Grading the Biggest NBA Offseason Trades and 2026 Free Agency Signings
The NBA offseason never slows down.
Between blockbuster trades, franchise-altering free-agent signings and under-the-radar bargains, every move has the potential to reshape the league's hierarchy.
We're grading the biggest trades and free-agent deals of the summer, as teams build for the 2026-27 season.
Lakers Trade Deandre Ayton to Wizards
1 of 58
Per ESPN's Shams Charania, the Los Angeles Lakers are trading Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards for Jaden Hardy and second-round picks in 2031 and 2032.
Ayton, 27, averaged 12.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks on 67.1 percent shooting in 72 games as the Lakers' starting center last year. Los Angeles was 5.7 points per 100 possessions worse with Ayton on the floor, however, ranking in the 23rd percentile per Cleaning the Glass.
It's actually surprising to see the Wizards give up any sort of assets to get Ayton, who will presumably be a backup behind Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr. Hardy, 23, looked like he could have been a rotation piece for them moving forward following a trade from the Dallas Mavericks after averaging 12.6 points on 42.0 percent from three in 20.4 minutes.
Hardy will make $6 million this season and has a $6 million team option for 2027-28. Whatever he can do for the Lakers is a bonus, as even getting a pair of second-round picks for Ayton while shedding $2.1 million is the big story here.
The Wizards clearly want to make a run at the playoffs. Giving Trae Young a max contract and giving up draft picks for Ayton isn't the way to get there.
Grade for Lakers: A
Grade for Wizards: D
Javonte Green Re-Signs with Pistons
2 of 58
Contract: 1 year, $3.95 million
The Detroit Pistons are bringing back Javonte Green on a one-year deal worth slightly over the veteran minimum.
Green was a steady reserve wing for Detroit last season, the team's only player to appear in all 82 games. The 32-year-old made a career-high 38.1 percent of his threes and put up 6.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in 17.6 minutes.
This is a low-risk deal and the money isn't a problem, although Green is now taking up the Pistons' final roster spot for a team that still hasn't re-signed Jalen Duren or made any significant moves. John Collins was brought in at power forward to replace Tobias Harris, although that's hardly much of an upgrade.
The Pistons will need to pull off some sort of a trade now just to open up a roster spot for Duren.
Green is fine, although it's fair to question Detroit's big-picture plan.
Grade for Pistons: B-
Dorian Finney-Smith Traded to Charlotte Hornets
3 of 58
The Houston Rockets have traded veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith and three second-round picks to the Charlotte Hornets in a salary-shedding move, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
Finney-Smith is in the second season of a four-year, $52.7 million deal he signed with the Rockets last season. The last two years are non-guaranteed, however, so the Hornets are just on the books for $13.3 million this season.
Per ESPN's Bobby Marks, the second-round picks going to the Hornets include a 2027 from the Memphis Grizzlies (which could be 31st overall!) and 2028 and 2033 selections from Houston.
For the Rockets, this move opens up the full $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception, with about $6 million projected to go to Marcus Smart. It saves Houston $20 million in payroll and luxury tax and creates a $13.3 million trade exception they can use to absorb a player for the next year.
Finney-Smith was bad last year (3.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 27.0 percent from three) but is only 33 and could be a trade candidate for contenders eyeing 3-and-D wings with size.
The Hornets sacrificed most of their mid-level exception by bringing Finney-Smith in, but retained a full $40.7 million trade exception from the LaMelo Ball deal.
This was ultimately a failed experiment for Houston, who now have to lick their wounds following a bad 2025 summer signing.
Grade for Rockets: D+
Grade for Hornets: A
Neemias Queta Signs Extension with Celtics
4 of 58
Contract Extension: 4 years, $56 million
Neemias Queta was one of the best surprises of the NBA season, earning a starting role with the Boston Celtics while averaging 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and shooting 65.3 percent overall.
He now lands a four-year, $56 million extension from the Celtics with Boston also picking up his $2.7 million team option for 2026-27.
That's an average salary of $11.74 million over the next five years for Queta, who turns 27 later this month.
Both sides should be very happy with this deal.
Quetta had accumulated about $7 million in his NBA career thus far, starting on two-way contracts. Adding $56 million is truly life changing.
For Boston, the center position is now secure for years to come between Queta and Mitchell Robinson, who signed a three-year, $47.3 million contract with the Celtics in free agency.
No matter who ends up starting, Boston only has about $27 million-ish invested into the center position between two starting-caliber options. That's good value overall.
Grade for Celtics: A-
Anfernee Simons Signs with 76ers
5 of 58
Contract: 2 years, $12.3 million
The Philadelphia 76ers are signing Anfernee Simons to a two-year, $12.3 million deal, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. That is a friggin' steal.
At this price point, Simons will fit into what's left of the Sixers' $15 million non-tax mid-level exception. The rest of it is already earmarked for Dean Wade, who's signing a four-year, $39 million deal. Getting two legitimate rotation players with this money is excellent work by Philly.
Simons profiles as a fantastic fit on a roster that currently counts Tyrese Maxey as its only lights-out shooter. The 27-year-old saw his efficiency dip after being traded from Boston to Chicago, but he promises both away-from-the-ball spacing and another layer of off-the-bounce jump-shooting.
Even with his cold finish on the Bulls factored into the equation, Simons ended the season in the 96th percentile of catch-and-shoot efficiency on treys and 90th percentile of pull-up three-point efficiency, according to BBall Index. Adding that kind of offensive punch for what amounts to less than the mini MLE is bonkers value.
Grade: A+
Tari Eason Re-Signs with Rockets
6 of 58
Contract: 5 years, $81.5 million
There are a handful of overarching philosophies that have shifted in and out of NBA basketball over the course of its history. Just a decade or so back, the Golden State Warriors were supposedly going to be the death of the center position. This summer, that's really the only position getting big paydays.
But one that's sort of transcended every dramatic change, at least recently, is the need for big wings who can guard multiple positions. Ideally, those players can hit some threes too.
Tari Eason certainly checks the former box. And though his three-point percentage is a little below average, he's good enough from out there to at least command some defensive attention.
For a contract with an average annual value that'll pay him a little less than 10 percent of 2026-27's cap, this is a good deal.
