monta8curry
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2039 Free Agency Grades (DAY ONE)
w/Fortson
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Facundo Campazzo signs with the Wizards for $51,250,000 over 2 years.
Monta: B-
Fortson: C+
Monta: Two years isn’t horrible, but the money isn’t great for a guy who hasn’t proven himself to be a starting caliber point. While he certainly has the traits to run an offense, and plays good defense, his scoring has always been questionable. I think the Wizards could have landed Campazzo for cheaper.
Fortson: I’m going to sound repetitive on GB’s signings but it’s hard to fault him for swinging at PG’s after Eric Flor left in FA last year. Campazzo is a terrific passer and defender but struggles at times creating his own shot. Of his PG signings I liked this the least.
Joseph Soto signs with the Pistons for $25,923,000 over 3 years.
Monta: B
Fortson: A+
Monta: This is a good signing, but not sure how the Pistons will utilize him with Jalaen West and Aleksandar Vlahovic already in the fold. Soto played huge minutes for the Mavs in their championship run, so the least he can do is bring championship experience. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s on the block in an attempt to bolster their frontcourt.
Forston: The Pistons absolutely cleaned up FA but the Soto signing might be their best yet. He’s around the same tier as Campazzo and got paid half the money with 1 extra year on his contract. I’m unsure if the Pistons will keep him but at this price point he’s a valuable asset.
Aleksandar Vlahovic signs with the Pistons for $28,080,000 over 2 years.
Monta: A
Fortson: B+
Monta: Terrific signing here bringing back Vlahovic for a very cheap deal. He’s been solid in Detroit and will continue being a very good third guard behind West and Curry. Detroit is looking like an early season favorite out East with the Cavs taking a step back after Cole Anthony’s departure.
Fortson: Vlaholic is no doubt a terrific complement to Dell Curry and the Pistons didn’t break the bank to keep him. We have to commend Gopher’s creativity to keep the team intact while preserving space.
Johnny Dawkins signs with the Nets for $30,100,000 over 4 years.
Monta: C
Fortson: C
Monta: Not a huge fan of Johnny Dawkins, as he puts up some pretty misleading numbers. Sure he can score a little bit, and is a solid ball distributor, but he also has a turnover issue and does not even attempt to crash the boards.
Fortson: I get what the Nets were trying to do here. Solidify their bench and have scoring on the court at all times. My fear is that Dawkins’ defense will hurt them more than his offense helps them. I thought $30M over 4 years was a gamble given how deep PG is around the league. I’ll give him some points for logic but the overall execution is lacking.
Jamail Jones signs with the Bulls for $29,925,000 over 3 years.
Monta: B-
Fortson: C
Monta: This signing is ok, as wings are at a premium and Jamail is a solid backup at worst, and fringe starter. Unlike the last time he was a free agent, he seems to be what he is with little room to improve, just an overall solid scorer who struggles on the defensive end.
Fortson: Dreams of Gentile ended with questionable signings all around. Not a huge fan of Jones’ game, weak on defense, inside is boosted by his athletic ability, and he is rumored to have bad pot. I understand Josh had to take risks but this was a confusing one.
Alessandro Gentile signs with the Celtics for $147,710,050 over 5 years.
Monta: A
Fortson: A+
Monta: No-brainer. For Boston to continue pursuing an Eastern Conference title, they had to keep their young core together and they did just that. Gentile is special and made it clear whoever paid him the most would get his services. There are basically no flaws in this guy’s game, and to think he’s only 25 years old…
Fortson: Not much needs to be said about Gentile. Great signing.
Tatsuya Suzuki signs with the Nuggets for $41,604,887 over 4 years.
Monta: C+
Fortson: B+
Monta: I have a feeling Denver’s been after Suzuki for a while as he fits their mold of a point guard on paper. However, there are certainly better options than him, and with Tyron McCoy already in the fold, this is a lot of money for a backup point guard.
