In just over three hours on June 30th, $2 billion worth of NBA contracts had been agreed to. But, how many teams benefited from splurging the money? How many teams just weren’t about to fill in their holes? Today, we’ll be looking at a crazy first day of NBA Free Agency and assigning each team a grade based on their acquisitions, not their losses (unless loss via trade).
Atlanta Hawks:
Acquisitions: None
Not much to see here. The Hawks were satisfied after the draft, and didn’t pick anyone up on day 1. Grade: N/A
Boston Celtics:
Acquisitions: Kemba Walker
Kemba Walker wants to win, and going to Boston should speed along that process. Boston could’ve targeted a center after losing Al Horford, but Kemba Walker is the perfect fit for the Celtics’ system. They will not feel the loss of Kyrie Irving at all after this pickup. Grade: B+
Brooklyn Nets:
Acquisitions: Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Garrett Temple, DeAndre Jordan, protected future first-round pick
Losses via trade: Treveon Graham, Shabazz Napier, D’Angelo Russell
What a masterful day from the Nets management. They managed to get both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Not many teams could pull that off (cough, cough, the Knicks). Not only that, but they were able to pick up a solid center in DeAndre Jordan, who reminds me of 2016 NBA Finals Tristan Thompson. He could be a solid center who does what needs to be done on the interior. Did I mention that they got compensation for D’Angelo Russell, who was going to leave anyways? Garrett Temple will be a solid role player off the bench, too. Graham and Napier (who they lost in the Warriors trade) wouldn’t have been important players to the team. They hit a home-run in free agency. Grade: A
Charlotte Hornets:
Acquisitions: Terry Rozier
Losses via trade: Kemba Walker
Ouch. The Hornets need to go into full rebuild mode as soon as possible. Terry Rozier is not worth $58 million over three years. They’re going to be upset that they’re locked into that contract. It only holds back the rebuild. Although I do see the upside in Scary Terry, he averaged a mere 9 points a game last year. Maybe Charlotte can reinvent him, but all I see is them falling into mediocrity. Grade: C-
Chicago Bulls:
Acquisitions: Thad Young
Thad Young is a solid veteran PF that can teach a thing or two to the Bulls locker room. Bulls fans will love him. Good signing, but not one that will make the Bulls contend anytime soon. Grade: B
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Acquisitions: N/A
This kind of makes sense. Why would anybody want to come to Cleveland right now? I think they’ll be fine, considering their young core, but no established veterans are coming here unless they have to. Grade: N/A
Dallas Mavericks:
Acquisitions: N/A
They did what they had to do: Retain the star that they so desperately need to pair with Luka Doncic: Maxi Kleber. Oh yeah, they got Kristaps Porzingis back, too. However, they almost struck a deal with Goran Dragic and the Heat, but that fell through. Nobody really considered the Mavericks as a free agent destination. They had aspirations of acquiring Patrick Beverley and Al Horford. Neither of those happened. This is the first N/A team that I feel actually had terrible day 1. Mark Cuban failed himself once again!. Grade: N/A
Denver Nuggets:
Acquisitions: N/A
Once again, a team with no new acquisitions. They did resign Jamal Murray to a monstrous contract, something I think he deserves. Other than that, not much going on in Denver. To stay up in the higher ranks of the west, they’re going to need to make some moves later on in free agency. Grade: N/A
Detroit Pistons:
Acquisitions: Derrick Rose
You want to hear something funny? Derrick Rose finished the year 5-for-40 from the three-point line. You want to know what the Pistons need? Shooting. Rose has high potential, and for a pretty cheap contract, you might as well take a shot on him. He just isn’t the shooting point guard the Pistons need. He will sell tickets, though. Grade: C+
Golden State Warriors:
Acquisitions: D’Angelo Russell, Treveon Graham, Shabazz Napier
Losses via trade: Kevin Durant, protected first-round pick, 2024 protected first-round pick (protected 1–4), 2025 first-round pick (protected 1), and 2026 unprotected first-round pick
Rather than getting absolutely nothing in return for Kevin Durant, the Warriors were able to keep their dynasty alive. Obviously, it won’t be at full capacity, but the Warriors might be able to stay afloat in the west until Klay Thompson returns. D’Angelo Russell gets to play with some established talent in the new Chase Center in San Francisco, too. All-around, it was the best day possible for Golden State, considering the loss of Durant. Lots of picks were given up, but, I’m sure the Warriors have a plan. Grade: B+
Houston Rockets:
Acquisitions: N/A
Once again, a team that didn’t make any new acquisitions in free agency. The Rockets definitely lost, though, considering they weren’t able to pick up Jimmy Butler, their main target. Also, if Kawhi Leonard signs with the Clippers, that’s another team that will challenge them near the top of the west.