Grade: B+
Pat Spencer Signs with Suns
7 of 58
Contract: Two-way deal
Two-way players usually don't see a ton of minutes, but Pat Spencer sort of forced his way into the Golden State Warriors' rotation last season.
By the end of it, he'd averaged 18.6 minutes over 66 appearances (including 14 starts). And in the 31 games in which he logged at least 20 minutes, he averaged 11.6 points and 5.3 assists, while shooting 39.5 percent from three.
He turns 30 in July, so this is certainly an unusual use of a two-way spot (why not spend it on someone with some developmental runway?), but he'll at least add some versatility and toughness.
Grade: B
Tyus Jones Re-Signs with Nuggets
8 of 58
Contract: 1 year
After being knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves (who were without Anthony Edwards by the end of the series), the Denver Nuggets entered the offseason with a lot of questions.
Would they finally have to break up the Nikola Jokić-Jamal Murray duo? Would they be willing to spend into the second apron to re-sign Peyton Watson? Can they possibly justify just running it back?
Now months into their offseason and a couple days past the official start of free agency, all the Nuggets have done is sign Marvin Bagley to a minimum deal (actually an underrated move) and re-sign Tyus Jones to another.
In vacuums, given the cost, both deals are fine. Jones and Bagley could actually be solid contributors for the second unit.
But when fans were expecting something drastic, and several other teams are making drastic moves, Denver's summer is concerningly tame.
Grade: B
Kyle Anderson Signs with Raptors
9 of 58
Contract: 1 year, $3.9 million
The Toronto Raptors were already looking like an Eastern Conference contender after the Kawhi Leonard trade, and this is a savvy signing that should bring them even closer.
Kyle Anderson turns 33 in September, but he hasn't had a negative box plus/minus since his rookie season. He's among the league's best and most creative frontcourt distributors. He's a heady defender. And over the last four seasons, he's seemingly fixed one of his only glaring flaws. In that stretch, he's hit 35.5 percent of his three-point attempts.
Of course, his lack of speed might be a concern, too, especially as he ages into his mid-30s, but he has the experience and defensive IQ to overcome a lot of that downside. And Toronto is loaded with aggressive, athletic defenders.
At this price, this is a great deal for Toronto.
Grade: A
Jaylen Brown Traded to 76ers
10 of 58
76ers Receive: Jaylen Brown
Celtics Receive: Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks
The writing has been on the wall for a Jaylen Brown trade for weeks, but this news still managed to be surprising based on where he wound up.
The Philadelphia 76ers have barely been mentioned as a possibility, but as soon as this came out, they made all the sense in the world.
Brown is younger and more available than George. At this point in their careers, he's probably a better defender, too.
This is a big swing for a team that can compete for a conference finals berth if Joel Embiid is healthy in the playoffs. And having an innings eater like Brown should make it easier to be very gentle with Embiid's regular-season minutes.
For the Celtics, things had clearly gotten untenable between Brown and the organization. And getting multiple first-rounders for him, considering how widely accepted his future departure was, is good value.
Plus, though he's entering his age-36 season, George can still be helpful in a complementary role next to Jayson Tatum (and will be more willing to be in that role).
He shot 39.2 percent from deep in 2025-26, and had a worlds-better assist-to-turnover ratio than Brown.
76ers Grade: A
Celtics Grade: A
Walker Kessler Traded to Lakers
11 of 58
The Los Angeles Lakers landed a much-needed center in Walker Kessler, giving him a four-year, $130 million in a sign-and-trade agreement.
Kessler was a restricted free agent, so the Utah Jazz had the right to match any offer sheet he signed. To convince the Jazz to let him go, the Lakers had to give up a massive haul of picks and swaps, including unprotected first-rounders in 2031 and 2033 and first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030.
ESPN's Shams Charania also reports that Kessler received a full trade kicker and player option in the final year of the deal.
This is exactly the type of player the Lakers needed to help cover for Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves defensively, as Kessler is a monster in the paint.
The 7'2", 245-pounder challenges anything and everything at the rim. He's averaged 2.4 blocks in 25.3 minutes throughout his four-year career and held opponents to just 54.8 percent shooting at the rim in 2024-25. Kessler's 7.5 contested shots at the rim were tied for third in the NBA that year.
Notice this was two seasons ago, however. Kessler played just five games in 2025-26 following shoulder surgery and was limited to 58 the year before. Durability has been an issue in his short career.
The money here is fine. An average of $32.5 million a year is very fair for a center of his caliber, especially if he keeps putting up double-doubles and being an elite defender.
The value of picks going back to the Jazz is atrocious, however.
Los Angeles and Rob Pelinka essentially gave up all their remaining assets for a center who's coming off a major surgery. If this team isn't good enough to chase titles in the West with the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, the Lakers are stuck.
Grade for Lakers: C
Marvin Bagley Signs with Nuggets
12 of 58
Contract: 1 year, minimum
Denver Nuggets fans may not be thrilled with their team's first move of what feels like a wildly consequential offseason, but this one could be helpful.
Marvin Bagley III may still be defined by the fact that he was taken one pick ahead of Luka Dončić. He'll likely never live up to his status as a second overall pick.
But he has quietly developed into a quality backup big. He's averaged 19.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 blocks per 75 possessions over the last three years. And if he can continue to produce like that on a veteran minimum salary, this deal will be well worth it.
Grade: B+
Santi Aldama Traded to Mavericks
13 of 58
Grizzlies Receive: AJ Johnson, a protected 2030 first-round pick and two second-round picks
Mavericks Receive: Santi Aldama
The Memphis Grizzlies already drafted Cameron Boozer and traded Ja Morant this summer. It's clear they're leaning even further into their rebuild, and Santi Aldama, though he's certainly not long in the tooth, doesn't fit as well as he did a couple years ago.
Getting a first-round pick from him would be a win, but there's a pretty good chance this deal won't convey that. The pick referenced in Shams Charania's post is protected for spots 1 through 20, and if it lands in that range, it turns into another second.
Still, Aldama doesn't make as much sense on Memphis' current timeline, and three seconds and a 21-year-old former first-round pick is a good haul for him.
