Instant analysis and free agency grades
Instant analysis and free agency grades. Finally, the NBA free-agent frenzy has arrived. Teams may finally begin carrying out their meticulously crafted plans after months of rumors swirling around the greatest free-agent targets and potential landmark moves.
Signing a supermax extension- Nikola Jokic
Details of the agreement: five years, $264 million (according to Shams Charania of The Athletic).
For the Nuggets, this was an obvious choice. Jokic, the current two-time MVP of the league, commands a contract value that is significantly higher than what is permitted by league regulations.
Grade: A.
Devin Booker stays with the Sun longer
Contract specifics: (According to Shams Charania of The Athletic) 4 years, $214 million
Another obvious choice for the Suns would be to give Booker a supermax contract. He recently had a season in which he received four votes for MVP. The surplus-value under this contract will be substantial.
Grade: A.
Signing with the Wizards – Bradley Beal
Contract specifics: 5 years, $251 million (according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN)
Behind Zach LaVine, I ranked Beal as this class’ second-best free agent. He had a poor shooting season last year, but he’s only 28 and this contract should last him through his prime years.
Grade: B.
Jalen Brunson commits to the Knicks
Details of the deal include four years and $104 million, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
In some way, it makes sense that the Brunson contract has been mainly treated with ridicule. For someone who only averaged 16.3 points per game last season and spent the majority of his career on the bench, it’s a lot of money.
Grade: B.
PJ Tucker commits to the Sixers
Details of the agreement: three years, $33.2 million (according to Shams Charania of The Athletic).
Despite being already 37 years old, Tucker had a successful season playing for the Heat. He is capable of making accurate 3-pointers from the corners, but he rarely makes other offensive plays.
Grade: C
Lu Dort agrees to join the Thunder
Details of the agreement: 5 years, $87.5 million (according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN)
Dort is undoubtedly a nice player. He is a capable wing defender, which is a huge asset in the NBA. Dort has a meager offensive repertoire, nevertheless. He’s not much of a shooter; last season, he attempted 7.7 shots a game, hitting just 33 percent of them.
Grade C
Chris Boucher agrees to play for the Raptors
Details of the agreement: 3 years, $35.25 million (according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN)
Boucher has been a rather inconsistent performer for the Raptors, frequently drawing Nick Nurse’s wrath. However, he only made 29.7% of his 3-point attempts last season and only 0.9 shots were blocked by him.
Grade: C
Inks a contract with the Timberwolves- Kyle Anderson
Specifics of the agreement: two years at $18 million (according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN)
One of the signings this offseason that offers the most value is this one.
Anderson is an oddball athlete with several drawbacks. Even though he doesn’t take many 3-point shots, the ones he does take—which are typically wide-open—were only 33 percent successful last year.
Grade: A
The Knicks acquire Isaiah Hartenstein
Details of the deal: 2 years, $16 million (according to Shams Charania of The Athletic).
My top free-agent sleeper was Hartenstein. Although he doesn’t have a great reputation, the Knicks might start him at the center because of his excellent play. For the Knicks, this is a lucrative transaction.
Grade: A
Joining the Clippers- Nicolas Batum
Details of the agreement: two years at $22 million (according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo)
With the Clippers, Batum’s career was rejuvenated, and he signed one of the league’s most lucrative contracts. One of the better 3-and-D power forwards was kept on the free-agent market by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, which is commendable given how deeply in debt the team is.
Grade: A
The Clippers sign Amir Coffey
Contract information (According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN) 3 years, $11 million
When the Clippers were plagued by injuries, Coffey ably filled in as a starter for them, keeping them playing basketball at a level close to.500.
Coffey is a youthful player, a good shooter from beyond the arc, and a passable defender.
Grade: A