Fortson: Suzuki is an underrate defender and proven outside scorer. His fit is questionable in a loaded Nuggets backcourt but the signing alone was great in its own right. I feel like a lot of teams overlooked him but he’s a top 20 PG for sure. At $10M+ a year this is a steal compared to other guys.
Mate Pongo signs with the Wizards for $36,900,000 over 2 years.
Monta: B+
Fortson: B
Monta: Bigger fan of this signing than the Campazzo one early on. Pongo is still very young and has all the traits you look for in a solid starting point guard. He plays defense, handles the ball well, and can shoot it reasonably well. While he’s no Eric Flor (sorry GB), he’ll do his best to fill in that void.
Fortson: Like Campazzo, GB was throwing money at guys hoping it would stick. Unfortunately it stuck to 3 PG’s. I like Pongo’s upside and thought this was a good signing. Of the 3 PG he signed, he’s my favorite one due to his potential alone.
Rolands Freimanis signs with the Cavaliers for $30,100,000 over 4 years.
Monta: A-
Fortson: C
Monta: Very well done by the Cavs in bringing back a key bench piece in their Finals run last year, but for affordable as well. Only complaint is that he’s 34 years of age, but the money isn’t insanely high that they’ll be regretting it when he’s 37-38 years old. While they no longer have Cole Anthony, the Cavs have reloaded well in free agency to make another run.
Fortson: 4 years for a guy who is 34 and already a C+ defender? Defense isn’t obviously his strong suit but if he declines in TC to a C he might be unplayable in the playoffs. His rebounding is his most overlooked attribute but a bad TC for him could spell doom. All in all, $7M+ a year roughly isn’t too bad of a gamble. My gripe is the 4 years.
Tobias Borg signs with the Wizards for $37,897,042 over 2 years.
Monta: B
Fortson: B-
Monta: Very similar signing to Pongo, except Borg is a better scorer, but worse defender. Both are young and the Wizards have nothing much to lose here. While they are repetitive, it shouldn’t be hard to flip one for a piece or two at other positions.
Fortson: Wizards threw money at the wall and it stuck to 3 PG’s yada yada yada yada. I like Borg better than Campazzo and I think he’s also very tradeable. If GB ends up keeping all 3 I’m gonna rename him PG.
Aidan Mahaney signs with the Bucks for $8,641,000 over 1 years.
Monta: C-
Fortson: B
Monta: Mahaney was already on a downward trend, and at 35 years of age, there’s no reason to give him a full MLE. Granted it was just a single year, but there were other options that were better.
Fortson: Very underrated signing here. He’s probably on the same level as Vlaholic but the Bucks are also in cap hell. I hope the Rockets CB Bojan Tomasevic for him because otherwise he’ll have to waive this nice signing.
Sylven Landesberg signs with the Cavaliers for $47,300,000 over 4 years.
Monta: A-
Fortson: A
Monta: Love this signing for Cleveland as Sylven is as solid as it gets for a starting wing. He spreads the floor with his shooting and can hold his own on the defensive end. Add to that his plus rebounding and he’s just an overall good player. The Cavs had one of the best FAs this year.
Fortson: I’m not sure if he’s a SF, SG, or PG but Sylven is a very underrated player. This of all the Cavs signing I thought was the best and at the worst he is a great asset to trade. Great use of cap here, Hokey.
Brad Waldow signs with the Suns for $62,350,000 over 4 years.
Monta: B
Fortson: A
Monta: This signing is alright. Waldow reminds me a little of Tiny Gallon minus the range. He’ll likely be one of the focal points on a Suns team in flux.
Fortson: Where’s Waldow? He’s now in Phoenix and he traded spaces with Tiny Gallon. There’s a lot of potential for a TV show here but not as great as the potential of Waldow to really make an impact in Phoenix. Steal of a contract here, and if his defense improves any in TC he’s an arguable top 12 big man.
