The ‘Dwightmare’ is over. NBA free agency started on July 1, 2013 and since free agency began, big names have been getting signed at a rapid pace. Every NBA team is looking to build itself to prevent LeBron James and the Miami Heat from a championship three peat. So far, some teams have done a very good job at adding to their roster to improve their title odds. There are still valuable players left available in free agency though.
Here is a graded list of some recently acquired players and how these players will contribute to their new roster. Below that is a list of the top free agents remaining.
Signed Free Agents
Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers)
5 years, $107 Million
Grade : A+
Courtesy: Sports Illustrated/CNN
The Los Angeles Clippers were able to resign their starting point guard, Chris Paul. After finally obtaining Doc Rivers, re-signing their star Point Guard became a lot easier. Chris Paul helped carry the Clippers to 56 wins, which is a regular season franchise record. Like many other superstars, he is looking to win a championship. After an early playoff loss, Paul was initially hesitant to re-join the Clippers franchise.
Now with the addition of Doc Rivers, the Clippers have a conductor to lead them into a deep playoff run. CP3 does have the option to opt out of his final year but by re-signing him, the Clippers are able to hold on to the best point guard in the league. He finished the year off by averaging; 16.9PTS, 9.7AST, 3.7RBS and 2.4 STLS per game. The Western Conference is shaping up to be very tough but expect the Clippers to go farther than the first round in the upcoming season.
Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets)
4 years, $88 Million
Grade: B+
You hear it from some critics now a days, “that basketball players are only playing to get paid;” Well not Dwight Howard. “Superman” made the right choice in chasing down his dream and signing with the Houston Rockets. Howard could of signed with the Los Angeles Lakers and made an extra $30 million dollars. He made the right choice in signing with the Rockets for basketball reasons more than money reasons.
By signing with Houston, both parties have both increased their NBA Title odds. As of right now, the Rockets starting five looks very strong; 1) Jeremy Lin 2) James Harden 3)Chandler Parsons 4) Omer Asik 5) Dwight Howard. Harden and Howard already looked like ‘BFF’s’ in a posted photo of them together on Howard’s instagram account, so I believe chemistry will be great; not what it was like in L.A., between Dwight and Kobe. Asik requested a trade after the Rockets obtained Howard and the Rockets denied his request, so it will be interesting to see how these two big men can mesh. One things is for sure, Howard’s defensive presence is what will help the Rockets win a NBA Title more than anything.
I’m giving the pickup of D12 a B+ because there are a few things still up in the air: 1) Dwight’s injury 2) Dwight’s maturity 3) Team chemistry. I would not be shocked to see the Rockets make it to the Western Conference Finals, though, that is if everything and everyone in that organization is firing on all cylinders.
Josh Smith (Detroit Pistons)
4 years, $56 Million
Grade: B
The Detroit Pistons have not had a winning season since their 2007-2008 run. The Pistons were in desperate need of a veteran star and in signing Josh Smith, they got exactly what they needed. Smith’s talents will go well with the Pistons young talented roster.
Signing Smith brings out an issue though. The Pistons have two young centers Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe. Smith is a power forward and I’m not sure how he will fit in with the two big guys in trying to attack the basket.
Andre Iguodala (Golden State Warriors)
4 years, $48 Million
Grade: A
The Golden State Warriors made a great free agency move by obtaining Iguodala. The Warriors lost Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry to free agency; which makes obtaining Iguodala even bigger. He can fill those voids and be a major contributor. Andre is more of an ‘all-around’ player than Jack and Landry as well.
Iguodala is currently averaging 15.1PTS, 5.8RBS, 4.9AST and 1.7STLS per game. He has a great ability at driving to the rim and causing defenses to collapse. Something that will come in handy when you can kick it out to an open and extremely deadly Stephen Curry.
O.J. Mayo (Milwaukee Bucks)
3 years, $24 Million
Grade: C+
The Bucks have decided to replace Monta Ellis with O.J. Mayo, which personally does not make a lot of sense to me. The Bucks backcourt have been filled with familiar names and shooters and they add to that by signing Mayo.
Mayo is a talented player and stepped up for the Mavericks when he needed too. Though, I do not think the Bucks need another guard. The Bucks are in need of some front court strength, so money could of been spent elsewhere. We are still unsure if Brandon Jennings will remain a Buck; if he does not this move will make more sense but if he stays the Bucks could regret not going after a bigger man. The Milwaukee Bucks were dead last in rebounds per game during the playoffs, averaging 34.8. If they Bucks want to make it to the playoffs and win even just one playoff game, they will need a big man to avoid getting ‘bullied around’.
J.R. Smith (New York Knicks)
4 year, $25 Million
Grade: C
I was not sure where Smith would end up after his most recent playoff bust but the Knicks have re-signed Smith and retained the most recent recipient of the Sixth Man of the Year award. Smith came off the bench and averaged 18.1PPG. The second most on the Knicks’ roster behind their superstar Carmelo Anthony.
