Here are the ten best free agency signings of the current NBA season.
1. Kevin Durant (2 years, $54.5 million with Golden State)
The signing of Durant may be the instigating factor in the formation of the nastiest starting five in NBA history. Stephan Curry, Klay Thompson, Durant, Dray Green and Zaza Pachulia or Andre Igoudala will haunt opposing defences all year.
The addition of Durant adds better shooting, rebounding, passing and general scoring than Harrison Barnes did, and allows more space for the likes of Thompson and Curry to get open shots.
Durant is also a much needed addition on the defensive end, with Andrew Bogut joining the Mavericks. Durant adds much needed length and size, with Pachulia’s ability to defend the rim so-so.
Durant will allow the Warriors the freedom to rest their superstars throughout the regular season, so they are fresh for a third consecutive tilt at the NBA Finals.
The addition of Durant is a great one for Golden State, whether it be improvement on the court or massive financial gains. Expect the Warriors dynasty to continue for years to come!
2. LeBron James (3 years, $100 million with Cleveland)
The King. LeBron finally delivered on his promise to bring a championship to the city of Cleveland, and he did so in the most stunning fashion, coming back from a 3-1 deficit to the 73-9 Golden State Warriors.
Coming off his sixth straight and seventh overall NBA Finals appearance, LeBron makes whatever team he plays for an instant championship contender. His on-court leadership is on a level we have never seen before, and his IQ is off the charts.
James is a mix between Magic and Jordan, with a Kobe Bryant mentality and Jason Kidd basketball IQ.
While this deal was never in any doubt, the sheer magnitude of signing the best player in the world cannot be undermined. The only downside being that Cleveland may be reluctant to pay J.R Smith the amount required to keep him in The Land.
Somehow, I think LeBron will find a way to make up for it!
3. Russell Westbrook (3 years, $85 million with Oklahoma City)
After the shock departure of Kevin Durant to join the Golden State Warriors, uncertainty grew over Russell Westbrook’s future in Oklahoma City.
Thought grew that OKC would look to trade their superstar, and get something in return instead of letting him walk in the 2017 off season.
But Westbrook showcased his loyalty and mental toughness to sign a deal with Oklahoma City, ensuring the Thunder stay in contention for the championship.
Coming off one of his best seasons where he averaged 23.5 PPG, 10.4 APG and 7.8 RPG, Westbrook has become an MVP favourite due to the dominant statistical output he will most likely deliver in 2016-17.
But beyond that, this deal keeps OKC out of crisis mode, and gives fans a reason to turn up to games. We know Westbrook will give everything he has, and that in itself is a cause for concern for the rest of the league.
4. Dwyane Wade (two years, $17.5 million with Chicago)
The signing of Wade for Chicago was one which has potential to be disastrous or prosperous, but was a good move for Gar Forman and Jon Paxson to make.
Wade, along with Rajon Rondo, brings championship experience to a young Bulls squad.
Wade takes to the court a much needed scoring presence, along with Jimmy Butler, to a Bulls squad which has lately sucked at scoring. Wade’s mid-range presence and facilitating ability will create open shots for his teammates.
Bringing Wade and Rondo to the Windy City also re-establishes Chicago as a destination for high-profile free agents. Aside from Pau Gasol, Chicago had been having a rough time in attracting big name free agents.
The signing allows Chicago to temporarily avoid a re-build, and allows them to contend with the best in the eastern conference in 2016-17. That said, it could easily backfire with a long-term injury or lack of production from one of the greatest shooting guards to ever play the game.
5. James Harden (renegotiated for a four-year, $118 million deal)
As much as James Harden gets a bad reputation for his poor defense and shot selection, Houston would be a rabble without him. Harden is coming off of four spectacular scoring seasons in which he has averaged 25+ in each season, including 29 PPG last season.
His pairing with Dwight Howard was one which was far from disastrous, but never reached its full potential. But with the addition of Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon, and Mike D’Antoni as coach, James Harden looks set to become the undisputed focal point of a hectic offensive system.
Although he missed out on an all-NBA selection last season, James Harden is certainly one of the stars in the NBA, and this deal was a big step forward for the Houston Rockets.
6. CJ McCollum (4 years, $106 million with Portland)
The most improved player in 2016, C.J McCollum played tremendous offensive basketball alongside Damian Lillard on a Portland team which exceeded expectations.
McCollum went from averaging 6.8 PPG in 2015 to 20.8 in 2016, as well as improvement in assists, field goal percentage and rebounds. He was at his best when he was playing as the point guard alongside Portland’s bench, and was the focal point of the offense.
