NBA free agency 2024: Grading the most interesting moves, including the 76ers’ big splashes

More than 36 hours have passed since the NBA free agency negotiating window opened, and we’ve already seen future Hall of Famers Paul George, Chris Paul and Klay Thompson switch teams.

Let’s grade some of the most interesting acquisitions in free agency, baking in elements such as contract, age, presumed fit and overall organizational direction.

Contract: 3 years, $50 million
Presumed role: Starter

In the NBA Finals, it became unmistakably clear the Mavericks needed a shot-maker who isn’t Luka Dončić or Kyrie Irving.

Josh Green couldn’t get it done. Nor could Tim Hardaway Jr. So the Mavericks decided to go out and acquire the second-best shooter of all time.

Thompson clearly isn’t who he used to be, nor will he ever return to All-NBA status, but the man can still shoot the heck out of a basketball, which seems kind of important in the year 2024.

The Mavericks are banking that the importance of shooting doesn’t go away next season. They might be onto something. Grade: A-

Contract: 2 years, $70 million
Presumed role: Star(ter)?

Harden is getting up there in age and has enough to make a ’65 Mustang blush.

That’s why $35 million per year for him, at first glance, seems a little steep. After all, his physical decline initiated some time ago, and it’s clear it’s affected his consistency.

However, a two-year contract in the NBA is viewed as short, and this allows the Clippers to get the most out of him in the time he’s got left as a high-end starter.
Grade: B+

Contract: 5 years, $90 million
Presume role: Starter

Say what you will about the Bulls – and a lot can be said – but they flat-out know how to get their restricted free agents back at a good price point.

Williams is a 6-foot-8 wing/big who can defend multiple positions and hit the 3-ball at a high rate, which most teams covet. A rookie contract that came and went without a breakout likely soured some teams on him, but at 22 there’s time for Williams to take a leap.

For what the Bulls are paying – $18 million per year – they’ve, at the very least, secured a stable two-way forward for the next half decade.
Grade: A-

Contract: 4 years, $212 million
Presumed role:…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-free-agency-2024-grading-the-most-interesting-moves-including-the-76ers-big-splashes-135139903.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-07-02 13:51:39

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