Day One of the NBA Free Agency period began with $3 billion in contracts being tossed out like Jazz from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. And although your team may not have made the biggest moves with superstars, they might’ve made a move that can be beneficial in the coming season.
Here are the Top 8 moves this offseason:
1. Raptors sign Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Is he on a Kawhi Leonard level? Absolutely not. But what he brings, to ANY club, is a career 10ppg-6rpg-4apg with 1 steal per game stat line on 44% shooting. That is enough to help make a team on the top half of the Eastern conference successful. With RHJ being a defensive minded wing player, he will help begin to fill the void the two-time Finals MVP is leaving behind. At a $1.6 million for a year…he should more than give a good return on investment.
2. Clippers re-sign JaMychal Green
The Clippers are already heavy championship favorites (Lakers in fo’) and this reacquisition helps an already deep rotation fill out perfectly. A big who can defend and shot 40% from beyond the arc last season, Green is coming back at a fairly cheap 2 year/$10 million dollar contract. With Kawhi and PG’s ball handling skills, they should mesh perfectly with this big man in pick and roll situations.
3. Timberwolves sign Noah Vonleh
The T-Wolves are another team getting away with a steal that can payoff handsomely for their club this season. Vonleh finally found his way last year averaging 8ppg-8rpg-2apg for the Knicks. If he can continue to grow as a defender and a rebounder, then he will be a solid big man addition alongside Karl Anthony-Towns. Things could be looking up for the franchise and this could be something that helps.
4. Warriors re-sign Kevon Looney
Lost KD, Boogie, Iggy & Klay (to injury) but kept some key pieces. The 23-year old Looney shot 65% last season and proved to be a high caliber offensive rebounder. Sensational in the pick and roll scenario, Looney should prove to be a dream come true for the newly acquired D’Angelo Russell and two time MVP Steph curry. In addition to this, he’s also able to matchup well with bruising bigs. Don’t count the Warriors out just yet.
5. Pacers sign Jeremy Lamb
Last year, Lamb had his best statistical season of his career at 15ppg-5rpg-2apg with 1 steal a night to add. At 27 years old, Lamb still has a few of his best years ahead of him. If he can continue to shoot above 35%, then he will fit perfectly alongside newly acquired Malcolm Brogdon and All-Star Victor Oladipo when he return from injury in December.