C.J was also terrific in Portland’s two playoff series against L.A and Golden State, averaging 20.5 PPG and 3.3 APG.
The deal allows Portland to continue in their quest to rise up the NBA ranks, and keeps one of the best backcourts in the league together.
7. Andre Drummond (five years, $130 million with Detroit)
Although Andre Drummond re-signing in Detroit was never in any real doubt, the deal was huge for the Motor City. Drummond is coming off his best NBA season, in which he averaged 16.2 PPG and 14.8 RPG, including an all-star and all-NBA appearance.
Drummond is the key to what Detroit do. He defends the rim down low, and averaged 1.5 blocks and 1.4 steals per game in 2016. His post game is improving each season, and he is by far the best rebounder in the NBA.
Combined with Reggie Jackson and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Detroit have a good blend of guards who can shoot and attack the rim, opening up rebounding opportunities and open shots for Drummond.
Lastly, he suits Stan Van Gundy’s system well, as he has experience in handling dominant big men from his days coaching Dwight Howard in Orlando.
If he can stay healthy, Drummond could lead Detroit to bigger and better things, and could accomplish great things individually.
8. DeMar DeRozan (5 years, $145 million with Toronto)
DeRozan’s rise up the NBA ranks to become the best shooting guard in the eastern conference made this deal worthwhile for Toronto. He had a career-best season in his contract year in 2016, averaging 23.5 PPG and 4 APG in 36 MPG.
He was also a key contributor in Toronto’s deep playoff run, averaging 21 PPG in the postseason.
The formation of Kyle Lowry and DeRozan as the best back court in the eastern conference has allowed DeRozan to develop into a dangerous scorer, with defences focusing equally on Kyle Lowry.
After losing Bismack Biyombo to Orlando, this deal was essential for the Raptors. Had DeMar signed elsewhere, Toronto’s title window would have closed as quickly as it had opened, and they would have been forced to rebuild.
As it is, Toronto are a genuine threat to the Cavs in the east, and, if DeRozan can up his level of play once more, something special may be happening in Canada.
9. Al Horford (four years, $113 million with the Celtics)
The signing of Al Horford puts the Boston Celtics right back into championship contention, and has seen them rebuild nicely following the exits of the big four and Doc Rivers. Horford nicely compliments their guards in Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart.
Horford will stretch the floor for Boston, and his 1.5 blocks per game in 2016 should assert a defensive presence down low for Boston.
Horford will provide immediate offense in pick and roll and low-post situations, with his ability to pass or score in any situation valuable. But defensively, he is a huge upgrade on Jared Sullinger, and will further compliment their defensive-minded guards.
Boston fell to Horford’s Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs last season, but this signing may change that in 2017. If Danny Ainge can use his plethora of draft picks in coming seasons to bring serious talent to Boston, this signing may have been the start of something big.
10. Jordan Clarkson (four years, $50 million with the Lakers)
The signing of Jordan Clarkson was a big one for Los Angeles. With all the money that was being thrown around to players such as Nicolas Batum and Mike Conley, it was easy to see Clarkson getting a deal somewhere in the $100 million range.
But for the Lakers to re-sign him for four years at $12.5 per year is huge as it allows them to offer big money to the likes of D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, Brandon Ingram and potentially a big-name free agent in the future. Clarkson should thrive in Luke Walton’s offense, and should be drilled defensively to the point where he becomes an extremely good all-around player.
Some of this money was spent on signing Luol Deng and Timofey Mosgov to four-year deals, and bringing added experience to a young roster. But looking at the core of young talent L.A has, signing Clarkson was the first step in assuring their young, athletic talent has time to grow together.
He improved on his rookie year last year, averaging four more points and shooting three per cent better from behind the arc.
This was a really great signing for L.A, and will hopefully be a sign of good things to come.
Build your own ultimate team! Pick your key players and take a shot at big cash prizes every day with Draftstars. For great odds on NBA games every day head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Not a great look for the controversial Aussie.
The only realistic threat to Boston’s chances of strolling through the Eastern Conference is a team that could still end up in the play-in…
He was keen to let the Grizzlies bench know about it after sealing victory for his side on the road.
Australian guards Dante Exum and Josh Giddey have both come up big for their NBA clubs in crucial wins in the lead-in to the…
Minnesota Timberwolves fans have endured plenty of pain in their 35 years of being a laughing stock in the NBA. In all that time,…
It’s a pretty good time to be a Tasmanian sports fan right now. After years in the sporting wilderness with not much to celebrate,…
