The Collective Bargaining Agreement doesn't allow for any of
these trades to be more than proposed until the 10th of this month,
but the shock of deals like the ones the Celtics and Nets pulled off was felt
all the same. Here are some of the biggest "signings" and free agents still on the market.
Deals done in principle:
I don’t know if you heard, but Dwight Howard is a free
agent. There had been several teams mentioned to be in the running as Howard;
Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks, LA Lakers, and Golden State all made their
pitches to the All-Star center at some point during the offseason. Howard may
have lost his sterling reputation with the fans and the media over the past few
years, but he still led the league in rebounding and blocked shots per 36
minutes despite playing through two major injuries. While he may no longer be deemed to be the
best overall Center in the league, he is still the best defender and, at 27,
still capable of improving offensively. That
said, if it goes bad in Houston he may no longer be considered a superstar.
The Clippers were a mediocre 3 point shooting team last year
and between Reddick, Dudley, and first round pick Reggie Bullock, they have
bolstered a glaring weakness. Remember,
8 of the top 10 three point shooting teams made the playoffs (and in the finals
the Heat and Spurs were both top 5). The
shooters should space the offense out and allow the burgeoning post games of
Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan to flourish.
He’s a solid pickup for a team that doesn't seem to have a
clear vision for their future. I would've
liked to have seen him join a better squad, but whatever.
The 76ers have decided to completely demolish their team. After suffering through a 34-48 season (and
paying Andrew Bynum to model his new hairdos) management has decided to start
the clock on their lottery selection early.
The Pelicans, on the other hand, are looking to rebound from their poor
regular season performance of last year by adding the best point guard the team
has had since…well, you-know-who left for the brighter lights of the LA
Clippers. If shooting guard Eric Gordon
can stay healthy (and actually wants to stay on the team) New Orleans suddenly
has a highly formidable back court to go along with its budding star, Anthony
Davis.
·
New Orleans Pelicans trade Greivis Vazquez,Robin Lopez in three team trade to acquire Tyreke Evans
Oh look, it’s New Orleans again. The Pelicans are taking a bit of a chance on
Tyreke Evans, who wowed the NBA with his Rookie of the Year performance in
2009-10. Since his promising start, Evans
has been shuttled in and out of the Sacramento lineup at various
positions. As the number one option on
the team, he left fans wanting. As
perhaps the fourth best option on the Pelicans, he could be dynamic.
·
Brooklyn Nets trade Gerald Wallace, Marshon
Brooks, Kris Joseph, Kris Humphries, and2014, 2016, 2018 first round draft picks for Boston Celtic’s Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry
The Nets have mortgaged their future to win now. In a league full of teams nosediving to get
ready for the robust draft class of next year, it’s refreshing to see a team
interested in winning now. A starting lineup that boasts former All-Stars at
each starting position is rare…but so is beating out the Heat in the East. Make no mistake; this is a championship-caliber
team with championship aspirations. The Nets added a winning culture with three
former champions, but the window is incredibly small with the aged veterans
that they’ve added.
I won’t lie, this is the first move in a long time that I
immediately loved as a Bobcat fan. Jefferson was among the most efficient players in the post last year. Add that to the very
reasonable 3 years and $41 million we are giving him and the addition of Cody
Zeller and the lineup is shaping up nicely. It’s an odd feeling as a Bobcats
fan that your team may be too good for its own good. With our surge of talent and teams’ tepid
resistance to losing, I’m frightened we may be just good enough to miss out on
the top-tier talent of the 2014 Draft class.
Despite their much celebrated defense, the Bulls have
struggled to score in the Coach Thibodeau era. They added a wing player with a
propensity to score in Dunleavy.
Golden State just added another talented wing player to add
to the growing collection of wing players.
I won’t lie, I’m not as big on this addition. Clearing this cap space
essentially meant not re-signing vital parts to their second unit, who were
huge for them in the playoffs. Iggy is
coming off his best postseason, but his addition means less minutes for
Thompson/Barnes. Barnes will probably play
the four more often because of his success at the position after David Lee went
down to injury. The team also signed
Mareese Speights, to help replace departed big Carl Landry (4 years, 27 million
to the Kings).
Duh.