Worthy de Jong signs with the Knicks for $2,393,887 over 1 years.
Monta: A-
Fortson: B+
Monta: Quality veteran point guard for the minimum, can’t really complain here. Worthy has taken a pretty steep fall since a few seasons ago when he was one of the faces of the franchise in Utah, but he can still contribute.
Fortson: Championship level back-up PG and a 1 year deal. Frank is great at identifying veteran role players and he’s found another as he looks to compete.
John Salley signs with the SuperSonics for $33,170,295 over 4 years.
Monta: A-
Fortson: A+
Monta: I was today years old when I found out Salley had transformed into a shot blocker. Honestly didn’t even notice him until he was signed. Salley has definitely developed a “second peak” of sorts in his return to Seattle. Just a few seasons ago he could barely see the court and now he’s got himself a nice little payday.
Fortson: Criminally underpaid and criminally underrated by so many. Salley is terrific shot blocker and the ideal backup PF/C for a contending team. He’ll probably never play for the Sonics but contenders should line up to acquire him. A first for him is very likely.
Dmytro Gliebov signs with the Pistons for $6,933,100 over 2 years.
Monta: B-
Fortson: A-
Monta: Another repetitive signing, and Gliebov has fallen off quite a bit since his 20 PPG season in Denver. At best, will be third-string SG on this team, but at 34 years of age, feel like Denver could have found someone similar who’s younger.
Fortson: Terrific job once again by Gopher. Gliebov doesn’t command the ball and doesn’t turn it over. He’s a fit as the backup PG/SG and getting him for this cheap feels unfair. He will burn someone in the playoffs off of the bench.
Rakim Sanders signs with the SuperSonics for $52,758,325 over 4 years.
Monta: B+
Fortson: B
Monta: Everyone knows Seattle is looking to rebuild so Rakim will likely just become trade bait to acquire more draft capital. Getting him on an affordable deal is a major win as he’s not getting younger any time soon.
Fortson: Another signing by Cloud as a quick sell off for an asset. 4 years for a 32 year old Sanders might deter teams but the SF position is weak in this league and he’s proven to play well there.
Facundo Pinero signs with the Grizzlies for $115,519,446 over 3 years.
Monta: A
Fortson: A+
Monta: The main reason I’m giving this an A is that this helped secure a trade that landed the Grizzlies Manu Ginobili. Yes, the former finals MVP is headed to Vancouver and this signing enabled that. While Pinero will be shipped to Seattle, he is in a similar boat as Rakim Sanders, as he will be on the trade block from day one of the season. If he does end up getting dealt, it will be interesting how he’ll shift the playoff picture.
Fortson: This got Donkey Manu finally so good job.
Otis Smith signs with the Heat for $2,176,260 over 1 years.
Monta: B
Fortson: B
Monta: Had no idea there was an Otis Smith in this league, but can’t be too mad at a one-year minimum. Doesn’t look like Smith can do much of anything on the offensive end, but he’s a plus-defender and rebounder at the wing position.
Fortson: Terrific defender and overlooked player. 1 year deal, Brad finds steals.
Marko Koljevic signs with the Trail Blazers for $19,250,000 over 5 years.
Monta: C+
Fortson: A+
Monta: The money isn’t anything crazy, but Koljievic has shown nothing in his first four years to warrant a 5-year extension in my opinion. He has shown flashes of shooting and defensive ability, but as an undersized two-guard, who struggles on the boards, and without the versatility/ball handling to play point, this is a questionable move.
Fortson: Bringing Marko back at this number feels like a steal and it totally is. I’m not sure how more GM’s didn’t bid for him but good job YRTB for not bidding against yourself. I’m confident his offense will catch up his defense and this could be another Almeida potential.
Jerry Lucas signs with the Thunder for $131,411,010 over 4 years.
