Recapping NBA Free Agency (With Updates)
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
NBA free agency kicked off Wednesday with New Orleans extending Anthony Davis, and we started off with tons of big commitments. Here I'll go over the major agreements of all the free agency period, and look at how these players fit in with their teams. This post will be updated as the days go on. And as always, feel free to discuss these grades in the comment section or follow me on twitter @thomas_mooney1.
July 3rd
DeAndre Jordan to leave the Clippers and sign with Dallas - 4 years $80 million
Love this signing for the Mavs. Tyson Chandler wasn't the same guy he was back in 2011, and then after he left for Phoenix. Jordan gives them a way more athletic defensive anchor, and running the pick and roll with him will be easier because they actually have a power forward that can stretch the floor in Dirk Nowitzki. GRADE: A+
Dallas to sign Wes Matthews away from Portland - 4 years $57 million
Another signing I love for Dallas. Matthews is a bit of a risk to sign to this much of a big money deal due to his torn achilles injury last season, but if he can make a full recovery and play the way he did last season, he'll be a much better fit than Monta Ellis was. A more consistent shooter and one of the best wing defenders in the league. GRADE: A
Marco Belinelli takes Sacramento's money - 3 years $19 million
Belinelli the last few seasons has turned his career around. Before then he bounced around the league and looked like he'd be heading to Europe if he didn't start producing consistently. Now with the Kings he has a possibility to takeover the starting SG job from Ben McLemore. Belinelli is no Wes Matthews, but he's still a solid player. GRADE: B
Corey Brewer resigns with Houston - 3 years $24 million
Brewer was being courted by the Lakers and the Knicks, but decided to go back to where he knows his role in Houston. He showed up last year in the playoffs with some great performances and was a huge part of why they made the conference finals. 8 million per season for Brewer seems fair, might even be a bargain in this market. GRADE: B+
Robin Lopez signs with Knicks - 4 years $52 million
Robin Lopez in his time in Portland has made a name for himself. He's shown he can be a serviceable center that can give you a little bit of offense and also give you decent rebounding. Actually surprised that the Knicks didn't overpay the guy to come there. 12-13 million per season is actually a reasonable price for Lopez. This signing, like Afflalo, still doesn't make the Knicks a playoff team. GRADE: B+
July 2nd
Damian Lillard agrees to massive extension - 5 years $125 million
After the Blazers realized that they are likely going to lose LaMarcus Aldridge in free agency, they needed to lock up Lillard. This is the going rate for stars now so this is a good deal for both sides. Now it's just time for Lillard to show he's the one that can be the #1 option on a playoff contender. GRADE: A
Greg Monroe chooses Bucks over Knicks and Lakers - 3 years $50 million
I had read for the last week or so that the Bucks had an interest in going after Greg Monroe, I didn't think for one second that Monroe would actually sign in Milwaukee. The Bucks now have a guy that can score in the low post. His defense is a bit worrisome for a big man, but they have John Henson to help him out in that regard. Big time signing for Milwaukee, especially since they beat out 2 of the biggest market teams in the NBA. GRADE: A+
Dwyane Wade signs short term deal in Miami - 1 year $20 million
Wade was always thought to resign with the Heat, but in the last few weeks there had been rumblings that if Pat Riley didn't give him big money he would walk. But eventually after Dragic took less money to help out Wade, they got a deal done. Wade didn't get a long term deal like he wanted, but now he can get that security and possibly even more money in the cap jump next summer. GRADE: A
Pistons agree to big money contract with Aron Baynes - 3 years $20 million
Aron Baynes the last few seasons settled into a decent role with the Spurs coming off the bench, but from what I saw, I never thought he was worth more than 3 million per season, nevermind 7. He's a nice player in the right system, but way too much of an overpay. GRADE: D
Thomas Robinson signs minimum deal with the Nets - 2 years $2 million
Robinson has been a disappointment in the league after being drafted #5 overall by the Kings several years ago. I always thought he could be a good player in the league, but I don't think he's ever been given a fair shot to show what he can do. Hopefully he can do that with the Nets. GRADE: B
Ed Davis leaves Lakers for Portland - 3 years $20 million
I remember watching Ed Davis in his early years with the Raptors, a guy that can be a good energy player off the bench that can provide rebounding and defense wherever he goes. He bet on himself last year signing a 1 year minimum deal with the Lakers and it's paid off. If Aldridge indeed leaves, he could find himself being the starting power forward in Portland alongside Mason Plumlee. GRADE: B
