Best (and Worst) Value Free Agent Signings This Summer
More than $1 billion in contracts were agreed to on the first day of free agency, and that number is now north of $3 billion.
So, now that we can look at the big picture, which teams/players inked the best deals? And which teams may regret their decisions?
Best Values
🏀 Jevon Carter - Chicago Bulls:
Contract: Three years, $19.5 million
Carter's counting stats won't jump off the page, but he was a significant contributor (he started 39 games) for a Bucks team that won 58 games in 2022-23. His most valuable attribute is his hounding on-ball defense, which wears down opposing point guards. In addition, Carter averaged a career-high 8.0 points per game for Milwaukee and, most importantly, shot over 42.1% from downtown. I was surprised the Bucks let him go. But he'll fit in very well alongside the ball-dominant Big 3 in Chicago (LaVine, DeRozan and Vooch) and will be content to focus on defense and knock down open three-pointers.
🏀 Yuta Watanabe - Phoenix Suns:
Contract: One Year, $2.3 million
Watanabe was highly efficient last season in Brooklyn, converting 49.1% of his FG attempts and shooting a scorching 44.4% from behind the arc (60-for-135). Of the 279 players to attempt more than 100 three-pointers last season, he was one of only two to shoot above 49% from the field and above 44% from downtown (Luke Kennard was the other). And while not an elite defender, Watanabe plays hard on both ends of the floor, which will help him earn minutes from defensive-minded head coach Frank Vogel. Yuta is a good fit next to Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker in The Valley of the Sun, as he'll stretch the floor and keep defenses honest.
🏀 Malik Beasley - Milwaukee Bucks:
Contract: One Year, $2.7 million
Beasley's stock price dropped precipitously due to his ineffective stint with the Lakers, but remember that Beasley was averaging 13.4 points and 3.1 made three-pointers in 27 minutes per game for Utah (while shooting 40% from the floor and 36.2% from downtown) before being shipped to LA at the deadline. He also played all 82 games this past season. Shrewd pickup by the Wolves.
🏀 Lonnie Walker - Brooklyn Nets:
Contract: One Year, $2.3 million
Walker, a talented 3-and-D wing, is still just 24 years old and possesses an enticing upside and some untapped potential. Good low-risk pickup by Brooklyn.
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