Post by broadwaytra3 on Jan 2, 2024 23:17:36 GMT -6
Looking over the signings this season, here are a few of the moves in free agency that caught my eye.
Giannis Antetokounmpo $184,570,312 over 5 years
Sonics → Sonics
Obviously I have to start here, with the largest contract in league history (of which I’m aware). The Sonics are all in on the Greek Freak who is coming off the best shooting season of his career.
OUTLOOK: The Sonics faltered in the playoffs when Giannis went down, the team is built around him and will need him to play at an MVP caliber level now or else it’ll be tough to build around in the future when his contract becomes nearly a 60% cap hit.
Steve Nash $86,250,000 over 4 years
Knicks → Celtics
Coming off a career year, Nash flourished as a starter in New York earning himself a max deal from the rival Celtics.
OUTLOOK: Nash now joins Ray Allen and Sam Cassell in what could be the most lethal shooting backcourt in the league. This team will be able to shoot it from anywhere on the floor.
Kevon Looney $22,000,000 over 2 years
Bucks → Hornets
Looney leaves Milwaukee, where he had a tough time cracking the rotation, to Charlotte for 22 million for two years. The Hornets, who also signed Kupchak this offseason, made it a priority to strengthen their frontcourt.
OUTLOOK: Looney should be able to contribute defensively, but the Hornets must see something in him because they could’ve gotten a defensive post presence for a much cheaper rate. They will need Looney to take a leap in his sixth year to make the most of his sizable short-term deal.
Kevin Garnett $31,500,000 over 2 years
Lakers → Timberwolves
I think I speak for all basketball fans when I say it is good to see The Big Ticket donning a T-Wolves jersey. Not only that, the former all-leaguer took a discount to join Minnesota to play with Garnett Jr.
OUTLOOK: Adding two veteran bigs in Aldridge & KG with their impressive young guns in the backcourt, the Wolves are threats in the West.
CJ McCollum $54,630,754 over 4 years
76ers → Nets
After winning a championship CJ decided to take on a new challenge in the twilight of his career moving to division opponent the Brooklyn Nets. On a team-friendly deal.
OUTLOOK: McCollum is an ideal running mate to pair with MCW, he’ll be able to space the floor and his game is one that should decline as rapidly as other players in their mid-thirties. With their signings of Sheed and McCollum, the Nets are in win now mode.
Rudy Gobert $4,500,000 over one year
Nuggets → Suns
Averaging 18 & 10 last season the Suns are able to steal Gobert on the MLE. Fresh off back-to-back WCF appearances is Gobert ring chasing in the wide-open West?
OUTLOOK: The way Phoenix balances Noel, Gobert and Bosh will be something to keep an eye on, but having another player of Gobert’s caliber certainly won’t hurt them. The Suns frontline will be massive no matter what combo they put on the court. Good luck to any slashers trying to get a shot off in the paint.
Kerry Kittles $9,500,000 over one year
Bulls → Spurs
Over the past few seasons Kittles minutes have steadily been declining. It was surprising for me to see him get the 9.5million he did from the Spurs, but his shooting is something San Antonio could definitely use.
OUTLOOK: The Spurs backcourt is quite crowded and I will be interested to see how the Spurs divvy up the minutes. The development of Baron Davis is the Spurs top priority so if Kittle can find a way to play alongside him as a 3&D guy or will he carve out a role off the bench in San Antonio? On a one-year deal, overpaying Kittle might be a move that pays off for the Spurs or we may just end up seeing his minutes declining and on the open market once again.
Joe Meriweather $26,000,000 over 2 years
Raptors → Raptors
The Raptors keep Meriweather in Toronto for another two-years. He has been outstanding in his role up north and he’s well worth his price of 13 million a year.
OUTLOOK: Meriweather has been a key part of the Raptors menacing frontcourt, along with KAJ, Ostertag and Parish they are relentless on the boards and defensively. I’m not expecting anything different from the Northern Wall over the next couple seasons.
Kyle Anderson $28,000,000 over 2 years
Hornets → Wizards
Anderson heads north from Charlotte to the Wizards where he will be paired with George McGinnis on the forward line on a short two-year deal.
