Welcome to The Chirp’s NBA Off-Season Live Blog, where we’re breaking down every single move of the NBA off-season. Check back constantly, as we’ll be updating this live as moves roll in:
Robin Lopez Heads to Milwaukee
It’s a shame the Milwaukee Bucks didn’t get Justin and Aaron Holiday this summer, because if so, it would’ve been a full family affair in Milwaukee. Robin Lopez isn’t an impactful player on the court anymore, but watching him with his brother Brook should be entertaining.
Mason Plumlee Returns to Los Angeles
This deal shouldn’t come as a surprise, as it seemed like the Los Angeles Clippers were prioritizing retaining Mason Plumlee as the backup big to Ivica Zubac, who has reportedly been shopped. Plumlee’s game has some similarities to that of Domantas Sabonis; he’s a terrific passer for a big, can operate out of short rolls or initiate dribble hand offs, and he can rebound inside. Plumlee is obviously not as good as Sabonis, but he unlocks similar offensive concepts. For an offense that will likely be stagnant due to its roster composition, Plumlee’s unique skillset should add in some creative designs. I really like this deal; Plumlee is one of the best backup centers in the league.
Torrey Craig Heads to Chicago
It’s really a shame to see the chronic and devastating injury to Lonzo Ball, as the Chicago Bulls would be an extreme dark horse out East. Torrey Craig is another nice piece, who has proven his ability to be an impactful playoff performer for several years running now. He’s a very good perimeter defender on the wing whose offensive role is as a standstill shooter. How “playable” he is gets determined by his shot making, but he’s likely a rotation piece come postseason time. If the Bulls tumble down the standings, he’ll be easy to deal at the deadline for draft equity. This is a smart deal.
Anthony Edwards Extends in Minnesota
Now THIS is a contract that is 100% worth it. I’m a huge Anthony Edwards fan. Off the top of my head, I’d imagine that I would find it extremely difficult to name 15 players I’d rather have than Edwards if I was starting a franchise today. He’s a terrific human being, an elite two-way player, and a ferocious competitor. I think Edwards has the potential to reach All-NBA First Team and even get some MVP votes. If I were Minnesota, I’d seriously consider blowing up the Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert pairing and building around Edwards. He’s that good.
Dalano Banton Heads to Boston
This is an interesting move from the Boston Celtics. Dalano Banton’s intrigue is his positional size: he’s a 6’9 point guard and is only 23 years old. Banton is a good defender who unlocks a lot of lineup versatility if he can stick on the court. His biggest flaw, and it’s a big one, is he’s a non-shooter. How will he earn consistent minutes playing alongside ball-dominant players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown if he cannot knock down catch-and-shoot attempts? Not sure, but this is a worthy gamble given his toolsy traits and defensive impact.
Cory Joseph Heads to Golden State
Cory Joseph likely won’t play too much for the Golden State Warriors, considering Steph Curry and Chris Paul are both on the roster. However, given the precarious health of both players, Joseph is a strong insurance policy. Joseph is somehow only 32 years old, sets up teammates well, and was quietly an elite 3-PT shooter the past few seasons, ranking in the 80th and 89th percentile for his position per Cleaning the Glass.
Justin Holiday Heads to Denver
Odds are, Justin Holiday will be a fringe rotation player for the Denver Nuggets. Holiday is fine and had some moments with the Dallas Mavericks after being bought out. He can defend a little bit in secondary matchups, he isn’t a horrible corner 3-PT shooter, he has active hands. Holiday will probably get some extremely easy looks around the rim if he serves as a willing cutter (which he will). The Nuggets could do worse as they add to their gaggle of end-of-bench veterans.
Lonnie Walker Heads to Brooklyn
This is one of my favorite team/player fits of the free agency period. The Brooklyn Nets need to replace a lot of 3-PT shooting, after trading Joe Harris and Patty Mills, and letting Seth Curry walk in free agency. Enter Lonnie Walker, a much younger player (24) who shot a career high 36.5% from deep last season on 4.4 attempts per game. The Nets still need another shooter, but Walker is a nice piece to add into the fold. He had some huge games for the Lakers, namely his epic postseason performance against the Golden State Warriors. If he can improve his consistency, this will be a great deal for both parties.
Cody Zeller Heads to New Orleans
Cody Zeller carved out a nice role with the Miami Heat after being signed in the spring, although he was exposed in a pretty bad way as the playoffs progressed. Still, there is a spot for Zeller in the NBA; he’s a veteran who’s been around the block, but he also is a good pick-and-roll player offensively who, when not asked to guard Nikola Jokic, isn’t a defensive liability. Zeller is an upgrade over Willy Hernangomez, who previously soaked up the end-of-bench center role.
Eric Gordon Heads to Phoenix
Now this is more like it; these are the types of signings I was anticipating coming from the Phoenix Suns this offseason, not picking at the margins amongst young, unproven players (with all due respect). Eric Gordon is the classic case of a veteran taking a pay cut to play for a title contender. Gordon still has some game; he’s always been an overrated shooter, but he can slash, draw fouls at an extremely high rate, and shoot (albeit at a lower percentage clip than people estimate). Gordon’s versatility was on display at times for the Clippers last year as well, where he often played “big” in small lineups. Gordon is now Phoenix’s fifth best player and while he likely won’t start, he’ll be a huge piece on their bench unit. This is a home run signing. One of the best of the free agency period.
Miles Bridges Signs Qualifying Offer with Charlotte
Look, there is clearly a legal component with everything surrounding Miles Bridges, as he was suspended 30 games for a felony domestic violence charge. He probably shouldn’t be playing in the NBA ever again. I certainly wouldn’t sign him or have him on my roster.
Patty Mills Traded to Oklahoma City
This is a move which will fly under-the-radar, but I really like it for the Thunder. Mills is a true veteran; he’s played 14 seasons (10 with San Antonio) and has won a championship. He’s not a great player anymore, but he can still really shoot (last season’s 36.6% mark was his lowest since 2014-15). He’ll be a great veteran addition for a young Thunder team looking to make some noise. Ironically, he should serve as a good mentor to Isaiah Joe, a player whose game eerily resembles some of what Mills does so well.