The
Clips shipped Bledsoe out, so they
needed a backup PG to spell CP3. They
did marvelously by scooping Collison on the cheap. I really don’t know what happened to this
young man. There was a time when he was
considered part of the up-and-coming point guards. When Dallas brought in Derek Fisher to start
over him in Dallas, I knew that time was officially dead. Still, he’s great in the open court, and
feeds into the Clippers up and down pace they have come to be known for. Additionally, maybe former PG Doc Rivers
could help get his career back on track.
56
million, four years, one crowded paint area.
When I first heard about this deal, I assumed Josh Smith’s arrival would
mean the departure of Greg Monroe or Andre Drummond (both of whom are
incredibly talented). Instead, it means that Josh Smith will play the small
forward. Any Hawks fan knows the
limitations of Smith’s jump shot. I have
no idea how the spacing will look. This just doesn't make sense, offensively at
least. Defensively they’ll clog the lane well.
I’m not sure Josh Smith is physically capable of defending SFs on a
night in and night out basis. Usually,
as players get older (even athletic ones), they don’t move from the paint to the
perimeter. Will definitely be an
interesting experiment.
Dominoes
fall. Once Josh Smith decided to leave Atlanta, they needed another undersized
player to play alongside Al Horford to force Horford to continue playing out of
position at the Center. I like Atlanta; I
have no idea why. I just want them to stop this mediocre run they are on that always
leaves them vacationing right outside the draft lottery. There’s talent on this team, and they look to
add either Brandon Jennings or Monta Ellis sometime soon this offseason, but
the fan base seems listless and the team seems to not have any real direction.
Jack
opted out of his contract with the Warriors.
His performance in the postseason warranted it. He proved he could run the second unit, or
allow a team to put him at point while their starter moved down to the two-guard. Jack will serve a similar role with the Cavs
as he did the Warriors; he joins another great point guard in Kyrie Irving. He
and Earl Clark ($9 million for two years) are quality pickups for a team
looking to appease Irving into re-signing after this year.
Free Agents still on market
Andrew Bynum: After playing as many NBA minutes as you and I
last year, Bynum is a free agent. He has
struggled with knee problems for his entire career. His last two seasons with the Lakers were his
healthiest, and he showed flashes of pure dominance. Still, the health questions and confusion
about his commitment to basketball will keep his next contract short and
relatively inexpensive. Bynum has
reportedly declined workouts and medical examinations, but will submit his
medical records. In a season where boom
or bust is preferable to mediocrity, he’s oddly perfect. Suitors: Cleveland, Atlanta, Dallas. UPDATE: Bynum signed a 2 year, $24 million deal with the Cavs.
Andrei Kirilenko: Did you know that AK has made over 100
million dollars for his career? Not bad for a glue guy that hasn't averaged
over 13 points a game in 7 years. He can
guard multiple positions, and you never have to call a play for him. AK reminds me a lot of Tayshaun Prince. UPDATE: Kirilenko signed for 2 years and 6 million dollars with the NETS.
Jeff Teague (Restricted): Neither Teague nor the Hawks seem
to want to continue their relationship.
Recently, there have been talks of a sign and trade with the Bucks for Brandon
Jennings. I've always liked Teague, he just happens to be in the Golden age of
PGs. Still, he’s athletic and feisty and
can really contribute to a team. UPDATE: The Hawks matched the 4 year $32 million offer sheet from the Milwaukee Bucks meaning Teague will stay there.
Brandon Jennings (Restricted): Jennings and Monta Ellis were
a terrible fit from the beginning. Both
love to shoot, and like having the ball in their hands. Jennings is a high volume shooter, regardless
of who is on his team. Despite shooting
a career high from the arc (37.5%), Jennings only shot 40% from the field. For a guy with such a quick first step, it’s
a bewildering set of statistics.
Monta Ellis: Jennings’ backcourt mate declined his $12
million player option to become a free agent.
Ellis is another high-volume, low-efficiency scorer. I think the interest in Ellis has been a
little lukewarm because teams don’t think he can be a number 1 on a team; and
because of his need to have the ball in his hands, he may not be able to be a
number 2 either. Suitors: Hawks,
Sacramento. UPDATE: Monta Ellis signed with the Dallas Mavericks for 3 years and roughly 30 million.
Greg Oden: He had the 6th highest PER when he got
hurt…in 2009. That was the last time Oden
graced a basketball court. Insert whatever “you can’t teach size” cliché that
you would like to here, but he defends, rebounds and finishes around the basket
really well; an absolute throwback of a big man. I want this to work for him, not least of all
because he could play when he was healthy.