OUTLOOK: Anderson’s playmaking ability should help the Wizards who are desperate for one. He should not only elevate McGinnis but also score-first guard Rex Walters.
Giannis Antetokounmpo $184,570,312 over 5 years
Sonics → Sonics
Obviously I have to start here, with the largest contract in league history (of which I’m aware). The Sonics are all in on the Greek Freak who is coming off the best shooting season of his career.
OUTLOOK: The Sonics faltered in the playoffs when Giannis went down, the team is built around him and will need him to play at an MVP caliber level now or else it’ll be tough to build around in the future when his contract becomes nearly a 60% cap hit.
Steve Nash $86,250,000 over 4 years
Knicks → Celtics
Coming off a career year, Nash flourished as a starter in New York earning himself a max deal from the rival Celtics.
OUTLOOK: Nash now joins Ray Allen and Sam Cassell in what could be the most lethal shooting backcourt in the league. This team will be able to shoot it from anywhere on the floor.
Kevon Looney $22,000,000 over 2 years
Bucks → Hornets
Looney leaves Milwaukee, where he had a tough time cracking the rotation, to Charlotte for 22 million for two years. The Hornets, who also signed Kupchak this offseason, made it a priority to strengthen their frontcourt.
OUTLOOK: Looney should be able to contribute defensively, but the Hornets must see something in him because they could’ve gotten a defensive post presence for a much cheaper rate. They will need Looney to take a leap in his sixth year to make the most of his sizable short-term deal.
Kevin Garnett $31,500,000 over 2 years
Lakers → Timberwolves
I think I speak for all basketball fans when I say it is good to see The Big Ticket donning a T-Wolves jersey. Not only that, the former all-leaguer took a discount to join Minnesota to play with Garnett Jr.
OUTLOOK: Adding two veteran bigs in Aldridge & KG with their impressive young guns in the backcourt, the Wolves are threats in the West.
CJ McCollum $54,630,754 over 4 years
76ers → Nets
After winning a championship CJ decided to take on a new challenge in the twilight of his career moving to division opponent the Brooklyn Nets. On a team-friendly deal.
OUTLOOK: McCollum is an ideal running mate to pair with MCW, he’ll be able to space the floor and his game is one that should decline as rapidly as other players in their mid-thirties. With their signings of Sheed and McCollum, the Nets are in win now mode.
Rudy Gobert $4,500,000 over one year
Nuggets → Suns
Averaging 18 & 10 last season the Suns are able to steal Gobert on the MLE. Fresh off back-to-back WCF appearances is Gobert ring chasing in the wide-open West?
OUTLOOK: The way Phoenix balances Noel, Gobert and Bosh will be something to keep an eye on, but having another player of Gobert’s caliber certainly won’t hurt them. The Suns frontline will be massive no matter what combo they put on the court. Good luck to any slashers trying to get a shot off in the paint.
Kerry Kittles $9,500,000 over one year
Bulls → Spurs
Over the past few seasons Kittles minutes have steadily been declining. It was surprising for me to see him get the 9.5million he did from the Spurs, but his shooting is something San Antonio could definitely use.
OUTLOOK: The Spurs backcourt is quite crowded and I will be interested to see how the Spurs divvy up the minutes. The development of Baron Davis is the Spurs top priority so if Kittle can find a way to play alongside him as a 3&D guy or will he carve out a role off the bench in San Antonio? On a one-year deal, overpaying Kittle might be a move that pays off for the Spurs or we may just end up seeing his minutes declining and on the open market once again.
Joe Meriweather $26,000,000 over 2 years
Raptors → Raptors
The Raptors keep Meriweather in Toronto for another two-years. He has been outstanding in his role up north and he’s well worth his price of 13 million a year.
OUTLOOK: Meriweather has been a key part of the Raptors menacing frontcourt, along with KAJ, Ostertag and Parish they are relentless on the boards and defensively. I’m not expecting anything different from the Northern Wall over the next couple seasons.
Kyle Anderson $28,000,000 over 2 years
Hornets → Wizards
Anderson heads north from Charlotte to the Wizards where he will be paired with George McGinnis on the forward line on a short two-year deal.
OUTLOOK: Anderson’s playmaking ability should help the Wizards who are desperate for one. He should not only elevate McGinnis but also score-first guard Rex Walters.