Jordan Clarkson Extended in Utah
This is a nice contract extension for both parties here, as Jordan Clarkson is back in Utah for three more years. I like Clarkson’s game; he’s in the same mold as the Tyler Herro/Jordan Poole type, except he comes exponentially cheaper ($18M annually compared to $25M+). Clarkson perhaps isn’t the true bucket getter that Herro or Poole is, and he lacks the high-end ability we’ve seen both players reach on occasion, but this is significantly better value financially for that type of volume scorer who isn’t above average in other categories. Especially for a team that had money to spend, this is a good move.
Domantas Sabonis Extended in Sacramento
Once again, see below for a lot of my comments on these max extensions. If I had to rate them so far in terms of how much I like the value for the team, it would go:
- Tyrese Haliburton / Indiana Pacers
- Desmond Bane / Memphis Grizzlies
- Domantas Sabonis / Sacramento Kings
- LaMelo Ball / Charlotte Hornets
Domantas Sabonis just got outplayed in the postseason, rather handily, by Kevon Looney, who is making <$10 million a year. To pay him a max, which will cost Sacramento $40 million annually, is a necessary move, but illustrates teams constructing their rosters around players who historically do not lead teams to championships. Sabonis is great acting as an offensive hub; he can execute dribble hand-offs, he can thrive in short roll, he’s great inside, he’s a good passer, and a strong rebounder (although, Looney dominated him on the glass). But he’s not a good defender nor rim protector, and now costs the Kings a heck of a lot of money to play a position where defense and rim protection is paramount.
Dante Exum Returns to the NBA, Heads to Dallas
This is an… interesting one. On the one hand, adding Dante Exum for the minimum can’t be judged too harshly considering the financial investment Dallas is making here. But this certainly came out of left field. I like Exum’s game overall; he’s a good slasher, terrific defender, and can serve as a secondary playmaker in a bind. Exum’s issue has never been talent, but rather, staying healthy. He’s been great in the EuroLeague and while I’m skeptical of his shooting improvement, if Exum can stay on the court, he could serve a nice role for a team desperately lacking perimeter defense.
Alex Len Returns to Sacramento
This is a nice deal for both parties. Alex Len was genuinely a “break glass in case of emergency” type of player for the Sacramento Kings last season, but it worked. Len was a +24 in the series against the Golden State Warriors, providing some valuable rebounding and underrated interior defense. Len has never lived up to the lofty expectations that come with being a top-5 draft selection, but he’s earned a reserve role in Sacramento.
Donte DiVincenzo Heads to New York
This isn’t a surprising transaction at all, as leading up to free agency the New York Knicks and Donte DiVincenzo were heavily connected. This makes for a heck of story from a Villanova reunion standpoint, with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and now DiVincenzo all on the same roster, but from a fit standpoint, it’s a little questionable. The Knicks now have Brunson, Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, R.J. Barrett, Hart, and DiVincenzo all in the backcourt, along with Deuce McBride. That’s a glut of talented guards/wings who are all vying for three positions and playing time. DiVincenzo is a good player and this is a nice contract for him; he’s a fairly similar player to Hart, albeit a better shooter and not as good of a defender or “get it and go” transition menace.
Sandro Mamukelashvili Returns to San Antonio
I like this move for the Spurs. Sandro Mamukelashvili is a nice rotational piece with some gaudy per minute numbers. I like San Antonio filling out their bench with young players who can carve out a role in the league.
K.J. Martin Traded to Los Angeles
K.J. Martin gives the Los Angeles Clippers an entirely new dimension in their frontcourt, especially for a roster lacking above-the-rim pop. Martin’s defense is highly questionable at best, but he has shown flashes of extreme weakside trim protection ability. Martin’s big impact will be his interior finishing and ability to operate out of short rolls. The Clippers have a glut of wings/forwards now and you have to imagine some will be on the move; I’m thinking Robert Covington, in particular, will be traded somewhere before the season starts. A Covington/Nic Batum for Tim Hardaway Jr. and JaVale McGee swap makes sense for both the clippers and Mavericks.
Jack White Heads to Oklahoma City
I like this deal by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Jack White was one of the most producitve G-League players and parlayed his strong performances now into a full contract. White is a great hustle guy who can really defend and gives the Thunder some needed frontcourt depth.
Jalen McDaniels Heads to Toronto
This is a nice swing for the Toronto Raptors; Jalen McDaniels has the athletic profile to succeed in the league, but he was inconsistent for the Philadelphia 76ers last season when trying to acclimate to being a postseason performer. McDaniels is a good positional rebounder and a solid defender; if he can become a 35-36% 3-PT shooter, he’ll be a good 3-and-D threat. Toronto has a lot of toolsy wings who are questionable shooters, which makes this a slightly confusing fit. Yet, he also fits Toronto’s typical profile and could blossom in their system.
Russell Westbrook Returns to Los Angeles
This isn’t a surprise. Russell Westbrook was phenomenal for the Los Angeles Clippers in the postseason and earned his way back. Westbrook has declined as a player, particularly with a precipitous drop in his shooting, combined with at the rim finishing, but you’ll never question his heart and effort. It’ll be interesting to see if Westbrook meshes with James Harden if Harden does indeed become a Clipper; remember, the pairing didn’t yield fruitful results in Houston. I worry that a Westbrook/Harden/George/Leonard core will be a heck of a lot of “your turn, my turn” offense.
Jock Landale Heads to Houston
At first glance, I was appalled by this number. However, with subsequent reports indicating that only the first year is fully guaranteed, this essentially amounts to a 1-year, $8 million deal and a valuable trade chip afterwards to match salaries. Landale’s main value for Phoenix last year was not only that he was the Suns’ best center, but also that he was on a minimum contract. This is a good play for Houston simply because of the deal structure and how it turns into essentially an annual $8M trade exception in subsequent years, but I’m skeptical Landale will help answer some of their frontcourt questions.
