NBA Free Agents 2012: Slam Dunk Signings of the Offseason

Reflecting back on the busy NBA offseason, some teams got better, some got worse, and most probably didn’t do enough to even matter. Here’s the top three slam dunk free agent signings of 2012.

STEVE NASH, Los Angeles Lakers

Lacking the prototypical point guard in an aging Derek Fisher last season, the Lakers made a move to acquire Ramon Sessions from Cleveland. Fisher started in 43 games for L.A., averaging 3.3 assists per game. He became a spark off the bench, which is more of what could be expected from the 16-year veteran, for the Oklahoma City Thunder in their run to the finals. In 20 games with OKC, his assists/game ratio dropped to 1.4.

Enter Sessions, who did provide a boost in assists (6.2 per) in 2011-12 and was a scoring threat (12.7 per). However, Sessions’ play deteriorated late last season as his shooting went cold, and he was abused in the playoffs by the Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (not that most players aren’t). The Lakers did not think enough of Sessions to re-sign him, and now he has been relegated to NBA purgatory, the Charlotte Bobcats.

Nash became the surprise move in the offseason by signing with the Lakers. On a mediocre Phoenix Suns team, Nash still averaged 10.7 assists, while scoring 12.5 points per game. At 38, Nash is well past his prime, but he will be a major contributor for the Lakers this upcoming season.

After all, with zero pressure of having to be a scorer, all Nash has to do is get the ball in the hands of Kobe, Pau and Bynum.

RAY ALLEN, Miami Heat  

Lebron James finally got the monkey off his back by winning his first NBA title. With Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh already, the Heat still got better with the addition of Allen. After two consecutive postseason exits at the hands of the Heat as a member the Boston Celtics, Allen must have figured, "If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em."

As if the Heat didn’t have enough weapons already at their disposal, try adding the all-time career leader in three-point field goals. Allen, a 40 percent three-point shooter for his career, took less money to come to the Heat, but he must know that this is his best chance to win another title.

Already with last year’s ring under their belts, the Heat, with Allen, have to be the odds-on favorite to repeat.

DERON WILLIAMS, Brooklyn Nets

Williams stayed with the Nets over his hometown Dallas Mavericks, and the Nets have moved from pretender to contender this offseason. Not only did they hang on to the stellar point guard, but they added some key pieces around Williams (no, not Dwight Howard) to make the Nets a formidable playoff-caliber team.

Joe Johnson (17.8 career PPG) coming over from the Atlanta Hawks via trade and the retaining of Gerald Wallace (13.5 career PPG) take a huge scoring load off of Williams (17.6 career PPG). Plus getting Brook Lopez (17.4 career PPG) back from injury is as if the Nets add yet another piece to the fold.