Monta Ellis turns down Kings for Pacers - 4 years $44 million
Ellis had been rumored to join the Pacers for the last few days and now it's come to fruition. Ellis found his game again in Dallas and could prove to be a steal for Indiana. They needed more scoring power alongside Paul George and they got it. Ellis also reportedly turned down more money from Sacramento to sign with the Pacers. GRADE: B+
Arron Afflalo signs with the Knicks - 2 years $16 million
Finally the Knicks sign a free agent. Not the big name like all Knicks fans expected, but Afflalo is a solid wing player that can play good defense and is an improved 3 point shooter. They got him at a discount and a 2 year deal makes it even more team friendly. Still won't make them a playoff team though. GRADE: B
Shane Larkin switches NY teams, signs with Nets - 2 years $3 million
Larkin was able to get a heavy dose of minutes for the 17 win Knicks last season, and although he hasn't gotten a big money deal yet, Larkin is a solid player that can give the Nets good minutes off the bench. Likely going to be the 3rd point guard behind Deron Willams and Jarrett Jack. GRADE: B-
July 1st
Pelicans extend center Omer Asik - 5 years $60 million
When I first saw the numbers of the deal being reported, I thought the Pelicans overpaid for a center who has close to zero offensive game. He's a nice complement up front though to Anthony Davis and can block shots and protect the paint. The last year of his contract is non-guaranteed and only $45 million of the total deal is guaranteed, so that makes this deal a little bit easier to handle. GRADE: B
Jae Crowder agrees with Celtics - 5 years $35 million
Jae Crowder is a nice player. Can guard multiple positions, has an improved jump shot from all areas, and is always one of the hardest workers on the court. Celtics may be overpaying here, hoping he turns into the Draymond Green mold of player. GRADE: C+
Draymond Green to resign with Warriors - 5 years $85 million
Draymond Green was likely going to stay with the Warriors due to him being a restricted free agent, but it's good for him and the team that he didn't sign an offer sheet. He gets his long term security along with more money. Looking at the deals that Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard got, it looks like Green probably took less money in order to stay with a championship contender. Great deal for both sides. GRADE: A
Anthony Davis gets 5 year $145 million extension from the Pelicans
This was a no brainer deal for the Pelicans here. It's a ton of money that people that pay attention to the NBA aren't used to seeing, but this will become the new normal sort of contract that superstar talents will be receiving. Anthony Davis carried this team to the playoffs and he's only going to get better. He's got the sort of talent, that I really don't think that there's a past superstar you can compare him to. A once in a generation type of talent and with Alvin Gentry coming in to open up their offense, Anthony Davis will be racking up the MVP trophy's and competing for titles in no time. GRADE: A+
Goran Dragic resigns with the Heat - 5 years $90 million
Not really a surprise here. The Heat wouldn't have traded for him in the first place if they didn't plan on resigning him and they did. The Heat haven't really had a consistent threat from the point guard since they had Tim Hardaway back in the 90s. Dragic will help them run the show and still provide enough offense in the games Dwyane Wade is likely going to miss. Resigning Dragic and makes them a playoff team again, and a possible threat in the East. GRADE: A
Kevin Love resigns with the Cavaliers - 5 years $110 million
This was a bit of a surprise to me. Makes sense for Cleveland to give him a max contract, making sure they didn't trade away future star Andrew Wiggins for nothing, but for Kevin Love this really shows that he's putting his ego aside for the chance of winning a championship. I thought the Lakers were going to be a threat because that's where he's from the west coast and went to college at UCLA, but resigning with the Cavs gives him the best chance to win and he's getting his long term security, which is nice given his injury history. GRADE: A
Paul Millsap chooses to stay in Atlanta - 3 years $59 million
The Hawks started off their day by losing DeMarre Carroll to the Raptors, and then made a trade with the San Antonio Spurs to acquire center Tiago Splitter. I figured that trade would allow them to move Al Horford to his more natural position at power forward, and that would prepare them for an eventual loss of Millsap. Now I'm not sure how this roster is going to shake out. The front line is talented, but Millsap won't come off the bench for that kind of money and he's not quick enough to play a small forward. More likely that Splitter will come off the bench and that leaves a hole in the wing spots of their lineup. The Hawks certainly have work to do. GRADE: B
Bucks resign breakout guard Khris Middleton - 5 years $70 million
