2012 NBA Free Agency: 5 Best Underrated Free-Agency Moves This Offseason
Free agency in any sport usually has teams spending a boatload of money on undeserving players. It is the time of the year where the seven-foot player cashes in because he is seven feet tall, never mind the fact that he cannot palm a basketball.
In free agency, teams with money or championship aspirations take advantage of teams in the opposite situation. Big-named players in smaller markets ask to be traded to teams in larger markets. Everybody goes ape-bleep-crazy.
It is not for some teams. Some teams make crude decisions based off of the needs of their teams. It is their cerebral approach that puts them in the hunt for something huge. Their moves are shrewd but their moves oftentimes will make a difference in their team’s performance.
Thus far in this offseason five teams have got it right. Whether it was a bold move or a series of moves, their teams should be in the playoff chase or considered as championship dark horses. Read further to find out which teams made the five best underrated free-agency moves this offseason.
Jeremy Lin Signs Three-Year $25 Million Offer Sheet with the Rockets
1 of 6I am certain that the Rockets have ticked off some league officials but signing Jeremy Lin to an offer sheet was genius.
When you look at the financial specifics of $5 million the first year, $5.5 million the second and the poison pill of $14.8 million for the third year, one gets nervous. Instantly you say that the Rockets were stupid. I on the other hand disagree.
Lin puts butts in seats! The Rockets are desperate for star players and although the turnover-prone Lin is not a star, he is polarizing enough to have fans glued to their seats.
Remember that Yao Ming wore the Rockets jersey and was a multiple time NBA All-Star. If Lin can average 15 points and seven assists a game, I can see the fans voting him in as an All-Star. Consider that as $25 million well spent.
Pacers Inking of Gerald Green
2 of 6When I found out that the Pacers signed Gerald Green to a deal I shook my head in disbelief. Why? Well I make no apologies for being a Bulls fan but, I had to concede the Central Division to the Pacers. While the lifeless Bulls fell asleep, the Pacers swooped in.
Before the move I felt that the Pacers were already dark horses to win the NBA title but this move solidifies them as one of the top teams in the NBA.
Did they need a scorer? Yes they did and they went out and got one without breaking the bank.
The Suns' Offseason as a Whole
3 of 6The Rockets get mentioned a second time. This time it is for their foolishness in amnestying Luis Scola, whom the Suns wasted no time in claiming through the amnesty waiver period.
The addition of Scola capped off an offseason that included bringing back an improving Goran Dragic in a four-year deal worth $30 million. The Suns also signed Michael Beasley to a three-year $18 million contract.
The moves the Suns made were cost-efficient ones that will still leave them with cap room to add yet another player.
Dragic should continue to get better. Scola will team with Marcin Gortat to make a solid frontcourt. As for Beasley, he gives the Suns their first player with the potential to average over 20 points a game since Amar’e Stoudemire left for the Knicks.
Speaking of the Knicks…
The Knicks: Acquiring Raymond Felton and Refusing to Match the Offer for Lin
4 of 6The Knicks bringing back Raymond Felton in a sign-and-trade and refusing to match the contract offer for Lin was great for business.
The Knicks already have a big box-office draw in Carmelo Anthony. What Anthony needs is a guy who can get him the ball and get the hell out of the way. Felton can do just that while providing enough scoring to keep teams honest.
Felton comes at a much smaller price than Lin would have and he is a good pick-and-roll guard. He can unclog the elbow area that Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire love so much by moving the basketball: something Lin struggled with even during his best games.
The Lakers Land Antawn Jamison—Maybe
5 of 6The Lakers will get more headlines for their sign-and-trade acquisition of Steve Nash but the possible signing of veteran Antawn Jamison should deserve more praise.
Nash cures the Lakers weakness at point guard but Jamison would give them scoring and rebounding coming off the bench. Jamison’s motivation to win the title will help the Lakers in their attempt unseat the Thunder in the Western Conference. His ability as a stretch-four would force defenses to guard the perimeter thus freeing up Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, if they are not traded.
Jamison is also very familiar with Lakers' coach Mike Brown who was his coach in Cleveland. While nothing is imminent, I must place this possible move on the list because if it happens, it would tip the scales in favor of the Lakers.
Oh Wait, Let's Not Forget the Losers
6 of 6There were some idiotic moves as well.
The Rockets agreeing to a three-year $25 million deal with Omer Asik serves as the biggest example of over-spending. Why did the NBA have a lockout if teams and their general managers are going to still spend money frivolously?
Add to that the Raptors signing of Landry Fields. It was allegedly done to entice Steve Nash. No Nash means no playoff bid. Good luck there!
I also cannot forget the Bulls for allowing their beloved “Bench Mob” to walk away with very little compensation if any at all. If I were giving free agency grades they would be getting a F-minus for not wanting to go over the luxury-tax threshold despite needing to fill four or five roster spots.
