The defending Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns got back an essential piece when Chris Paul agreed to re-up on a four-year deal, while the Los Angeles Clippers still await word on Kawhi Leonard, who is widely expected to return.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls reached an agreement with rising star guard Lonzo Ball and All-Star DeMar DeRozan to suddenly look like an imposing playoff contender.

Coming off a resurgent season that saw them make the postseason for the first time since 2013, earning the No.

At the end of the first day of free agency, however, they had spent nearly all of it to largely bring back the same team they had last year, agreeing to three-year deals with Derrick Rose, Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel.

The biggest move the Knicks made was adding free-agent forward Evan Fournier on a reported four-year, $76 million contract, while losing Reggie Bullock to the Dallas Mavericks.

Well, two All-NBA seasons and a Finals appearance later, the future Hall of Famer did exactly that, opting for a new four-year contract with the Phoenix Suns worth upwards of $120 million.

Despite the occasionally jaw-dropping offense of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers' recent success has stemmed from their defense, which allowed a league-best 106.8 points per 100 possessions last season.

The Lakers traded away Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, two versatile defensive wings, in the deal to acquire Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards, and then lost Alex Caruso, arguably their best defensive guard, to the Chicago Bulls after reportedly not even producing a counteroffer.

When faced with the prospect of losing Alex Caruso, the 27-year-old guard whose Bird rights they carried and could thus pay whatever they wanted, they didn't put up any free-agency fight en route to him agreeing to a four-year, $37 million deal with Chicago.

According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Caruso's camp went back to the Lakers after the Bulls made their offer and were told that there would be no counter.

The Lakers may still have a move or two to make but, at least on paper, the elite defense has taken a considerable hit.

The Bulls hope to make the playoffs next season for the first time since 2017, and they've put their money where their mouth is with their offseason moves.

Chicago agreed to sign Lonzo Ball to a four-year, $85 million contract, then added DeMar DeRozan on a three-year, $85 million deal.

Chicago had to part with some depth to execute the sign-and-trades, so they still have some work to do to fill out the roster, but it's refreshing to see a team (particularly the Bulls) spend money to try to improve the roster quickly.

Considering where he was after his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers -- largely viewed as a disappointment whose best value to the franchise was as trade bait -- Ball has certainly done well for himself after agreeing to a four-year, $85 million contract with the Chicago Bulls on Monday.

He was one of the most coveted free agents in the league, and now he's a huge part of the Bulls' future.

Because they had Ball's full Bird rights, the Pelicans could have offered him more money than the Bulls, or any team for that matter.

To add insult to injury, Bazemore reportedly turned down a more lucrative deal with Golden State to join the Lakers, who he feels have a better shot at winning a title.

Bazemore turned down more money and years (two) from the Warriors, sources say, but believes he will have a bigger role and opportunity to win a championship with the Lakers.

Even after adding stretch-four Nemanja Bjelica on a minimum deal as well, this means that Golden State still has the money to go after another veteran target with their full $5.9 million taxpayer mid-level exception (Danny Green and former Warrior Andre Iguodala have reportedly shown interest) to bolster their depth as they hope to return to title contention next season behind Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.

Drummond's last contract paid him an average of over $25 million per season with the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers, prior to being bought out and joining the Lakers.

The Bucks were all set to be a big winner of the first day of free agency after Bobby Portis elected to re-sign with the defending champs at a below-market rate of two years, $9 million.