2014 NBA Offseason: Ranking the 10 Most Game-Changing Acquisitions
The 2014 NBA offseason was a rush of signings and rumors, no different than any other year. So now that the dust has settled to some degree, we can begin to see which signings will make the biggest impact on their team.
In order to better rank these offseason acquisitions I have decided to rank players on a scale of 1-5 in three different categories: price, talent/potential and team fit. Therefore, a "perfect" acquisition would be represented by a score of 15.
Honorable Mention: Paul Pierce, Washington Wizards
1 of 11
Price- 4
Paul Pierce signed with the Wizards for $11 million over two years, a very affordable price for the veteran leader.
Talent- 3
Paul Pierce isn't the player he used to be, but he will provide valuable minutes on the wing for a Wizards team that was looking for just that with the departure of Trevor Ariza. Pierce is still a great long-range shooter and efficient scorer, who will do better with a lighter role afforded to him.
Team Fit- 3.5
The Wizards needed a wing player to replace Ariza, and after missing out or choosing to pass on several of the higher-profile players, they found their man in Pierce. "The Truth" won't give them 30+ minutes a night, but he should bring veteran leadership and grit to a young Wizards squad.
Total- 10.5
10. Josh McRoberts, Miami Heat
2 of 11
Price- 5
The Miami Heat signed McRoberts to a four-year, $23 million deal. This deal is only the 31st highest among power forwards in the NBA, at around $5 million per year. Such players as Brandon Bass and Chuck Hayes make more than McRoberts, making him a cheap pickup for the defending Eastern Conference Champions.
Talent- 3
McRoberts is a solid role player, but nothing more. The Heat were able to add a player who can contribute in a variety of ways but doesn't exactly excel at any. The former Bobcats forward averaged 8.5 points per game, 4.3 assists per game and 4.8 rebounds per game last season. He has the ability to contribute however is needed and passes exceptionally well for a big man.
Team fit- 3.5
Adding McRoberts allows the Heat to continue to play new No. 1 man, Chris Bosh, at the center position. It also gives them another stretch four to provide spacing the offense. Players like McRoberts, who can shoot and pass as a big man, allow players like Dwyane Wade to have room to operate on offense.
Total- 11.5
9. Channing Frye, Orlando Magic
3 of 11
Price- 4
Though Frye is only being paid $2 million more than his previous contract, it is for one less year and thus more expensive per year. The $8 million average on his contract is not outrageous, but it does make him the 14th highest-paid power forward/center.
Talent- 3
Frye is one of the best stretch fours in the league, shooting 37 percent from three-point range, while also adding over five rebounds per game. He is already 31-years-old, but players with this play-style often have longer careers due to reduced physical contact.
Team fit- 5
The Orland Magic have sorely missed Ryan Anderson since his departure. They haven't had the same spacing since he left to join the New Orleans Pelicans. The Magic were the ninth worst three-point-shooting team in the league last year and will love that part of Frye's game.
Total- 12
8. Trevor Ariza, Houston Rockets
4 of 11
Price- 4.5
The Houston Rockets acquired Ariza as part of the three-way trade that sent Omer Asik to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Rockets got Ariza on a four-year, $32 million deal that came along with a first-round pick from the Pelicans. A reasonable deal like this, combined with the pick, is a great value for a player of Ariza's talent. Especially when it was widely known Asik wanted out.
Talent- 3.5
Ariza is a solid wing player who averaged career-highs in both rebounding and three-point percentage last season. Known primarily as an athletic, rangy defender, Ariza has garnered more value by adding a more consistent outside shot.
Team Fit- 4.5
This score gets an increase solely based on how much better a fit Ariza is than the departed Asik. The Rockets knew they didn't want another year with both Asik and Dwight Howard playing together, so adding a talented wing player like Ariza is a great move for them.
Total- 12.5
7. Chandler Parsons, Dallas Mavericks
5 of 11
Price- 3
The Dallas Mavericks got the marquee young player they needed in Chandler Parsons but did pay the maximum to get him. With a deal averaging $15.4 million over three years, Parsons has become the 27th highest-paid player in the league and the highest-paid Dallas Maverick.
Talent- 5
Parsons is no doubt a superstar in the making, his talent is undeniable. The 25-year-old can score from almost anywhere on the court and averaged over 16 points per game last season while shooting 47 percent from the field. He is an above average rebounder and passer for the position as well, and he provides the type of versatility teams covet from their wing spots.
Team Fit- 5
The Dallas Mavericks were looking to spend in free agency in search of a young superstar-caliber player to pair alongside Dirk Nowitzki and Monta Ellis. The small forward spot was a position of need, and Parsons versatility will fit well with the established roster.
Total- 13
6. Luol Deng, Miami Heat
6 of 11
Price- 4
Signing Luol Deng to an affordably reported $9.7 million is a great bargain for the Miami Heat, who suddenly had around $21 million in cap space (how'd that happen?). Deng will not even be in the top-50 highest-paid players, despite being a top-50 player.
