NBA Free Agency Week 1

Signings:

JJ Redick-Philadelphia 76ers: 1 year, $13M

One of the very best three-point shooters in the league is returning to Philadelphia as they try to take over the East with LeBron gone. Redick spaces the floor for Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons but he is atrocious on the defensive side of the game. He likely took a pay cut to return to the city of Brotherly Love to win a championship.

Nerlens Noel-Oklahoma City Thunder: 2 years, $3.5M

Once a very promising prospect, Noel has struggled in the NBA; he turned down a $70-million deal before the season in which he only averaged 4.4 points. Instead he got $3.5M to try and prove he is still good enough to stick in the NBA.

Derick Favors-Utah Jazz: 2 years, $36M

Favors has been a key piece to Utah`s success the past two seasons due to his versatility on both ends of the floor. Even though he is a key piece, this seems like a lot to pay someone who has struggled with injuries and has an uncertain future.



Anthony Tolliver-Minnesota Timberwolves: 1 year, $5.75M

Tolliver enjoyed one of the best seasons of his long career last year as he rained threes for Detroit at a rate of 44 per cent. He will help provide depth and spread the floor for a Timberwolves team that is now ready to take the next step and win a playoff series.

Jose Calderon-Detroit Pistons: 1 year, $2.4M

Calderon is no longer the player he was when he ran Toronto`s offence but if used in the right way, he could be a very reliable backup point guard. When he started for Cleveland last year, the Cavaliers were at the best; maybe he should have got a shot against Golden State instead of riding with Jordan Clarkson.

Mike Scott-Los Angeles Clippers: 1 year, $1.9M

Mike Scott played very well as a backup during his first season in Washington shooting a respectable percentage from deep. He can be a good depth player for LA next season but he would have been better off signing with a playoff team.

Rajon Rondo-Los Angeles Lakers: 1 year, $9M

Another one of the league`s most controversial players has joined LeBron in LA; Rondo is an elite passer and always performs during the playoffs but he may not be good fit alongside Lonzo Ball. Rondo is not a threat from three and on a team that needs shooting, this money could have been better used somewhere else. I would have preferred to see Rondo and DeMarcus Cousins stay and try to bring a title to New Orleans.



Julius Randle-New Orleans Pelicans: 2 years, $18M

Randle will be a very good starting power forward next to Anthony Davis, and he may be the best possible replacement for DeMarcus Cousins. Randle has improved each year in the league and continues to score at an increasing rate. In a new look offence, Randle could have a very high ceiling, making this deal looks like a steal at only $9M a season.

Seth Curry-Portland Trail Blazers: 2 years, $6M

Curry showed potential during the 2017 season averaging 12.8 points but an injury ended his 2018 campaign before it even started. Curry will be a very good complement to Portland`s all-star back court as they attempt to take the next step in a stacked Western Conference.

DeMarcus Cousins-Golden State Warriors: 1 year, $5.3M

The league`s top team just got one of the top three centers in the league to go alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green. Cousins will miss the first portion of the season but that won`t matter as he will be back as Golden State tries to win their third straight title. If the Warriors stay healthy and Cousins plays like he did last season, no one will even be able to compete with Golden State next season.



Avery Bradley-Los Angeles Clippers: 2 years, $25M

Bradley missed a large portion of last season due to an injury but when he is healthy he ranks among the best defenders in the NBA. He locks down teams' opposing point guards while also putting up very good numbers on the offensive end of the floor.

Michael Carter Williams-Houston Rockets: 1 year, $1.8M

Carter-Williams does not fit well with this Rockets team; the Rockets love three pointers and Carter-Williams may be the worst shooting guard in the league as he shot 24 per cent from long range last season. He is an upgrade at the backup point guard position but the fit is not good.

Jeff Green-Washington Wizards: 1 year, $2.4M

Green is now onto his seventh NBA franchise as he continues to struggle to find a full-time role on the same NBA team. Green performed well during the playoffs as he was a key contributor in helping the Cavaliers knock off the Celtics to reach their fourth straight finals.

Tyreke Evans-Indiana Pacers: 1 year, $12M

Evans put together his most successful season in the NBA since capturing rookie of the year during the 2010 season. Evans played on a terrible team last season and still averaged an impressive 19.4 points. He joins a Pacers team who will need him to keep up those point totals as they try to compete in the weak Eastern Conference.



Raul Neto-Utah Jazz: 2 years, $4.4M

Neto has been a decent option at the backup point guard spot when Dante Exum has been injured and if his role is increased he could probably increase his numbers.

Dante Exum-Utah Jazz: 3 years, $33M

Ever since being drafted fifth overall, Exum has struggled to stay healthy and has failed to prove he was worth the selection. The contract also seems like way too much money but the Jazz still feel there is potential for him to be a starter one day if he manages to avoid injury.

Raymond Felton-Oklahoma City Thunder: 1 year, $2.4M

Felton's production has declined over the past couple seasons as he ages but he can still be a reliable backup to superstar Russell Westbrook. This may be his last season in the NBA as he will start considering retirement soon.

Dwight Howard-Washington Wizards: 1 year, $5.3M

Despite Washington being Howard's fourth team in four years, he is still an above-average center and he proved that posting a 30 30 game this season. It is Howard's attitude which keeps getting him sent out by his teams. This could possibly be a steal for the Wizards if Howard can mesh with an already broken locker room.



