Signings:
Kevin Durant-Golden State Warriors: 2 years, $61.5M
With Kevin Durant coming back to the Bay Area to try and three peat, the Warriors are officially favourites again. Coming off back-to-back final MVPs, there may only be one better player in the league and his name is LeBron James. On one of the greatest teams of all time, Durant is the best player as he scorers at will, moves the ball around, shoots threes and plays lock-down defence when he wants to.
Will Barton-Denver Nuggets: 4 years, $50M
Barton had the best season of his young career playing the role of sixth man for Denver exceptionally well as he competed for sixth man of the year. He scores well while moving the ball around and he can only get better from here especially with an increased role next season.
Paul George-Oklahoma City Thunder: 4 years, $137M
Paul George has decided to team up with Russell Westbrook to bring a championship to OKC instead of joining his hometown Lakers. George is a premier scorer and defender, despite the fact the fit last year did not seem good with the Thunder; it is still a good signing as it means not having to trade away Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis for nothing. If the Thunder can move on from Carmelo Anthony, they may have a chance to compete in the West.
Nikola Jokic-Denver Nuggets: 5 years, $148M
This may seem like a lot to pay for Nikola Jokic but he is one of the league's future stars; he almost carried Denver to the post season last year and with a healthy and improved roster, they should be a threat next year. Jokic is the prototype for the future NBA center as he is the best big man passer in the league and he spreads the floor with his clean stroke from three. Look for Jokic to take the next step next season.
Rudy Gay-San Antonio Spurs: 1 year, $10M
Gay was decent in his first season with the Spurs so they brought him back for another season but with questions surrounding Kawhi Leonard, this may not be a playoff team. Gay would have been better off joining a team with a legit chance of contending or a younger team trying to push for the playoffs.
Doug McDermott-Indiana Pacers: 3 years, $22M
McDermott's calling card is his three-point shot and due to the increase in importance of the three ball it is no surprise he got $22 million despite only averaging 7.8 points. He will fit well with the Pacers as they are ready to take the next step and three-point shooting is one of their needs.
Joe Harris-Brooklyn Nets: 2 years, $16M
Another sharpshooter off the board, Joe Harris had a surprisingly good season draining 41.9% of his three-point shoot while averaging 10.8 points. He would have fit nicely on a team like Houston or Golden State but he will also work nicely with the Nets as they try to become relevant again.
After getting bought out by the Hawks, Ilyasova played well during his short time with the 76ers scoring and delivering on the three ball. Returning to the place where his career started, Ilyasova will look for a bigger role than was given in Philly.
Chris Paul-Houston Rockets: 4 years, $160M
The Rockets overpaid for Chris Paul even though he is one of the league's premier point guards and with him in game six and seven versus Golden State, Houston would probably be on top of the NBA world. He is still an elite player but he is getting up there in age and the deal could look bad in two or three years. Plus with the deal, the Rockets were unable to keep some of their other key players which makes them take a step back from a championship.
DeAndre Jordan-Dallas Mavericks: 1 year, $24M
One of the most tenacious rebounders in the NBA, Jordan will bring his own style of game to Dallas. He is not what a future big man is as he can`t shoot the three ball at all and fails to spread the floor. With that said, he is still very effective and at only one year if the deal does not work both sides can move on from each other.
Aron Baynes-Boston Celtics: 2 years, $11M
During the Celtics playoff run, Aron Baynes was a very important player bringing a veteran presence to a young team while also playing his own game not trying to do too much. His role will probably be diminished next year but as a depth signing this is a very good deal for both sides.
Jerami Grant-Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 years, $27M
Jerami Grant had the best season of his young career this past year and based on improvements each year, he may be ready to contribute as a very good sixth man. If he does not grow over the off season, this deal seems like it`s too big as it`s a lot of money for a team with the highest payroll ever if they enter the season with the same roster.
Trevor Ariza-Phoenix Suns: 1 year, $15M
Ariza is the perfect three-and-D player to help the young Suns core grow. He brings leadership to a team that desperately needs some veteran presence and it is only one year so when the Suns sign Devin Booker next year, the contract won`t affect it. Losing Ariza is a big loss for the Rockets though as he spent lots of his time in Houston guarding players like Kevin Durant in the playoffs.
Ed Davis-Brooklyn Nets: 1 year, $4.4M
Losing Ed Davis should not be a blow to the Trail Blazers on the court but Damian Lillard was not happy with this move so it may tear their dressing room apart. Davis will help Jarrett Allen grow into the number one center Brooklyn needs as he brings his defensive game with him.
Marco Belinelli-San Antonio Spurs: 2 years, $12M
The sharpshooter Belinelli is returning to San Antonio to join an aging team no longer in title contention. Belinelli is a great shooter but that is with a good team where he does not need to do much. With Kawhi Leonard`s time with the Spurs coming to an end and no legit superstar, Belinelli should have avoided this team and went somewhere else.
