Sorted by the contract's annual average value (AAV)
Brandon Ingram maxes out with the Pelicans
5 years, $158 million
Grade: A-
That's a lot of money, but Ingram plays the most important position at a high level, scoring and defending incredibly well. He shoots, he scores inside, he doesn't dribble the air out of the ball or stop the passing rotation. Concerns of him fitting with Zion Williamson are very overblown. They could not let the centerpiece of the Anthony Davis trade and last year's Most Improved Player walk for nothing.
Gordon Hayward to Hornets
4 years, $120 million
Grade: B-
When you're the Hornets, you have to pay guys more than they would get elsewhere. All things equal, no one wants to play for Charlotte. This happened with Terry Rozier, Nicolas Batum, Bismack Biyombo, and Cody Zeller. Those names don't inspire confidence, but Hayward is decidedly better than all of those guys, and versatile at the most important position. He brings a lot of experience with him, has no holes in his game, and helps them compete right away. This team finished 9th in the East last season, lost no one, and also added LaMelo Ball. They think they're ready to try winning, so in this sense the overpay helps.
Fred VanVleet stays in Toronto
4 years, $85 million
Grade: A-
Freddie Velvet is a really good player. In an expanded role filling the Kawhi void last season, he posted career-highs with 17.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.9 steals. Now he gets a chance to build on that, and he'll remain an awesome complement/heir to Kyle Lowry. He's a young 25 because of his low mileage, and he has championship experience. This deal will probably never look bad, which is a huge win anytime you commit $20+ million annually.
Danilo Gallinari becomes a Hawk
3 years, $61.5 million
Grade: C-
I get it. He's a quality scorer and great shooter and he's 6'10". He is also old with a lot of injury history and couldn't play a lick of defense in his prime. His game will age well, and he was really good just three months ago, so he's not going to be a bust for Atlanta. But I would not have paid him nearly this much as any team, and the Hawks' players at his positions are John Collins, Cam Reddish, and De'Andre Hunter. This would have made sense as a one-year deal. I get they want to win now, though. This commitment could mean they will move on from John Collins, who has stated he wants a supermax deal when he hits restricted free agency next summer. That trade would be a good idea, and would bump my bound-in-actuality grade way up.
Jerami Grant to the Pistons
3 years, $60 million
Grade: B-
The Nuggets reportedly offered Grant the same 3/60, but he turned them down in favor of a bigger role in Detroit. $20 million is too much for any team, but the Pistons just need basketball players. And Grant happens to be a good one. Detroit's roster is in major flux, so we don't know what it will finish up looking like, but Grant will help a lot as the starting small forward. He brings defense, athleticism, finishing, knockdown shooting, and an adequate handle. He's never been more than a role player, so the 26 year old could have a lot of upside we just don't know about yet.
Joe Harris staying a Net
4 years, $75 million
Grade: B
This is a lot of money for Joe Harris. I'm really high on the Virginia product, though, and he's vital to a team built around Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Those guys are both lethal shooters who can create their own three-pointers. Adding Harris' minimal maintenance shooting will allow them to score unencumbered, and help punish the already scant help defense. You just can't double Kyrie at the point of attack with KD also on the floor, and Harris floating at the other guard spot. Not to mention Caris LeVert and Spencer Dinwiddie's creation skills.
Goran Dragic returns to Heat
2 years, $37.4 million
Grade: A+
Good on the Heat, and the second year is a team option. This means Dragic gets to be remembered as a Heat legend, and could be used as a valuable trade chip in the vaunted 2021 offseason. He deserves to get paid, and the Heat did that. It may feel like a lot, but it doesn't tie the Heat up really at all, and they took care of their guy. Miami's goal has been to run it back, and they're starting with their Finals run's leading scorer.
Davis Bertans stays with the Wizards
5 years, $80 million
Grade: A-
The Wizards need shooting as much as any team not in Philly. John Wall and Rui Hachimura can't hit threes at all, and newly-acquired Deni Avdija isn't great either. Bertans is a top five shooter on planet earth, with legitimately Curry-level gravity. He's getting guarded out behind the point guard from about 35 feet. You can get 4-on-4s with him at will, and he can dribble the ball, and he's 6'10". Joe Harris getting more money makes sense if you consider he's a better defender, but Bertans is the better shooter and that's what you pay him to do. This could end up being great value, and at worst is only ever a tiiiny overpay.
