NBA Free Agent moratorium is over: Each teams grade after a week of free agency
The NBA free agent moratorium has come to a close, and we are here to grade each team from 1-30 based on the deals they struck over the last week.
There is plenty to come in the near future as the futures of some of the biggest stars in the game are still to be determined, but in the mean time the NBA Free Agency moratorium has come to a close and here are our grades for each team from Atlanta to Washington.
Atlanta Hawks: B
• Aaron Holiday agrees to 1-year deal
The Hawks made one of the moves of the off season by bringing in Dejounte Murray from the Spurs. He will be a very welcomed addition for Trae Young in the back court. Anthony Holiday will give them some added securtiy at the point guard position.
Boston Celtics: D
Luke Kornet won’t be the missing piece to the Celtics roster they need to win their 18th NBA title. But there’s not much that that starting five needs to be back where they were this season.
• Luke Kornet returns on 2-year deal
Brooklyn Nets: F
This was a disastrous week for the Nets who might see both of their super stars on their way out before tip off next season. Their signings were overshadowed by the blockbuster news of Kevin Durant’s possible departure.
• Nic Claxton returns on 2-year deal
• Patty Mills returns on 2-year deal
• T.J. Warren agrees to 1-year deal
Chicago Bulls: A
The Bulls might be the winners of the week. They kept Zach LaVine, one of the main targets of the market. Bringing in Goran Dragic and Andrew Drummond is going to add depth to this roster who flattened out at the end of the year.
• Zach LaVine returns on 5-year deal
• Goran Dragic agrees to 1-year deal
• Andre Drummond agrees to 2-year deal
• Derrick Jones Jr. returns on 2-year deal
Cleveland Cavaliers: B-
Extending Darius Garland long term is always a plus. The All-Star was the Cavs best player until injuries got the best of him. How Ricky Rubio returns from a knee injury remains to be seen. Neto and Lopez will be used to chip in minutes here and there.
• Darius Garland agrees to 5-year extension
• Ricky Rubio returns on 3-year deal
• Raul Neto agrees to 1-year deal
• Robin Lopez agrees to 1-year deal
Dallas Mavericks: B
Luka Doncic finally gets the big man he needs down low. JaVale McGee knows what it’s like to win championships and will add some added maturity in the locker room.
• JaVale McGee agrees to 3-year deal
• Theo Pinson returns on 1-year deal
Denver Nuggets: B
The MVP stays put for the next half decade and the Nuggets fans breathe a collective sigh of relief. DeAndre Jordan will be more of a hype man than a contributor but he’s a good guy to have on the bench. Bruce Brown had a great end of the season and will a big addition to the back court offensively and defensively.
• Nikola Jokic agrees to 5-year extension
• DeAndre Jordan agrees to deal
• Davon Reed returns on 2-year deal
• Bruce Brown agrees to 2-year deal
Detroit Pistons: C+
Not much on a bang for the Pistons who have a nice core of youngsters to build around, so not much was needed.
• Kevin Knox agrees to 2-year deal
• Marvin Bagley III returns on 3-year deal
Golden State Warriors: B-
Keeping Kevon Looney is a good thing. He’s a defensive presence and shoots a great percentage in the Warriors system. Donte DiVencenzo is coming off of an injury, but if he comes back full strength he will he welcomed with open arms in Milwaukee.
• Donte DiVencenzo agrees to 2-year deal • Kevon Looney returns on 3-year deal
Houston Rockets: D
The Rockets are in a rebuilding process, and after getting John Wall off the books they could have made a bit more noise in the market. Jae’Sean Tate is a role player that could have a bigger role in the coming years.
• Jae’Sean Tate returns on 3-year deal
Indiana Pacers: D-
The Indiana Pacers needed much more than Jalen Smith to keep them from being one of the bottom teams in the league next year.
• Jalen Smith returns on 2-year deal
LA Clippers: A
Big Bang in LA coming out of the moratorium, and it’s not from the Lakers side of the Crypto.com Arena. Getting John Wall is risky given his attendance has been far from perfect in the last three season. If they get a Wall looking for redemption, watch out, and for two years and $13 million? Check please! Nicolas Batum adds experience, and keeping Ivica Zubac who a guaranteed double double every game is huge. Watch out for the Clips next year.
• Nicolas Batum returns on 2-year deal
• Amir Coffey returns on 3-year deal
• John Wall agrees to 2-year deal
• Ivica Zubac agrees to extension
Los Angeles Lakers: C-
The Lakers needed a ton this off season, and they aren’t off to the most impressive start. I like JTA going to LA, he should inject a bit of youth in an ancient team, but the rest of the guys make me wonder if the Lakers are looking to make a trade before the season starts.
• Juan Toscano-Anderson agrees to deal
• Troy Brown Jr. agrees to deal
• Thomas Bryant agrees to 1-year deal
• Damian Jones agrees to deal
• Lonnie Walker agrees to 1-year deal
Memphis Grizzlies: B+
Two guys who were crucial to the Grizzlies season come back. Ja is staying in Memphis long term and that spells trouble for the Western Conference.