Dillon Brooks Heads to Houston
To call Dillon Brooks polarizing would be an understatement. He’s perhaps the king of, as Luka Doncic would say, “acting tough when he’s up”. Brooks’ antics are obviously obnoxious, but from a pure on-court standpoint, this deal is an overpay. Antics aside, Brooks isn’t a particularly positive force when on the court. He’s a terrific perimeter defender, but he’s a well below average (willing) shooter, isn’t a playmaker, and serves as a motivator for opponents far too often. He’s not worth $20 million annually and for a young team that could use some leadership, it’s really a confusing fit. This has the potential to go sour quickly.
Ty Jerome Heads to Cleveland
I’ve been critical of Cleveland’s signings before this, but I am a huge Ty Jerome fan. Jerome can really shoot it; he’s been inconsistent throughout his career, but he knocked down 38.9% of his attempts a year ago. He can play out of pick-and-roll a bit as well and for an end-of-bench reserve, there are worse options.
Dwight Powell Returns to Dallas
Dwight Powell headed back to Dallas on this deal is more good work from Nico Harrison, even if much bigger moves are needed. Powell is an all-time great human being, who will be a terrific presence in the locker room for the entire team, and Dereck Lively. Powell has always been maligned amongst Mavericks’ fans because he’s been forced into playing a starter’s role because of Dallas’ inability to land a long-term center, but he is a good player. He’s one of the best roll-men in the game, a fantastic finisher at the rim, and plays with exceptional energy and hustle. For an end-of-bench center, you could do significantly worse.
Jae Crowder Returns to Milwaukee
This made a lot of sense, after the Milwuakee Bucks traded a boatload of second-round picks to acquire Jae Crowder at the trade deadline. I’ve always thought Crowder to be overrated ever since leaving Boston; he’s a 3-and-D guy who’s extremely inconsistent from beyond the arc, but he is a good defender in secondary matchups. The Bucks need quality wing depth and Crowder qualifies. Assuming this is for a small deal, this is really exceptional value for the Bucks. Crowder is overrated, but he’s not a minimum-salary player.
Damian Jones Traded to Cleveland
The Cleveland Cavaliers don’t have a lot of depth behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and I’m not bullish on Damian Jones solving that. Jones is a fine end-of-bench guy, but he’s bounced around with a few times and has yet to stick. He’s a good rim protector but doesn’t give you a lot else. In an emergency role, he could fill some minutes. Cleveland didn’t give up anything for him, so it’s silly to knock this deal.
Mo Wagner Returns to Orlando
This salary feels high, but for a two-year deal, it’s not a big deal. Orlando is paying for Wagner in his first year and if things go sideways, he’s a tradeable expiring contract right after. Wagner was a nice rotational piece a year ago and is the older brother to Franz, who’s shown immense promise. It makes sense to retain him, even if the number feels perhaps $3-4M higher than I was anticipating.
The Rockets Trade TyTy Washington & Usman Garuba for Cap Space
Someone needs to explain this to me: why are the Houston Rockets operating like they’re a serious contender? I’m not a fan of many pieces in their young core, which has led the team to a bottom-3 record in back-to-back seasons. Fred VanVleet doesn’t change their outlook, as he was perhaps the 3rd best player on a Toronto Raptors’ team that missed the postseason a year ago.
I had TyTy Washington as a top-10 prospect just a year ago and Usman Garuba has a high defensive ceiling, even if he’s still raw. Kudos to the Atlanta Hawks for adding two young players to their roster, along with draft compensation, for nothing. This is a home run for them.
LaMelo Ball Gets a Max Extension in Charlotte
Like the cases of Tyrese Haliburton and Desmond Bane, the Hornets were going to be pigeonholed into giving LaMelo Ball a max. However, this has the makings of a horrible contract. I’m not a big believer in Ball’s game; he’s a dynamic playmaker and has deep range, but he’s a bad defender with questionable shot selection, a high turnover rate, and he’s a horrible finisher around the rim. Ball, to me, gives off similar vibes to Trae Young and Jordan Poole, albeit he’s not as talented of a scorer, shotmaker, or playmaker as Young, and is now paid nearly 2x as much as Poole, whose contract was just traded with sweeteners for a 39-year-old guard. This is my least favorite contract awarded so far outside of Fred VanVleet, but once again, credit to Ball. This is generational money.
Austin Reaves Returns to Los Angeles
This is another steal for the Los Angeles Lakers. Austin Reaves established himself as a very good secondary shot creator last season who wasn’t afraid of the moment. He competes defensively, can play off-ball, but he’s really talented and crafty at navigating pick-and-roll. Reaves’ emergence was just as crucial for the Lakers’ turnaround as Rob Pelinka’s trades were. I’d imagine Reaves will only continue to improve and right now, he’s shown he can be a starting-caliber player on a postseason team. Considering the initial rumors that seemed to indicate Reaves scould receive an offer sheet north of $20M annually, this is terrific value for the Lakers. For reference, Reaves’ contract is lower than Max Strus’, and I don’t think it’s particularly close on who the better player is.
Obi Toppin Traded to Indiana
I LOVE this deal for the Indiana Pacers. Obi Toppin never seemed to get a consistent role in New York and playing alongside multiple slashers in Jalen Brunson, R.J. Barrett, and Julius Randle, it seemed like Toppin could never become fully unlocked. He was miscast as a standstill, spot-up shooter on offense too often. While Toppin can shoot from deep (34.4% last season), he’s at his best as a cutter, lob threat, and as someone operating inside the arc. Similar to how Rui Hachimura blossomed with the Lakers last season, I’d expect Toppin to take a similar trajectory in Indiana. Tyrese Haliburton will make the game easy for him and given Myles Turner’s ability to space the floor, it should free up the opportunity for Toppin to play inside more. He has a lot of untapped potential still and was acquired for very little; this is a really strong deal for the Pacers.
Patrick Beverley Heads to Philadelphia
There aren’t many players whose personality better embodies Philadelphia than Patrick Beverley. From a city/fit standpoint, this is a home run. Considering the recurring incidents of the 76ers lacking toughness throughout the Joel Embiid era, maybe Beverley can add some much needed “edge” to the team alongside P.J. Tucker. From an on-court standpoint, for the minimum salary, this is fine. But Beverley is far from the force he was 3-5 years ago; he’s lost a step defensively and according to Cleaning The Glass, hasn’t shot above average from 3-PT range for his position since the 2020-21 season. This is probably one of the better minimum signings the 76ers could make, but I’m a bit skeptical over how much of an on-court impact he will have.