Monta: F+
Fortson: D-
Monta: I get it, bigs are at a premium right now, and Lucas does two things very well that are valued very highly: interior defense and rebounding. However, in no world is he worth $30+M/year. OKC has made it clear they would like to move Lucas for draft capital, but signing him for that much of a cap hit will be near impossible to match.
Fortson: This feels like a gross overpay for someone who is 27 and likely already hit his potential. I understand the Thunder are trying to retool but at what cost? This signing will cost you $10M alone as a renegotiation is on the horizon. I don’t want to criticize the Thunder too much but what was the logic here? You could’ve had Williams and Waldow for this price.
Fabricio Oberto signs with the Heat for $75,062,400 over 4 years.
Monta: A
Fortson: A-
Monta: Love that Miami brought back Oberto for a very affordable price tag. This is what OKC should have done above. Retaining Oberto was huge for Miami as they try to compete for the Eastern Conference crown.
Fortson: Oberto back in Miami. Let’s see if he stays healthy this season as Miami quietly put together a sleeper team in South Beach. Oberto is making half of what Lucas is making so this feels like a steal.
Bateer Mengke signs with the Pacers for $42,031,223 over 4 years.
Monta: B
Fortson: B-
Monta: Bateer is an interesting player, as he can really score the ball with his diverse skillset at the big position. However, teams have been unwilling to give him major minutes because he is such a liability on the defensive end. I think a declining deal for Mengke was a solid idea and the Pacers needed frontcourt help desperately.
Fortson: Mengke has been underrated for a while and this feels like an oversight to see the Suns let him walk. I’m unsure if Beats plans to trade him but he has value being the type of big he is. His defense is questionable, but he’s a fit in any system and a great rebounder.
James Siakam signs with the Heat for $3,922,910 over 2 years.
Monta: B-
Fortson: B
Monta: Yeah sure. Not much to say here, two-year min for a low-end roster player is expected.
Fortson: He had so much potential but never reached it. Nice back-up for the Heat as they look to compete.
Mareks Mejeris signs with the Nets for $12,360,000 over 4 years.
Monta: B
Fortson: D
Monta: Getting a wing with this kind of skill-set is rare. Mejeris is basically Kerry Kittles, but was signed for way less than what Kittles was initially signed at. Mejeris had a very good training camp as well, and will probably see some quality minutes off the bench.
Fortson: Mejeris is one of those players that looks good on paper but is not good at all. At this price I can’t complain too much but I’m unsure if he’s even a contender worthy wing back-up at this point.
Peja Stojakovic signs with the Knicks for $2,393,887 over 1 years.
Monta: A-
Fortson: C
Monta: It’s crazy to see how Peja’s value has fluctuated from paycheck to paycheck. Now he’s at a minimum level contract, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he saw a decent payday next year when he hits the market next year. On a Knicks team that’s lacking wings, I would expect Peja to be the opening day starter.
Fortson: Peja is unplayable but has a recognizable name and maybe Frank sees something. It’s only 1 year.
June Mar Fajardo signs with the Trail Blazers for $9,225,000 over 2 years.
Monta: B-
Fortson: B
Monta: Meh…Fajardo can’t defend or score, and really only has one ability and that’s rebounding. After a rough training camp, Fajardo is borderline unplayable and Portland will probably look to upgrade over him. Luckily the money isn’t crazy.
Fortson: Underrated rebounder and quietly has high scoring games every 20-30 games off of the bench. Clippers will miss him and it feels like a mistake not to bring him back.
Howard Bayne signs with the Clippers for $3,378,844 over 2 years.
Monta: A-
Fortson: A
Monta: Bayne averaged double digits scoring last year in limited action, but getting him on a two-year min is a quality value signing. If Bayne can hold his own at power forward, then he could possibly see some meaningful minutes.
Fortson: Nice SF/PF back-up for the Clippers and props to FortsonBass who had the vision to convert him to a PF as a scoring big off of the bench.
Colton Iverson signs with the Heat for $4,570,147 over 2 years.