Talent- 4
Deng averaged a respectable 16 points and 6.3 rebounds per game last season, despite shooting some of the worst percentages of his career. Back on a roster with other dependable, veteran players, expect Deng to get a lot better looks and improve his numbers. Plus, at just 29, it is likely he will contribute for the duration of his contract.
Team Fit- 5
I would give this a 10 if a could. The Heat desperately needed a quality forward to soften the blow of the LeBron James departure and found the best all-around one waiting for them at a reasonable price. The Heat really have done a nice job replacing as much of LeBron's production with multiple players.
Total- 13
5. Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers
7 of 11
Price- 3
Love is a superstar, there is no doubting that, but the Cavs did give up the first-overall pick, last year's first overall pick and Thad Young to get him. The Cavs will also have to work out an expensive extension with the player after the 2015-16 season or risk him opting out of his player option for the following year. His salary is also already currently 17th highest in the league.
Talent- 5
This is a no-brainer; Love is probably a Top Five player already and is only 26-years-old. He is possibly the most versatile big man in the league, and I won't even use any further stats to further this argument because they don't do him justice. All those who point to his lack of postseason success are just trying to find any holes to poke in an ironclad player. Just wait, and see what he does with a halfway decent supporting cast.
Team Fit- 5
Watching Love drill wide-open corner threes from LeBron James and Kyrie Irving may actually be one of the most common highlights this coming season. The floor spacing he will bring, along with the outlet passes he will be throwing, will endear him to his teammates from day one.
Total- 13
4. Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves
8 of 11
Price- 4
The Timberwolves gave up their franchise player to acquire Wiggins, a steep price, but Love was probably gone anyways, so getting a potential superstar like Wiggins is a great get.
Talent- 5
Wiggins wasn't the first-overall pick for nothing; he has truly rare potential and athleticism that could make him one of the league's future best players. Experience and mental understanding are really the biggest hurdles for a player like Wiggins to overcome.
Team Fit- 5
Remember when I said Wiggins needed experience? Well there's plenty to go around in Minnesota, where Wiggins is sure to get minutes. I actually worry more for the other young players, like Glenn Robinson and Chase Budinger, who are now clearly further down the pecking order.
Total- 14
3. Lance Stephenson, Charlotte Hornets
9 of 11
Price- 5
Thank you LeBron ear-blowing incident, as you clearly left an impression on NBA execs. How is Lance Stephenson on a shorter and cheaper contract than both Chandler Parson and Luol Deng? The market for the player often called a distraction was apparently dry enough for him to agree to a short, three year, $27 million dollar contract where the third year is a team option. Therefore the Hornets can actually cut their losses after two years if "Born Ready" doesn't "grow up already."
Talent- 5
Nobody has ever really doubted Stephenson's talent or ability, he is athletic and long, while also excelling shooting or taking it to the hoop. Stephenson is an elite defensive player who will be given the opportunity to become an offensive star on this Hornets roster.
Team Fit- 4
The Hornets needed a scorer on the wing, with offensively challenged/inconsistent players like Gerald Henderson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist starting on the wing. The team does not need any distractions however, as they had such a strong locker room last season under new star player Al Jefferson and rookie head coach Steve Clifford.
Total- 14
2. Paul Gasol, Chicago Bulls
10 of 11
Price- 5
The Chicago Bulls were able to somehow sign the former Laker to a three-year, $22 million contract with the third year as a player option. That salary puts Gasol barely in the top-100 highest-paid players in the league, while also keeping his maximum years to before the Spaniard's 37th birthday.
Talent- 4.5
Gasol is still one of the most skilled and talented big men in the entire league. On an atrocious Laker team that could hardly take the double-team off him for a second, Gasol averaged 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game last season. Though he is beginning to show signs of slowing down, he has also shown his ability to adapt and play further from the basket at a high level.
Team Fit- 5
The Bulls needed another player to add to their already impressive roster and found not just that, but the perfect big man to pair with Joakim Noah. Gasol represents a vast improvement over the departed Carlos Boozer and also a different style of player than current power forward Taj Gibson.
Total- 14.5
1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
11 of 11
Price- 5
Any price for the best player on the planet would be fair, but the Cavs actually got James for only $2 million more than his previous contract with the Heat. At $20.6 million this coming season, James' contract makes him the seventh highest-paid NBA player, which is insane.
Talent- 5
I'm not gonna waste anyone's time explaining how talented LeBron is; see Best Player on the Planet Earth.
Team Fit- 5
LeBron James would fit on any team, but he works very well on this Cavs team, especially with getting players like Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love better open looks. He will help take some of the ball-handling responsibilities away from Irving, while also markedly improving a middle-of-the-road defense.
Total- 15