At the same time, it's not an oppressive price for a Mavericks team that's much closer to competitiveness. Dallas will have Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving in its rotation this season.
Adding a versatile, 25-year-old forward who's hit 36.1 percent of his three-point attempts over the last two seasons will make them an even tougher out.
Of course, it also wouldn't be all that difficult to justify slow-playing the build around Flagg. Trading Kyrie, depending on the return, wouldn't be crazy, but it's hard to fault any organization for wanting to win.
Grizzlies Grade: B+
Mavericks Grade: B-
Tobias Harris Signs with Spurs
14 of 58
Contract: 2 years, $31 million
Tobias Harris is joining the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs on a two-year, $31 million deal, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
The deal uses all of San Antonio's non-taxpayer mid-level exception. The Spurs will be about $4.5 million under the luxury tax with two roster spots left to fill.
Harris was essentially replaced with John Collins by the Detroit Pistons, despite being their second offensive option during the playoffs. The 33-year-old averaged 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists while making 36.8 percent of his threes.
His role is unclear at this point.
Is Harris the team's new starting power forward over Julian Champagnie, who just signed his own extension? Harrison Barnes is back on a one-year deal as well. The Spurs are plenty deep besides Victor Wembanyama heading into next season.
The full mid-level exception seems a little high for Harris, especially since he'll turn 34 in a few weeks. If the second year turns out to be a team option, this won't be as bad. San Antonio could always use his contract in a future deal.
Harris is a trusted veteran who brings 81 games of playoff experience from his time with the Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers. That matters for a team with so many key players still on rookie deals.
Grade for Spurs: B (B+ if second year is team option)
Mitchel Robinson Signs with Celtics
15 of 58
Contract: 3 years, $47.4 million
In a huge loss for the New York Knicks and significant gain for the Boston Celtics, Mitchell Robinson has agreed to a three-year, $47.4 million deal to switch East contenders, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
Robinson, 28, averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks in 19.6 minutes last season while shooting 72.3 percent, primarily as a reserve. He's one of the better rim protectors in the NBA and is a massive defensive force at 7'0" and 240 pounds.
The Celtics got productive center play from Neemias Queta last season after losing Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford to a trade and free agency, although Robinson is a better, more experienced option who should become Boston's starting center.
The money will be coming out of the Celtics' mid-level exception, which hard caps them at the first apron. ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the third year is a player option for Robinson.
The Knicks couldn't have kept their center and stayed under the second apron, and this switch to the rival Celtics will be extra painful to watch next season for New York.
With the Los Angeles Lakers looming as a center-needy team with cap space, the Celtics did very well to land Robinson for their mid-level exception.
Grade: A
Jaxson Hayes Signs with Jazz
16 of 58
Contract: 2 years, $12 million
The Utah Jazz may have felt a need for frontcourt depth after completing the sign-and-trade that sent Walker Kessler to the Lakers, but this feels like an odd way to get it.
Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jusuf Nurkić and Kyle Filipowski are all under contract. There's enough size and talent on the wings for some of those players to play the 4.
At most, it feels like Utah should've gone for a young or unproven talent on a minimum deal. Giving the 26-year-old Hayes $6 million a year is a bit of a head-scratcher.
Still, Hayes is a good athlete and rim-runner. He had a well-above-average box plus/minus last season. And $6 million is a pretty small chunk of a $165 million cap.
This is probably fine, even if it's a bit confusing.
Grade: C
Jonathan Isaac Re-Signs with Magic
17 of 58
Contract: 1 year
The Orlando Magic released Jonathan Isaac earlier this offseason, but that was obviously just a precursor to this.
He was limited to 52 games and 10.0 minutes per game last season, but he's a good enough defender and leader that Orlando wanted him back.
With the Magic also signing Nikola Vučević, there may not be a much bigger role for him, but at the veteran minimum, this is probably a fine deal.
Grade: B
Kelly Oubre Signs with Pacers
18 of 58
Contract: 2 years, $17 million
A healthy Indiana Pacers team will be a force in the East once again next year and just got a little more dangerous on the wing.
Kelly Oubre Jr. and the Pacers agreed on a two-year, $17 million contract per ESPN's Shams Charania. Yahoo Sports' Kelly Iko reports that there are no fully guaranteed options in the contract.
Oubre, 30, averaged 14.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals while shooting 36.0 percent from three for the Philadelphia 76ers last season, starting 41 of his 50 games. He'll presumably come off the bench for Indiana, as part of a second unit that also includes Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker, TJ McConnell, Jay Huff, Ben Sheppard and others.
The Pacers needed some wing scoring after trading Bennedict Mathurin to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the deal to acquire Ivica Zubac.
This does mean that the notoriously cheap ownership group in Indiana is staring at a roster that's $6.5 million over the luxury tax line.
The value for Oubre at just over $8 million per year is good, although hopefully it doesn't force the front office to trim payroll somewhere else.
Grade for Pacers: A-
Collin Sexton Signs with Lakers
19 of 58
Contract: 2 years, $19 million
In one final (?) bit of business, the Los Angeles Lakers used their remaining spending power to sign Collin Sexton to a two-year, $19 million deal.
After using all of their cap space on Walker Kessler, and Quentin Grimes, the Lakers used their $9.4 million room mid-level exception on Sexton.
The 27-year-old will now join his fifth team in six seasons, having spent 2025-26 with the Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls. He averaged 15.4 points, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals and shot 40.1 percent from three overall.
With their starting backcourt already in place, Sexton becomes the Lakers' new sixth man. A combo guard, Sexton could pair with either Luka Dončić or Austin Reaves at times. He's a serviceable defender who gives good effort most of the time.
A player option in the second year means this could be a short stay for Sexton, as a strong season may see him opt out and get a raise elsewhere.
At just $9.4 million this season, however, the Lakers did well to land a new sixth man.
Grade for Lakers: A-
Sandro Mamukelashvili Signs with Lakers
20 of 58
Contract: 4 years, $52 million
After acquiring their new starting center, the Los Angeles Lakers may have a fresh starter at power forward as well.
Sandro Mamukelashvili has agreed to a four-year, $52 million contract to leave the Toronto Raptors and join Los Angeles. ESPN's Shams Charania also reports that the fourth year is a player option.
