After taking a closer look last week at the most lucrative multiyear contracts signed during the NBA’s 2022 free agent period, we’re focusing today on some deals that may have flown more under the radar. These are the contracts that came in around the cost of the mid-level exception – or below it – and represent good values for the teams that signed them.
[RELATED: 2022 NBA Free Agent Tracker]
The Heat only held Non-Bird rights on Caleb Martin entering the offseason, which limited their ability to offer him much of a raise on last year’s minimum salary. However, Miami decided to use the full taxpayer portion of its mid-level exception to bring back Martin, determining that money was better spent on him than any outside free agent who would’ve signed at that price. I liked that three-year, $20.4MM deal for the Heat, as it allowed them to lock up an emerging wing who shot 41.3% on three-pointers and played versatile defense.
Kyle Anderson‘s two-year, $18MM contract with the Timberwolves was another mid-level signing I liked, since Anderson is the type of player who can help a team in a variety of ways on both ends of the court. He’s a solid defender and rebounder who can be a secondary ball-handler and play-maker on offense and has improved his three-point shooting in recent years (35.1% over the last two seasons). He’s a good complementary piece for a Wolves team that will have two or three ball-dominant scorers.
I thought Bruce Brown was a steal a year ago for the Nets when he signed a one-year contract worth $4.7MM and was surprised that he didn’t get much of a raise this year — he’ll fit in nicely as a Swiss Army knife-type player on a Nuggets team that was able to lock him up on a two-year, $13.3MM pact (the second year is a player option).
The Warriors lost some key bench pieces in free agency this summer, but did well to land Donte DiVincenzo (two years, $9.2MM; second-year player option) and JaMychal Green (one year, minimum salary) without breaking the bank. Both veterans are coming off down years, but have shown in previous seasons that they can be starter-caliber players.
Aaron Holiday (Hawks), Damian Jones (Lakers), T.J. Warren (Nets), and Robin Lopez (Cavaliers) are some of the other minimum-salary signings I liked.
What do you think? Which free agent signings do you think were this summer’s best bargains and will provide the most value going forward?
I love Drummond who just turned 29 for the Bulls. 2 year $6.6m is a bargain if they can get at least 80% of the old Detroit Drummond back
If is a powerful word
Look at his advanced stats. Dude was top rebounder last year and for that 18-20 mpg and spot start, his age he can still play a 30+ game as needed.
Was annoyed we gave him and curry up in the Harden deal. Should have been Korkmaz and Reed/Bassey.
Incredibly wishful thinking. He’s fools good.
Bruce Brown is the best value imo. Just so much versatility and ability. Drummond is also a great pickup by the Bulls, which somehow wasn’t mentioned here.
I think PJ Tucker to the 6ers should be on this list. He’ll be 40 in the final year of the contract, but that’s worth the price to bring a champ to the team and take away an important piece from a conference rival who put them out of the play-offs last year.
Warren. His health has been problematic for awhile, so I get the 1 year. But minimum wage? Hard to believe that’s the best he could do with so many contending teams looking to add a quality rotation piece within tight fiscal constraints.
Knowing the Dub’s bench was due to be picked apart I feel that they did extraordinarily well in reloading with those signings, w/out exacerbating their already crazy luxury tax situation TOO much. Myers did great!
NYK signing Brunson ……..
and giving up NOTHING. Has to be considered a great signing. Now we can add a player like Donovan Mitchell thru a trade.