NBA free agency period is in full swing. Contracts are through the roof, and the talent seems to be piling up in certain places more than others. Let's take a look at the impact of these trades, per ESPN.
Super team?
Big teams are only becoming bigger these days. Certain teams are stockpiling talent in an effort to dethrone the Warriors. Such a team is the Minnesota Timberwolves. After acquiring Jimmy Butler, they also traded Ricky Rubio and brought in Jeff Teague. Now they have brought in a new presence, not exactly high caliber, but a productive player nonetheless in Taj Gibson.
The contract is said to be worth around $28 million for two years. Perhaps it isn't all about the statistics, which by the way was 10.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and .8 blocks, but more about the presence of a veteran and what that means to the team. Not to mention Gibson has an extremely gritty playstyle, which could prove very useful for such a youthful roster. Despite still boasting young talents in Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, the look of the Timberwolves has been completely revamped. Another good signing by the Timberwolves here.
Trusting the process
It is nothing new to see teams in the NBA rise and fall, and the LA Clippers might have resigned Blake Griffin, but they have lost yet another piece of their team.
Jj Redick is headed to Philadelphia on a one-year $23 million dollar deal, and he has let everyone know his mindset on the move.
Trust the process
— JJ Redick (@JJRedick) July 1, 2017
Now it is no joke that Redick now joins the "FEDS," or if you aren't aware, Markelle Fultz, Joel Embiid, Dario Saric, and Ben Simmons. He brings his long range capabilities to a team that is in desperate need, and any fans who say Redick has lost a step might want to reconsider that statement.
Over the last 2 seasons, nobody’s been more 💰 from three than JJ Redick. pic.twitter.com/rHgc88Jsap
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 1, 2017
But not only has JJ Redick decided to trust the process, but former Boston Celtic Amir Johnson has also decided that he is all-in as well. The center has signed a one-year deal worth $11 million and should provide some good time off the bench for the Sixers.
The 76ers should be pretty deadly, bar obvious health concerns.
The North remains unchanged
It looked like the Toronto Raptors were going to have a completely different look, which some analysts speculated was necessary for them to progress. However, Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka are headed back to Toronto. Kyle Lowry has agreed to resign with Toronto for a $100 million dollar deal for three years. Last season Kyle Lowry averaged 22.4 points, 7.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.48 steals. With that being said, the Raptors should consider themselves lucky to hold on to him.
Serge Ibaka, on the other hand, signed a $65 million dollar contract for three years. The power forward averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game last season; so personally, the contract seems reasonable.
However, the expensive contract does come as a bit of a shock, with the rumor being that a market for Ibaka barely existed. Although some NBA analysts argue they overpaid, I think for that type of production, this is a good extension.
Cleveland favors veteran presence
Kyle Korver will be staying in Cleveland for the foreseeable future. He has just agreed to terms on a three-year, $22 million dollar deal, which will keep him and his sharpshooting abilities on a team that desperately needs it. I'm sure Cleveland is hoping that he will be more lucrative next season than he was this past season.
In addition to Korver staying, the Cavaliers have brought in Jose Calderon to replace the lackluster Deron Williams.
Although Jose Calderon is certainly on the decline, the Cavaliers will hope that he can provide more production off the bench than Williams did in the finals. Not to mention the veteran presence he provides. Calderon will receive the veteran's minimum on a one-year deal.
Houston making good moves
Houston went deep last season, and some of those games were due to Nene Hilario breakout performances. Luckily for the Rockets, who are hoping to contend after going all in for Chris Paul, Nene has agreed to an $11 million three-year extension. Although last year's success isn't exactly accredited to Nene, the pick-and-roll with James Harden was a deadly play last season, and Rockets fans can look forward to seeing it for a while.
But the Rockets haven't only signed Chris Paul and resigned Nene, but they have also added defensive specialist PJ Tucker on a four-year $32 million dollar deal. This was exactly the piece they needed following the departure of Patrick Beverley, and PJ Tucker has the capability to defend more than one position as well. Houston is looking to be dangerous.
Champions re-sign more pieces
The Golden State Warriors were able to hold on to an extremely important piece, agreeing with him on a $48 million dollar deal for a three-year extension. Andre Iguodala has been a critical spark off the bench in many games, and the 2015 NBA Finals MVP will certainly be more, if not as excited as the Warriors are to hold on to him.
In addition, David West has come back to the Warriors on the veteran's minimum for one year. West was able to not only secure a ring, but find some success on the court with the Warriors. I have no doubt West expects to have another ring come his way before retiring by staying on the Warriors, but he does contribute a spark off the bench as well.
Jazz give versatile player big money
Joe Ingles has received a big pay day from the Jazz, as the two sides come together and agree on a four-year extension to the tune of $52 million. Ingles was a big part of the playoff run with the Utah Jazz, and after showing that type of tenacity on the big stage, I don't blame the Jazz for believing in him. However, perhaps they overpaid the Australian small forward, as a replacement with a more proven production would have likely taken that same deal if not less.
Bottom line
Free agency is evidently in full swing, and more deals are being made every single day. Many free agents are off the board, but players such as Gordon Hayward still remain available. Many teams are molding a powerful first unit, but it is the slew of role players we have to pay attention to as well, as they play an important part of a championship run as well. Needless to say, this NBA season will surely be one to remember.