Long one of the most underrated big men in the NBA during his time with the San Antonio Spurs and Raptors, the 27-year-old had a breakout season in 2025-26.
Mamukelashvili finished 10th in Sixth Man of the Year, averaging 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 52.3 percent overall and 38.9 percent from three. He's got a big, strong 6'9" frame with a smooth stroke from the outside.
Coming off a year where he made just $2.4 million, this is a massive raise for Mamukelashvili, but not a bad value for the Lakers if he plays like he did last year.
The question becomes if he can hold up defensively as a starting power forward, or if most of his minutes will come as a backup behind Walker Kessler. As a starting four, this is a great deal. As a backup center, not so much.
Ideally, Los Angeles could have landed him for a little cheaper than this, although Mamukelashvili is a really good player who helps teams win.
Grade for Lakers: B+
Quentin Grimes Signs with Lakers
21 of 58
Contract: 4 years, $60 million
The spending continues for the Los Angeles Lakers, as they inked shooting guard Quentin Grimes to a four-year, $60 million contract.
Grimes, 26, is a little undersized for the wing at 6'4", although this isn't as much of an issue for the Lakers who employ a 6'8" point guard. Los Angeles should be able to play Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Grimes all at the same time with little issues.
In his 19 starts for the Philadelphia 76ers last season, Grimes averaged 16.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists. He made 38.3 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes on the season and should cross the 40.0 percent mark playing alongside Dončić.
Grimes is going to be tasked with defending the opponent's best guard on a nightly basis, which is more important than anything he'll bring to the table offensively. Overall, this looks like a really nice signing for Los Angeles.
Grade for Lakers: A-
De'Anthony Melton Re-Signs with Warriors
22 of 58
De'Anthony Melton has agreed to a two-year, $11 million deal to return to the Golden State Warriors after previously turning down a $3.4 million player option.
Melton gets a raise here and a player option in Year 2, allowing him to hit free agency again if he wishes. His signing will likely be done using the $5.5 million bi-annual exception, preserving the Warriors' mid-level exception for a run at LeBron James.
Melton made his regular season debut on Dec. 4 last year after recovering from a torn ACL that wiped out nearly his entire 2024-25 season. He averaged 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals and shot 40.7 percent overall.
Golden State has to hope his late season resurgence was a good sign of things to come. After struggling with his shooting all year (29.4 percent from three), Melton connected on 40.9 percent of his outside shots over the last five games of the regular season.
At 28 and a good defender when healthy, Melton will be important for the Warriors' depth this season with or without James.
Grade for Warriors: B
Nikola Vučević Signs with Magic
23 of 58
Contract: 1 year, $3.9 million
The Orlando Magic are reuniting with former franchise standout center Nikola Vučević, per ESPN's Shams Charania. The deal is for $3.9 million over one year, the veteran minimum for a player with 10 or more years of service.
Vučević, 35, played for Orlando from 2012 to 2021, coming to the franchise in the Dwight Howard deal. His trade to the Chicago Bulls netted the Magic current center Wendell Carter Jr. and first-round picks that would later become Franz Wagner and Jett Howard.
Vučević is still a productive offensive center at his age and was making $21.4 million last season, so getting him at the minimum is a steal for Orlando.
The Magic's woeful offense has plagued them for years, ranking 18th overall in the regular season in 2025-26 and dead last among all 16 playoff teams.
The two-time All-Star isn't going to offer any rim protection, although Vučević is a good rebounder, underrated passer and effective floor-spacer from the center position. He made 40.2 percent of his threes for the Bulls just two seasons ago.
Vučević as a starter playing 30 minutes a night is too much of a defensive liability. As a backup playing 10-to-15, he'll help this offense get out of the mud. The value for Orlando here was too good to pass up.
Grade: A
Mike Conley Signs with Celtics
24 of 58
Contract: 1 year, $3.9 million
The Boston Celtics' locker room got a major addition with veteran point guard Mike Conley Jr., who signs a one-year deal likely worth the veteran minimum of $3.9 million, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
Conley, who turns 39 in October, is one of the most respected vets in the NBA. He played a key role as a starter on really good Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz playoff teams and was the perfect mentor the past three-and-a-half years for Anthony Edwards with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Celtics likely missed Jrue Holiday's leadership after trading him in a salary-shedding move last summer and now get some of that back with Conley, a former All-Star and All-Defensive team member.
As far as on-court production, Conley may not even have a rotation spot anymore. His numbers plummeted last season in Minnesota (4.5 points, 2.9 assists, 33.5 percent shooting overall in 18.4 minutes) and his defensive swing rating ranked in the 32nd percentile via Cleaning the Glass.
For the veteran minimum on a team trying to win a championship, this was a "why not?" move for Boston. Fans shouldn't expect any real impact on the court, however.
Grade: B+
Moritz Wagner Signs with Nets
25 of 58
Contract: 2 years, $19 million
The Brooklyn Nets continue to restock their frontcourt, adding Moe Wagner from the Orlando Magic for $19 million over the next two years, per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto.
The Nets and Los Angeles Lakers are the last two teams operating with cap space, although it was strange to see Brooklyn use it here.
At 29, Wagner has little upside to showcase for a rebuilding Nets team. He's been productive offensively, although isn't a good floor-spacer (31.4 percent from three last year) and is an average rebounder for his size.
Wagner, who spends most of his time at center, is one of the worst rim protectors in the entire NBA. He blocked a total of two (!!!) shots in 427 total minutes last year and allowed opponents to shoot 66.1 percent at the rim. That was nearly identical to shooting guard Buddy Hield (65.6 percent).
This was a bad signing for the Nets, who will be lucky to even get a future second-pick back for Wagner at the trade deadline.
Grade: D
Norman Powell Signs with Bulls
26 of 58
Contract: 2 years, $45 million
Norman Powell was one of the best free agents on the board and now finds a new home with the Chicago Bulls.
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Powell will get $45 million over the next two years.
The value here is good for both sides, as Powell is coming off a (generous) All-Star season while averaging 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals and shooting 38.0 percent from three.
Now, does Powell, 33, fit a rebuilding Bulls team? No.
Did he take advantage of one of the few remaining teams with cap space? Yes.
Will he be one of the biggest names on the trade block by February? Absolutely.