Marcus Morris back with the Clippers
4 years, $64 million
Grade: C+
I get that the Clippers love his enforcer role, and they're all in on defense, and he shoots well, but he just was not worth $16 million annually for them last season. He put up 10 and 4 on 31% from deep in 19 regular season games, and 12 and 5 on 48% from three in 13 playoff games. He'll be better than that, but with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George already being a wonky fit, you'd think this money would be best spent elsewhere. Oh well. Like I said, he'll improve, he fits what they want to do, and you know exactly what he brings in the playoffs.
Malik Beasley remains a Timberwolf
4 years, $60 million
Grade: B-
Beasley was under-utilized in Denver because of their insane depth, but he broke out in Minnesota after the trade deadline, posting 20.7 points and 5.1 rebounds on 47% and 43% from the field and three. He and D'Lo were going to be a nice backcourt, and then the team added Anthony Edwards and Ricky Rubio. That's three score-first guards and one that can't score at all. Edwards can play alongside any two of Russell, Beasley, and Rubio, so it's not awful. Beasley isn't going to be an overpaid fourth guard. But Minnesota remains shallow at the wing slot and on defense, especially after moving James Johnson to Dallas. Hopefully Jarrett Culver jumps in year two (I think he will), and 23rd selection Leandro Bolmaro comes right over after Real Madrid's season ends.
Christian Wood to Houston
3 years, $41 million
Grade: A
This would have been an A+++ if the deal stayed the original 3/27, but it's still amazing. Wood is built in a lab to play with James Harden. He can dunk everything, hit the three, and punish conventional bigs in space. He rebounds really well. There's no playing him off the floor like Clint Capela, and he gives Houston the (even better) pick and roll beast/lob threat that they lost when Capela moved on for spacing. With other Western Conference teams in the middle of some things right now, this move makes Houston certainly better. Just days after we thought Harden and Russell Westbrook were both gone.
Jordan Clarkson sticks with Jazz
4 years $52 million
Grade: B
That AAV is about what Clarkson was worth for Utah last season, but it was only a 42 game regular season, 7 playoff game sample size. He was a top-tier sixth man in those games though. He returned to his promising Lakers days that feel like a lifetime ago. If he remains the player he was, he fits perfectly for Utah, and this is fine value. But four years just surprised me.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope stays a Laker
3 years, $40 million
Grade: C+
I want to love this deal. KCP was awesome in the playoffs. He showed up every time he was called upon. And that resulted in a ring. He can handle the ball and score. But he also was wildly inconsistent for a lot of the regular season, so it's hard to know that he just suddenly became that better player. My gut says it feels like an overpay. Oh well, his value is high right now and that's the cost of winning championships. If the Lakers felt like they couldn't replace him with someone else, then this was the best move, because you can only go over the cap to sign your own guys.
Rodney Hood staying in Portland
2 years, $21 million
Grade: C+
Hood was having a career year after a disappointing heretofore journeyman career. He's a better shooter than Robert Covington and Derrick Jones, Jr. which is no joke. Hood can go nuclear because of his shot creation and tertiary role at 6'8". He will be like a super Gary Trent in the bubble playoffs, if he can recover fully from December's ruptured achilles. If not, he could end up getting phased out by other talented and fully healthy players on the depth chart, and become an overpaid three-point specialist. The deal being short makes that potential reality not nearly as bad.
Paul Millsap to the Nuggets
1 year, $10 million
Grade: A
Millsap does a lot on defense and has a versatile offensive game. As the game shifts away from conventional centers, this move will help them. He fits really well with Jokic, and can guard the perimeter almost as well as inside. He can’t block shots, but he still helps protect the rim. Millsap was a serious contributor to the Denver Nuggets' Conference Finals run in the bubble.
Jae Crowder to the Suns
Deal: 3 years, $30 million
Grade: A-
There was a bit of a hole at the wing/forward spot following the Kelly Oubre departure. Crowder joins Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson for a great shooting, great defending forward trio. Any guy can play with any guy, defend either opposing forward, and drill shots without needing the ball. Crowder has all the experience in the world and is an incredible teammate. He'll help lead these guys to their desired playoff berth and teach them a lot along the way.
