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Free Agency clock started and the floodgates opened! Fast and furious action in the early stages of free agency. We see the over pays; the Rock eye brow raisin' deals; and teams unload their clips. I'll make things quick and easy. I have my typical grades and opinions, allow me to run through the most notable deals to catch you up and give you my opinion on the moves. Run it.
Notable Resigns:
I like this resign a lot for the Jazz. Clarkson has been solid during his Jazz tenure, and in my opinion, was the best realistic choice for the Jazz at point for next season. They have been vocal about wanting to join in on the Dame Lillard sweepstakes. Signing Clarkson would actually help with any luck in those sweepstakes. If that can't happen- they have Clarkson moving forward, who knows the system and knows how to utilize those two towers in the front court for Utah. Jazz also brought in PF John Collins and drafted PF Taylor Hendricks- more guys that Clarkson can set up and play-make with. The Jazz are hoping for Clarkson to resurrect John Collins' highlight slams and electric slashing in the paint. It's a smart game plan with the coin they have and when you consider all the other pieces that make up the roster. Will Hardy and his staff should be excited with how the front office is shaping the roster. This is a B+ signing, for sure.
I am iffy on this resign, believe it or not. Look, we know what Barnes will give you. Sacramento knows what Barnes will give them. 15 PPG and 5 RPG is his regular-season averages. Consistent averages across his Kings tenure. A 3 year contract for 54Ms relates to that production. The contract is fine. Barnes just doesn't show up in the playoffs, he was extremely lack luster in that Golden State series loss. I would have liked them to try and replace Barnes with Cameron Johnson, instead. Now that would have cost a lot more coin- but you would have replaced a 31 year old, lack luster forward, with a 27 year old forward in his prime. Considering that the forward market really isn't deep and that they bypassed any over pay- I grade the Barnes resign a C+. Need production at that role. Barnes will give you some production and 54Ms won't sting too bad.
Look, Russell was again awful in the playoffs. Just awful, in my opinion. But, when you look at what's sitting on the market in reference to point guards- it's hard to hate them for resigning Russell. DLo averaged 17 points and 6 assists in the regular season and averaged a positive +/-. Russell can still give them valuable role minutes if he remains healthy and available. Just look to not use him in the playoffs. I'll give them a C+ for the resign.
Absolutely hate it. I have zero issues hiding my opinions on this. Kyrie Irving wasn't a fit for the Mavericks, since day one. Kyrie hasn't played terrible as a Mav. In fact his averages are nice on paper: 27-5-6. The problem? Luka and Irving looked awful on the court together. The Mavericks are 5-11 when Luka and Kyrie play in the rotation together. The coaching scheme didn't help things. They managed to scheme that back court to have losing success despite having two, top five, players whom were the most efficient in isolation. The poor play with Luka mixed with his drama off the court. I would flip him for Lillard. I don't see this panning out good. Don't see it. Cuban knew he ****ed up with not spending dough on Jalen Brunson, so he rushed his thinking in believing Irving was the one. I think they will regret this. Slap a C- on 'em.
Draymond is the heart and soul of the Golden State Warriors. A pivotal piece to one of the most successful championship and championship appearing runs of all-time. Hate 'em or love 'em- his grit and demeanor had earn him the 100Ms in this new contract. Warriors had to resign him. Green needs to retire there. It's the right move. Giving him some moolah as reward for his services is nice, too. 100Ms is a tiny bit much, but whatever. It would have been weird to see Draymond in different threads- glad they got it done. Warriors should still be looked at as a playoff contender with keeping Green. They still have work to do- this grade is a nice ole B+.
Clips keep Russ around for a nice 2/8M deal. Love it. Westbrook had some good moments last year for the Clippers. Russ played harder than all of his teammates in the playoffs, too. For the buck, this was a perfect deal to keep Westbrook in LA. I don't always respect his lack of accountability- but Westbrook has gotten his game back to being an important piece to a team. I like the Clippers keeping him around- take a B+.
Very happy that Brooklyn made the right choice to resign, Cam Johnson. Over-pay? Eh, maybe a tad. Nonetheless, it was a needed move that keeps the duo of Cam and Mikal Bridges in tact for the Nets. Johnson isn't a superstar to the casuals, nor does he pop off the papers and on stat sheets- but he is an extremely efficient player and a excellent piece to utilize for any roster. B+ move for Brooklyn. Look for Johnson to continue to be productive and progress, now that he got his payday. Maybe the Nets can bolster that roster to build off of Johnson; Bridges; and Claxton.
