Draymond Green, Kuzma staying put as NBA free agency opens, sources tell AP #Draymond #Green #Kuzma #staying #put #NBA #free #agency #opens #sources

Kyle Kuzma doubled his salary in Washington, and Draymond Green ensured that Golden State’s championship core stays together.

Free agency in the NBA got off to its traditional fast start on Friday night, with Kuzma agreeing to a $102 million, four-year deal with the Wizards and Green getting a new contract that’ll pay him $100 million over four seasons with the Warriors.

Both of those deals — first reported by ESPN and subsequently confirmed to The Associated Press by people with knowledge of the negotiations — got done shortly after the 6 p.m. EDT time start to the offseason player movement window. Kuzma had opted out of a contract that would have paid him $13 million in Washington this coming season; he’ll now average $26 million over the next four years after scoring 21.2 points per game this past season.

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill skates with the Stanley Cup after the Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. The Knights won the series 4-1. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

The Vegas Golden Knights have re-signed Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Adin Hill to a two-year deal worth almost $10 million.

FILE -Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) calls to teammates during the first half of Game 5 against the Boston Celtics in the NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in Boston. James Harden might have side-eyed questions, much like he did in a playful reaction to a question in his Houston days, about his future with the Philadelphia 76ers. Will Harden return to the 76ers for a third season? (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

James Harden picked up his $35.6 million contract option for next season with the Philadelphia 76ers, with the franchise exploring trades to move the veteran scorer, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press.

FILE - Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson (74) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Nov. 28, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. The NFL suspended Robinson, Thursday, June 29, 2023, for the first four games of the regular season for violating league policy on performance-enhancing drugs. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)

The NFL has suspended Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson for the first four games of the regular season for violating league policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

FILE - Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (34) looks on during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. The NFL suspended three players indefinitely Thursday, June 29, 2023, for violating the league's gambling policy and a fourth was sidelined for six games. Isaiah Rodgers and Rashod Berry of the Indianapolis Colts along with free agent Demetrius Taylor received indefinite suspensions through at least this season for betting on NFL games in 2022. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

The NFL has suspended three players indefinitely for violating the league’s gambling policy and a fourth was sidelined for six games.

Green staying put keeps him alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson with the Warriors, where they have won four titles over the last decade. He opted out of a $27.6 million contract for this coming season, and now is under contract for more years.

The reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets lost a free agent they wanted to keep, with Bruce Brown agreeing to sign with Indiana, a person with knowledge told AP. ESPN reported it was a two-year deal worth $45 million.

There was simply nothing the Nuggets could do to compete with that offer — they could only offer Brown $7.8 million for this season. Brown will average nearly three times that much over the next two years.

CAP NUMBERS

Shortly before the 6 p.m. window opened, the NBA confirmed the financial particulars for the coming season.

The salary cap that goes into effect Saturday will be $136.021 million — the highest in league history, as expected. The tax level is $165.294 million.

All teams will have to commit at least $122.418 million in salaries for the coming year. The first apron level is $172.346 million, the second apron has been established at $182.794 million, the midlevel for non-tax teams is $12.405 million, for taxpayers it is $5 million, and the room mid-level is $7.723 million.