In the end, however, everyone gets what they want. Powell becomes the starting shooting guard in the backcourt alongside Josh Giddey in a starting five that also likely includes Matas Buzelis, No. 4 overall pick Caleb Wilson and Nic Claxton. He'll provide some steady scoring for them and should keep his numbers high as the No. 1 offensive option on most nights.
The Bulls will in turn keep tabs on his value, especially as they continue to build this team through the draft. The move did use up the remainder of Chicago's cap space, however, as they'll just have the $9.4 million room mid-level exception to pursue other free agents.
Grade: B+
Timberwolves Trade Julius Randle To Nets
27 of 58
Nets Receive: Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick
Timberwolves Receive: No. 33 pick
Bulls Receive: Nic Claxton
This is a fascinating deal for everyone involved.
With the new anti-tanking measures put in place by Adam Silver, there isn't much incentive left for losing, so the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls both getting rotation-level big men for free makes sense.
Brooklyn, specifically, gets a former All-Star whose driving game should complement Michael Porter Jr.'s shooting well.
And for the Timberwolves, getting out of the rest of Randle's contract is a major financial win.
Nets Grade: A-
Bulls Grade: B
Timberwolves Grade: B
Andrew Wiggins Signs Extension with Heat
28 of 58
Contract Extension: 2 years, $34 million
Andrew Wiggins is not only picking up his player option to stay with the Miami Heat, but also extending his contract to stay with the franchise according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line and Bleacher Report.
Wiggins is picking up his $30.2 million player option and also signing a two-year, $34 million extension, bringing his total contract value to $64.2 million over the next three years.
Expected to be the starting small forward alongside a frontcourt that now features Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, Wiggins averaged 15.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals last season while shooting 41.4 percent from three.
It's not surprising to see Wiggins stay in Miami or sign an extension, although this makes it less likely for the Heat to keep Norman Powell, an unrestricted free agent.
Miami is hard capped at the first apron following the trade for Antetokounmpo, a line they currently sit just $20.5 million below with six roster spots left to fill. Powell was an All-Star last year, averaging 21.7 points in his first season in Miami and could command well north of $20.5 million by himself.
It would have made more sense to convince Wiggins to opt out and sign a new three-year, $64 million deal starting around $20 million, giving the Heat more space under the first apron to re-sign Powell.
The overall value for Wiggins is good, but the structuring of this money will sting if Powell ends up leaving in free agency.
Grade: B-
Hornets Trade LaMelo Ball To Timberwolves
29 of 58
Timberwolves receive: LaMelo Ball, Josh Green
Hornets receive: Naz Reid, 2033 first-round pick (unprotected), three first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029 and 2030, and three second-round picks in 2029, 2032 and 2033.
The Timberwolves undoubtedly got the best player in this deal (plus Josh Green, who could be a nice addition to the depth).
Ball was 12th in the league in EPM last season, tied with Cade Cunningham and ahead of Anthony Edwards. He's one of the best and most audacious creators in the NBA.
If you look at this through the "Timberwolves swapped Julius Randle for LaMelo Ball" prism (which might be unavoidable when those two trades are combined), this is an obvious win.
But there are very real risks here.
Beyond all the games Ball has missed over the course of his career (probably the biggest concern), he's very much a ball-in-hand guard. Edwards is too. There will absolutely be an adjustment period for both.
In the long run, assuming Ball can stay relatively healthy, it could be a good thing. More catch-and-shoot opportunities could help Edwards' efficiency. Ditto for Ball, but it'll take some time to find the right balance.
Hornets Grade: B+
Timberwolves Grade: B-
Hornets Trade Miles Bridges To Phoenix Suns
30 of 58
Suns receive: Miles Bridges, 2029 first-round pick, 2027 second-round pick
Hornets receive: Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale, 2033 first-round pick
From a very simple "who got the best player in the deal" perspective, you can talk yourself into this move for the Suns.
Bridges is probably more talented individually than either of Allen or O'Neale. Over his last four campaigns, he's averaged 19.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He's one of the league's more exciting at-the-rim threats. And at least in theory, he has the size and athleticism to be a switchable defender.
But he's almost certainly going to have to be even better than he's been in those recent campaigns to make this deal age well for Phoenix.
Hornets Grade: A
Suns Grade: C-
Kristaps Porziņģis Signs Extension with Warriors
31 of 58
Contract Extension: 2 years, $40 million
In an NBA that includes Joel Embiid and Ja Morant, Kristaps Porziņģis might be the single biggest availability concern in the league.
Years of mixed messaging on long-term illness and averaging fewer than 50 appearances per season, at the very least, puts him in that conversation.
But when he's available, KP's unique combination of size, outside shooting and rim protection make him incredibly effective. And he brings a dynamic to the Stephen Curry-era Golden State Warriors that they've never really had.
And the front office looks ready to bank on the optimistic outlook, as it just gave him a two-year deal for $40 million (with the second season being a player option).
In today's NBA, that's really not much for a starting center (the salary cap in 2026-27 is $165 million), though it does come with the risk of costing more per game played than most other big men's deals.
And, it may make it tougher to sign LeBron James (assuming Golden State's serious about doing that). According to Charania and Bobby Marks, this deal may eat into the amount of money Golden State can offer as a mid-level exception.
Grade: C+
Marcus Smart Signs with Rockets
32 of 58
Contract: 2 years, $13 million
The exodus from the Los Angeles Lakers continues as Marcus Smart has agreed to join the Houston Rockets on a two-year, $13 million deal.
ESPN's Shams Charania also reports that the second year is a player option.
Smart joins his former head coach Ime Udoka, who he won Defensive Player of the Year under and went to the NBA Finals with in 2021-22 with the Boston Celtics.
The Rockets were doomed by poor guard play last season after Fred VanVleet tore his ACL right before the year began. VanVleet is back on a $25 million player option and Houston signed veteran shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanović while drafting Ohio State star guard Bruce Thornton with the first pick in the second round.
Smart isn't a true point guard, although he's a steady ball-handler who can defend multiple positions with his strength at 6'3" and 220 pounds. The 32-year-old had a swing rating of plus-8.9 for the Lakers last season, ranking in the 92nd percentile via Cleaning the Glass.
