The Clippers were already a star-studded playoff team with a hefty payroll last season. This summer, they've spent more money than any other team to ensure that's the case once again.
Much of that cash is in the form of a max contract for Chris Paul, totaling more than $107MM in value. That alone would have made the Clippers the biggest spenders in 2013 free agency, since Dwight Howard could only sign for four years with the Rockets. Doc Rivers, doubling as coach and head of basketball ops in Clipperland, signed six other free agents to deals worth a total of $45MM.
Top five most active teams, by amount of money committed
The Rockets didn't stop with their addition of Howard, either, inking eight more players. GM Daryl Morey and company have signed nine free agents, the greatest number of any team this summer. The Mavs failed to land either Paul or Howard, but they're attempting to make up for it with sheer numbers, inking eight free agents, second only to their in-state rivals in Houston.
Top five most active teams, by number of players signed
As I pointed out when I ran down each team's most expensive signee, the Sixers and Suns have yet to spend money in free agency this summer. Phoenix is capped out thanks to the absorption of money in the Eric Bledsoe trade, but Philadelphia could clear more than $20MM in room, and Sixers GM Sam Hinkie reportedly believes the time is right to start spending at least some of that cash. Those teams top both the clubs that have committed the least amount of money and fewest amount of years in free agency.
Top five least active teams, by amount of money committed
- Sixers: None
- Suns: None
- Thunder: Two players, two years, $2.586MM
- Jazz: Two players, four years, $3.200MM
- Heat: One player, two years, $3.434MM
Top five least active teams, by number of players signed
Note: These lists, compiled with the help of the Hoops Rumors Free Agent Tracker, don't include signed draft picks, players acquired in trades, or contract extensions. They do include players acquired via sign-and-trade, players who re-signed, and players who signed non-guaranteed training camp invitations, sometimes known as "summer contracts." The dollar figures include any non-guaranteed money the teams have doled out. Some of the signings are not yet official.
Below are the figures for each team:
- Hawks: Six players, 15 years, $86.450MM
- Celtics: Three players, nine years, $24.381MM
- Nets: Four players, seven years, $12.605MM
- Bobcats: Three players, eight years, $63.923MM
- Bulls: Two players, three years, $7.909MM
- Cavaliers: Three players, eight years, $58.490MM
- Mavericks: Eight players, 18 years, $80.963MM
- Nuggets: Four players, 11 years, $43.403MM
- Pistons: Five players, 13 years, $92.466MM
- Warriors: Four players, 9 years, $62.572MM
- Rockets: Nine players, 21 years, $103.385MM
- Pacers: Four players, 9 years, $48.660MM
- Clippers: Seven players, 18 years, $152.861MM
- Lakers: Seven players, 11 years, $12.640MM
- Grizzlies: Three players, eight years, $22.902MM
- Heat: One player, two years, $3.434MM
- Bucks: Five players, 13 years, $55.850MM — The dollar figure doesn't include the value of Miroslav Raduljica's contract, which remains unclear.
- Timberwolves: Four players, 12 years, $59.913MM
- Pelicans: Four players, eight years, $52.599MM
- Knicks: Six players, 12 years, $29.781MM
- Thunder: Two players, two years, $2.586MM
- Magic: Two players, four years, $7.583MM
- Sixers: None
- Suns: None
- Trail Blazers: Three players, five years, $7.890MM
- Kings: One player, four years, $26.047MM
- Spurs: Four players, 10 years, $59.703MM
- Raptors: Four players, seven years, $9.900MM
- Jazz: Two players, four years, $3.200MM
- Wizards: Three players, seven years, $27.029MM
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