Brook Lopez Returns to Milwaukee
This signing is a big win for the Milwaukee Bucks, as all the intel indicated that Brook Lopez had a big offer from the Houston Rockets on the table. Milwaukee had no way to adequately replace Lopez if he left, so even though the salary may seem a bit pricey, it was necessary, and it’s a contract that shouldn’t hurt the Bucks’ finances at all. Lopez has established himself as a top-5 defensive center in the game, and he just so happens to also shoot 37%+ from 3-PT range. Despite their postseason flameout and aging core, the Bucks will, once again, be a favorite to win the NBA Finals next season.
D’Angelo Russell Returns to Los Angeles
This is a home run deal for both sides; this honestly may be one of my three favorite deals signed so far. D’Angelo Russell’s stock took a massive hit because of a poor postseason performance against the Denver Nuggets, but people forget he’s a really, really talented player. He has his deficiencies, namely his lackadaisical defense, turnover tendencies, and inconsistency at getting to the rim, but he’s a pure shot maker who can facilitate offense, win 1-on-1, and play off-ball. I am envisioning Russell restoring his stock in a big way next season, which will allow him to cash in at a significantly higher salary next summer. Considering Fred VanVleet signed for $42M annually, this is ridiculously strong value for the Lakers on a one-year deal and won’t hit their tax penalties too hard.
Thomas Bryant Heads to Miami
This was an interesting deal for the Miami Heat, considering it happened so quickly after news of Lillard’s trade request became public. Bryant is a nice backup option to Bam Adebayo; he’s a really poor defender, but he’s an efficient offensive player who can really rebound. Miami really struggled to find consistent backup center minutes a year ago and, at minimum, Bryant should help absorb 12-16 minutes per game in the regular season.
Vasilije Micic Heads to Oklahoma City
The Oklahoma City Thunder are bringing over Vasilije Micic, an extremely talented EuroLeague guard who should be a tremendous influence over the Thunder’s youth experience. Micic is likely going to be a role player, but he’s really good: he’s a low turnover player, strong passer, and a really good shooter. I envision Micic can play alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, but I’m expecting him to lead the Thunder’s second unit as they presumably push towards the postseason next year.
Damian Lillard Asks Out of Portland
FINALLY! We’ve finally gotten a resolution to what has become a never-ending saga this summer, where everyday we got some leak from Damian Lillard and his camp which surmounted really to “no update”. This is the right move for both parties, even though it’s 12-24 months overdue. Really, you have to think this got dragged out so long by a few factors: Lillard certainly loves Portland and give them a long timeline to try and compete again, but also, one has to imagine that Lillard’s purity tests around “not running from the grind” that he’s issued around the league for the last 5-7 seasons played a role.
I’d expect the Miami Heat to ultimately land Lillard, potentially in a four-team deal that folds in the Max Strus sign-and-trade, puts Tyler Herro in San Antonio, and potentially Keldon Johnson and picks from Miami in Portland. Keep an eye on Brooklyn here as well, given Lillard’s comments. In reality, the deal that makes the most sense for everyone is a three-team swap, with James Harden going to the Los Angeles Clippers, Damian Lillard going to the Philadelphia 76ers, and some combination of assets headed to Portland. Below is what I envision:
POR Receives: Paul Reed (via S&T), Norman Powell, Tobias Harris, 2028 1st round pick (via LAC, unprotected), 2029 1st round pick (via PHI, top-5 protected), 2030 1st round pick (via LAC, top-3 protected)
PHI Receives: Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic, Marcus Morris Sr., Robert Covington
LAC Receives: James Harden, P.J. Tucker
The 76ers clear off Harris’ contract, along with moving Harden and P.J. Tucker together, while getting back four rotation pieces who are more experienced and offer a bit more versatility in shooting/defense/positional value. The Clippers swap out their big contracts for Harden and Tucker, along with shipping two firsts out. And the Trail Blazers, while lacking a top-end young star (like Tyrese Maxey), experience major cap relief next season but dumping Nurkic alongside Lillard for Harris’ expiring contract, get an intriguing young big in Paul Reed, and soak up three first round picks with light protections from teams with aging cores. It makes sense for all.
Sasha Vezenkov Headed to Sacramento
This is a really interesting signing for the Sacramento Kings; Sasha Vezenkov can really play and Sacramento needs additional wing depth. This past year in the EuroLeague, Vezenkov averaged 17.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 1.9 APG, while boasting a 54/38/88 shooting line. Vezenkov will likely be penciled into a standstill shooting role, but his EuroLeague resume indicates he’s capable of much more. Vezenkov has some big potential off the bench and could possibly spell Harrison Barnes, whose inconsistent shooting really hurt the Kings last season in the postseason.
Dennis Smith Jr. Headed to Brooklyn
This is an extremely shrewd and underrated signing for the Brooklyn Nets. It’ll be fun watching Dennis Smith Jr. and Dorian Finney-Smith reunited in Brooklyn, as they were extremely close in Dallas. Dennis hasn’t lived up to the potential so many people thought he had (All-Star), but he became a really good rotational player a year ago with the Charlotte Hornets. Smith is a borderline elite defender on the perimeter who can attack the rim offensively. Smith’s shot making hasn’t grown, but his defensive ability and energy off the bench is extremely valuable. This is a good signing.
Jaxson Hayes Headed to Los Angeles
This is an interesting flyer for the Los Angeles Lakers, especially because Jaxson Hayes has had some moments with LeBron James that have led to some heightened emotions. Hayes has never really panned out as expected since being a top-10 pick in 2019, but he fills a particularly niche role. He’s a solid, albeit not spectacular, rim protector (above average block rate, about average as a rim defender), and offensively, he’s a rim roller (well above average finishing at the rim). Given Mo Bamba being waived, along with Wenyen Gabriel potentially not returning, Hayes is a nice frontcourt piece to throw in the mix.