The dollar amount was the only shock to me, and I'm sure it was to just about everyone else as well. But like other deals we've seen, this is another one that had to get done. Middleton was one of the only threats the Bucks had on the offensive end last year, and he came through with big time performances showing he can hit clutch shots and be a decent option on a winning basketball team. And with the cap exploding next summer, the average salary Middleton will be making makes it look a lot better. GRADE: B+
DeMarre Carroll heads north of the border, signs with Toronto - 4 years $60 million
Most shocking news of the day for me. I hadn't even read anything about the Raptors showing an interest in Carroll nevermind having a meeting with him on the first day, but I'm sure glad he signed (Raptors fan if you haven't noticed). Raptors have been looking for a "3 and D" wing player for years and now they have it. Carroll shot a career high 3pt % just under 40% and that will fit in perfectly on the wings alongside DeMar DeRozan. GRADE: A
Jimmy Butler agrees to extension with the Bulls - 5 years $90 million
Lots of rumours were flying around the past few weeks about Butler having a growing interest in singing with the Lakers, today put an end to all of that. This big extension means he'll continue to be the man alongside Derrick Rose and hopefully he continues his rise as one of the best 2 way players in the league. Bulls needed to get this deal done due to D-Rose's injury history, along with the fact that he's their best offensive option. GRADE: A
Tyson Chandler leaves Dallas for Phoenix - 4 years $52 million
Chandler was one of the main targets of the Milwaukee Bucks, and I thought that is where he should have signed. Phoenix wasn't a playoff team before his arrival, and even with him they don't look like a playoff team. The interesting thing about this signing though is his potential impact on the Suns signing LaMarcus Aldridge. Reports indicate that he had a strong presence in their meeting today, and now the Suns have emerged as a legitimate threat to sign him. That alone should get this signing a high praise, even if it doesn't make all that sense without Aldridge. GRADE: B
Brandon Knight extends his stay in Phoenix - 5 years $70 million
I believe that this kind of big money extension validates the Milwaukee Bucks decision to trade him at the trade deadline last season. Don't get me wrong, Brandon Knight is a nice player to have, but I don't think he's going to be a top option on a starting team. I think he's more of the player to be the 6th man scorer off the bench, and that kind of player doesn't deserve a contract that will pay him close to $16 million per season. GRADE: C
Kawhi Leonard signs max extension with the Spurs - 5 years $95 million
This was about a sure thing as you could get. Spurs were not going to let Leonard go at any price and they locked him up early. Leonard looks to be the next big star of the NBA, already having a Finals MVP under his belt, and will be the top option for the Spurs in the post-Duncan era. Also with the salary cap exploding over the next few years, they'll have him at a discount rate. GRADE: A+
Danny Green takes hometown discount to stay with Spurs - 4 years $45 million
Danny Green made a name for himself in the 2013 finals, and has kept up his production in the years since. Green was reported to meet with the Pistons and the Knicks and could have seen a contract similar to the one Khris Middleton or DeMarre Carroll signed, but chose to be classic Spur and take a discount to stay on the ride. $11 million per season for a pretty good 3 point shooter and a vital part of a championship contender is a great deal for the Spurs. GRADE: A-
Paul Pierce agrees to deal with Clippers - 3 years $10 million
This deal had been rumored by NBA people and commentators for the better part of a year. Could of happened last year before he decided to sign with the Wizards to show John Wall and Bradley Beal the ways of a winner. Now Pierce signing with the Clippers means he thinks they're his best chance to win a title. Reuniting with Doc Rivers is a plus for him too, let's see if they can recruit Ray Allen out of retirement as well. Also he signed a very team friendly contract for a Clipper team that's still trying to resign DeAndre Jordan. GRADE: A-
Kyle Singler resigns with Oklahoma City - 5 years $25 million
Singler was acquired from Detroit in the deal that saw Reggie Jackson leave the Thunder. Singler is a solid player that can provide shooting off the bench. 5 million per season for a rotation player in the summer of bloated deals is a nice move by the Thunder. GRADE: B
Amir Johnson leaves Raptors for division rival Celtics - 2 years $24 million
As a Raptor fan, it's sad to see Amir leave, especially for the Celtics. Johnson was likely going to leave the team, and it became a reality after the Raptors signed DeMarre Carroll to a big contract. I was definitely surprised by the Celtics giving him $12 million per season, especially after watching him hobble on weak ankles the better part of the last 3 seasons, but the 2nd year is a team option which still gives the Celtics some flexibility for next summer while also getting a player that can still contribute at a good level next season. GRADE: B
