Deals, steals and early trades underway

Eastern promises

Atlanta added Nickeil Alexander-Walker from Minnesota on what will be a four-year, $62 million deal, following a completion of a sign-and-trade with the Timberwolves. Minnesota will get a draft pick, cash considerations, and will create a trade exception once the deal is finalized, a person with knowledge of the move told reporters.

The Magic, meanwhile, added Tyus Jones on a one-year deal. He joins an Orlando roster that already landed Desmond Bane from Memphis in a trade, and the Magic — which played long stretches last season without Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs because of injuries — should be a legit contender in the East this season if its players stay healthy.

It was a big night for the Jones family: Tyus Jones' brother, Tre Jones, agreed Monday on a three-year deal to return to the Chicago Bulls.

Open for business

The free agency period officially opened at 6 pm Eastern time on Monday, but in actuality, was rolling long before that.

LeBron James has already opted in to a $52.6 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers for this coming season, the Rockets traded for Durant — not a free agency move, obviously — and the Los Angeles Clippers saw James Harden decline his option in return for a new deal and a raise. There was even a surprise addition to free agency, with Portland announcing that it had bought out the contract of former No 1 pick Deandre Ayton, allowing him to sign with any team he chooses.

And on Monday, even before the shopping window officially started, more deals: Nicolas Batum will return to the Clippers, his agency said, on a two-year deal, while Joe Ingles agreed to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Deals like those could get done before the official start time because teams are allowed to negotiate with their own free agents once the NBA Finals are finished.