Max Strus Headed to Cleveland in Three-Team Sign-and-Trade
This is an interesting deal for the Cavaliers; at first glance, it seems like an overpay for Max Strus. Strus is a pure shooter, as he doesn’t attack the basket, create much in isolation settings, or serves as a secondary playmaker. Beyond that, I question how good of a shooter Strus actually is: he’s a career 37.8% 3-PT shooter, which is a really good mark considering his volume, but he’s also shot 33.8% and 35.0% during two of his three NBA seasons, both below average marks. Strus’ volume is important, as is his ability to run off screens and dribble handoffs for shots, but I have to wonder if he’s worth that $16M AAV, along with coughing up two solid rotational pieces in Cedi Osman and Lamar Stevens. Seeing how Seth Curry just got the bi-annual exception from the Mavericks and how the Cavaliers also added Georges Niang, I’m not sure I like this deal for the Cavs.
Desmond Bane Extended in Memphis
I have a similar note around Bane’s contract as I do for Haliburton’s. The Grizzlies already have a max contract for Ja Morant, are paying Jaren Jackson Jr. $26M annually, and now Desmond Bane on a max. That’s a lot of money tied into three players, especially using the same litmus test that it feels unlikely any will reach that MVP-level we associate with title contenders. Still, the Grizzlies don’t really have a choice and Bane has been terrific in Memphis. He’s a great two-way player, steps up in Morant’s absences, and brings a good type of swagger to the roster. Congrats to Bane as well, going from an unknown prospect to a $200M man.
Tyrese Haliburton Extended in Indiana
Oooh boy; listen, Tyrese Haliburton was going to get paid. But, with the new restrictive team building rules and cap smoothing, this is a hefty payday, one that should (ideally) be reserved for the handful of players who can anchor a team to a championship. Maybe Haliburton develops into that guy, but history shows us that primary only MVPs or previous Finals MVPs win championships. That’s easy to consider as a blogger; the Pacers front office was not going to offer Haliburton below a max or have him hit restricted free agency. It would ruin the relationship. NBA economics have led to a wider swath of players getting max contracts and compared to other max players, Haliburton certainly deserves it. This is just a ton of money. Congrats to Haliburton, however: this is generational-changing money.
Victor Oladipo Traded to Oklahoma City
This move signals one of two things: either Miami is saving space against the luxury tax aprons in order to keep Kyle Lowry, or this is a deal angling for a bigger move that’ll adjust the protections on the first-round pick that Miami owes to the Thunder, giving them more flexibility in the amount of picks they can afford for Damian Lillard. Victor Oladipo is recovering from another unfortunate injury, so this is likely just Oklahoma City taking on an asset here. For Miami, it could mean something much more. Or, indicate an unwillingness to get close to the tax penalties in an effort to keep Lowry’s salary on the books.
Monte Morris Traded to Detroit
Second round picks hold a ton of value around the league, as evident above. A singular pick was able to net arguably the best backup point guard in the game; Morris is a terrific table setter and great shooter. I like this a lot for Detroit in terms of value, but surely there is another move coming from Detroit, right? The Pistons have four first-round picks in their backcourt already (Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Killian Hayes, Marcus Sasser) and it’s hard to find minutes for all of them. I’d imagine Hayes would be the odd man out, unless Monty Williams will roll out three guard lineups with Cunningham essentially playing a wing spot. Still, this is a good move for the Pistons, and, at the absolute worst, they’ll be able to flip Morris for more at the deadline you’d imagine.
Derrick Rose Heads to Memphis
This is a move I love for the Grizzlies. It was clear last season that Memphis was lacking veteran leadership. Adding Marcus Smart, along with Derrick Rose, is a huge step forwards for the team’s maturity. Rose can still pack a scoring punch on occasion and back at his collegiate stomping grounds, it should be a lot of fun. Rose will be a good mentor for Ja Morant. This is a nice agreement and pairing.
Seth Curry Heads to Dallas
The Dallas Mavericks and Seth Curry have been reunited for the third time now, and boy is this a home run deal for the Mavericks. Curry is headed to Dallas on the bi-annual exception, which is terrific value for a player who has never shot below 40% from deep in his career. Curry showed some moderate signs of decline last season (not as good around the rim or from deep), but he was still an elite marksman. Playing with Luka Doncic, this is going to be a dynamite pairing; we saw it in 2019-20, when Curry shot 45% from deep in Dallas. I love this deal.
Oshae Brissett Heads to Boston
Oshae Brissett is a nice reserve piece for Boston. He’s a low turnover, low usage player who’s likely due for some positive shooting regression; he shot 42% and 35% from deep before falling to 31% this past season. He’s a nice end-of-bench guy who gives the Celtics some additional athleticism on the wing.
Dennis Schroder Heads to Toronto
Masai Ujiri wasted little time replacing Fred VanVleet, signing Dennis Schroder just 40 minutes later. I’m surprised Schroder’s contract reached this value; I thought he was certainly going to be closer in the $6-7 million range rather than $13 million. I really think Schroder is among the underrated players in the game, but I’m not sure he’s an ideal starting point guard. He proved with the Lakers last year though, however, that he’s capable of being a team’s top-5 player in the postseason.
On a side note, it’s fair to question what Masai Ujiri has been doing in Toronto. He traded Kyle Lowry for Goran Dragic, who they then traded along with a first for Thaddeus Young. The Poeltl trade was a hefty return and while I don’t hate re-signing him, it’s not the savviest move overall. And now, he loses VanVleet to replace him with Schroder, while running a middling team into nowhere. He made an all-time move getting Kawhi Leonard, but the subsequent deals since have not been kind to his record.
Fred VanVleet Heads to Houston
Oh man. I feel strongly about this one. I get the Houston Rockets had a ton of money to burn, but this is a strong overpay. Fred VanVleet has made one All-Star team, just shot 39.3% from the floor last season (and is a career 40.2% shooter from the floor) and is now getting paid north of $40 million per year. Nothing about this contract is good, but what’s more surprising is VanVleet got more money than Kyrie Irving. Say what you want about Irving’s availability and volatility, but he’s the far superior player than VanVleet. I’m not sure what the end game for Houston is with this move: it certainly signals a move towards competitiveness, but I’m not sure VanVleet is the needle-mover they expect on that, considering the Toronto team he just left had a vastly superior roster and missed the postseason. We’ll see how this one plays out, but first reaction is I don’t see many avenues where this pays off handsomely for Houston. Credit to VanVleet though; he went from undrafted to now making $130 million. That’s a heck of a success story.
