NBA Free Agency 2015: Recapping the Best Early Signings
When the clock struck midnight on July 1, NBA free agency officially began, and many teams wasted no time in making deals to keep their players in town while also adding new pieces.
Free agents aren't allowed to officially sign contracts until July 10, but that hasn't stopped players and NBA executives from agreeing to deals in the early going.
Let's take a look at the best signings of the early 2015 NBA free-agency period.
.png?w=256)
DeMarre Carroll, Toronto Raptors
In what has probably been the biggest free-agent splash so far, Carroll got the payday everyone expected he would. However, instead of building on the success he had in Atlanta, Carroll will head up north to play for the Toronto Raptors.
According to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, Carroll and the Raptors have agreed to a four-year deal that will pay Carroll $15 million per year.
Carroll should be a valuable asset to the Raptors, providing excellent perimeter defense and solid outside shooting for a team that looks to move up the ranks of contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
There was very little doubt that Leonard would re-sign with San Antonio, but he now has the five-year max contract he deserves. According to ESPN.com, Leonard's five-year extension will be worth $90 million.
As a former NBA Finals MVP and reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Leonard appears to be the cornerstone around whom the Spurs will try to build in the post-Big Three era. Those plans made this deal with Leonard all the more important.
In addition to Leonard, the Spurs also reached a deal with Danny Green worth four years and $45 million, according to ESPN's Chris Broussard.
Now that Leonard and Green are taken care of, San Antonio can turn its attention to attracting other big names in free agency such as LaMarcus Aldridge.
Goran Dragic, Miami Heat
After opting out of the final year of his contract, it didn't take long for Dragic to make plans to stay in Miami. Dragic was rewarded with a five-year max contract worth $90 million, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
The return of Dragic gives the Heat several pieces to rebuild around going forward, including Hassan Whiteside and the newly drafted Justise Winslow.
Dragic is a dynamic playmaker for Miami. He has the ability to break down perimeter defenders to score or distribute to the Heat's other weapons on the wings. Securing Dragic is a key part of Miami's rebuilding efforts.
It remains to be seen if Miami will work out a deal to bring back Dwyane Wade.
Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
Like several others, Middleton wasted no time in working out a deal to stay with his current team.
Middleton was one of the key players in the Bucks' run to the playoffs and got a nice raise by re-upping with Milwaukee for another five years, according to Stein.
Middleton is one several strong perimeter defenders in this free-agent class, as well as an outside shooting threat. He is also an athletic presence on the perimeter with an ability to attack the rim.
His return to Milwaukee to play with Brandon Knight, Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo should make the Bucks a team to look out for in the next few seasons.
Al Farouq-Aminu, Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers had an opening at small forward after trading Nicolas Batum to the Charlotte Hornets, one they filled quickly by reaching an agreement with Farouq-Aminu, according to ESPN.com's Tim McMahon.
After being on the fringe of the Dallas Mavericks rotation, Farouq-Aminu will have a chance to compete for a starting job right away in Portland.
Aminu struggled on offense last season, averaging just above five points per game. However, his perimeter defense should earn him a role with the Blazers, and at only 24, there is still plenty of opportunity for his offensive game to improve.
Brook Lopez, Brooklyn Nets
Lopez has been a Net since being drafted in 2008, and it appears that he plans to stay one for the foreseeable future.
Brooklyn has made a significant investment in keeping Lopez, one of the top centers in the NBA, paying him $60 million over three years, according to ESPN.com's Mike Mazzeo.
Lopez is a versatile option at center. He can battle with any big man inside but can also step outside to knock down jumpers and stretch defenses.
The Nets have also brought back Thaddeus Young with a four-year, $60 million deal. Both players had opted out of the final year of their previous contracts.
Mike Dunleavy Jr., Chicago Bulls
Although it may have been the least lucrative of the early deals, the Bulls still did well to keep Dunleavy Jr. in Chicago.
Chicago has agreed with 34-year-old Dunleavy on a three-year deal, as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski. This contract could be the final contract of his NBA career.
Dunleavy is an excellent outside shooter but also provides maturity and veteran leadership in the Bulls' locker room as they break in new head coach Fred Hoiberg.
Making a deal with Dunleavy means the Bulls can focus on their top offseason priority: re-signing Jimmy Butler.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Offseason Moves for Every Team 👉")