Meyers Leonard stays put
2 years, $20 million
Grade: A-
It looks like a lot for a seven-foot cheerleader, but the second year - like Dragic - is a team option. So Leonard is effectively a salary match if the Heat swing for a star, or need to shed money, or complete a sign-and-trade. He and Dragic add up to almost $30 million, which would be most of a max in next seasons star-laden free agency. Could Meyers Leonard be a future Milwaukee Bucks cap waive?
Serge Ibaka to the Clippers
2 years, $19 million
Grade: A
The Clippers size was their undoing in the playoffs last year to the underdog Nuggets. They had no answer for Nikola Jokic and no rim protection. With Harrell gone, their center woes were exacerbated. Ivica Zubac is nice, but not the answer yet. Serge Ibaka brings shot blocking, interior defense, knockdown shooting, consistency, intelligence, and veteran leadership. The Clippers need all of those if they want to take the West.
Montrezl Harrell to the Lakers
2 years, $19 million
Grade: A
This was maybe the surprise of the night early on. Harrell's free agency had not generated much buzz, and then in the first three hours he's joining the defending champs after three years with LA's other team. He was exposed in the playoffs for being undersized and a bad defender, but the Lakers have the personnel to cover for his weaknesses, and the defense isn't unbelievably bad by any means. He and Dennis Schroder will help carry the load over the regular season while LeBron James and Anthony Davis recover from the shortest offseason of any team in the shortest offseason ever. The Lakers needed offense, and they've gotten it.
Tristan Thompson to Boston
2 years, $19 million
Grade: A
Center was the biggest hole on the Celtics roster for miles. They were one of the best rosters in the entire NBA outside of that. Now, they get Thompson, who rebounds really well, knows what he is on offense, and is an average defender with occasional upside. He has been in every moment possible and has seen it all. He and Millsap really bolster the frontcourt right away.
Derrick Jones, Jr. is a Trailblazer
2 years, $19 million
Grade: B
An athletic wing who has added a lot to his game after only being a highlight dunker. Defends well, is tall, knocks down threes. He's like a baby Jerami Grant, and he + Robert Covington gives Portland wing defense they sorely lacked. They are getting a lot better, and building around Dame how they ought to.
Derrick Favors back with the Jazz
3 years, $27 million
Grade: A
After leaving for New Orleans for a season, Favors returns to Utah, where he was one of the best defending bigs in the NBA. He was a top five rim protector the last time he played for the Jazz. He fits Utah's defense to a tee. It's possible Utah trades Rudy Gobert because they don't want to give him the supermax. If that's the case, Favors slides up to the featured center role, and there are a lot worse options.
Jakob Poeltl re-signs with Spurs
3 years, $27 million
Grade: A
I'm super high on Poeltl. I wanted to make this an A+, but that's a little much. He is a versatile big who can defend the rim really well and the perimeter pretty well for a big. He's probably going to be the featured big whenever LaMarcus Aldridge moves on, whether that's in the recent trade talks or after his deal expires this season. He'll do so on a wildly manageable deal, and with the ability to fit next to anyone the Spurs grab to fill LMA's eventual void.
De'Anthony Melton remains a Grizz
4 years, $35 million
Grade: B+
Melton is an awesome defending guard. He is a good backup and complement to Ja Morant, and will be consistent over the four seasons. Has a chance to grow into the perfect Grit n Grind role player.
Miles Plumlee to Detroit
3 years, $25 million
Grade: C
Plumlee is fine. Just fine. Plays fine defense, takes fine shots, doesn't do anything great for Detroit. But with them dropping Dewayne Dedmon, he'll man the paint alongside Isaiah Stewart so that the rookie isn't just thrown to the wolves. The Pistons are going full rebuild, and it's smart to not do that with 12 20 year olds. They aren't winning, so overpaying Plumlee barely matters.
Rajon Rondo becomes a Hawk
2 years, $15 million
Grade: B
The Hawks want to make the playoffs. That happens in the regular season. Rondo has been awful the past two regular seasons. Maybe that changes knowing he can't coast, and won't get carried by superstars. He will teach Trae Young a lot, which is ultimately what this will end up being about. He will defend too, at least some, which the Hawks have been trying to improve.
JaMychal Green to Nuggets
2 years, $15 million
Grade: B
A fine defending stretch big. Lots of experience. Helps fill the void at power forward, but is a clear downgrade from Paul Millsap and Jerami Grant. He fits well next to first-round pick Zeke Nnaji, which will help the rookie see the floor more.