Kevin Love Returns to Miami
It’s hard to feel too strongly against Kevin Love returning to Miami. Love is more of a niche player at this stage of his career, but he can space the floor, rebound, and still deliver beautiful outlet passes. He was good for the Heat after being bought out and will likely be a 15-20 minute per game rotation player for a team lacking size and frontcourt depth. I like this move.
Julian Champagnie Returns to San Antonio
Sure! Why not? Champagnie flashed for the Spurs during their tank at the end of the year and earned a nice payday. Perhaps he develops into a fringe rotation guy, but the exciting thing about his game is that as the Spurs improve and are ready to compete, he could mold into a cheap role player that contending teams always seek out. I like this “gamble” quite a bit from the Spurs. Keep consolidating young players to maximize dynasty potential.
Cam Reddish Heads to Los Angeles
I’ve never been a big Cam Reddish fan, but the Lakers can do a heck of a lot worse on the minimum than signing him. Reddish in Phoenix would’ve been an ideal landing spot for him, however. Still in Los Angeles, if Reddish embraces a 3-and-D role, he can thrive. He’s shown some impressive defensive flashes throughout his career and his shooting form is pure, even if it doesn’t translate to results. This is a good upside gamble because he’s likely an end-of-bench guy anyways.
Rui Hachimura Returns to Los Angeles
This is a deal that felt extremely predictable. Rui Hachimura was fantastic with the Lakers; he was probably their 4th best player in the postseason and showed tremendous shooting ability and the skillset to thrive in the postseason. His size, and dynamic scoring ability makes him a great piece long-term when thinking about the post-LeBron James era. He’ll never be a star, but he established himself as a starting-caliber forward who can impact the game outside of shooting. It’s a little pricey for a contract, but the Lakers weren’t going to let him walk or risk a gaudy offer sheet.
Josh Richardson Returns to Miami
Josh Richardson never blossomed into the All Star that people imagined a few years ago, but he remains a valuable rotation player. Richardson can create a bit off the dribble, can defend on the perimeter, and isn’t a bad spot-up shooter. He’s a really nice complementary piece on the wing for Miami, especially given they are likely to lose Max Strus and Victor Oladipo’s long injury list makes his future murky.
Herb Jones Returns to New Orleans
Dorian Finney-Smith signed a 4-year $52 million extension with the Dallas Mavericks during the 2021-22 season. Keeping that in mind, Herb Jones at 4/54 feels like a steal. Jones is one of the premier defenders in the league; he was tied 1st among small forwards in DLEBRON and is extremely versatile. Jones isn’t a great offensive player, but he does enough to not be a liability. This is great value for Jones, who still has plenty of room to grow.
Shake Milton Heads to Minnesota
I wouldn’t be surprised that six months from now, we look back and wonder how Shake Milton flew under the radar in free agency. Milton got buried in Philadelphia’s depth chart and never got a ton of run this past year, but he’s shown some impressive scoring flashes in his career as a scorer and shooter. Milton had a five-game stretch at the end of November where he averaged 23.6 PPG, 6.6 APG, and 6.6 RPG without James Harden. Milton needs to improve his consistency, but there’s certainly some envisionment for Milton to blossom into a consistent bench guard who can give you 15-20 minutes a night as a scoring punch.
Yuta Watanabe Heads to Phoenix
This is easily Phoenix’s best signing of the day. Watanabe was an elite 3-PT shooter a year ago (52% on corner threes, 46% overall) and was at 42% on corner threes the prior year as well. Whether that’s sustainable, however, is another question, as Watanabe shot just 32% from deep in 2021-22. Watanabe is a high-energy guy who, while not the best defender, has good size and can move a bit. I’d imagine when all the dust settles, Watanabe will be one of the better veteran minimum players who signed. That’s a good win for the Suns.
I should also add that while I’ve been critical primarily of Phoenix’s overall roster building, it’s worth acknowledging how hard it must be that, when limited solely with minimum-salary contracts, to try and recruit players on the opening day of free agency when teams have their maximum amounts of cap space. There is certainly some allure to playing time and the shot to win a title, but credit is due to James Jones for locking in a lot of minimum players on Day 1, even if I’m skeptical this team-building approach will work.
Gabe Vincent Heads to Los Angeles
I have mixed feelings surrounding Gabe Vincent’s contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, which is coming in just below the non-taxpayer MLE. Vincent is a solid player who showed it during the postseason. But he is flawed; his shot selection is quite poor, he’s a bad shooter inside the arc and a poor finisher, and he’s not great at navigating the pick-and-roll. When he’s hot shooting, he certainly has some value, but I think his offensive game and impact is more limited than the general consensus. Vincent is a decent defender (46th out of 103 point guards in BBall Index’s DLEBRON metric), but he’s not a lockdown guy. For $11M annually, I don’t have a huge gripe about the deal. If this costs the Lakers Dennis Schroder, however, I will scratch my head a bit, as I think Schroder is the better player and could’ve come cheaper.
Tre Jones Returns to San Antonio
This is another deal I really, really like. Tre Jones is a point guard in a similar mold to his brother Tyus (albeit, not as good of a shooter) and Monte Morris. Tre isn’t the shooter either player is, but he’s a great facilitator who’s a low turnover player. Jones will make things easy for Victor Wembanyama and other young Spurs’ players given his selfless ability and ability to navigate a half court offense. He’s probably better suited as a reserve long-term, but for now, he’s a great fill-in starter who can continue to grow.
Cam Johnson Returns to Brooklyn
Once again, another contract that makes Jalen Brunson’s bargain look even better. Cam Johnson is already 27 years old , making this quite the deal. Johnson is a great shooter and good defender who can do more than be a standstill guy. These are the very valuable players in the league, but he’s getting paid now to perform like a 3rd or 4th option on a title team. I’m skeptical of that, and I’m skeptical there was another team on the market that would’ve ponied up 4/108 to force Brooklyn’s hand, but it’s hard to fault the Nets for paying him. This feels a bit heavy, however.