His signing still leaves about $28.5 million of space below the second apron, giving the Rockets a good chunk of money to re-sign restricted free agent Tari Eason.
This was a great deal for Houston overall.
Grade: A
Clippers Trade Kawhi Leonard to Raptors
33 of 58
Raptors receive: Kawhi Leonard
Clippers receive: Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, 2 first-round picks, 1 pick swap and 2 second-rounders
With all due respect to Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick, this deal doesn't have much to do with the players going to L.A.
The downside for the Raptors on this deal has the potential to be massive. Leonard could miss significant chunks of the season, Toronto could flame out early and he could leave in free agency. In that case, the team will have surrendered multiple picks and a once-promising shooter, essentially, for nothing.
But this also took the Raptors from a scrappy, middle-of-the-East non-contender to a bona fide title threat. The "league is wide open" card has two sides. It also means Toronto might now have enough talent for another magical run.
And while the number of draft picks sounds high, replacing Ingram's minutes with Leonard's is a massive upgrade. It's not hard to see this developing in much the same way the last Kawhi-to-the-Raptors deal did.
Raptors Grade: B+
Clippers Grade: B+
Bucks Trade Giannis Antetokounmpo To Heat
34 of 58
Heat Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis
Bucks Receive: Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis, three first-round picks, one first-round pick swap and one second-round pick
There are plenty of winners and losers from the Bucks' and Heat's mega-swap that sent Giannis to Miami, but this move is not without its risks.
Giannis could be post-prime; he's often injured and his game isn't a perfect fit next to Bam Adebayo's (at least on offense).
But as a pure talent play, even with all Miami gave up, this is understandable. The Heat now have a player who's still one of the 3-5 best in the world when he's healthy.
And the Bucks can finally start their long overdue rebuild with a solid haul.
Heat Grade: B+
Bucks Grade: A-
John Collins Signs with Pistons
35 of 58
Contract: 3 years, $51 million
The Detroit Pistons needed to make some additional moves to keep pace in an improving East, especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo going to the Miami Heat, Kawhi Leonard joining the Toronto Raptors and the Indiana Pacers returning to full strength.
They did so Wednesday, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Signing John Collins to likely replace Tobias Harris at power forward moves the needle, although probably not by much.
Collins, 28, has bounced around the league lately, now joining his fourth team in five years. He's still an athletic lob-finisher and good floor-spacer (40.6 percent from three last season), although he doesn't fill what the Pistons truly need.
Detroit craves someone besides Cade Cunningham who can break down a defense and create open looks for themselves or others. Collins is good in his role, but this isn't what the veteran forward does. A whopping 71.6 percent of his two-pointers came off an assist last season, and 88 of his 89 made threes were via catch-and-shoot.
Paying Collins an average of $17 million a year is fine, but if the big move this summer is just swapping Harris for Collins, the Pistons are going to take a step back in the East. This is perhaps the team that should be pursuing Jaylen Brown the hardest, even if it means losing Jalen Duren in a sign-and-trade.
Grade: C+
Grizzlies Trade Ja Morant to Trail Blazers
36 of 58
Grizzlies Receive: Jerami Grant and Kris Murray
Trail Blazers Receive: Ja Morant
The writing has been on the wall with the Memphis Grizzlies and Ja Morant for years. And on Monday, news finally broke on the deal that ended Memphis' Ja era.
He's headed to the Portland Trail Blazers. It's certainly an interesting destination, given the presence of Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson on the roster, but this is a price that's just too good to give up.
Jerami Grant seems even less integral to Portland's future than Ja did to Memphis'. And Kris Murray is a soon-to-be-26-year-old forward with a career three-point percentage of just 25.9.
With all due respect to Grant and Murray, Portland is essentially getting Morant for free.
And while there's a pretty serious logjam in the backcourt now, at least in theory, Holiday and Henderson are big and physical enough to play some 2.
For Memphis, it certainly would've been nice to get any draft capital (even a second-rounder) or a slightly more promising or younger prospect, but some reporting suggested the Grizzlies might've had to attach a pick to Morant to get out from under his deal.
He's set to make $42.2 million next season and $44.9 million in 2027-28, and not being on the hook for that obviously opens up a ton of flexibility for Memphis.
The Grizzlies can now focus on the next era, with a strong foundation of Cameron Boozer, Cedric Coward and Zach Edey.
Grizzlies Grade: B
Trail Blazers Grade: B+
Robert Williams Re-Signs with Trail Blazers
37 of 58
Contract: 3 years, $44 million
The Portland Trail Blazers looked at their 2026-27 backcourt of Ja Morant and 36-year-old Damian Lillard coming off a torn Achilles and decided interior defense was probably important.
As a result, Robert Williams III has agreed to a three-year, $44 million contract extension to stay with the franchise, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
Williams is one of the NBA's best rim protectors when healthy, yet has played just 85 total games in three seasons in Portland. He did appear in 59 last season, averaging 6.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 17.1 minutes as the backup to Donovan Clingan. Williams even started sprinkling in some three-point shooting for the first time in his career, making 9-of-23 attempts (39.1 percent).
A three-year deal probably signals that last year's first-round pick, Yang Hansen, won't be ready to play meaningful NBA minutes anytime soon.
If Williams can stay reasonably healthy, this contract is fine, especially if the 28-year-old can continue to develop his outside shooting. This is still a hefty amount of money to pay a backup center, however, as Clingan looks like he's cemented as the future of the franchise at the position.
Grade: B-
Bogdan Bogdanović Signs with Rockets
38 of 58
Contract: 1 year
Between injuries and aging, it's been a tough couple of seasons for Bogdan Bogdanović.
The soon-to-be-34-year-old wing has averaged 9.8 points and shot 35.9 percent from deep since the start of the 2024-25 campaign. And he was limited to just 77 games in that stretch.
In that context, signing him feels like a bit of a risk.
But Houston's second unit could benefit from a little experience. Bogdanović can also provide some secondary playmaking too.
For a veteran minimum (the likely value here), he's almost certainly worth a shot.
