Post by Skillz on Mar 10, 2008 20:15:13 GMT -5
Day 1 FA Overview
Highlighting the best free agent class the young BBS has ever seen were some big signings. Some of the strong got stronger, some weak got weaker, and a couple of gm's who were in danger of being fired made moves to help save their asses.
Here's a rundown on what went down, and some grades
The Big Names:
Wizards Sign PG Gary Payton for $50,203,125 over 3 years
A must sign for the Wizards, Gary Payton was arguably the best player in free agency with age out of the question. Payton, often known for his tremendous defense, is also a tremendous passer and and a respectable scorer. At age 35, a three year contract may have been risky depending on how TC is to Payton, but he was a must sign for the Wizards if they had any winning aspirations.
Grade: B+
Nets Sign SG Rip Hamilton for $79,687,500 over 6 years.
Arguably the most coveted player in FA, Hamilton saw a great chance with the Nets. Not only could they offer a healthy sum of money, but they were also contending for a title. Unluckily for Rip, he was shortly traded to the Hawks, who although have a nice young core, are not nearly on the same level as the Nets. By far the best signing of free agency, the Rip signing enabled the Nets to trade for Chris Webber, giving them a title contending machine for the next few years.
Grade: A+
Pistons Sign PF Rasheed Wallace for $79,687,500 over 5 years.
Rumors were swirling around that Wallace would be maxed by another team, but the Pistons managed to maintain him. Wallace, a skilled big men on both ends of the court, was one of many players the Pistons has to resign this offseason. At age 29, securing Wallace to a five year deal is nice, as the Pistons should have him for much of his prime. This was a deal the Pistons had to make.
Grade: A-
Pacers Sign SG Jerry Stackhouse for $76,500,000 over 5 years.
Trying to make a splash in FA before entering his contract year, Nova knew he needed to make a move. Stackhouse, a supreme scorer, is likely to boost the Pacers above 40 wins and save Nova from being fired. However, he did not come without a cost. Stackhouse, normally known as a one-dimensional player was signed for a hefty sum of 76.5 million for 5 years; quite a bit more than the Pistons would match. It should be interesting to see how this contract plays out in the future, but for now it is something that Nova needed to do.
Grade: B
Nuggets Sign PG Steve Francis for $79,687,500 over 6 years.
After signing Jason Williams to a 43 mil/4 yr deal, the Nuggets went in and signed Steve Francis, one of the only players that can actually turn the ball over more than Williams. Although a terrific all-around player aside from his turnovers, Francis's game will always be defined by his turnovers, likely hindering his value. To make it worse for the Nuggets, he's now signed to a huge contract
Grade: C+
Pistons Sign C Theo Ratliff for $79,687,500 over 5 years.
Although locking up their players was huge for the Pistons, the Ratliff deal is a little excessive. Ratliff is a superb defender and shot blocker and can also rebound the ball, but 80 million over 5 years is a bit much for a one-dimensional player, as Ratliff is a mediocre offensive player at best. It should be interesting to see how this contract looks in a couple of years.
Grade: B-
SuperSonics Sign SF Lamar Odom for $79,687,500 over 6 years.
Lamar Odom is yet another benefactor from the generous contracts given out these FA periods. Locked up for 6 years and over 79 million, Odom will have to make improvements in TC to justify this contract, something that he has not yet done. However, he is still extremely young and versatile and is coming off his best season, so this signing could pay off for aar in the long run.
Grade: B
SuperSonics Sign SG Quentin Richardson for $90,000,000 over 6 years.
Probably the biggest head scratcher in all of day 1 was the deal Quentin Richardson got, who at 23, received the biggest contract of FA. Coming off of a career season, Richardson was bound for a big contract. However, outside of his three point shot, Richardson has little else to his game besides for his age and scouted potential. With a good tc or two Richardson may justify his contract but for now it looks like Richardson will have one of the worst contracts in the league
Grade: C
Clippers Sign PF Joe Smith for $41,769,000 over 4 years.
One of the best players in free agency, Joe Smith signed one of the most modest contracts out of all of the big-name FA's. At 28 years old, Smith has been a consistent 20/10 guy throughout the course of his career, and is still showing "B" scouted potential. Although Smith doesn't have the biggest name, he is just as efficient as Rasheed Wallace, a player who received almost twice as much as Smith did. A great signing here.
