Best and Worst NBA Free Agent Signings of 2008
Elton Brand’s under the spotlight now.Ben Gordon’s situation pending, the NBA’s 2008 free agency signing period is pretty much over in regards to the big names (no offense, Delonte). Philly officially re-signed Andre Iguodala today for $80 million, Josh Smith’s attempt to go to Memphis was blocked by Atlanta’s $58 million concession, Gilbert Arenas climbed into the nine-figure range, and Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins bled the Warriors for a combined $120 million or so.
We also saw Josh Childress go to Greece, Carlos Arroyo head to Israel, and Jannero Pargo pack his bags for Russia to form a short, shot-jacking backcourt with Hollis Price. And on a slightly less ballerific scale, James Posey took his championship aura to New Orleans, White Chocolate went to L.A. to backup Baron, Kwame Brown opened a new chapter in Detroit, and Sebastian Telfair found some kind of stability in Minnesota.
Of this summer’s free agent signings and re-signings, what were the best and worst moves?
BEST
1. Elton Brand to Philadelphia — The Sixers are officially over the A.I. era, bringing in a All-Star certified Brand-new face of the franchise. Philly was one low-post scorer away from being a real threat in the East, and now they have that guy to the tune of 20 and 10 a night. $80 million is a big price tag for a guy some people have injury concerns about, but Elton has been a reliable workhorse aside from last season’s Achilles problem.
2. Baron Davis to the L.A. Clippers — For the first time since maybe the original Brand trade, the Clippers did something to show they mean business and want to challenge in the West. Baron will be a hit with his hometown L.A. fans, but more importantly, he can lead the Clips back to the postseason along with a buckets-friendly young supporting cast (Eric Gordon, Al Thornton, Chris Kaman) much like the one he had in Golden State.
3. James Posey to New Orleans — He probably won’t start, or average any more than 10-12 points a game and a handful of rebounds, but Posey’s value is more in the non-measurables than anything. He specializes in lock-down defense on an opponent’s superstar and timely threes when others are starting to panic in crunch time. If there was one enduring feeling from the Hornets’ Game 7 loss to the Spurs, it was, “They ain’t ready yet.” Getting Posey, who has two championship rings from the last three seasons (’06 and ‘08), signifies that maybe they are now.
4. Josh Smith back to Atlanta — After fellow ‘04 draftees Deng and Okafor set the bar at over $70 million, you figured the Hawks weren’t going to get Josh Smith back on their side for any less than $75M. On top of the rumblings that J-Smoove can’t stand coach Mike Woodson, it didn’t look like ATL would have their second-best player and defensive lynchpin for any more than half of the upcoming season; best case scenario was that Josh would sign the qualifying offer and ATL would trade him near the deadline to avoid losing him to free agency next summer. But then the Grizzlies signed Smith to a relatively cheap $58M offer sheet, and the Hawks matched it faster than it’ll take Speedy Claxton to get injured again.
WORST
1. Ricky Davis to the L.A. Clippers — Why? Why? Why? Nancy Kerrigan isn’t alone in not understanding this one. The Clips totally revamped their roster this summer to become a legit contender, including breaking the bank for Baron and stealing Marcus Camby, giving them a lineup that could be really good in the very near future. It’s obvious the goal here is to win, but what else can you say about Ricky Buckets’ track record other than he somehow brings losing with him everywhere he goes? And it’s not like the Clips were in desperate need of a volume scorer off the bench; Ricky was their second choice when the Kelenna Azubuike offer sheet fell through, and Azubuike isn’t giving anyone 20 a night. You’re already playing roulette with Baron and Camby’s injury history, why bring in Ricky to tempt fate even more?
2. Emeka Okafor back to Charlotte — Numbers-wise, Okafor’s $72 million deal is justified; there aren’t a gang of guys out there who can put up 15 points, 10 boards and block a couple of shots every night. But when you actually watch the Bobcats, has Okafor had that much of an impact on them to warrant such a big payday? The ‘Cats need what he brings to the court, but you’d have to think they could have gotten him a little cheaper. Essentially, Emeka is arguably the third-best player on a Lottery team.
3. Patrick O’Bryant to Boston — It would have killed you to draft DeAndre Jordan at No. 30? Signing a guy whose ceiling appears to be somewhere in the David Harrison ballpark is pointless when you’re trying to win championships. But at least Brian Scalabrine has some comp for “Worst Player on the Celtics.”