The Knicks barley have any wiggle room with money on their salary cap so bringing back Smith was looked at as their best available option. If I worked for the New York Knicks though, I would of dropped Smith and signed Nate Robinson while he is still available, the money situation could of worked out and we all know Nate is great in the playoffs.
Tiago Splitter (San Antonio Spurs)
4 years, $36 Million
Grade: B
Playing with Tim Duncan, Tiago Splitter has developed into a solid role player for the Spurs. Though many critics will go after his performance in the 2013 NBA Finals, the Spurs would not of made it to the Finals without Splitter.
Splitter is a bargain for the Spurs, as they are preparing to make two more runs at the Larry O’Brien trophy with their ‘Big 3’. Tiago provides intelligent defense and still has a lot to learn. He is a three year vet playing beside Tim Duncan. He will hopefully reach his full potential in a year or two but for now, he will be a big help to the Spurs as they try to return to the NBA Finals.
Jarrett Jack (Cleveland Cavaliers)
4 years, $25 Million
Grade: A
You could consider the Cleveland Cavaliers to still be in the ‘rebuilding phase’ and with the addition of Jack, the Cavs have seriously upgraded their back court. Hopefully, Jack can complement Kyrie Irving as well as he complemented Curry. This four year deal gives the Cavaliers back court stability in the long run. Now, they can begin to build their young front court, with players Tyler Zeller and Anthony Bennett.
Al Jefferson (Charlotte Bobcats)
4 years, $40.5 Million
Grade: A
Courtesy: CBS Sports
The Charlotte Bobcats, soon to be Hornets, have been in need of help for quite some time. The Bobcats have a young back court with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Kemba Walker, without a strong presence down low; they never stood a chance. Now that the Bobcats have Jefferson their future is looking brighter. For Utah, Al was able to average 16.4 PPG and 9.0RPG; hopefully he will be able to average double-double numbers nightly for the Bobcats.
Another positive outcome to this pick up is that Jefferson will be able to mentor and teach Cody Zeller, the Bobcats 4th overall pick in the NBA draft. This signing is a step in the right direction and a move I actually like. I am sure they will improve from their 21-61 record last season.
David West (Indiana Pacers)
3 years, $36 Million
Grade: A+
David West is a core piece in Indiana’s big three ( George, West, Hibbert). West is one of the reasons the Pacer’s season turned out so well; before falling in a Game 7 to Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals. He brings intensity to the court. He averaged 17.1PTS, 7.0REBS and 2.1 AST per game last season. West also has been a figure of basketball stability in Indiana. With re-signing West, the Pacers remain a threat to LBJ and the Heat in the East.
Marco Belinelli ( San Antonio Spurs)
2 years, $6 Million
Grade: B
The Spurs were able to grab a free agent sleeper, Marco Belinelli. He is a young player, with decent experience and a good shooter. This signing strengthens the Spurs’ shooting off the bench. Career wise, Belinelli is a 41.8% percent shooter and he demonstrated with the Bulls that he knows how to share the ball and create for others. Now, hopefully he can create shots for Leonard or Green.
Darren Collison (Los Angeles Clippers)
2 years, $1.9 Million
Grade: A +
It did not take long for the Clippers to find a back up to Chris Paul. The Clippers lost Paul’s original backup, Eric Bledsoe, in a trade. The Clippers were able to get a four year veteran point guard for a cheap price. This deal keeps the Clippers bench looking strong.
Tyreke Evans (New Orleans Pelicans)
4 years, $44 Million
Grade: A
In a three team trade, Tyreke Evans was sent to the Pelicans. Evans won Rookie of the Year during the 2009-2010 NBA season and is a great addition to the their lineup. The Pelicans have been able to retain Al Farouq Aminu, at least for one more year, so now with Evans alongside Aminu and Anthony Davis, the Pelicans are moving in the right direction. Hopefully Evans can make a face for this franchise to look at.
Chris Copeland (Indiana Pacers)
2 years, $6.12 Million
Grade: B+
The Pacers were able to snag an important bench player from an Eastern Conference rival, the New York Knicks. Copeland made some important plays for the Knicks against the Pacers so grabbing him improves the Pacers bench when rotating at the forward spot.
Top Free Agents Yet To Sign With A Team
Nate Robinson (Point Guard)
D.J. Augustin (Point Guard)
Monta Ellis (Point Guard)
Chauncey Billups (Point Guard)
Mo Williams (Point Guard)
Nick Young (Shooting Guard)
Corey Brewer (Small Forward)
Corey Maggette (Small Forward)
Andrei Kirilenko (Small Forward)
Elton Brand (Power Forward)
Andrew Bynum (Center)
Nikola Pekovic (Center)
Chris Andersen (Center)
All statistics credited to basketball-reference.com, NBA.com and USA Today.