The Heat have been in talks with him as early as last year, but he decided not to rush his rehab from his injuries. I wouldn’t be shocked if a contender grabbed
him just to keep him from joining the defending champions. Suitors: Miami, San Antonio, Boston Celtics,
Cleveland Cavaliers, and Memphis Grizzllies.
Gerald Henderson (Restricted): Not at all the most
ballyhooed player on this list, but is a legit player. I’m really hoping that the Bobcats re-sign
the 6’ 5” shooting guard. Henderson is a
tenacious defender and has improved steadily on offense, a testament to his
work ethic. On an anemic team, I often
wished he were more selfish, but he has continued to get more confident with
the ball in his hands. Could be a steal
for the right team.
Byron Mullens: No Qualifying offer extended to this Bobcat. Mullens was a pleasant surprise for the
Charlotte franchise. He is a stretch four that has more recently shown the
ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. He still doesn't rebound or defend at a
particularly high level, and perhaps that (and Cody Zeller’s arrival) made him
expendable. UPDATE: Mullens signed with the Clippers.
Nate Robinson: Nate Robinson made $1.1 million last
year. After multiple injuries gave him a
chance, he took full advantage of it for the Bulls. I’m a little surprised I haven’t heard more
about his destination choices given how otherworldly he was in the
postseason. I don’t think he’s a
starter, but he’s a great option to run your second unit.
Anthony Morrow: He’s a scorer. Put him in the Chris Douglass-Roberts “I have
no idea why this guy isn’t on a roster and contributing somewhere” list. So for those keeping track, the list is two. UPDATE: Morrow signed with the Pelicans. Per club policy, the terms of the contract weren't made available.
Tyler Hansbrough: Psycho T had no contract offer from the
Pacers and has become a Free Agent. I’ve
always felt that he could play, and his per 36 min numbers (15 points and 10
rebounds) indicate that he can. But will
he get enough time anywhere to show it? UPDATE: Hansbrough signed a two year deal with the Raptors.
DJ Augustin: Augustin went from starting on the Bobcats, to
getting scarce minutes on a contender, to looking for a job. He's a quality shooter and decent decision-maker off
the pick and roll. A defensive
liability, but what backup point guard is perfect? UPDATE: Reached a one-year to deal with Toronto.
Austin Daye: Daye is a 6’11 200 pound 3 point shooting
threat. Sadly, the Kevin Durant
comparison ends there. He’s only 25, and
I keep thinking that he will “figure it out” and be a consistent
contributor. But after he didn't get ANY
significant minutes for the Grizzlies (a really poor shooting team) I’m
beginning to wonder if my faith has been misplaced. If he doesn't find his way soon, he may
never locate it.
Chase Budinger:
Another “if he could only get it together” player. Only “it” for Budinger is his health. The college dual-sport star is really
athletic (he played semi-pro volleyball during the lockout) and has a feather
touch from deep. His constant, nagging
injuries will make him a project for some club. UPDATE: Signed a 3 year, $16 million with the T'wolves
Kenyon Martin: I don’t know if we’re going to go through the
“why isn’t Martin on a team” only to watch him get signed and immediately
contribute, again or what. I hope not. He’s
an energetic big with an underrated ability to score around the rim.
Chris “Birdman” Anderson: (See above) UPDATE: Re-signed with Miami for the league minimum $1.7 million one year deal.
Nick Young: He’s got JR Smith’s mentality, just not as
good. Shocking no one has taken him. UPDATE: The Lakers signed local boy Young to 2 year, $2.3 million
J. J. Hickson: Hickson keeps producing, and he keeps getting
shipped off. He’s the new Jim Jackson.
Mo Williams: Williams shooting efficiency has plummeted
since parting ways with LeBron. I’m
shocked too. Still, he’s a heady player that has played in enough big games to
contribute to some contender, right? Certainly if Jason Terry is still valued,
Williams has to be too.
Nikola Pekovic: I don’t know why I put him last, because he
was sensational (16 points, 8 rebounds) in his expanded role for the Timberwolves; just a rugged
presence inside and a staple if you have a stretch 4. The Wolves drafted Gorgui Dieng, but they have formally extended an offer to him. If they can stay healthy (a huge if for this
team) they have the talent to surprise some people next year.
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