Notable New Signings:
Houston, we have a problem. What a mess. 80Ms after that playoff performance? Brooks was a visible anchor for the Grizzlies in the playoffs. Not only was there rarely any positive production, but he was over confident to the point that he brought in unnecessary media attention and fired up his team's opponents. His dumbass literally challenged The King down by his feet. Brooks also regressed in almost every category statistically across the regular season, last year. He had 3/6 solid to decent years in Memphis, from a production standpoint. On top of that, outside of his 5 good games in the bubble... he was quite bad in the playoffs for Memphis. Brooks should have been looking at a small- prove it deal. Bad move by Houston and one they will soon regret. Some may think degrading Brooks as a player due to his antics in the playoffs, is an over-reaction... but I don't think it is. You look at those things when you sign a player long term. I rate this a D+ move for Houston. 80 million headaches.
Not a jaw-dropping move, but a move that I like for the Knicks. Bringing in a solid role player that fits the Knicks culture. DiVincenzo molds well with two of the Knicks' grittiest players in Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, as all three men dominated together at Villanova. DiVincenzo should have more of a role in New York, than he did in Golden State. One more so like the role he had in Milwaukee. The new expectations, as well as playing with his fellow Nova teammates, should see DiVincenzo fair pretty well in New York. I like the deal: B- for this one. Maybe these guys can find away to bring in their buddy Mikal Bridges... The Garden isn't far from Brooklyn.
You know this deal was the largest in total that VanVleet was offered, because what an awful designation for him. For a 29 year old veteran, who is soft spoken and more the grind and clock out type... terrible designation for him. Now for Houston, you can't hate against the deal. I didn't expect Fred to receive more total money than Kyrie Irving, but we would have considered both of them to get overpaid to begin with. VanVleet is a perfect point for Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. to thrive off. I for one, am not sure how VanVleet will navigate in the Rockets system. Interesting transformation for VanVleet. It's very intriguing to say the least. Despite me not wanting this for VanVleet, it's a A- move for Houston. They needed a veteran leader and they needed a solidified point guard. VanVleet offers both and still should have some prime left in his potential. $130 in today's day, isn't too bad for a player of VanVleet's caliber. Look for them to continue to pursue James Harden as well.
I was hoping Bruce Brown would stay on that championship grind and resign with the Nuggets, but he definitely made the right career decision to ink a contract to join the Pacers. Brown gets the 20Ms a year that he was seeking, and now will have a more important role as he is set to start at the 2 for Indiana. Solid choice for the Pacers as well. Tyrese Haliburton and Bruce Brown is a pretty solid back court. Brown had massive moments for the Nuggets during the title run. This is a great pickup for Indiana, who just traded for Obi Toppin as well. B on the report card.
Damian Lillard has officially requested a trade out of Portland. Don't get fooled, the drama just revamps from here. Several teams are dialin' the Blazers to enter the Lillard sweepstakes- with the Sixers; Heat; and Nets bringing the most heat. There are also a handful of teams who are willing to join the fray in possible three-way scenarios for them to land some nice assets to help a Heat or Sixers in landing Lillard. Which makes things even spicier.
Reports are saying that Lillard is demanding to only land in Miami, and will decline to play if sent elsewhere. I don't buy into any of that crap. That takes some real gull, if true. Lillard doesn't have a trade clause, which is the fact of the matter. Trade clauses need to be eliminated on the record. Again, not saying I believe Lillard to be guilty of it; but across the NBA and NFL; the trade clause nonsense is creating unwarranted drifts and juices up egos. Blazers intentions should be strictly- franchise first. This is business. As thugger said- business is business. Spurs had no issue sending Kawhi to Canada. Business. Look how that ended for both parties. Blazers are going to have some nice deals to choose from. Hopefully they choose wisely. Want some DJ spice? I think Lillard should go to Utah. That Western Conference Final of Nuggets versus Jazz should have basketball fans lickin' their chops. Just saying. Let the fireworks begin.
Philly fans should be jumpin' up in excitement (with broken ribs), as James Harden has opted into his contract while forcing the 76ers to seek to trade him... "maybe". The Clippers are bringing the most heat in trade talks... but Houston is slithering near, as they have Dreams club owner and Ime flashing James to return to the Rockets. All I know, is that one of these idiotic teams is about to make a real silly decision. Hear come the Beard fans. Just stop it. Trading assets; rather it's great role players; or draft picks; it's idiotic. Harden is a floppin'; inconsistent; wrecking ball. Mmm, and Harden can't play with other stars. Past don't cap. It's facts. George-Leonard-Harden? Please. Jokic wipes them in 5. If Harden goes back to Houston, he might actually have some good highlights for his fan boys to actually reflect off. Dreams might also get an expansion after a few months post his return.
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