year 1

— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) July 1, 2014

Agent Henry Thomas, on report clients Bosh & Wade will take $12M/per & $11M/per, respectively: “all the BS you are reading is just that.”

— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) July 1, 2014

LeBron will give zero discount to Heat. Will be max money with short duration (1-2 years). — John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) July 1, 2014

With all of these stories taking the lion’s share of headlines, the Detroit Pistons and new head coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy have quietly made the first actual “signings” of the free agent period, agreeing to deals with two three-point shooters in shooting guard Jodie Meeks and forward Cartier Martin that will be formalized after the moratorium ends July 10th.

Now it’s time to move on to the next stage of my career. DDDDDD-etroit!!! BASKETBALL!!!!!

— Jodie Meeks (@Jmeeks20) July 1, 2014

Jodie Meeks has agreed to a three-year, $19 million-plus contract with the Detroit Pistons, league sources tell Yahoo Sports. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 1, 2014

Free agent Cartier Martin has reached agreement on a one-year deal with the Detroit Pistons, league source tells Yahoo Sports.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 1, 2014

Meeks’ former teammate in Los Angeles, Lakers guard Kendall Marshall, expressed his congratulations for the new contract on Twitter.