Jakob Poeltl Returns to Toronto
The Toronto Raptors gave up a lot of assets to acquire Jakob Poeltl at the trade deadline, and while we can argue whether or not the Raptors should embrace a rebuild, this felt like a move they were going to make given their investment (even though sunk costs shouldn’t be considered). Still, I like this move for a few reasons, independent of Toronto’s direction. Poeltl’s rim protection dipped this past season, but he has a strong reputation and had a few great games with Toronto. He’s good around the rim offensively, is a great rebounder, is still a good defender despite some regression, and can really pass. His contract at $20M annually won’t be impossible to trade either, if a rebuild eventually comes. That’s a better way to protect their investment rather than getting outbid or letting Poeltl walk.
Khris Middleton Returns to Milwaukee
Khris Middleton battled injuries this past season, but when healthy, he was still great. Getting Middleton, a perennial near-All Star level player, for less than the max and at a comparable annual rate to Jerami Grant is a steal. A healthy Middleton is one of the most underrated players in the league and a top-30 guy overall. This is my favorite signing so far given the value.
Joe Ingles Heads to Orlando
This is a move I really like; Ingles salary feels a bit high, but the Magic have money to spend and attracting a veteran requires an overpay for a team not competing for a championship. Ingles is a beloved teammate and while he hasn’t been the same player since tearing his ACL, he’ll be a welcome presence for a young team. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ingles is dealt at the trade deadline to a title contender, making this a move which could payoff in more ways than one for Orlando.
Kyrie Irving Returns to Dallas
When the Dallas Mavericks traded for Kyrie Irving, they boxed themselves into re-signing him this summer. There’s no point in reiterating all of the potential pitfalls that occur while employing Irving, but all things considered, this feels like a good deal for the Mavericks. It’s below a max level salary, is only a two-year commitment (in reality), and preserves their ability to utilize the full non-taxpayer MLE and bi-annual exception. If Dallas makes the right supplemental moves this summer, perhaps adding Grant Williams, they will be back in the mix of making a push out West.
Georges Niang Heads to Cleveland
Georges Niang’s main skill is his 3-PT shooting, and he’s very good at that. His past relationship with Donovan Mitchell certainly played a role here and the Cavaliers desperately needed more depth. Cleveland really only had five reliable players all postseason, with Isaac Okoro still experiencing growing pains. Niang’s shooting can play in the postseason and despite his lack of athleticism, he competes defensively. I’m not a big Niang fan myself, but the fit/signing makes a lot of sense for the Cavaliers.
Chimezie Metu Heads to Phoenix
This is a signing I’m not crazy about and I’d imagine there will be better players available for the minimum than Chimezie Metu down the road. Metu is fine overall; he’s good around the rim and in the paint, and he can rebound. He’s also not a bad defender. But, there’s a reason he didn’t see the court in the postseason over Alex Len and only averaged 10 MPG for Sacramento. Metu should be a true 13-15th guy in the rotation.
Jevon Carter Heads to Chicago
The rest of the league should certainly be rooting for Patrick Beverley not to return to Chicago, simply because a Beverley/Jevon Carter backcourt will be nightmarish to go up against. Carter in Chicago is a good move, although cutting this heavily into their MLE (about half of it), is a bit surprising. Carter is a great defender and shot well from 3-PT range. I like him a lot. But he’s undersized and can’t switch and isn’t a self creator. He’s a great 3-and-D guy and honestly, a pretty clean Patrick Beverley comp. Good move for Chicago, and although the salary is maybe higher than I anticipated now, I’d bet it ages fairly well.
Reggie Jackson Returns to Denver
Sure? Reggie Jackson still has some self-creation chops and is only a season removed from being a starting-caliber guard, but his efficiency fell off a cliff last season and he wasn’t in Denver’s rotation after being bought out. This feels like a bit of a high salary, although that’s nitpicking since Denver didn’t have cap space anyways. Perhaps Jackson can rediscover some things and have a bounce back campaign, which would make him a really valuable bench scorer. There’s a role for him, even if the salary was a bit higher than I anticipated.
Troy Brown Jr. Headed to Minnesota
Troy Brown Jr.’s contract details weren’t immediately known, but assuming this is for close to the minimum, it’s hard not to like this deal. For reference, this would’ve been a move for Phoenix that I would’ve loved. Brown is young (almost 24), a good passer, and for much of his career, he’s shown to be a good finisher at the rim, although his numbers have plummeted the past two seasons. Brown’s defense isn’t great and he’s an average 3-PT shooter, but his slashing and connective passing ability, gives him some intrigue as a rotation piece.
Kristaps Porzingis Extended to Boston
Kristaps Porzingis didn’t workout in Dallas alongside Luka Doncic, but he was quietly fantastic with the Washington Wizards last season. Boston’s frontcourt is a bit crowded with Porzingis, Al Horford, and Robert Williams, but Porzingis gives the Celtics a much more versatile offensive piece. He can cut to the middle of the court for mid-range jumpers, he can shoot from 3-PT range, and is one of the best drop defenders in the NBA on defense. I like his long-term fit in Boston.
Jerami Grant Returns to Portland
This Jerami Grant contract feels to have an identical vibe to Tobias Harris’ deal in Philadelphia. Grant is a solid player, but this is immediately a bad contract. The length (5 years), combined with the sheer volume of money owed to a player who will likely never make an All-Star team is quite surprising. You understand the pressure Portland faced with Grant, considering they still seem stubborn on building with Damian Lillard, but this will be a deal to hamstring their rebuilding process when Lillard inevitably asks out. The Trail Blazers couldn’t afford to lose him for nothing, but this feels like an overpay, with the 5th year being the kicker.