Aron Baynes joins the Raptors
2 years, $14.3 million
Grade: A
Baynes fits the Raptors roster well, and helps replace the massive hole left by Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka's departure. He's a really good defender and can be a red hot shooter.
DJ Augustin signs with the Bucks
3 years, $21 million
Grade: B
A veteran who will know his place and can score, all while helping the starters when he needs to. A nice backup after starting for Orlando a lot the past four seasons. He took a step back last season, so hopefully the reduced load helps him. The Bucks roster is filling out nicely. They should be really glad Bogdan Bogdanovic's acquisition fell through.
Juancho Hernangomez will stay in Minnesota
3 years, $21 million
Grade: C+
He's a fan favorite everywhere, shoots well, and does everything else fine. The consummate backup power forward, and he's still decently young at just 25. Fills a hole, doesn't stop them from getting better.
Robin Lopez signs with Wizards
1 year, $7 million
Grade: F
The Wizards used their mid-level exception, which is all the cash-strapped team had to add players, on a bench veteran. Robin Lopez is high character on a super young team, but he should not really play for any team. There were many better bigs on the board, and this team really needed one. They have no centers besides the terrible-defending Thomas Bryant and Moe Wagner.
Justin Holiday stays in Indiana
3 years, $18.1 million
Grade: A
Holiday is a defensive specialist wing who suddenly found a shot from deep last year. Those three things are in high-demand, especially wing they all come together. This would be a full A+ if his shot was guaranteed. He hit 40.5% from three last year, but had never hit even 36% in his first six seasons.
Alec Burks to the Knicks
1 year, $6 million
Grade: B-
Knicks punting on free agency is a good thing. Their roster wasn't going to make more sense by adding players to it and locking up money. Maneuverability is better. Burks is a quality veteran and brings very known wing play. A consummate professional is not a bad guy to put with RJ Barrett.
Avery Bradley joins Heat
2 years, $11.6 million
Grade: A
The Heat had major problems defending guards last season. Goran Dragic, Tyler Herro, and Kendrick Nunn are all not good at it. Bradley will spell a lot of those concerns. He has fair abilities to handle the ball and shoot. Bradley was on the Lakers last season, but did not play in the bubble, so he was not a part of the Heat-Lakers Finals.
Pat Connaughton stays in Milwaukee
3 years, $16 million
Grade: B+
Hopefully this deal is inconsequential. He shouldn't play that much, but is solid is small doses. Had a fun dunk contest.
Kris Dunn to the Hawks
2 years, $10 million
Grade: A-
The Hawks have awful defending from their guards, Trae Young and Kevin Huerter. Enter All-NBA defender Kris Dunn. He can't do much on offense except for dribble, but that's fine. He'll come off the bench and put clamps on anyone he sees. Not bad at all.
Nerlens Noel joins Knicks
1 year, $5 million
Grade: C-
Weird decision by Noel, I can't imagine his best offer was with New York considering what other bigs have gotten. He will coexist well with Obi Toppin and horribly with Mitchell Robinson. And they still have Julius Randle and Taj Gibson. This is minimum impact deal because of its length and size, but it doesn't make much sense. I wish Noel joined a contender or a team he'd have had a bigger role. The Knicks, man.
Elfrid Payton re-signs with Knicks
1 year, $5 million
Grade: B
The Knicks have no answer at point guard, but Payton is a fine stop gap. Occasionally gets triple-doubles for some reason.
Garrett Temple to the Bulls
1 year, $5 million
Grade: A-
A great veteran and leader with a lot to offer the young Bulls. Knows exactly what he is, and that's valuable.
Denzel Valentine remains a Bull
1 year, $4.7 million
Grade: C+
Not that good of a player, but probably(?) belongs in the NBA. That's good. If the Bulls move Otto Porter's $28 million expiring, Valentine could play a good amount. It'll be interesting to see if he or Temple gets more minutes.
Willie Cauley-Stein stays with Dallas
2 years, $8.2 million
Grade: C+
WCS isn't that good, but he could get better this year. Dallas choosing him over someone else is questionable, considering how deep this big man free agency class is. But Cauley-Stein has athleticism and could provide some spark. What Dwight Howard was for the Lakers last season, WCS has serious ability to do.
Bobby Portis joins Bucks
2 years, $7.5 million
Grade: B-
About the only team I like for the scoring power forward. He can do his thing and occasionally go off on offense, but should never be a legit option. Good fit for the Bucks roster. They could have filled this spot worse.