4. Corey Maggette to Golden State — There’s no denying Maggette will get his numbers wherever he goes, especially to a Don Nelson-coached team, but was he really what the Warriors needed? They already had Stephen Jackson at the three (who now moves to the two with Maggette’s arrival), Azubuike was a good bet to re-sign for depth at the position, and not to mention Anthony Randolph showed he could play that wing spot in a Tayshaun Prince-type capacity. Golden State’s bigger needs were in the rebounding and defense departments, which they did help address by re-signing Biedrins, but they also could have used some of the $50 million spent on Maggette to get a legit power forward.
August 18th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Rev. Paul Revere says:
The Sixers had to resign Iggy after getting Brand, but $80 million is way, way too much for a bordline All Star (who has never actually been an all star)
August 18th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Celts Fan says:
Patrick O’Bryant to Boston — It would have killed you to draft DeAndre Jordan at No. 30?
That’s what I was saying on Draft night, but this Giddnes kid seems to love being a Celtic, has been saying all the right things (Pierce is his favorite player, Celts have always been his team, the character issues are in the past and he takes responsibility for them,) and if he’s as good as he could be, we found a “replacement” for Posey. We couldn’t trot out a 6′8″ backup 5 and a 6′7″ backup 4 together this year, so we had to bet someone tall. Pat was cheap. He was COMPLETELY out of his element in the GS system. Let’s see how he does in a real offense with some NBA experience under his belt. If KG can’t get him motivated, see ya in Poland…
(and yes, I’m thinking he’ll get some use from that passport soon enough, but it’s better than paying 4X that for Kwame!)
August 18th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Jimmy says:
A milli, a milli, a milli…………………. my bro who idolizes Big Ben thinks the best signing was that of B.Diddy and Josh Smoove, Po-Z and RJ. The worst was Iggy and Marcus Williams and Mo Williams he sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 18th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Blue says:
the best were definitely brand to philly and posey to the hornets. baron to the clips was good, but it won’t take them anywhere further than a few more wins…maybe!
in keeping with the same logic…the worst would have to be agent-0 back with the wiz. lockin’ up all that money in a superstar but non-elite player is just ridiculous. are they really any closer to a championship by resigning him for $111 million. i don’t think any other team would’ve paid that much for him. but he’s a saint for taking about $9 million less over the course of his contract…haha
August 18th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Jay26th says:
@ Blue:
I agree about the Wiz. That team will never get over the hump and they put too much money into their big three.
August 18th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Blue says:
glad you feel me on that one Jay!
the wiz are entertaining as all hell and i’m sure it’s a good investment as far as revenue for the franchise is concerned, but not a good basketball decision at all!!!
August 18th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
loganlight says:
AB you got it pretty much right on the head. I would agree with everything you said with the exception of the Corey Maggette deal… I agree with what you said about it, but there is no deal worse than Ricky Davis to LA. I will not be shocked one single second to hear that Baron Davis and Marcus Camby go down with injuries and Ricky is left alone to show Eric Gordon “how it’s done.” It could be the worst thing for the NBA since Wang Zhi Zhi.
LL
August 18th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
George W Kush Sr says:
The Wiz need a frontcourt. Badly.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Dave says:
Biedrins to head the list for worst contract
Monta Ellis is the best contract of those players coming off their rookie deals. Elton Brand the best overall. JR Smith is going to be a steal at around the MLE whenever he signs.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Josh says:
What Power Forward was there for the Warriors to sign or trade for? There was nothing available for a resonable price/cost.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
BxBaller says:
I would say one of the worst signings would be the KNicks signing Duhon. Now they’ve got a glut of guards with Marbury, Crawford, Nate, Mardy Collins, Duhon, & Anthony Roberson.
Brand to Philly was a HUGE deal for Philly. I see that team being 4th in the east, if not 3rd.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Luigi says:
Very True!…^_^ my Wiz do need a frontcourt…
Jamison is just a tweener but is a great rebounder..but horrible post D. n then Brendan Haywood..who had a breakout year. n our 1st Rd. pick. [who i saw in the mall n yelled BETTER PLAY D...n WIN A ROUND IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!] Javale McGee….he just gave me this look..like [ur retarted] look..
But it should be a mini upgrade..hes considered a project n dont forget Darius Songalia…[my mom got a photo n autograph of @ Legg Mason Tournament]…decent Mid-Range Shooter..n decent REB…
we just need to ply Post D…PLEASE!!!!!
anyways…
Good Deals
EB to Philly [Stole him]
Camby to LAC [Highway Robbery]
Boom Dizzle to LAC [Pick Pocket Stealer]
J-Smoove back to ATL [got a dollar outta 15 cents]
Monta to GSW [Good Deal]
Decent Deals
Posey to NO [Too Much for a guy who just turned 31]
Maggette to GSW [Never Really Liked this deal]
Jamison to WSH [Payed too much for him]
Iggy to PHI [Too much $]
Deng to CHI [Too Much $]
Kwame to DET [Too Much $]
Bad Deals
Buckets to LAC [History of Losing..]
