The vast majority of free agents have agreed to terms on new deals. How did the 14 non-playoff teams fare?
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Gerald Henderson – two years, $18 million
Entering his eighth season, Gerald Henderson is a career 44.2 percent shooter, which is nothing special. Neither is his scoring average of 12.4 points (if we kindly throw away with his rookie campaign). He’s not exactly known for outside shooting either (31.9 percent from beyond the arc for his career). However, Henderson is coming off his best season shooting the three after converting at a 35.3 percent clip during his first and only season with the Trail Blazers. Henderson also hit a campaign-high 48 threes despite playing just 19.9 minutes per contest. The 6-5 swingman with a 6-10 wingspan is an astute defender who has no problem attacking the rim with reckless abandon. If last year’s showing was an anomaly and Henderson’s perimeter percentages sink, it might be tougher to play him alongside Ben Simmons, Nerlens Noel, and Okafor. But the former Duke Blue Devil will serve as an excellent example for sophomore Jahlil Okafor now that Elton Brand has probably played his final game. This of course assumes that Okafor isn’t traded before the preseason begins. Nevertheless, the fact that the 76ers were able to sign a veteran player to a reasonable deal means that Philadelphia is clearly moving up in the world.
Jerryd Bayless – three years, $27 million
Bayless was a fine fit on a Bucks team featuring Point Giannis, and Sixers fans are praying that Simmons is the “Australian Aberration” to Antetokounmpo’s “Greek Freak.” Like Henderson, Bayless is coming off his best shooting campaign of his career, during which he nailed 43.7 percent from beyond the arc (plus 30 more than he had in any prior campaign). Bayless doesn’t boast gaudy averages—just 8.5 points and 2.9 dimes per game—but he can drive-and-kick for days, and he has good size for the guard position. At the end of the day, Bayless could actually earn a starting spot over (or even alongside) Henderson. My thinking is that while Jerryd might be the better secondary ball-handler and three-point shooter, Gerald has the advantage defensively—so it all comes down to what Brett Brown prioritizes.
Sergio Rodriquez – one year, $8 million
A 30-year-old former first-round pick (2006) of the Phoenix Suns, Rodriguez won the Euroleague MVP in 2014. He has improved considerably since he was drafted a decade ago, but his struggles on defense make him ill-suited for a starting role. Rodriguez and T.J. McConnell are the two purest point guards on the team. However, it’s unclear how much playing time that will equate to since Ben Simmons exists. While Rodriguez is 6-3, his wingspan is nothing special, so he’ll have to prove himself as a lethal weapon from beyond the arc if he hopes to earn meaningful minutes.
Overall Grade: A
The 76ers didn’t get overly splashy in free agency, but they managed to avoid overspending in a day and age where players are diving head-first into larger piles of cash than ever before.
BROOKLYN NETS
Jeremy Lin – three years, $36 million
Lin wanted to start, and this was one of the few places where that was possible. Brooklyn bring in an experienced ball-handler and play-maker who can help the Nets get into its sets on offense and compete in close contests more often than not.
Trevor Booker – two years, $18.5 million
A capable stretch-four who busts his butt is precisely what the Nets need alongside Brook Lopez. Booker offers a similar skill-set to Thaddeus Young, and he brings leadership to a young team that’s trying to develop its culture and identity.
Justin Hamilton – two years, $6 million
Hamilton has bounced around the league and took his talents to Spain last year, but the stretch-five returns to the NBA on a modest deal.
Overall Grade: B+
Brooklyn brought in a low-end starting point guard, and a stretch-four who’s a consummate professional. Watching Portland and Miami match offer sheets for Allen Crabbe and Tyler Johnson was disheartening, but Nets’ GM Sean Marks did a marvelous job.
NEW YORK KNICKS
Joakim Noah – four years, $72 million
I have plenty of love for Noah, but I don’t see any way to justify the Knicks spending this type of money on a player who should be Kristaps Porzingis’ backup. Unless Noah magically wakes up five years younger, this duo doesn’t have the speed/quickness to keep up in the small-ball NBA. Personally, I’m on board with giving KP close to 30 minutes while Noah eats up the rest. Meanwhile, there’s a spot at the three or four (depending on Carmelo Anthony’s designation) that hasn’t been addressed yet.