Grade: B
Thomas Bryant Re-Signs with Cleveland
39 of 58
Contract: 1 year, $2.5 million
Bryant, 28, was the primary backup to Jarrett Allen last season, averaging 6.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 12.2 minutes while shooting 50.6 percent overall and 35.9 percent from three. Given Allen's non-shooting and Evan Mobley's shaky three-point accuracy, the Cavs valued Bryant's floor-spacing ability in their frontcourt.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Bryant is likely signing the same veteran minimum deal he did a year ago after waiting all of summer 2025 without a deal. He eventually signed with the Cavs on September 25, just before training camp.
Allen could be a key trade piece this summer if Cleveland wants to keep their core of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and James Harden, so the signing of Bryant helps with the depth at center.
This isn't getting the Cavs any closer to a title, but it's more than fine at the veteran minimum.
Cavs Grade: B
Kings Trade Devin Carter to Hawks
40 of 58
The Sacramento Kings are trading guard Devin Carter and a future second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks, per ESPN's Shams Charania. The Stein Line and Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer notes that the pick is a 2033 second-rounder.
Carter was the No. 13 overall pick in the 2024 draft, yet has battled injuries and playing for the Kings the past two seasons. He gets a fresh start in Atlanta, a franchise that's actively collecting guards following the Trae Young trade earlier this year.
The Hawks now have CJ McCollum, Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, No. 8 overall pick Kingston Flemings, Aaron Wiggins and Buddy Hield in their backcourt, so it's hard to see where Carter fits in. Still, taking him on for nothing and getting a future pick is smart business.
In 12 starts this season, Carter averaged 14.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.3 steals and shot 33.3 percent from deep in 29.0 minutes. He has good defensive potential and registered positive swing ratings in both professional seasons.
This was a salary dump by the Kings to try and get out of the second apron following Zach LaVine picking up his $49 million player option.
Darius Acuff, you're our only hope.
Kings Grade: D
Hawks Grade: B
Keon Ellis Signs with Nets
41 of 58
Contract: 2 years, $18 million
After a midseason trade from the Sacramento Kings, Keon Ellis averaged 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 threes in 24.8 minutes for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
And he instantly became one of their more reliable perimeter defenders.
Now, after the mini-breakout for a competitive team, he's headed back to a rebuilder for a decent bit of money.
With Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle both likely to play heavy minutes, Brooklyn needed some lower-usage guards or wings who could help on defense. And Ellis certainly checks those boxes.
And getting that for a salary that accounts for less than six percent of the cap is a good deal.
Grade: B+
Landry Shamet Re-Signs with Knicks
42 of 58
Contract: 4 years, $24 million
Landry Shamet has been one of the cooler stories in the league over the last couple years. He just went from fringe NBA player scratching and clawing for his career, to meaningful contributor on a championship team to playing on a multi-year deal.
The average annual salary on this new contract ($6 million) is a small fraction of the 2026-27 cap ($165 million), and Shamet's contributions (assuming they continue around the same level) will make him more than worth it.
This postseason (which ended with a championship), he shot 47.5 percent from deep.
Grade: A
Jock Landale Re-Signs with Hawks
43 of 58
Contract: 1 year, $14 million
At first glance, $14 million for one year of Jock Landale sounds like a lot. And it probably is. Prior to his 2025-26 mini breakout, he had career averages of 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds.
But 2025-26, when he put up 10.6 points and 5.7 rebounds in 22.1 minutes, while shooting 38.3 percent from three, is nothing to sneeze at.
And for a team with an inconsistent-shooting forward running the show in Jalen Johnson, having a reliable floor spacer logging minutes at the 5 makes sense.
So yes, there's probably a little understandable sticker shock here, but it's still less than 10 percent of the salary cap for a good fit, and it's for only one year.
Grade: B
Julian Champagnie Re-Signs with Spurs
44 of 58
Contract: 3 years, $45 million
Midway through the 2025-26 campaign, Julian Champagnie claimed a full-time starting role for the San Antonio Spurs. And the team's second-half takeoff coincided pretty closely with the move.
Champagnie was also instrumental in San Antonio making it all the way to the Finals.
In the playoffs, he averaged 11.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 threes and 1.3 steals in 30.7 minutes, while shooting 39.6 percent from deep.
And now, he's been rewarded with a solid multi-year contract that pays him like a high-end reserve (which also makes the contract pretty solid on the team side too).
Grade: A
Zach Collins Signs Extension with Bulls
45 of 58
Contract Extension: 2 years, $17 million
This is one of the first real head-scratchers.
Zach Collins only played in 10 games this season. And over his last two, he's averaged 6.8 points and posted an even 0.0 box plus/minus.
It wouldn't have been all that surprising for the oft-injured Collins to be one of the last players signed this summer.
Instead, he's off the board on the first day and at an average annual salary that's higher than some of the better players who've also landed deals this offseason.
Grade: C-
Jusuf Nurkić Re-Signs with Jazz
46 of 58
Contract: 2 years, $22 million
Unless they're bracing for bad news on Walker Kessler's restricted free agency, this is one is a bit of a head-scratcher.
The Utah Jazz already have Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen and Kessler (assuming he's re-signed). Kyle Filipowski has probably earned an extended look this season. And drafting Darryn Peterson could push some wings like Ace Bailey and Brice Sensabaugh into more forward minutes.
So keeping Jusuf Nurkić in that mix is a little odd.
Still, there's a chance Nurkić is fine with being more of a veteran presence on the bench than an actual contributor. This salary will be less than seven percent of the cap. And if he just has a couple good weeks at some point in the season, there may be a chance Utah could move him before the deadline.
Just in terms of asset management, it's a move you can wrap your head around, even if you're a little nervous about Nurkić taking minutes from younger options.
Grade: C+
Luke Kennard Signs with Suns
47 of 58
Contract: 2 years, $13 million
The lack of cap space around the league is limiting free agents to some shockingly low-value deals. It's almost the inverse of 2016, when the cap spike led to news like Timofey Mozgov landing a four-year, $64 million deal.
The latest surprisingly low figure goes to Luke Kennard, who agreed to a two-year deal with the Phoenix Suns for $13 million.
In the wake of the Miles Bridges trade that cost Phoenix Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale, the Suns were in dire need of some shooting. And Kennard absolutely provides that.
He just led the league in three-point percentage at 47.8 (his third time earning that crown) and has a career mark of 44.2 that ranks second all time.
