In day two of the NBA free agency frenzy, the Raptors made a splash, the Nuggets spent big, the Rockets restructured a deal, and the Cavaliers kept an outside threat. Were all of these moves smart for the franchises? Here are the grades of day two signings.
Raptors sign Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka: C
The Raptors signed Lowry to a three-year, $100 million contract and Ibaka to a three-year $65 million contract. They signed Demar Derozan to a max deal last offseason, so their core remains intact. These deals are all average in sorts because all it does is keep Toronto relevant in the watered-down Eastern Conference.
The Raptors couldn't get past the Cavaliers or Celtics this past season with this same core together. Ibaka was a trade deadline acquisition, but he was around long enough to prove that the Raptors are still not better than Cleveland, or Boston. At least they will make the playoffs again.
Nuggets sign Paul Millsap: C+
The Nuggets missed the playoffs last season by one game, so they wanted to bolster their chances by signing Millsap to a three-year, $90 million contract. The Nuggets have a young nucleus of Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Will Barton, and Nikola Jokic. Millsap will bring a veteran presence that can score along with these young guys.
It seems like a lot of money to pay a 32-year old forward for a team that hasn't had sustained success with their young players.
Jokic averaged seven more points this past season than the season before. Murray just finished his rookie campaign. The Nuggets will be a seven or eight seed potentially next season.
Rockets re-sign Nene: B+
The Rockets re-signed Nene to a three-year, $11 million contract. Nene is still an effective big man in the league. They also avoid committing to a fourth year due to the NBA rule that states players at the age of 38 cannot have a fourth year.
Plus, they retain a physical rebounder that will be a huge cog in their frontcourt. Nene will join Chris Paul, James Harden, and Trevor Ariza in the starting lineup.
Cavaliers re-sign Kyle Korver: B
The Cavaliers re-signed Korver to a three-year, $22 million contract. The Cavaliers wanted to retain their depth in outside shooting.
Korver was the dependent shooter from outside as he averaged over 40 percent from three point range until that deplenished in the NBA Finals. This was a solid move for the Cavaliers. Korver will join JR Smith as a threat from outside, and Cleveland is not overpaying him.
