Summer of...Kurt Thomas? Top 10 Underrated Free Agent Signings of 2010
Miami made waves by signing its big three. Boozer went to Chicago, Amar'e went to New York and Lee went to Golden State.
The Big Shamrock and "cousin" Jermaine headed north to join the Boston Three Party (plus one).
The summer of 2010 was notable because of all of the stars who moved around. But beyond the big names, there were handfuls of lesser-known players who made their impact felt after changing teams in the offseason.
Sometimes it's just as important to fill out your roster with successful role players as it is to get your stars. Just ask Miami how much better it is doing than Chicago.
Here are the top free-agent signings that may not have gotten a lot of publicity, but have nonetheless made big impacts.
10. Luke Ridnour, Minnesota
1 of 10
With Ramon Sessions and Johnny Flynn on their roster, and Ricky Rubio supposed to come over soon, why would the Wolves need to sign another point guard?
More importantly, why the heck did Ridnour sign here of all places?
Well, Sessions was traded and Flynn, between his injuries and sucking at NBA basketball, hasn't made a huge impact.
Ridnour has had a quietly good season, being one of the few consistent players for this team. His play may have helped the development of Kevin Love, and his absence has clearly been felt in Milwaukee.
His decision to sign here still has me scratching my head, but he sure is a nice holdover until Rubio brings his talents to the cold north.
9. Steve Blake/Matt Barnes, Los Angeles Lakers
2 of 10
Blake and Barnes were added to give the defending champions some depth this year.
Derek Fisher and Ron Artest really didn't have the right backups last season, and though these two haven't done all that great during the regular season, you bet they'll help come playoff time.
One question: Has there ever been a team with this much fight? Between crazies Artest and Barnes, ultra-competitive Kobe Bryant, Lamar-loves-to-start-fights-so-his-teammates-can-finish-them Odom and big Andrew Bynum, you better mind your P's and Q's around these guys.
8. Anthony Morrow, New Jersey
3 of 10
Sometimes it's hard to tell if a player is really that good when he puts up good numbers for the Warriors. Morrow, after playing in the D-league and on minimum contracts in the NBA, had a bit of a breakout season for Golden State last year.
New Jersey rewarded him with a decent contract that the Warriors didn't match. The sharpshooter has not been a disappointment for the up-and-coming Nets.
Morrow has averaged over 13 points per game while shooting 42 percent from downtown and 90 percent from the line. It's important to have guys like him spacing the floor for a big like Brook Lopez and a star guard like Deron Williams.
Perhaps, unlike the Travis Outlaw signing, the Nets will not be regretting bringing Morrow on board.
7. CJ Watson/Keith Bogans/Kyle Korver, Chicago
4 of 10
I am cheating a little bit by putting three in one here, but each of these guys has played a small-but-important role on the surprise Bulls team. Each has played with a lot of energy without being a top option on offense.
Watson has played well backing up MVP candidate Derrick Rose, bringing his energy and defense every time he checks in. The Bulls are actually better on defense with him on the floor than they are with Rose.
Bogans has been able to play some defense and shoot threes. Not much besides that, but when you have Rose, Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng in the lineup with you, it isn't really necessary to do much more.
Korver does one thing really well: shoot. And shoot he has, which is a good thing because that is one thing his teammates don't all excel at.
6. Raymond Felton, New York
5 of 10
Despite missing out on some of the big-name free agents, New York was able to salvage their off-season quite nicely by bringing in Stoudemire and Felton.
Felton fit in very nicely with Stoudemire and the Knicks' uptempo style, and together they were leading the Knicks back to the playoffs after all these years. Felton was one of the most improved players this year, and even got some All-Star consideration.
But what he will be remembered for in New York is being part of the Carmelo Anthony trade. If it weren't for the smart signing of Felton for the Knicks, Anthony quite likely would be a ferry ride away.
5. Ronnie Brewer, Chicago
6 of 10
When Brewer joined Boozer and Korver to help form the "Chicago Jazz" he probably got the least attention of the three. With no three-point shot to speak of, he wasn't supposed to be a good complement in the lineup.
He has gone on to be the best defensive player on the best defensive team, and is statistically one of the best defenders in the entire league. His energy and athleticism combined with his defense have been an underrated component in the Bulls' success.
The Bulls will sure be glad they have someone to bother Dwayne Wade and Ray Allen in the playoffs.
4. Dorell Wright, Golden State
7 of 10
While the Heat were busy getting rid of all their players for the sake of cap space, Golden State was reaping the benefits. Dorell Wright was signed to a multi-year deal in hopes that he could bring at least a little defense to Golden State.
Although the Warriors are still a terrible defensive team, Wright has exceeded expectations. His scoring average has jumped by nine points, and he has become one of the league's most prolific three-point shooters.
He is a top candidate for most improved player this year, and his emergence has helped lead to an improved Warriors team and some hope for the future.
3. Wesley Matthews, Portland
8 of 10
When Portland signed Matthews to an offer sheet worth the entire mid-level exception, it was greeted with laughter from much of the league. The Jazz decided not to match, and let him go to the Blazers.
Matthews has gone on to show that he will earn every penny of it.
He was brought in primarily for the defense and hustle he showed as a rookie, guarding the likes of Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony, but he has also brought an unexpectedly good offensive game.
The boost he provided for the Blazers was much needed after they suffered devastating injuries. He became their second-leading scorer and helped keep them in the playoff hunt.
With Matthews' energy and competitive spirit, he should continue to improve and has a bright future with the Blazers.
2. Kurt Thomas, Chicago
9 of 10
To put Thomas so high may seem like a stretch at first. His stats won't blow anyone away and he's in the twilight of his career, and is only signed to a one-year minimum deal.
What he provides for the Bulls, however, are the intangibles.
First off, his veteran toughness and leadership are beneficial to any contender. He will help lead a pretty young and inexperienced team through the playoffs, and won't be backing down from anyone. Those things will be very important against a team like the Celtics.
Also, you would have to look very far back to find a championship roster that didn't include someone who had made a trip to the Finals before. Thomas (and Brian Scalabrine) provide that.
Size is an underrated part of a contending team. It has boosted the Lakers and Celtics for years.
This year, the Bulls boast five decent big men in Thomas, Boozer, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, and Omer Asik. Without Thomas, it would have been difficult for the Bulls to play well when other big men were injured, as Boozer and Noah both missed significant time due to injury.
Though Derrick Rose does deserve a lot of credit, he couldn't have led the Bulls to a one-seed without Thomas and his other role-playing teammates.
1. Tony Allen, Memphis
10 of 10
It probably surprised a lot of people when Allen left the Boston Celtics for the Memphis Grizzlies this year. He was an important component to the Celts' contending teams, spending most of his time guarding the other team's best perimeter player.
But he wanted to begin a new chapter in his NBA life.
The Grizzlies didn't know how lucky they were to get him. He provided depth to a team that had none, defense to a team that had little and experience to a team that desperately needed some.
Everyone knew about the defense and energy Allen brings, but when Rudy Gay was injured he stepped up on offense big-time as well.
This has been a breakout year for the Grizzlies, and I think Allen is one of the primary reasons why Memphis has clinched a playoff spot for the first time since Barack Obama was just a Senator with a funny name.
If you're a top Western Conference team, you shouldn't look forward to seeing these guys in the first round.