Courtney Lee – four years, $50 million
Lee represents an undeniable upgrade over Arron Afflalo at shooting guard, as the former is arguably better on both ends of the floor. If the Zen Master’s ultimate goal was to add guys with big-game experience, he passed with flying colors. Still, Lee fits more of a need while Noah might merely reinforce a style of play Jackson wants Porzingis to study. Unless Lee wins a ring, his lasting legacy will be that of a grit-n-grind Grizzly, a lace-em-up and go toe-to-toe with whomever character. Imagine how much better off Memphis would be heading into 2016-17 with Lee still in the fold as the staring two. Ditto Charlotte. Throw out the numbers. This is a signing to celebrate in New York.
Lance Thomas – four years, $27.3 million
Like Lee, Thomas is a journeyman—just to a far greater extent. The former D-Leaguer hit his payday, and you have to be happy for him. He is restricted to the mid-range and in on offense, but he works hard and smart on defense. So long as Thomas continues his steady improvement, this isn’t a deal the Knicks will soon regret.
Brandon Jennings – one year, $5 million
A one-year flyer for five million on Jennings? Yes, please. Derrick Rose and Jennings auditioning for a long-term spot on the world’s greatest stage guarantees an entertaining show.
Overall Grade: B
I’d be more inclined to rave about what the Knicks accomplished in free agency if Noah actually fit a need.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
Mirza Teletovic – three years, $30 million
Teletovic adds much-needed perimeter shooting as a stretch-four. However, he is a weak defender to say the least, so don’t expect to see him play heavy minutes alongside Greg Monroe (assuming the former Hoya doesn’t draw interest on the trade market).
Matthew Dellavedova – four years, $38 million
Adding a defensive-minded backup guard wasn’t a bad move for the Bucks.
Overall Grade: C+
Dellavedova doesn’t necessarily help Milwaukee’s spacing situation. However, his defensive tenacity fits right in with what this team’s identity will be once they’re able to move on from Greg Monroe. Meanwhile, Teletovic will have to be hidden on defense, but his outside shooting will certainly help.
ORLANDO MAGIC
Bismack Biyombo – four years, $72 million
Orlando’s best rim protector last year was probably unrestricted free agent Dewayne Dedmon. No offense to Dedmon, who will be a solid snag on a cheap deal in the upcoming week, but he’s not even near the level of Biyombo or Serge Ibaka. Entering the offseason with two major flaws, the Magic have done its part to improve in those areas via trades and free agency. Biyombo’s signing was actually predicted by TLM’s Jon Elliot recently, and he figures to split time at center with the somewhat oft-injured Nikola Vucevic. Prior to the playoffs, few folks would have been so bold as to suggest Biyombo is better equipped to hold down the fort as the starting five, but that just might be the case. For the record, I’ll be surprised if Vucevic doesn’t draw the majority of starts alongside Serge Ibaka. However, if the team’s spacing weren’t so reliant on its big men, I’d be less shocked to see Vuc take on a sixth man role.
Evan Fournier – five years, $85 million
It became obvious that the Magic planned to re-sign Fournier back on draft day—when Orlando sent Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis, and Ersan Ilyasova to Oklahoma City for Serge Ibaka. Fournier is a young budding two guard with a versatile offensive game. He’s capable of creating off the bounce or shooting over smaller defenders, and his length should allow him to develop into a serviceable stopper should he devote himself on that end.
D.J. Augustin – four years, $29 million
This is too much money for an undersized backup point guard. However, Augustin has some familiarity with Frank Vogel from their Indiana days.
Jeff Green – one year, $15 million
This is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much money for a small forward who has eventually disappointed every NBA team that has employed him. That’s 15 A’s by the way—one for every million dollars that’s going into Green’s bank account. To Orlando’s credit though, Green definitely fits a need at the three, and he’s just a one-year rental.
Overall Grade: C
I like that the Magic addressed its need for interior defense, but a 3-and-D wing would have really done the trick. Had they just left Augustin and Green out of the equation, they could’ve made a run at Kent Bazemore.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Bradley Beal – five years, $128 million
Beal has had more than his fair share of injuries thus far in his short career. Nevertheless, Washington essentially had to lock him up long-term. Hypothetically speaking, a healthy duo of Beal and John Wall is among the league’s best young backcourts.
Andrew Nicholson – four years, $26 million
Nicholson spent the second half of last season buried behind Ersan Ilyasova in Orlando, and his potential remains largely untapped. There could be good reasons that Nicholson been glued to the bench for so long, but it’s not like the Wizards overpaid for him.
Ian Mahinmi – four years, $64 million
Mahinmi will likely push Marcin Gortat for the starting center role in year one with the Wizards, as the former Pacer is much better suited to protect the paint. Considering that Timofey Mozgov got the same exact deal, this should be seen as a solid signing for Washington.