Derrick Rose-Minnesota Timberwolves: 1 year, $2.1M
Rose will never be the former MVP he once was due to injury problems but if he stays healthy he can be one of the league`s best backup point guards. He proved that during the playoffs as he helped the Timberwolves play with Houston during some of their series.
Omri Casspi-Memphis Grizzlies: 1 year, $2.2M
Casspi played decent with Golden State before being cut near the end of the season to make room for Quinn Cook. He should help the young players grow in Memphis but we can`t expect him to be a rotational player if Memphis wants to chase the playoffs.
Gerald Green-Houston Rockets: 1 year, $2.4M
When Gerald Green joined Houston near the mid point of the season, it turned out as a good signing as he brought his offensive game with him. With the loss of Trevor Ariza, he will be asked to do more on a very reasonably-priced hometown discount.
Fred VanVleet-Toronto Raptors: 2 years, $18M
Fred VanVleet bet big on himself as an undrafted free agent and it has worked out great for him as he played a key role on the East`s number one team during this past season. VanVleet is a smart basketball player with a good three-point shot who distributes the ball well. If he continues to grow, this deal will be a steal for Toronto especially if he could have chased more money somewhere else.
Derrick Jones Jr-Miami Heat: 2 years, $1.5M
Jones is known for his role in the dunk contest two years ago rather than his play on the court. He won`t be a regular rotation player but he is athletic so he could see some opportunity if some Heat players get hurt.
Glenn Robinson-Detroit Pistons: 2 years, $8.3M
Robinson is also more known for winning the same dunk contest Jones participated in and after playing in only 23 games last season due to an injury, he may be a player who does not contribute much. He could also improve his game in a bigger role under Dwane Casey.
Salah Mejri-Dallas Mavericks: 1 year, $1.6M
The Mavericks were planning to get rid of Salah Mejri but because they drafted his former Real Madrid teammate Luka Doncic, they wanted him there to help Doncic transition to the NBA game. That is about the only reason to keep Mejri as he is not the type of big man suited to today`s game.
LeBron James-Los Angeles Lakers: 4 years, $154M
The King is on his way to Los Angeles; it always seemed inevitable he would end up wearing the purple and gold once his contract ended. Being the best player in the league, LeBron already has made the Lakers contenders especially if their young core players like Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma can take the next step. If they add another star, they may be the outright favourites to end Golden State`s reign as the best team in the NBA. LeBron did what he said he would for Cleveland as he brought them a championship so there is no reason for Cavalier fans to be mad at him. He earned his right to play where he wanted.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope-Los Angeles Lakers: 1 year, $12M
Once LeBron signed, Caldwell-Pope quickly followed him to bring his defensive game back to where he spent last season. Caldwell-Pope can be a key veteran piece for this young team as he is a great perimeter defender and can also knock down three pointers.
Mario Hezonja-New York Knicks: 1 year, $6.5M
Hezonja never lived up to his potential in Orlando but maybe with David Fizdale coaching him in New York, he can find the magic which made him a fifth-overall pick. He can be a versatile player used for many years and as it is a bridge deal, if things work out he can return and if not the Knicks are not stuck with his salary when Kyrie Irving becomes a free agent.
Aaron Gordon-Orlando Magic: 4 years, $84M
Gordon has improved every year in the league and now that he has been shown the money, he must be the one to turn around the Magic. Gordon is known for his ferocious dunks but he is also a very effective player. Gordon is not a superstar but he could be a great second or third option on the Magic in the future possibly behind Mohamed Bamba.
Lance Stephenson-Los Angeles Lakers: 1 year, $4.5M
LeBron's arch enemy is now joining him in LA. Stephenson is best known for getting under LeBron's skin especially when he blew into his ear. Stephenson plays on the edge bringing intensity and defence to Los Angeles. He may cross the line sometimes but LeBron will be glad there will be no Stephenson trying to annoy him this post season.
Elfrid Payton-New Orleans Pelicans: 1 year, $2.7M
Another former Magic player who never lived up to his potential, Payton will likely join a contending New Orleans team if Cousins returns. Payton can still contribute as he is a good passer, similar to Rajon Rondo who ran point for them last year. This deal probably means Payton will take over Rondo`s job as the starting point guard.
JaVale McGee-Los Angeles Lakers: 1 year, $2.4M
Two-time Shaqtin MVP will join LeBron in Shaq`s old stomping grounds. McGee may be known for his what-are-you-doing plays but he proved his worth to Golden State during the playoffs coming up big for them in the finals as well as playing starting center when they dismantled San Antonio.
Photo credit for Paul George and LeBron James goes to https://ca.nba.com/?gr=www. Chris Paul goes to https://ftw.usatoday.com/. Marco Belinelli goes to https://thesixersense.com/. Fred VanVleet goes to https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/.
