NBA Free Agency Grades: Lakers Are The Biggest Winners, Stephen Curry Deserves $215M, DeMar DeRozan Joins The Exciting Bulls

The Lakers were the big winners in this NBA free agency period, adding a plethora of stars to their team, including LeBron James, Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, JaVale McGee, and Brandon Ingram. Stephen Curry got $215 million, and DeMar DeRozan got $137.5 million. Kyrie Irving is reportedly looking for a trade, and Jimmy Butler is still trying to sort out his own future, so it’s still an early offseason.

The NBA’s biggest free agent-to-be is in the final few days of deciding which team he will join in the coming season. Stephen Curry and his agent have had their share of tough negotiations, with the Golden State Warriors and the Charlotte Hornets being in the lead for his services. The Warriors feel that they gave Curry enough time to learn how to be a superstar, and they will be giving a five-year, $200M deal to the two-time NBA champion.

As NBA free agency draws to a close, the Los Angeles Lakers are the most successful team, having signed LeBron James and Rajon Rondo to new contracts. The Lakers have also signed some major free agents to fill out their roster, including Lance Stephenson, JaVale McGee, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Cleveland Cavaliers, in contrast, are still having trouble finding a new head coach after firing David Blatt and hiring Tyronn Lue. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors have been the biggest losers in free agency, losing four of their top five players.. Read more about stephen curry latest news update and let us know what you think.

NBA Free Agency Grades: Lakers Are The Biggest Winners, Stephen Curry Deserves $215M, DeMar DeRozan Joins The Exciting Bulls

Although the second day of free agency did not include as many high-profile signings, it did bring a slew of key players to a new club. There was a lot of intriguing activity in the “small deals” category around the league, especially with the Lakers making moves to address holes on their bench.

The Lakers made four major bench changes less than a week after acquiring Russell Westbrook. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls shocked everyone by making a splash, and Steph Curry, despite not becoming a free agent, became the highest-paid man in the NBA. Let’s award our ratings for the second day of the offseason’s small, medium, and big agreements.


Small Business Deals


Milwaukee Bucks’ Rodney Hood

(via Blazer's Edge)

(Image courtesy of Blazer’s Edge)

Hood signs a one-year, $2.2 million contract with the Bucks.

Last season, the Bucks expected Bryn Forbes to be their go-to outside shooter, but he didn’t live up to the expectations. Donte DiVincenzo has had trouble shooting from the perimeter as well. Hood shot 49.3 percent from three-point range a year ago, but only in 21 games. Hood has battled to stay healthy in recent seasons, shooting 31% or less from three-point range. The Bucks have made a low-risk move, but it will have little effect.

Grade: C-


Philadelphia 76ers’ Andre Drummond

andre drummond

courtesy of Getty Images

Drummond signs a one-year, $2.4 million contract with the 76ers.

Isn’t it true that if you can’t defeat them, you should join them? In 2018, Joel Embiid claimed to possess real estate in Drummond’s brain. The two will now work together as partners. With Dwight Howard gone, the 76ers bolstered their rebounding with a four-time champion who was averaging 13.5 points per game before joining Los Angeles. It’s unclear where he fits into this crime. Also, Drummond may be called upon to come off the bench, which raises some concerns. This seems to be a good bargain, but chemistry and ego may interfere.

Grade: C


New Orleans Pelicans’ Didi Louzada

Didi Louzada

Louzada signs a four-year, $7.2 million contract with the Pelicans.

Louzada was a former second-round selection who spent the past two years in the NPL. He scored 8.8 points a game and shot 53 percent from the floor last season. He had a 26.4 percent three-point shooting. The Pelicans will gain depth as a result of this trade, but nothing more.

Grade: C


Portland Trail Blazers’ Tony Snell

Tony Snell

Snell signs a one-year, $2.3 million contract with the Trail Blazers.

Snell made 51.5 percent of his three-point attempts. Along with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, the Trail Blazers may lead the NBA in three-point field goals with the acquisition of Norman Powell. Snell will only take a handful of shots each game, but that’s beside the point. He doesn’t substantially improve the squad, but you might have chosen someone worse.

Grade: C


Charlotte Hornets’ Ish Smith

Ish Smith Pistons

Smith signs a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Hornets.

Who hasn’t Ish Smith played for at this point? He’ll be playing for the Hornets for the 13th time in his career. Smith isn’t going to be a game-changer for the club, but he can fill in for LaMelo Ball. For the time being, this was a short-term depth move.