• Tyus Jones returns on 2-year deal
• Ja Morant agrees to 5-year extension
Milwaukee Bucks: B
Bringing Bobby Portis back on a four year deal will make Bucks fans very happy. He’s a fan favorite and Joe Ingles could grow into now in his one year deal. Brining in Serge Ibaka is an interesting move, but Brook Lopez showed last year that he is not as durable as he used to be.
• Bobby Portis returns on 4-year deal
• Joe Ingles agrees to 1-year deal
• Wesley Matthews returns on 1-year deal
• Jevon Carter returns on 2-year deal
• Serge Ibaka returns on 1-year deal
Minnesota Timberwolves: A-
Getting Rudy Gobert from in a trade does two things. Gives the T’Wolves that defensive presence they have needed, and frees up Karl-Anthony Towns from having to bang down low possession after possession.
• Kyle Anderson agrees to 2-year deal
• Karl-Anthony Towns agrees to 4-year extension
• Bryn Forbes agrees to deal
• Taurean Prince returns on 2-year deal
New Orleans Pelicans: B-
It’s a gamble that’s for sure. The big man who has played a third of the games since he’s arrived in the NBA gets a max contract. There’s no question when he’s on the floor he’s a game changer. But will he be on the floor?
• Zion Williamson agrees to 5-year extension
New York Knicks: B+
Jalen Brunson was one of the targets of the free agent market and he lands in the Big Apple. Mitchell Robinson sticks around to keep the core of the team stable, and Isaiah Hartenstien is an all heart guy that New Yorkers will love.
• Jalen Brunson agrees to 4-year deal
• Mitchell Robinson returns on 4-year deal
• Isaiah Hartenstein agrees to 2-year deal
Oklahoma City Thunder: B-
Lu Dort got a fat contract from the the Thunder, and now he’s got to show what he’s made of. OKC have bet heavy on their young talent, but this team may be better than we think sooner than we think.
• Luguentz Dort returns on 5-year deal
Orlando Magic: C+
The Magic is another team that in banking on their young guys. Mo Bamba stays put and Gary Harris keeps another double digit scorer around.
• Gary Harris agrees to 2-year extension
• Mo Bamba returns on 2-year deal
Philadelphia 76ers: C
Philly is bringing in a defensive and veteran presence to add credibility to their title aspirations. P.J Tucker has been to at least the Conference Finals the last two years and won it all with the Bucks two years ago. James Harden is still up in the air so until they get that situation under control we can’t go higher than a C.
• P.J. Tucker agrees to 3-year deal
• Danuel House agrees to 2-year deal
Phoenix Suns: B-
The Suns lock on to one of the games best scores for another four years. That’s good news in Phoenix. They are in danger of losing DeAndre Ayton and if they do that will leave a big hole in the mid paint.
• Devin Booker agrees to 4-year extension
• Damion Lee agrees to 1-year deal
• Bismack Biyombo agrees to new deal
• Josh Okogie agrees to 1-year deal
Portland Trail Blazers: B-
Simons got one of the most eye opening contracts of free agency, which you either love or hate if your a Portland fan. Jusuf Nurkic stays on board in Portland which secure the center spot for the next few years. Watch out for Gary Payton II who has could be a shot of life for the Blazers.
• Anfernee Simons agrees to 4-year extension
• Jusuf Nurkic returns on 4-year deal
• Drew Eubanks returns on 1-year deal
• Gary Payton II agrees to 3-year deal
Sacramento Kings: D
The good news for Malik Monk is he is reunited with his best bud, De’Aaron Fox. If that will be enough to turn the tides in Sacramento is doubtful.
• Malik Monk agrees to 2-year deal
San Antonio Spurs: D-
The Spurs traded away Dejounte Murray and brough in Gorgui Dieng. They come out losing 10 out of 10 times in the deal. It smells like rebuilding in San Antonio, for yet another year.
• Gorgui Dieng agrees to a 1-year deal
Toronto Raptors: B-
Chris Boucher got slap-yo-mama money from the Raptors. It’s time for him to show up north of the border. Getting Otto Porter Jr. won’t hurt the Raptors. He’s a solid defender, an NBA Champions and a reliable three point shooter.
• Chris Boucher returns on 3-year deal
• Otto Porter Jr. agrees to 2-year deal
• Thaddeus Young returns on new deal
Utah Jazz:
• No reported signings yet
Washington Wizards: B-
The Wizards bring back Bradley Beal, and they make him one of the highest paid players in NBA history. They weren’t a great team even with him, and their other signings aren’t going to make a huge difference in the nation’s capital.
• Bradley Beal agrees to 5-year extension
• Anthony Gill returns on new deal
• Delon Wright agrees to 2-year deal
In principal, these deals have been agreed on, but neither party to put pen to paper until the end of the moratorium, which ended at 12:01 p.m. ET.