Luke Kornet-New York Knicks: 1 year, $1.6M

Kornet played decent during his 20-game stint for the Knicks last year, showing his range from three-point range, and his role could expand this year with the departure of Kyle O'Quinn.

Kevon Looney-Golden State Warriors: 1 year, $1.6M

Kevon Looney flashed potential in the Pelicans' series during the playoffs but other than that he struggled for the majority of last year. He could get a look in the starting lineup until Boogie returns but he is more likely to be a bench player.

Amir Johnson-Philadelphia 76ers: 1 year, $2.4M

The once very tenacious rebounder is nearing the twilight of his NBA career after spending last season in Philadelphia. This will likely be his last NBA season and he will play more of a leadership role than in a regular rotation spot.

Nemanja Bjelica-Philadelphia 76ers: 1 year, $4.4M

Bjelica improved in his third season, especially his three-point shooting which shot up to 42 per cent. Floor-spreading big men are huge in today's NBA and he will likely take over Amir Johnson's spot in Philadelphia's rotation.



Kyle O'Quinn-Indiana Pacers: 1 year, $4.5M

O'Quinn had the best season of his career posting 7.1 points per game while also playing solid defence. He will replace Al Jefferson in Indiana who just signed in China/ Look for O'Quinn to gain a bigger role than he was given in New York or Orlando.

Tony Parker-Charlotte Hornets: 2 years, $10M

The future hall of famer and four-time NBA champion will play on his first team not named the Spurs in the upcoming season. He could be among the best backup point guards in the NBA but so few players play on one team their entire career, Parker should have either stayed with San Antonio or retired as Charlotte has no chance at a title these next two seasons.

Zach LaVine-Sacramento Kings (Matched by Chicago Bulls): 4 years, $78M

The two-time slam dunk champion has flashed huge potential during the last two years but an injury limited him to 47 and 24 games over the same time frame. This contract is a gamble but for a Bulls team that does not have much salary tied up, it is worth it especially as if they did not match the offer from Sacramento they would no longer have their best building block.




Ian Clark-New Orleans Pelicans: 1 year, $1.8M

Clark had a decent first season in New Orleans as a backup guard leading to a one-year extension; he will need to improve his three-point shot from last year\s 32 per cent if he wants to stick around another year.

Kyle Anderson-Memphis Grizzlies (San Antonio Spurs can match): 4 years, $37.2M

Anderson had the best season of his career last year, averaging a career high 7.9 points while playing lock-down perimeter defence. The Spurs can still match the offer on Anderson if they want him but as it stands right now, Anderson would be one of the Grizzlies' future pieces as they may enter a rebuild.

Jusuf Nurkic-Portland Trail Blazers: 4 years, $48M

Nurkic played well during his first full season in Portland as he was a nice fit alongside Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. He will need to take his game to the next level though if Portland hopes to get into the playoffs in the super-competitive Western Conference.

Devin Booker-Phoenix Suns: 5 years, $158M

Booker may be the league's next great two guard; he may be the closest thing to Kobe Bryant we have seen since the Black Mamba retired. Booker is already an elite scorer as he has a great shooting stroke and has no problem getting to the rim either. Booker is ready to join the NBA's elite next season but if the Suns hope to improve as a team, everybody around him needs to get better.



Trades:

76ers Receive: Wilson Chandler, 2021 Second Round Pick, Rights to swap 2022 Second Round Picks
Nuggets Receive: Cash Considerations

Chandler has been a good contributor during his NBA career as he can create his own offence. The Nuggets are trying to get younger and after the signings of Nikola Jokic and Will Barton, they don't want to pay the luxury tax. The Nuggets gave up a second-round pick just to dump his contract. Chandler brings experience and depth to a Philadelphia team that looks to compete for top spot in the East for this upcoming season.



Grades: 76ers B; Nuggets A

Bulls Receive: Julyan Stone
Hornets Receive: Bismack Biyombo
Magic Receive: Jerian Grant, Timofey Mozgov

It is easy to see why the Hornets and Magic made this trade but why would the Bulls: Grant proved to be a very good backup last season and all they got back for him is a D-league player in Julyan Stone; it probably means they believe Cameron Payne can be the backup if he is healthy. The Hornets traded somebody in Mozgov who has a similar salary to Biyombo as they are both two of the most overpaid players in the league. Biyombo can still contribute at the NBA level though as he is an elite rim defender as he proved during the Raptors' playoff run three seasons ago. The Magic want Mohamed Bamba to take over Biyombo`s spot so landing Mozgov won`t take time away from him and they also get a young point guard which is a dire need for the team.



Grades: Bulls C Hornets B+; Magic B+

Photo credit for Derrick Favors goes to http://www.espn.co.uk/. Rajon Rondo, Tyreke Evans and Wilson Chandler goes to https://www.nbcsports.com/nba. DeMarcus Cousins goes to https://www.nbcsports.com/. Dwight Howard goes to https://ftw.usatoday.com/. Nemanja Bjelica and Devin Booker goes to https://ca.nba.com/?gr=www. Zach LaVine goes to https://www.sbnation.com/. Bismack Biyombo goes to https://hoopshabit.com/.