Grade: C+


Utah Jazz’s Hassan Whiteside

Hassan Whiteside

Whiteside signs a one-year contract with the Jazz.

Who will the Jazz receive in Hassan Whiteside? Will they be able to sign the guy who averaged 15.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game in Portland last season? Will they get the guy that led the Kings with 8.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game last season? The Jazz needed a backup to Rudy Gobert with Derrick Favors sidelined. If Whiteside continues to play as well as he did two years ago, the Jazz may be able to stay at the top of the rankings.

Grade: B


Brooklyn Nets’ James Johnson

James Johnson

Johnson signs a one-year, $2.6 million contract with the Nets.

Remember last year when James Johnson was given $15 million in salary? Johnson, 34, averaged 9.2 points and 4.1 rebounds for the Pelicans last season. With Jeff Green out of the picture, the Nets must believe that Johnson can provide what Green did last season. If that occurs, it would be a major win for a team that spent little over $200,000 on the project.

Grade: B


Miami Heat’s Markieff Morris

Markieff Morris

Morris signs a one-year, $2.6 million contract with the Heat.

Due to previous obligations, the Lakers were unable to keep Morris. Morris will be a good match for the Heat’s culture. He’s a bruiser, a good teammate, and a hard worker. He’ll be a valuable addition to the bench. Morris, Jimmy Butler, and Kyle Lowry create a dangerous combination if a physical confrontation occurs.

Grade: B+


Orlando Magic’s Robin Lopez

(via Lake Show Life)

(Image courtesy of Lake Show Life)

Lopez signs a one-year, $5 million contract with the Magic.

Lopez, 33, is on his way to being a journeyman. Lopez was the Wizards’ odd man out when Thomas Bryant returned last season, averaging 9.0 points per game. Lopez could offer a lively locker room presence to a youthful Magic team in the future. Lopez will assist Wendell Carter Jr. and perhaps offer advice on how to be a good teammate to the young players.

Grade: B+


Los Angeles Lakers’ Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony Gives Inspiring Post-Game Speech After Cracking The NBA's Top-10 Scoring List

USA Today

Anthony signs a one-year, $2.6 million contract with the Lakers.

Carmelo, it’s either now or never, right? Anthony has chosen to quit caring about money after years of prioritizing money over championships. He had the option of joining superteams in the past, but he selected the highest pay. The Lakers now have a former NBA scoring champion who has adjusted his game to accommodate his older body. This season, Anthony, who is close pals with LeBron James, will be a huge contributor for the Lakers.

Grade: B+


Philadelphia 76ers’ Georges Niang

georges niang

Niang signs a two-year, $6.7 million contract with the 76ers.

This may be beneficial to the 76ers. Niang has been an effective player for the Jazz for the last three years. Last season, Niang played in 72 games, averaging 6.9 points per game and shooting 42.5 percent from three-point range. Despite the fact that Niang only played 16 minutes each game, the 76ers needed another component to offer depth. They acquired a good player at a reasonable price.

Grade: A


Los Angeles Lakers’ Malik Monk

Malik Monk hornetssss

Monk signs a one-year, $1.7 million contract with the Lakers.

Monk was expected to assist the Hornets as a genuine scorer. Last season, he set a career best with 11.7 points per game and shot over 40% from three-point range for the first time. Rather of retaining Monk, he saw a chance to compete for a championship. From last year’s Bryn Forbes to Milwaukee, this has a similar vibe. The Lakers acquired another potential shooter to the squad for the price and upside.

Grade: A


Los Angeles Lakers’ Kendrick Nunn

Credit: USA Sports Today

Source: USA Today Sports

Nunn signs a two-year, $10 million contract with the Lakers.

Nobody knows why Nunn has fallen out of favor in Miami. He was a starter who averaged 14.6 points per game while shooting 48.1% from the field (38.1 percent from three) and playing 29.5 minutes a game. Then he was taken off of the rotation and didn’t play much in the playoffs. Nunn may be Sixth Man of the Year if the Lakers’ second unit continues to produce at this level. What’s more, on a $5 million salary? Out here, the Lakers are snatching people.

Grade: A+


Brooklyn Nets’ Bruce Brown

Brown signs a one-year, $4.7 million contract with the Nets.