Maurice Harkless to the Heat
1 year, $3.6 million
Grade: B-
Nothing exciting. He'll be a decent contributor, brings high-quality defense on the wing. Helps make up for losing Jae Crowder.
Jevon Carter stays in Phoenix
3 years, $11.5 million
Grade: B+
Carter is a high-end backup guard and he's only 25 years old. Defends well and can knock down decently difficult shots. High energy.
Trey Burke stays with Mavericks
3 years, $10 million
Grade: C
A worse Seth Curry. Had a good playoffs. Coach Rick Carlisle's exact prototype. Don't expect much, but can perform adequately if called upon.
Marc Gasol comes to the Lakers
2 years, $5.3 million
Grade: A+
Ring chasing at its finest. The former Defensive Player of the Year replaces Dwight Howard, and gets a chance to win a title where his brother Pau did. They're already the only brothers to both a win an NBA championship, and now they could do it for the same franchise.
Dwight Howard joins the 76ers
1 year, $2.6 million
Grade: A+
The first-ballot Hall of Famer will backup Joel Embiid, which likely was attractive to the near-retirement Howard. He wants to impact the star center and help him take that next step. Howard should see a lot of his young self in Embiid, and probably wishes he had some HoF mentorship. Oh, and he was an awesome backup and in the playoffs just a couple months ago. He spurned more money from the Lakers to join Philly.
Kent Bazemore to the Warriors
1 year, $2.25 million
Grade: B+
Bazemore is worth more than this. You know what he is, and that's valuable. A self-contained veteran who plays high-end wing defense and knock downs a couple shots. Helps a team that wants to do well in the playoffs, and is still aiming to despite the Klay Thompson injury.
Gary Clark staying with Orlando
2 years, $4.1 million
Grade: B+
End of the bench type of move. He'll play more with Jonathan Isaac injured. He isn't bad, and was nice on the Rockets. Modern power forward type.
Damyean Dotson to the Cavaliers
2 years, $4 million
Grade: A
Dotson showed that he is a legit NBA player when he joined the Knicks, and then got buried in their mire of a roster. He should be thankful he got out of there. He'll be a high-upside backup point guard for the Cavs, and potentially more.
Jontay Porter commits to Memphis
3 years, $6 million
Grade: A
Inconsequential money, and the length makes one think that Porter's knee is in good shape. The injury-plagued Porter has a lot of potential.
Raul Neto to the Wizards
1 year, $1.8 million
Grade: D
Raul Neto sucked last year. If he plays, you've got a problem. I'd rather see 53rd pick Cassius Winston as the third point guard.
DeMarcus Cousins signs with the Rockets
1 year, non-guaranteed (minimum)
Grade: A+
I'm not some Boogie truther. He was not good for a lot of the Warriors tenure, and then suffered an additional injury, so he hasn't played since. But I have so much more faith in good players getting hurt and becoming good again than I do a worse, healthy player improving to that level. He fits the Rockets playstyle perfectly since they've steered away from pure micro-ball. He and Christian Wood both hitting makes the Rockets a lot better than they were last season. And that's no joke. If they are what they could be, they can really compete in the Western Conference, with even the Lakers.
James Ennis returns to the Magic
1 year, money unknown
Grade: B
Not much of a needle mover. He'll play a tiny bit. Nothing wrong with him.
Deals with unknown terms
Torrey Craig to the Bucks
Bryn Forbes to the Bucks
Jeff Teague to the Celtics
Markieff Morris to the Lakers
John Konchar to the Grizzlies
Jeff Green to the Nets
Willy Hernangomez to the Pelicans
Wenyen Gabriel to the Pelicans
Bismack Biyombo to the Hornets
Alex Len to the Raptors
Dwayne Bacon to the Magic
Michael Carter-Williams to the Magic
Josh Jackson to the Pistons
Harry Giles to the Trailblazers
Carmelo Anthony to the Trailblazers
Facundo Campazzo to the Nuggets
Anthony Gill to the Wizards
Garrison Mathews to the Wizards
Drew Eubanks to the Spurs
Cam Reynolds to the Spurs
Wes Iwundu to the Mavericks
Brad Wanamaker to the Warriors
Kent Bazemore to the Warriors
JaKarr Sampson to the Pacers
Austin Rivers to the Knicks
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