Bruce Brown Heads to Indiana
WOW; Indiana landing Bruce Brown is a surprise, as it seemed like he was pegged to go a title contending team for the full MLE. Indiana swooping in for 2/45, with the second year as a team option, is quite the move. This is a clear overpay, but for one year and a team that had to use cap space, perhaps it’s not that bad. But I would’ve preferred Indiana used this money to push for Kyle Kuzma or absorb a bad contract (say Marcus Morris) with draft compensation. Brown is quickly becoming quite overrated in my opinion; he’s an exceptional role player who can defend, pass, and play a variety of roles as a roll man, standstill shooter, or secondary playmaker. Brown, however, isn’t elite in any category and is an ideal 6th man or rotation cog, rather than a focal point of a team. Indiana is paying him to be a focal point and even though it’s just for one year, I think there were better ways for the Pacers to spend their cash. One additional note here – the Pacers will eventually need to pay Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin, even if Mathurin’s contract is long down the road. Locking in a piece on a long-term deal now would’ve been a much better way to deploy and maximize their cap space down the road.
Damion Lee Returns to Phoenix
I like Damion Lee back in Phoenix; he has a proven track record of being a good shooter (even if his 45% mark last season was a bit inflated). Still, Lee is yet another player who’s a solid end-of-bench guy, not a 6-10 rotation piece. For a Phoenix team loaded with top-end talent, I’ve been surprised how they haven’t yet been able to recruit a more impactful veteran for a minimum contract, someone like Patrick Beverley, Terence Davis, or JaMychal Green.
Keita Bates-Diop Heads to Phoenix
Keita Bates-Diop headed to Phoenix is another decent move, and another reflection of their roster. Bates-Diop was a great 3-PT shooter this past year (43% on non corner threes per Cleaning The Glass), but that’s a stark difference from his career 33.9% overall 3-PT number. In other words, I expect him to regress. Bates-Diop isn’t a good defender either and has a limited off-the-dribble game. Bates-Diop did start 42 games for the San Antonio Spurs last season and that stuff does matter. I’m just not sure he’ll be able to fill Phoenix’s needs, but he’s my favorite of the Phoenix minimum signings so far.
DeAndre Jordan Returns to Denver
This is a quick one: DeAndre Jordan won’t offer you much on the court anymore, but he was part of a trio of veterans who were clearly beloved in the locker room and well-respected. That stuff matters. This is a fine move for Denver.
Kyle Kuzma Returns to Washington
My first thought on Kyle Kuzma returning to the Wizards? WOW. This seems like a huge number and honestly, it kind of is. Kuzma’s contract this summer is rather comparable to Jalen Brunson’s deal with the Knicks a year ago. Obviously, Brunson is extremely underpaid, but it speaks to how large of a deal this is for Kuzma. Kuzma is a good player who has grown immensely as an offensive and defensive player, particularly becoming above average on each end of the court. The Wizards aren’t aiming for the playoffs, but losing Kuzma for nothing was a poor plan. Bringing him back on a deal that seems fairly reasonable was a smart long-term play, even if the dollar figure seems a bit large optically.
Josh Okogie Returns to Phoenix
Josh Okogie headed to back to Phoenix is a fine move. Okogie is a terrific perimeter defender… but that’s about it. We have a large sample size that Okogie isn’t a good 3-PT shooter or offensive player and as we saw from Phoenix last year, they can’t win championships with only three players being able to provide consistent and reliable offense. Phoenix can do worse than Okogie as a 15th man, the problem is they’ll be relying on him as a key rotation guy, in all likelihood. By no means a bad move, but one that highlights the deficiencies in their overall roster.
Taurean Prince Heads to Los Angeles
Taurean Prince heading to Los Angeles is my early frontrunner for the most overhyped move of free agency, inevitably going to the Lakers. Prince is a solid wing, but he’s far from a game changer. Prince is a very good 3-PT shooter, particularly from the corner, but only on middling volume. Prince isn’t a wing you’re running off screens for pindowns but rather, a standstill corner guy reliant on drive-and-kicks for offensive impact. Those players are fine, especially at his price point, but they’re also limited in what they provide. Prince also isn’t a positive defender (-0.32 DLEBRON from BBall Index, 50th out of 100th). It’s a fine move, but it’s not the needle-mover people are describing.
Coby White Returns to Chicago
Coby White isn’t a starter on most NBA teams, but he is a key reserve. White is a decent finisher at the rim and an above average 3-PT shooter, but he’s not an impactful defender nor playmaker. This type of scoring guard off the bench is valuable and White is only 23 years old; I like this deal from a financial standpoint and in terms of asset retention. Bringing back a 20-25 minute guy who’s still only 23 and has showed promise is a good move.
Drew Eubanks Heads to Phoenix
The first of many minimum contracts for the Phoenix Suns, Drew Eubanks is a strong option for a backup big behind Deandre Ayton. Eubanks is an underrated rim protector who can move laterally a bit. Virtually any player who Phoenix signs will be expected to be a low usage offensive player and Eubanks won’t be any different. Given his defensive ability and energy, they could do worse for frontcourt depth.
Caris LeVert Returns to Cleveland
Caris LeVert was certainly a player who flew under-the-radar leading into this free agency period, but this is a good move for the Cleveland Cavaliers. While the Cavaliers need more shooting and better depth in the backcourt and frontcourt, they couldn’t afford to lose LeVert, who was crucial in solidifying a 5th rotation spot in the postseason. As Adrian Wojnarowski mentions, LeVert had a career-best shooting season, but he’s also shown to be an effective slasher and pick-and-roll playmaker throughout his career. That additional playmaking is really needed in Cleveland, making this a strong deal for the Cavs.
Trey Lyles Returns to Sacramento
Trey Lyles will be back in Sacramento, returning on undisclosed terms. Lyles was impactful for the Kings in their playoff series against the Warriors (6.6 PPG and 5.7 RPG, including 16/9 in Game 1 and 12/9 in Game 6). Lyles is a nice rotation piece who can play a small-ball five, score inside and shoot a bit from the perimeter, and is a strong rebounder. Assuming this is for a deal in the $4-5M annual range, this is a good deal.
Draymond Green Returns to Golden State
This is a clear win for the Warriors and Draymond Green, as their marriage continues another four years. Green will likely retire a Warrior, given what he means to the franchise and the success he’s had in the Bay Area. Green remains an elite defender and passer, which unlocks a dangerous dimension of Golden State’s offense which allows them to substitute individual shot creation for a bevy of off-ball movement and cuts, leading to easier baskets. It’s a strong value for both sides; if anything, this is perhaps a discount for the Warriors.
The Chirp 