Sprinkle in some underrated playmaking, and it's hard to see this deal as anything but a steal for Phoenix.
Grade: A
Kevin Huerter Re-Signs with Pistons
48 of 58
Contract: 3 years, $27 million
Kevin Huerter averaged 8.6 points and shot 29.4 percent from three after he was traded to the Detroit Pistons last season, but the team must not have seen that as a tryout, because they're bringing him back anyway.
If Huerter can hit threes at the rate he did a few years ago (he made 38.7 percent of his attempts from 2021-22 through 2023-24), while also providing some playmaking in a pinch, he'll be well worth this pretty small deal.
His annual salary will only be around five percent of the cap, and Detroit needs as much shooting as it can pack in lineups around Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren:
Grade: B+
Bones Hyland Re-Signs with Timberwolves
49 of 58
Contract: 1 year, minimum
This deal is for one year and the minimum, and at that price, it's a steal.
The five-year veteran averaged 8.5 points and shot 38.8 percent from three as a Timberwolves reserve last season.
And for a team that is pretty tight on spending power after the LaMelo Ball acquisition, getting that kind of production out of a minimum salary slot would be huge.
Grade: A
Ousmane Dieng Re-Signs with Bucks
50 of 58
Contract: 3 years, $17.5 million
Ousmane Dieng showed some real promise for the Milwaukee Bucks down the stretch of this season, and the organization is rewarding him for it now.
When the Bucks declined his team option a few days ago, it seemed like they might move on from him, but it turned out to be the first step in securing him to a longer-term deal.
And it's not hard to see why.
Dieng is still young (he just turned 23), stands 6'9" and averaged 11.0 points after being traded to Milwaukee.
Grade: B+
Dean Wade Signs with 76ers
51 of 58
Contract: 4 years, $39 million
This is an interesting deal.
Dean Wade has started a lot of games for the Cleveland Cavaliers over the years, but he turns 30 in November, has a career average of 5.3 points and has a barely-above-average three-point percentage.
In theory, a good floor spacer with size can open up a lot of possibilities for a rotation, but Wade's not consistent enough to really bend defenses.
And while he's generally been a pretty good positional defender, it's going to be tougher for him to keep up with NBA scorers as he ages into his 30s.
Grade: C
Harrison Barnes Re-Signs with Spurs
52 of 58
Contract: 1 year, $8 million
Harrison Barnes was replaced in the San Antonio Spurs' starting five by the younger Julian Champagnie, but he still provided plenty of leadership and experience.
And if he enters the season knowing he's a backup, he may be better prepared to impact games from that role than he was in 2025-26.
At 34, Barnes isn't as versatile defensively as he once was, but he still has the size to defend a variety of reserve forwards. And he's a career 38.5 percent three-point shooter.
Keeping all of that for the second unit should almost certainly be worth less than five percent of the cap.
Spurs Grade: B+
Simone Fontecchio Re-Signs with Heat
53 of 58
Contract: 1-year minimum
Building back depth is perhaps the most important part of the Miami Heat's offseason after giving up so much in the trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Heat is capped at the first apron as well, so there's limited spending power.
Bringing Simone Fontecchio back, presumably on a veteran minimum deal, is a no-brainer.
The 30-year-old brings size and shooting on the wing and should continue to secure a place in Miami's rotation. In 70 games last season, Fontecchio averaged 8.5 points and 3.0 rebounds across 16.8 minutes while hitting 37.5 percent of his threes.
The veteran forward should get even more open looks now when Antetokounmpo inevitably draws double teams and connected on 48.1 percent of his "wide open" (six feet or more between the nearest defender) shot attempts last season.
Heat Grade: B
Precious Achiuwa Re-Signs with Kings
54 of 58
Contract: 2 years, $11.5 million
Precious Achiuwa had what was almost certainly his best season in 2025-26, when he averaged career highs in points (10.1) and rebounds (6.7).
And now he's cashing in with a multi-year deal that will keep him with the Sacramento Kings.
His numbers don't jump off the screen, and he's pretty inefficient relative to his positional peers, but the average salary is low enough that it's not worth fussing over.
Grade: B-
DeAndre Jordan Re-Signs with Pelicans
55 of 58
Contract: 1 year, minimum
Quick announcements of a DeAndre Jordan signing have become something of a free-agency tradition, even if the big man is on the verge of his 38th birthday.
Jordan may not be able to provide the same on-court impact he once did, but he's still a good leader and brings plenty of experience to a team that needs it.
At the veteran minimum, even if Jordan plays fewer than the 199 minutes he logged in 2025-26, this is a fine investment.
Grade: B+
Tim Hardaway Jr. Signs with Heat
56 of 58
Contract: 1 year, $6.5 million
The Miami Heat's top priority in free agency was abundantly clear the moment they traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Having him and Bam Adebayo meant they'd need shooting everywhere else.
And now, they've found some in free agency.
Tim Hardaway Jr. was a Sixth Man of the Year candidate last season, averaged 13.5 points and shot 40.7 percent from deep.
If he shoots it like that for Miami, he'll be well worth $6.5 million for one year.
Grade: A
Branden Carlson Sgns with Trail Blazers
57 of 58
Contract: 1 year, $2.5 million
You may not know much about Branden Carlson. He's only been in the NBA for two seasons. He wasn't drafted. And he barely saw the floor for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
But he's a legit seven-footer who's hit 53 threes in 734 career minutes (2.6 per 36 minutes) and has a high block rate too.
Taking a flyer on him, despite the fact that he's already 27, is well worth $2.5 million (a tiny fraction of the $165 million salary cap).
Grade: B+
Kobe Sanders Re-Signs with Clippers
58 of 58
Contract: 4 years, $11.2 million
Second-round pick Kobe Sanders showed more than enough as a rookie to earn a second contract.
He appeared in 68 games, averaged 19.9 minutes and shot 40.8 percent from deep. He even flashed some secondary playmaking ability.
He's already 24, so there may not be a ton of developmental runway left, but there may be a legitimate three-and-D wing here, and securing that possibility for four years and $11.2 million is well worth it.
Grade: A
.png?w=3840 "OKC Trades Cut $323M from Cap")