Indiana Pacers:
Acquisitions: Malcolm Brogdon, Jeremy Lamb
Losses via trade: First-round pick, two second-round picks
What a pickup by Indiana. After missing out on Ricky Rubio, it seemed that the Pacers’ point guard hopes were over. However, Malcolm Brogdon fills in that hole perfectly. It’s also good that they were able to take the young stud off of a conference rival, which should help the cause for Indiana. He’s the ideal fit alongside Victor Oladipo. Jeremy Lamb is a solid role player, but I don’t see him doing much, besides hitting half-court shots. Grade: B
Los Angeles Clippers:
Acquisitions: N/A
The Clippers are putting all their chips in for Kawhi Leonard, and I don’t blame them. They’ve been game-planning for this for 12 months. They lost their second max-slot by resigning Patrick Beverley, but I think they realized they weren’t getting any other big names. They’ll be hoping to make some smaller moves later in free agency. Grade: N/A
Los Angeles Lakers:
Acquisitions: N/A
For the rest of the moratorium period, the Lakers will be hoping to sign some players to minimum contracts while continuing their pursuit of Kawhi Leonard. If they get Kawhi, then congratulations! They’ve made a superteam. If they don’t get Kawhi, then they still have $32 million in cap room. Anthony Davis waiving his trade kicker really did wonders for the Lakers’ cap situation. Grade: N/A
Memphis Grizzlies:
Acquisitions: Andre Iguodala, 2024 protected first-round pick (protected 1–4), 2025 first-round pick (protected 1), and 2026 unprotected first-round pick
What a haul for taking on Andre Iguodala. First of all, Iguodala fits in very well in Memphis. The Warriors had to get rid of him, and I don’t think the Grizzlies are upset with taking him. Assuming he doesn’t get bought out, he’ll be a solid veteran on a young team. Not only did they pick up Iguodala, but also multiple future picks. What did they give up? Nothing that we know of. If I’m a Grizzlies fan, I’d gladly take this first day of free agency and move on to signing cheap, mid-level players to surround your young core. Grade: A-
Miami Heat:
Acquisitions: N/A
There was a minor issue in the Jimmy Butler trade, so that wasn’t completed on day one. Jimmy Butler was their main target, and they confirmed that he wanted to play in Miami, regardless of what he said he would never wear. Grade: N/A
Milwaukee Bucks:
Acquisitions: Robin Lopez
Having a need at center, the Bucks settled for Robin Lopez, who I assume has excellent chemistry with his teammate brother, Brook. Why not bring Robin aboard? He just wants to win. He probably wasn’t their first choice, but it’s a signing that makes you go, “meh”. Grade: C
Minnesota Timberwolves:
Acquisitions: N/A
The Wolves completely struck out on D’Angelo Russell. They did get some pieces from the Warriors that were a part of that deal, but that didn’t happen until day 2. They stayed quiet and that will probably come back to haunt them. If they weren’t able to get Jarrett Culver in the draft, they’d be in a really bad spot right now. Grade: N/A
New Orleans Pelicans:
Acquisitions: Derrick Favors, Nicolo Melli, J.J. Redick
Losses via trade: 2021 second-round pick via Warriors, 2023 second-round pick via Warriors
All of free agency for the Pelicans is icing on the cake. And this is top tier icing. Derrick Favors is a solid fit alongside all the young pieces that the Pelicans have acquired this offseason. Not sure what purpose Melli serves on this team, but the Pels probably see something special in the Italian. Redick is a huge signing, he’s the perfect compliment to Zion Williamson and Lonzo Ball. I’m really excited to see what numbers he can put up in New Orleans. Grade: A-
New York Knicks:
Acquisitions: Julius Randle, Bobby Portis, Taj Gibson
Absolutely zero logic here. The only thing positive about the Knicks signings is that they all have team options at the end of them. They’ll be ready for 2021 free agency. It’s unfortunate that they promised a big signing they didn’t get this offseason. New York is no longer the free agency destination that they once were. Julius Randle is a nice piece, but at the end of the day, they have too many power forwards. How will they attract Giannis Antetokounmpo with a team like this? Grade: D