Jason Smith – three years, $16 million
In a vacuum, there is nothing bad about this specific deal. The problem is that Washington has too many centers, and it is unclear how coach Scott Brooks can keep them all happy.
Tomas Satoransky – three years, $9 million
Kristaps Porzingis loves this guy, so obviously he’s the cat’s pajamas. He’s slated to take over the job as John Wall’s primary backup.
Marcus Thornton – one year, $1.3 million
Thornton is a scoring machine off the bench capable of filling it up at multiple positions. He played well when he was a regular part of the rotation in Houston, and he should prove to be a quality pickup for this low price.
Overall Grade: C
You can’t fault Washington for throwing their purse at Beal. On the other hand, signing as many big men as the Wiz did (especially when they already have Marcin Gortat) is worthy of some scolding. Perhaps a big trade is on the horizon. Maybe Nicholson has potential as a stretch-four. Yet, it’s difficult to get giddy about what went down in the nation’s capital during free agency.
CHICAGO BULLS
Rajon Rondo – two years, $28 million
Oh, boy. Here we go again. The Rondo show is heading to Chicago. After the Bulls drafted Denzel Valentine, I thought they were thinking about starting him right away. Now the rookie will waste away behind aging versions of Rondo and Dwyane Wade.
Dwyane Wade – two years, $47.5 million
I’ve seen high school backcourt duos with better outside shooting than Rondo and Wade. Putting these two alongside Jimmy Butler is probably a recipe for disaster. Where will the spacing come from in a starting lineup of Rondo, Wade, Butler, Nikola Mirotic, and Robin Lopez? A valid question. Is this squad more likely to implode or return to the playoffs? Only time will tell. It’s not that Wade is ineffective at this stage of his career. He is still a talented player with a few good years left in the tank if his health holds up, but the fit alongside Rondo just could not be worse.
Overall Grade: C-
This could be an epic soap opera. Wade and Rondo have been two of the highest usage players in the NBA during their careers, and I thought part of the idea behind moving Derrick Rose was giving Jimmy Butler supreme control. Now he’ll have to wrestle that away from a homecoming king and a gone-mad magician, both of whose best days are behind them. There’s only one basketball to go around, and so many mouths to feed. Grab your popcorn, folks.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Timofey Mozgov – fours years, $64 million
L.A. didn’t think twice about shelling out the big bucks to a player who spent basically the entire 2016 NBA Finals series on the bench. Part of this had to do with Tristan Thompson’s amazing versatility and motor and Mozgov’s slow-footed nature. Mozgov might be an upgrade over Roy Hibbert, but I can’t believe the Russian center was successful in demanding such a massive salary. I’m not saying he intimidated the Lakers’ front office, but wait, yes that’s exactly what I’m saying.
Jordan Clarkson – four years, $50 million
The good old Gilbert Arenas provision has to sting Washington, who gave up Clarkson for pennies on the dollar.
Luol Deng – four years, $72 million
Los Angeles added one of the best three-and-D veterans in the league, plus Deng boasts the ability to play both the three and four positions. The Lakers are set to forfeit its first-round selection to the Sixers in 2017, and the addition of Deng gives L.A. a chance in hell at competing on a nightly basis. A starting five of D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Brandon Ingram, Luol Deng, and Timofey Mozgov is possible if Julius Randle fails to impress Luke Walton.
Overall Grade: B-
I like the Deng addition enough to essentially look past Mozgov’s deal. Sure, Deng will be 35 four years from now, but Ingram and the youngsters have someone to look up to both on and off the court.
PHOENIX SUNS
Jared Dudley – three years, $30 million
This was a steal of a deal for the Suns in comparison to what other versatile wings were snatching on the open market. Dudley immediately steps in as the team’s most likely starter at power forward, which should lessen the burden of Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss to produce right away as rookies. That’s huge considering Bender and Chriss represent arguably the biggest project prospects taken inside the first eight picks.
Leandro Barbosa – two years, $8 million
Phoenix had no need for guards, but bringing back another former Sun in Barbosa isn’t something I’m prepared to ridicule. For as much talent and potential as this team has at the one and two, Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight, Devin Booker, and Tyler Ulis could use an on-court mentor more than anything. The “Brazilian Blur” will have a positive impact on this young club, as his leadership is no mirage.
Overall Grade: B
This team severely lacked veteran leadership last year. Coupled with injuries, these factors forced Phoenix into the NBA’s cellar. However, a healthy Suns squad should pose problems for opposing teams, and I’ll be surprised if they aren’t fighting for one of the final playoff spots out West.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Cole Aldrich – three years, $22 million
Aldrich was awesome last year with the Clippers, and he cashed in big time with Minnesota. Depending on whether Tom Thibodeau plays Karl-Anthony Towns alongside Gorgui Dieng a lot or not, Aldrich could be the second or third center on the depth chart. Unless Towns suffers an injury, Aldrich likely won’t average more than 10-15 minutes per contest.