Monta: A
Fortson: B+
Monta: A big who can block shots and almost averaged a double-double per game somehow only got a two-year minimum deal. Definitely an A, especially for a Miami team that needed frontcourt help. Extra bonus for snagging him away from another Eastern Conference contender.
Fortson: Not sure how the Heat got him for this cheap but they cleaned up role players in FA. Iverson is a talented back-up big and great complement to what they have going on in South Beach.
Tiny Gallon signs with the Jazz for $73,100,000 over 4 years.
Monta: B-
Fortson: B
Monta: Gallon got the same contract Aaric Murray got a few years ago, and I’m sure Utah would be ecstatic if he could take the same trajectory. However, while Gallon is a good scoring and rebounding big, his lack of defensive ability caps his impact on the court. I’m glad Utah didn’t massively overpay for a slightly above average big, but I’m not sure if Gallon helps them all that much.
Fortson: Tiny Gallon and Brad Waldow trade places and we ask ourselves should the GM’s just trade them back to where they belong? Gallon is a talented scorer, rebounder, but his defense is a huge question mark. The Jazz have a quirky team no doubt this was a calculated move on NoTail’s part.
Johnny Berhanemeskel signs with the Nuggets for $61,918,219 over 5 years.
Monta: B+
Fortson: B+
Monta: After years of giving them hometown discount deals, the Nuggets finally rewarded Johnny with a five-year deal at about $12M/year. Berhanemeskel is an absolute sniper and a quality perimeter defender, and it will be interesting how he meshes with Tyron McCoy and Tatsuya Suzuki.
Fortson: Like Suzuki, Johnny Bhdgdxiywvgdxyys(is that how you spell it?) can really score the rock and is an ideal fit in their outside system. He can even play as far up as SF as he’s shown. $60M to him for 5 years feels like a steal (it is). Gabe and Jon continue to make FA magic happen.
Jalen Williams signs with the Knicks for $2,393,887 over 1 years.
Monta: C+
Fortson: B
Monta: Jalen should have retired after last season, but decided to see if he could hang around for another year. I don’t expect him to have much if any impact for New York this year.
Fortson: Frank the Tank assembling his bench with vets.
Elliott Pitts signs with the Hawks for $838,464 over 1 years.
Monta: D-
Fortson: C
Monta: In the words of Stephen A. Smith, this guy’s a bonafide scrub.
Fortson: Writing about this guy is really the Pitts. Sure why not Hawks
Latavious Williams signs with the Nets for $64,500,000 over 4 years.
Monta: A
Fortson: B+
Monta: I thought this was the best signing of the entire class, as the Nets strengthen their team by bringing in one of the most well-rounded, solid bigs in the league. Latavious can score, defend, and rebound at a high level. While he doesn’t excel in any of these categories, he will fill that starting center role in Brooklyn nicely.
Fortson: The Nets best signing far and away. Getting Williams at this price is terrific value and he fixes their biggest issue which has been interior defense/rebounding. Let’s see if this move puts them over the hump.
Dain Dainja signs with the Kings for $5,453,978 over 1 years.
Monta: B-
Fortson: B+
Monta: Dain has not aged gracefully, especially on the defensive end. Once, a pretty dominant defensive presence, Dainja is now just a veteran big who can shore up some rebounding woes in spot minutes. Kings are in desperate need of some frontcourt help this isn’t it.
Fortson: Kings always sign back-up bigs to great contracts and this is another one. If Dainja doesn’t die in TC this could be critical for the Kings.
Preston Purifoy signs with the Bulls for $72,150,000 over 4 years.
Monta: D
Fortson: C
Monta: This would’ve gotten an F if it were an increasing deal, but at least it’s declining. Purifoy is not a good player by any means, and after a rough training camp, his value is even worse. Maybe he can spot up and hit open threes, but that’s about it.
