Well, one thing that we know for sure, unlike DeAndre Jordan's decision, is that these free agents got PAID. Within the first few days of the free agency frenzy $2.35 billion was handed out to 60 players. I don't know about you, but I could have at least used a million of that.
One thing we knew for sure was that LeBron was certainly coming back to the Cavaliers. Breath, Cleveland. Dwyane Wade is returning to Miami for his 13th season... I mean, could we really have seen Wade in any other uniform but the Heat? No, no we could not have.
There was no way he was leaving.
Most of every franchise's superstar who became a free agent is sticking around. The Portland Trailblazers keep Damien Lillard... They lost the other four of their starting five, but hey, they have their superstar back. Not only did the Cavaliers sign the King back to a max deal, but Kevin Love and Iman Shumpert decided to stick around as well. Apparently they have some "unfinished business." Speaking of the Cavs' unfinished business, Draymond Green resigned with the NBA Champion Golden State Warriors for five years, $85 million.
Everyone, peep Riley.
Marc Gasol signed back with his team, the Grizzlies, for $110 million for five years. The Memphis organization can breath on that one... They wouldn't want to get rid of their star center who averaged 17.4 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, 3.8 assists, 1.6 blocks, and shot 49% from the field. WOW, that's a mouthful.
So, not only did the Clippers resign DeAndre Jordan, finally, but they also gained veteran Paul Pierce. Wait, did you all hear what his contract is? Three years... $10.5 million. We can think about how many max deals were handed out and then look at Paul Pierce. 16 seasons in the NBA and that's all he needed to be offered to play. Side note, that is a perfect example of a veteran. Paul Pierce just WANTS to play ball. Plain and simple. I don't know about you all, but Pierce signing that deal was beautiful to me. Truthfully. (See what I did there?) Also, Pierce should be able to mesh well with the Clipper squad. After all, he is reunited with the coach that he spent his first 15 years in the NBA with, Mr. Doc Rivers. Despite the unprofessionalism of DJ, I mean seriously, he caused an emoji war? Anyway, staying with LA was the best decision for his career. Who was going to lob to him in Dallas? Jordan cannot play offense... Most centers can't. His free throws are bricks and outside the paint? Forget about it. But, he has led the NBA in field goal percentage each of the last three years and rebounds in the last two years. Sorry, Mark, at least you got a virtual apology.
This is the 21st century, folks.
Speaking of Los Angeles, the Lakers had an... unusual free agency, for lack of a better term because I can't think of the adjective to describe it. Brandon Bass moved from Boston to LA which was not too bad of a move. The 10-year veteran had 10.6 ppg and 4.9 rpg in just 23.5 minutes per game. Bass is not a bad power forward, but the Lakers have Julius Randle, Carlos Boozer, and Ryan Kelly also in that position... All three with phenomenal potential. Lou Williams, winner of the Sixth Man of the Year award during the 2014-15 season, averaged 15.5 ppg, 2.1 apg, and 1.9 rpg. He will be in LA for three years and we can all be unsure of how much playing time he will receive considering Kobe, Swaggy P, and their number one draft pick DeAngelo Russell also hold the shooting guard position. Call me crazy, but I think Kobe might have the upper hand. I would make the typical comment of Kobe coming up on his final year of his NBA career (I am holding back tears), but it is hard telling with him when that time is. Final piece of the puzzle to LA's free agency is Roy Hibbert. Hibbert left his partners in Indianapolis for a one year deal. They were in need of a center, good for the Lakers. Kobe, good luck. After all, he is working with the best player to come out of the 2015 NBA Draft class, DeAngelo Russell... A quote from the man himself, not me.
Who wouldn't want to play with this guy?
Indiana may have lost Roy Hibbert and David West, but they gained Jordan Hill and Monta Ellis in the process. Ellis signed a four year, $44 million deal, turning down a $48 million deal from the Sacramento Kings. I guess potentially playing with Rajon Rondo wasn't good enough. The Pacers may end up missing their big man that they had in Hibbert, but Hill has the potential to be a rebounder and stabilize the center position. He averaged 12 points per game and 7.9 rebounds per game.
Back to Cleveland... Everything comes back to Cleveland, right? Not only did the Cavs resign many of their key players, but are bringing back the long lost Mo Williams. Williams was an All-Star in 2009 and will be heading back to Northern Ohio for this upcoming season. Williams will be a great back-up to Irving... Sorry, Dellavedova, I think your stardom has come to an end. You had a good run, you may go back to your pregame coffee ritual.
How's this for a throwback?
An underrated superstar, Reggie Jackson, resigned with the Detroit Pistons. After Jackson was traded to the Pistons from the Oklahoma City Thunder during the season he averaged 17.6 ppg, 9.2 apg, 4.7 rpg, and averaged 43.6% from the floor.
The Chicago Bulls are all healthy and ready to go after they got Derrick Rose back at the end of this year for the post-season and signing Jimmy Butler and Mike Dunleavy back. Dunleavy actually turned down possible recruitment from LeBron James... Someone turned down the King?! It was probably for the best, we all know the relationship between the Bulls and whatever team that King James is on. It's never too pretty. Jimmy Butler, a late first-rounder who has transformed his game so much in the last four seasons to lead him to the All-Stars, finally signed a five year, $90 million deal. The Bulls have been Championship contenders for the past few years now so with all their health and star players back, we'll see if they can make it happen... Without Coach Thibs.
Doesn't look like there's tension to me.
And finally, my winner for this year's frenzy? None other than the San Antonio Spurs. Coach Pop and the Spurs gained LaMarcus Aldridge and veteran David West. We all know how well the Spurs and veterans work together. It's simply beautiful basketball. Aldridge signed for four years, $80 million with player option after year three. He averaged a double-double last season, 23.4 ppg and 10.2 rpg. The Spurs are also bringing back Danny Green, Kwahi Leonard and, of course, Manu Ginobili. Ginobili posted on his Instagram and said: "Today I officially signed my fifth contract with the Spurs! So lucky to play 14 seasons with the same great franchise!" Now that is something you don't hear very often anymore. Kwahi Leonard was that guy who defended the heck out of LeBron James during the 2014 NBA Finals which the Spurs went on to win. The Spurs are stuck with him for the next five years and I am sure that they could not be happier. We should ALL be eager for what Coach Popovich has in store for this upcoming season... And his insightful interview responses.
I mean, really... Timmy D totally would have. We all would have.
Be patient, NBA fans, the season is nearing.
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