Brandon Rush – one year, $3.5 million
Nabbing Rush as a one-year rental with upside makes sense for ‘Sota even if he doesn’t end up seeing much time. Looking at the Timberwolves’ roster, Rush is one of the better long-distance shooters, so it’s conceivable that he will enjoy an increased role now that he’s no longer on Golden State.
Overall Grade: C
Minnesota isn’t rushing to build a playoff contender. However, they might already be that in 2016-17 if KAT takes another cat-like leap. The Wolves didn’t get flashy in free agency, but it’s probably best to build this team slowly but surely.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
Solomon Hill – four years, $52 million
Hill has finally earned a chance to shine as a starter in this league, as he projects to slide into the small forward spot. If his outside shot proves potent, this is one heck of a signing by a Pelicans team that badly needed to improve its defense along the wing. In terms of basketball IQ,
E’Twaun Moore – four years, $34 million
Moore is a steady combo guard with the size (6-4 with a 6-9 wingspan) and skill to play both the one and two. It’s unclear whether E’Twaun might start over rookie Buddy Hield at shooting guard in between Jrue Holiday and Solomon Hill, but it’s a possibility. Either way, Moore adds much-needed depth at a position that had to be replenished with Eric Gordon departing.
Langston Galloway – two years, $10 million
Galloway is a bouncy backup guard who wasn’t afforded the same opportunities as a sophomore that he saw as a rookie with the New York Knicks. That’s their loss, because Galloway should have been starting last year over Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant. At 6-2 with a 6-8 wingspan, Galloway can switch onto twos defensively, and the Pelicans have no shortage of big, versatile guards.
Overall Grade: A
Dell Demps gets an A for a rock-solid offseason, during which he added high-IQ hoopers that fit needs along the perimeter. Hill is also capable of playing the four, but Anthony Davis will likely spend the bulk of his minutes there.
DENVER NUGGETS
Darrell Arthur – three years, $23 million
By all accounts, Arthur is a super locker room presence, and he’s a fairly versatile big man too. Given that the Nuggets already have several young centers on the roster, Arthur is unlikely to play heavy minutes. Still, the Nuggets could have done worse than spending a few bucks to keep a veteran with tenure on the team.
Overall Grade: C
SACRAMENTO KINGS
Garrett Temple – three years, $24 million
Throwing Darren Collison into the starting five and signing Temple as the backup beats re-signing Rajon Rondo. With that being said, this doesn’t move the needle for Sacramento.
Matt Barnes – two years, $12 million
Adding another hothead to a team that already features DeMarcus Cousins doesn’t make a bit of sense. Then again, Barnes seemed to get along well with coach Dave Joerger in Memphis last year, so maybe this isn’t the worst thing ever.
Anthony Tolliver – two years, $16 million
Tolliver and Barnes are probably the two best stretch-fours on a roster overflowing with fives (Cousins, WCS, Koufos, etc.). I’m curious to see how this rotation shakes out by the time the season rolls around.
Arron Afflalo – two years, $25 million
Believe it or not, Afflalo might be the best two-guard the Kings have had in over a decade. Sadly, that’s also not saying much. Courtney Lee got a little bit longer deal for $12 million per year, which makes this signing all the more questionable.
Overall Grade: C
The Kings didn’t do terribly, but they didn’t do that well either. I’ll be surprised if Sacramento wins 30 games again in 2016-17.
UTAH JAZZ
Joe Johnson – two years, $22 million
Johnson looked like he was just about finished with his NBA career while playing for Brooklyn last year. It’s wild what a change of scenery can do though, as he showed he still has something left in the tank with Miami. Johnson just turned 35 at the end of June, so this short-term deal makes sense for both parties. A strong core of wings (Gordon Hayward, Rodney Hood, Alec Burks) just became even mightier.
Overall Grade: B+
Slow and steady wins the race, at least that’s what the Jazz are hoping. Utah has done almost everything right over the last handful of years, and they’re closer to competing with the top teams than most people think. Bold prediction time: the Jazz will be a top-four team in the West during 2016-17 (along with the Warriors, Spurs, and Clippers).
**This article was edited to reflect the fact that Allen Crabbe’s offer sheet was matched despite reports that Portland would allow him to leave for Brooklyn.**
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