NBA Free Agency holds promise for every team each year.
It’s one of the few times of the year that nearly every team and their fans think they can improve. Unfortunately, this often leads to reaching and overpaying for poor fits and overrated players. Here are 3 (potential) Lottery signings that were just that.
1. Tyreke Evans to the New Orleans Pelicans for $44 million over 4 years
Tyreke Evans is young, athletic, and very talented. However, he doesn’t play the 3 or the 5, positions the Pelicans needed to address in Free Agency. I know the argument here is that the Pelicans took advantage of available young talent, but that ignores the fact that they have Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers already at the guard spots. This pushes Evans to the 3, which is most likely his worst position. The argument for Evans has usually revolved around him being in a bad situation in Sacramento, but I’m not sure this logjam/playing out of position situation is much better.
2. Josh Smith to the Detroit Pistons for $56 million over 4 years
Before people come after me with pitchforks and torches, I want to say that I like Josh Smith as a player; he’s not bad. But, I ding the Pistons, much like the Pelicans, for the fit compared to the price. See, in my opinion you don’t overpay for bad fits, and you only take on bad fits for a bargain. Neither one of these moves fits that criteria. The Pistons already have a terrific young frontcourt of Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, so adding a guy who CAN play the 3 but is much better as a 4 seems to stunt the growth of the team and the frontcourt itself.
3. Jose Calderon to the Dallas Mavericks for $29 million over 4 years
Jose Caleron (notice the missing D) has been one of the best turnstiles in the league for the past few years, in that guys are always charging by him with ease. Don’t get me wrong, Calderon has a way of getting points and assists, but his lack of driving and defensive ability will make him a liability. That wouldn’t be so bad if he weren’t 31 and getting paid over $7 million per season. Calderon will come in and help balance out the lack of passing that comes with signing Monta Ellis, but is he going to do that for the next four years (until he’s 35) well enough to make over $7 million?
James McNeill
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