Okafor to CHA [Too Much $]
Biedrins to GSW [Too unproven..with 60mill]
Gilbert to WSH [TOO Much $..coulda gotten him for 90 mill]
O’Bryant to BOS [boom-bust factor]
i think theres more but thats what i think
August 18th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
dagwaller says:
Coming from a Wiz fan: Gil didn’t deserve as much money as he got.
If you think that Okafor’s deal was bad, you have to say that Iguodala’s is bad, in my opinion. You think it’s ok to give MORE money to small forward that puts up relatively similar stats (in that they’re solid, but don’t jump off of the page at you)?
I’m a big Bulls fan, too, and Deng’s contract was pretty excessive, too. I guess these things are cyclical, but this reminds me of a few draft classes from the 90s that gave the League a bad name overpaying the good players. Ok, so I’m mainly thinking of Juwan Howard with Washington, but still.
August 18th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Luigi says:
yeah my wiz management is improving but this might cost them for the long run….the only way the Wiz win the Title..let alone a series or 2…Gilbert needs to turn to Alex English/Sidney Monrief + Scottie Pippen Defense…
its either the signing of Arenas n Jamison puts us at the top or this adds to the long list of blunders we have made
-Rip for J-Stack…
-Juwan Howard..
-Letting Sheed Go
-Trading for MITCH RICHMOND! [who broke his J]
but i agree what ur saying..i think Okafor isnt really a force he was supposed to be when he came out of college..n iggys contract is decent…because Philly thinks he can be the MAN who takes the last shot..kinda like finley in dallas..
August 18th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Bron42 had springs before slamball says:
you can’t really hate on teh wiz when gil pretty much reinvented them himself. they havn’t had this much attention since MJ was pinnin ron mercer in his 40s. If he stays healthy (big if) then its worth it but they need post players to step up and slow people down. The big 3 can usually score so if the big guys aren’t gonna they need to at least be inforcers ala dennis rodman or just be efficient like bill wennington lol
August 19th, 2008 at 2:27 am
Luigi says:
true…thats why our X factor consists of Nick Young and Brendan Haywood. n also Etan Thomas..who is returning from heart surgery..[i think]
August 19th, 2008 at 6:02 am
luckylester says:
At least when the Knicks signed Duhon they finally got a point guard on the roster. He can also play a little defense. I don’t think too much of the kid, but a two guard he isn’t, so really, he could find a starting gig in NY.
August 19th, 2008 at 6:08 am
luckylester says:
But most importantly, who is Josh Smith’s agent and he better be getting $35 a year and nose-bleed tickets for the crappy ass job he’s doing. That kid is a rising star in this league that can play D and dunk with the best of them and he gets 56 mill? For 50 grand I could have gotten him 75 - and if I didn’t, I would have gotten him to take the one year tender and roll out to the highest bidder next year. 56 million - what a joke. That agent probably has one damn job, too, J.Smith, and he can’t even do that ish right.
August 19th, 2008 at 6:50 am
Coop says:
Deals in order of quality, in my opinion:
Brand
Camby
Iggy
Smith
Deng
Diddy
Jamison
Gilbert
Beidrins
Monta
Maggette
After Diddy the deals are all bad, and I ranked Smith’s signing below Iggy’s because Atl took way too long which has pissed Smith off no end and he’s their main building block (along with Joe). If they end up having to trade him (which seems likely) then ATL’s reluctance to do ANYTHING will be their undoing.
August 19th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Matt says:
Best signing under the radar is Roger Mason Jr going to The Spurs. His 3 point accuracy will make him a beast playing off of Tim, Manu and Tony. Watch him prosper as the next great pick up for the quiet dynasty!
August 19th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Luigi says:
i agree. with u matt. Roger Mason was a vital 3 pt shooter for us in WSH..i cant believe we let him go.
August 19th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Coop says:
‘playing OFF Tim’
Learn it.
Mason wasnt going to win you many more games was he.
August 19th, 2008 at 10:00 am
rell says:
@AB
I agree with your list but I would have put Josh Smith at #3 because ATL got him for dirt cheap at 58 million. J. Smith got only 8 million more than Corey Maggette. J. Smith only gets about 1.6 million more per year than Bedrins. The more I think about J. Smith should be #1 with the best contract.