Grade: A
Highlighting the best free agent class the young BBS has ever seen were some big signings. Some of the strong got stronger, some weak got weaker, and a couple of gm's who were in danger of being fired made moves to help save their asses.
Here's a rundown on what went down, and some grades
The Big Names:
Wizards Sign PG Gary Payton for $50,203,125 over 3 years
A must sign for the Wizards, Gary Payton was arguably the best player in free agency with age out of the question. Payton, often known for his tremendous defense, is also a tremendous passer and and a respectable scorer. At age 35, a three year contract may have been risky depending on how TC is to Payton, but he was a must sign for the Wizards if they had any winning aspirations.
Grade: B+
Nets Sign SG Rip Hamilton for $79,687,500 over 6 years.
Arguably the most coveted player in FA, Hamilton saw a great chance with the Nets. Not only could they offer a healthy sum of money, but they were also contending for a title. Unluckily for Rip, he was shortly traded to the Hawks, who although have a nice young core, are not nearly on the same level as the Nets. By far the best signing of free agency, the Rip signing enabled the Nets to trade for Chris Webber, giving them a title contending machine for the next few years.
Grade: A+
Pistons Sign PF Rasheed Wallace for $79,687,500 over 5 years.
Rumors were swirling around that Wallace would be maxed by another team, but the Pistons managed to maintain him. Wallace, a skilled big men on both ends of the court, was one of many players the Pistons has to resign this offseason. At age 29, securing Wallace to a five year deal is nice, as the Pistons should have him for much of his prime. This was a deal the Pistons had to make.
Grade: A-
Pacers Sign SG Jerry Stackhouse for $76,500,000 over 5 years.
Trying to make a splash in FA before entering his contract year, Nova knew he needed to make a move. Stackhouse, a supreme scorer, is likely to boost the Pacers above 40 wins and save Nova from being fired. However, he did not come without a cost. Stackhouse, normally known as a one-dimensional player was signed for a hefty sum of 76.5 million for 5 years; quite a bit more than the Pistons would match. It should be interesting to see how this contract plays out in the future, but for now it is something that Nova needed to do.
Grade: B
Nuggets Sign PG Steve Francis for $79,687,500 over 6 years.
After signing Jason Williams to a 43 mil/4 yr deal, the Nuggets went in and signed Steve Francis, one of the only players that can actually turn the ball over more than Williams. Although a terrific all-around player aside from his turnovers, Francis's game will always be defined by his turnovers, likely hindering his value. To make it worse for the Nuggets, he's now signed to a huge contract
Grade: C+
Pistons Sign C Theo Ratliff for $79,687,500 over 5 years.
Although locking up their players was huge for the Pistons, the Ratliff deal is a little excessive. Ratliff is a superb defender and shot blocker and can also rebound the ball, but 80 million over 5 years is a bit much for a one-dimensional player, as Ratliff is a mediocre offensive player at best. It should be interesting to see how this contract looks in a couple of years.
Grade: B-
SuperSonics Sign SF Lamar Odom for $79,687,500 over 6 years.
Lamar Odom is yet another benefactor from the generous contracts given out these FA periods. Locked up for 6 years and over 79 million, Odom will have to make improvements in TC to justify this contract, something that he has not yet done. However, he is still extremely young and versatile and is coming off his best season, so this signing could pay off for aar in the long run.
Grade: B
SuperSonics Sign SG Quentin Richardson for $90,000,000 over 6 years.
Probably the biggest head scratcher in all of day 1 was the deal Quentin Richardson got, who at 23, received the biggest contract of FA. Coming off of a career season, Richardson was bound for a big contract. However, outside of his three point shot, Richardson has little else to his game besides for his age and scouted potential. With a good tc or two Richardson may justify his contract but for now it looks like Richardson will have one of the worst contracts in the league
Grade: C
Clippers Sign PF Joe Smith for $41,769,000 over 4 years.
One of the best players in free agency, Joe Smith signed one of the most modest contracts out of all of the big-name FA's. At 28 years old, Smith has been a consistent 20/10 guy throughout the course of his career, and is still showing "B" scouted potential. Although Smith doesn't have the biggest name, he is just as efficient as Rasheed Wallace, a player who received almost twice as much as Smith did. A great signing here.
Grade: A