Fortson: Gross overpay but it’s declining so I’ll give some wiggle room for the Bulls. If he reaches his potential he could be a decent third option but too many if’s for Purifoy overall. Maybe one day he’ll drop 20 PPG and Josh will point to this article as the reason I suck at evaluating players, or maybe I’m right.
Adam Walden signs with the Trail Blazers for $4,787,774 over 2 years.
Monta: C
Fortson: B+
Monta: RIP Walden.
Fortson: YRTB got a steal here and no one is talking about it. Like Dainja, if he doesn’t die in TC this is a really solid back-up big move here.
Gary Trent signs with the Cavaliers for $51,600,000 over 4 years.
Monta: B+
Fortson: C
Monta: Big fan of Gary Trent as he is one of the best defensive bigs in the league, and getting him on a reasonable deal is a job well done by Cleveland. Cleveland somehow has been able to upgrade their frontcourt, adding Trent to a frontcourt that already had Mac, Ridley, and Jennings.
Fortson: Trent is low key a fouling machine but he is a good rebounder and terrific shot blocker. I didn’t think 4 years was good here but Hokey has to spend his cap somewhere I guess. If this is his starting C going forward when Koshwal leaves I don’t like it.
Jonathan Holmes signs with the Bulls for $45,030,000 over 3 years.
Monta: C+
Fortson: A-
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Monta: Holmes is still young and has an intriguing offensive skillset, as he has stretch-four potential, but this is still a bit of an overpay. Yes, it’s a declining deal, but Holmes has yet to prove that he’s a starting caliber big, and he probably won’t get that chance again this year as he’s behind Joel James and Cady Lalanne, and possible CJ Walker on the depth chart.
Fortson: Not sure why the Cavs let him walk and laid Trent instead but here we are. Holmes was the Bulls’ best signing by far and has sneaky potential to be a star. The Bulls took the Adam Dunn approach at FA. Jones and Purifoy might be strikeouts but Holmes has all the potential to be a home run. Time will tell.
De'Vion Harmon signs with the Knicks for $2,393,887 over 1 years.
Monta: C
Fortson: B
Monta: Knicks on a veteran minimum players well past their prime signing spree. Harmon can still shoot, but can barely move on the court as he gets blown by almost every time down.
Fortson: Frank knows role players.
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Facundo Campazzo signs with the Wizards for $51,250,000 over 2 years.
Monta: B-
Fortson: C+
Monta: Two years isn’t horrible, but the money isn’t great for a guy who hasn’t proven himself to be a starting caliber point. While he certainly has the traits to run an offense, and plays good defense, his scoring has always been questionable. I think the Wizards could have landed Campazzo for cheaper.
Fortson: I’m going to sound repetitive on GB’s signings but it’s hard to fault him for swinging at PG’s after Eric Flor left in FA last year. Campazzo is a terrific passer and defender but struggles at times creating his own shot. Of his PG signings I liked this the least.
Joseph Soto signs with the Pistons for $25,923,000 over 3 years.
Monta: B
Fortson: A+
Monta: This is a good signing, but not sure how the Pistons will utilize him with Jalaen West and Aleksandar Vlahovic already in the fold. Soto played huge minutes for the Mavs in their championship run, so the least he can do is bring championship experience. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s on the block in an attempt to bolster their frontcourt.
Forston: The Pistons absolutely cleaned up FA but the Soto signing might be their best yet. He’s around the same tier as Campazzo and got paid half the money with 1 extra year on his contract. I’m unsure if the Pistons will keep him but at this price point he’s a valuable asset.
Aleksandar Vlahovic signs with the Pistons for $28,080,000 over 2 years.
Monta: A
Fortson: B+
Monta: Terrific signing here bringing back Vlahovic for a very cheap deal. He’s been solid in Detroit and will continue being a very good third guard behind West and Curry. Detroit is looking like an early season favorite out East with the Cavs taking a step back after Cole Anthony’s departure.