Bruce Brown

Brown had to return to the Nets. Brown was the most consistent starter in the lineup while Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant were all out due to injury. He again did not disappoint, scoring 8.8 points per game and shooting over 50% from the field. Brown thrives in Steve Nash’s offense and is the team’s main backup guard. In addition, the Nets did not overextend themselves in the future. This was an excellent decision in every way.

Grade: A+


Brooklyn Nets’ Patty Mills

Credit: USA Today

Credit: USA Today

Mills signs a two-year, $12 million contract with the Nets.

When you’re a championship contender, you’ll persuade veterans to accept less. Mills, 32, won a ring with the Spurs in 2014. He seems to be looking for more, since $6 million for a valuable teammate and leader is a great bargain. Mills also scored 10.8 points a game on 41.2 percent shooting and 37.5 percent from three-point range. For the Nets, this was a tremendous bargain.

Grade: A+


Deals of a Medium Size


Washington Wizards’ Spencer Dinwiddie

(via NBA.com)

(Photo courtesy of NBA.com)

Dinwiddie signs a three-year, $60 million contract with the Wizards.

The deal’s duration and value are exactly perfect. What will happen with Bradley Beal is still a mystery to us. With the signings of Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Montrezl Harrell, the Wizards will attempt to fight for a playoff berth for the time being. Dinwiddie isn’t a very excellent three-point shooter, but he can score in other ways. In 2019-2020, he averaged 20.6 points per game. Last year, he only played three games due to an injury, so there is some danger in spending this much money up front.

Grade: B-


Los Angeles Lakers’ Talen Horton-Tucker

NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Have Made Talen Horton-Tucker Unavailable In Trade Talks

Horton-Tucker signs a three-year, $32 million contract with the Lakers.

It was a foregone conclusion that the Lakers would retain Horton-Tucker after denying a deal for Kyle Lowry since he was included. Some executives see Horton-Tucker, who is just 20, as a potential starter in this league. He has the ability to go to the rim and finish at a high rate (46 percent ).

Grade: B


Rudy Gay is a member of the Utah Jazz.

(via Hoops Habit)

(Image courtesy of Hoops Habit)

Gary signs a two-year, $32 million contract with the Jazz.

Rudy Gay and Mike Conley Jr. have teamed up once again. In Memphis, the old teammates used to play together. Gay could provide some scoring and rebounds off the bench. The fact that the second unit could have Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson, Joe Ingles, and Gay at the same time is what makes this agreement so unique. When it comes to depth, the Jazz have around ten guys.

Grade: A-


Deals of the Century


Chicago Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan

DeMar DeRozan Bids Goodbye To Spurs In Lengthy Tweet

NBA.com

The Deal: DeRozan signs a three-year, $85 million contract with the Bulls through a sign-and-trade deal; the Spurs get Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, a future first-round choice, and a future second-round pick.

The Bulls have gone from being an afterthought to a possible future destination for free agents. While DeRozan’s pay seems to be excessive, rumors indicated that the Clippers were close to agreeing to a contract, forcing the Bulls to raise the ante. Last season, DeRozan had a career-high 6.9 assists per game. There may be concerns about his fit, but the Bulls now have three legitimate passers in DeRozan. As the No. 4 seed, a group of Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, DeRozan, Patrick Williams, and Nikola Vucevic has a lot of potential. The Bulls have resurfaced as a viable basketball team after years of obscurity.

Grade: B-


Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry

(via NBC Sports)

(Image courtesy of NBC Sports)

Curry signs a four-year, $215 million contract deal with the Warriors.

While free agents looked for other homes, Curry ensured that Golden State would always be his home. Curry’s new contract keeps him with the club until he is 37. After this season, the contract stipulates that he would earn $48 million. In the last year, the contract will be worth $59 million. There are doubts about Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green’s core, which hasn’t played together in two years, but if the Warriors can win a title in the next several years, it will be worth it. Curry has delivered the city three titles and two MVP awards, therefore he should be respected.

Grade: A

Free agency for the NBA has come and gone, and the Los Angeles Lakers have made the biggest splash of any team by landing LeBron James. The Lakers are clearly the favorites to win the 2018-19 title — and it’s not just because of James’ presence. With that said, here are my individual free agency grades for the Lakers, and for the other teams that made moves in the offseason.. Read more about nba standings and let us know what you think.

This article broadly covered the following related topics:

  • nba news
  • nba standings
  • lakers stats
  • stephen curry news now
  • nba free agent
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