Oklahoma City Thunder:
Acquisitions: Mike Muscala
Muscala averaged 7 points per game and 4 rebounds last year for the 76ers and Lakers. I guess he’ll come off the bench, but this isn’t the big splash the Thunder needed to make. Right now, they’re a front-loaded team with not much depth. That recipe didn’t work last year, and I don’t think it will this year. They don’t have much cap room, so we’ll see what they do later in free agency. Grade: C
Orlando Magic:
Acquisitions: Al-Farouq Aminu
The Magic already drafted Chuma Okeke with a major need at guard, and now, they pick up Al-Farouq Aminu in free agency. It seems that they just want to be hovering around that #9-#7 seed range in the east. Length can’t win you championships. They brought back Terrence Ross and Vucevic as well. They need scoring. Evan Fournier isn’t going to drop 30 a night. Grade: C-
Philadelphia 76ers:
Acquisitions: Al Horford
Horford is definitely a risk, as he is already 33 years old. However, I don’t see this negatively affecting the 76ers. Four years is a long time, but if they need to move him, they will. It’s an interesting fit in this 76ers lineup. I just don’t know if this will take them over hump. The teamchemistry will be huge for the 76ers making a deep run into the playoffs. Grade: B
Phoenix Suns:
Acquisitions: Ricky Rubio
Ricky Rubio is a good signing for this team, which had a major need at point guard. However, I’m wondering if this situation could’ve been avoided by taking a point guard in the draft. Rubio will be okay, but I don’t see the Suns making it to the playoffs for a couple years. By that time, Rubio will be gone. Rubio will be 31 by the end of his contract, which is the perfect age to let go of him. I don’t see an issue with this signing for Phoenix, as they have finally found a starting-caliber point guard. Grade: B
Portland Trail Blazers:
Acquisitions: Mario Hezonja
Hezonja will perfectly compliment Nassir Little of the bench. For a minimum contract with a player option, there’s really no penalty here for Portland. Most likely, this is Hezonja’s last chance in the NBA. I still think he has potential to be a solid starter in the league. Portland is a great fit for him. Grade: B+
Sacramento Kings:
Acquisitions: Cory Joseph, Dewayne Dedmon, Trevor Ariza
The Kings overpaid for these three players, but I think they’re just trying to make a push for the playoffs this year. This proves that they’re serious in Sacramento. All three of them are solid, veteran role players that can come in and take care of business. They just might regret these lengthy, expensive contracts down the line. Grade: C
San Antonio Spurs:
Acquisitions: DeMarre Carroll
I guess this means that the Spurs want to win now? I don’t know. Just another established veteran to bring into San Antonio. If they don’t make another big move, I think this could be the first year they’ve missed the playoffs since 1997. Overall, just a meh signing that fills a hole off the bench. Grade: C
Toronto Raptors:
Acquisitions: N/A
It’s interesting that there’s been no news surrounding the Raptors trying to get any other role players. It seems like they are 100% focused on getting Kawhi Leonard back. I don’t blame them, but couldn’t they have taken a look at possibly bringing Danny Green back? Both L.A. teams and the Raptors are fully invested in getting Leonard. It’s going to fun to see how this pans out. Grade: N/A
Utah Jazz:
Acquisitions: Bojan Bogdanovic, Ed Davis
The Mike Conley trade made the Jazz legitimate contenders, and the signings of Bojan Bogdanovic and Ed Davis confirm that. Bojan Bogdanovic is the perfect wing shooter for this team, and he can also defend. They made the moves that needed to be made so they could consistently score against payoff teams in the west. With this roster, that Utah-Houston series could’ve had a completely different outcome. Bogdanovic and Ingles will be great in the pick-and-roll game, not to mention the addition of Ed Davis, the defensive beast who will grab rebounds and block shots off the bench. Grade: A-