Fortson: Vlaholic is no doubt a terrific complement to Dell Curry and the Pistons didn’t break the bank to keep him. We have to commend Gopher’s creativity to keep the team intact while preserving space.
Johnny Dawkins signs with the Nets for $30,100,000 over 4 years.
Monta: C
Fortson: C
Monta: Not a huge fan of Johnny Dawkins, as he puts up some pretty misleading numbers. Sure he can score a little bit, and is a solid ball distributor, but he also has a turnover issue and does not even attempt to crash the boards.
Fortson: I get what the Nets were trying to do here. Solidify their bench and have scoring on the court at all times. My fear is that Dawkins’ defense will hurt them more than his offense helps them. I thought $30M over 4 years was a gamble given how deep PG is around the league. I’ll give him some points for logic but the overall execution is lacking.
Jamail Jones signs with the Bulls for $29,925,000 over 3 years.
Monta: B-
Fortson: C
Monta: This signing is ok, as wings are at a premium and Jamail is a solid backup at worst, and fringe starter. Unlike the last time he was a free agent, he seems to be what he is with little room to improve, just an overall solid scorer who struggles on the defensive end.
Fortson: Dreams of Gentile ended with questionable signings all around. Not a huge fan of Jones’ game, weak on defense, inside is boosted by his athletic ability, and he is rumored to have bad pot. I understand Josh had to take risks but this was a confusing one.
Alessandro Gentile signs with the Celtics for $147,710,050 over 5 years.
Monta: A
Fortson: A+
Monta: No-brainer. For Boston to continue pursuing an Eastern Conference title, they had to keep their young core together and they did just that. Gentile is special and made it clear whoever paid him the most would get his services. There are basically no flaws in this guy’s game, and to think he’s only 25 years old…
Fortson: Not much needs to be said about Gentile. Great signing.
Tatsuya Suzuki signs with the Nuggets for $41,604,887 over 4 years.
Monta: C+
Fortson: B+
Monta: I have a feeling Denver’s been after Suzuki for a while as he fits their mold of a point guard on paper. However, there are certainly better options than him, and with Tyron McCoy already in the fold, this is a lot of money for a backup point guard.
Fortson: Suzuki is an underrate defender and proven outside scorer. His fit is questionable in a loaded Nuggets backcourt but the signing alone was great in its own right. I feel like a lot of teams overlooked him but he’s a top 20 PG for sure. At $10M+ a year this is a steal compared to other guys.
Mate Pongo signs with the Wizards for $36,900,000 over 2 years.
Monta: B+
Fortson: B
Monta: Bigger fan of this signing than the Campazzo one early on. Pongo is still very young and has all the traits you look for in a solid starting point guard. He plays defense, handles the ball well, and can shoot it reasonably well. While he’s no Eric Flor (sorry GB), he’ll do his best to fill in that void.
Fortson: Like Campazzo, GB was throwing money at guys hoping it would stick. Unfortunately it stuck to 3 PG’s. I like Pongo’s upside and thought this was a good signing. Of the 3 PG he signed, he’s my favorite one due to his potential alone.
Rolands Freimanis signs with the Cavaliers for $30,100,000 over 4 years.
Monta: A-
Fortson: C
Monta: Very well done by the Cavs in bringing back a key bench piece in their Finals run last year, but for affordable as well. Only complaint is that he’s 34 years of age, but the money isn’t insanely high that they’ll be regretting it when he’s 37-38 years old. While they no longer have Cole Anthony, the Cavs have reloaded well in free agency to make another run.
Fortson: 4 years for a guy who is 34 and already a C+ defender? Defense isn’t obviously his strong suit but if he declines in TC to a C he might be unplayable in the playoffs. His rebounding is his most overlooked attribute but a bad TC for him could spell doom. All in all, $7M+ a year roughly isn’t too bad of a gamble. My gripe is the 4 years.
Tobias Borg signs with the Wizards for $37,897,042 over 2 years.
Monta: B
Fortson: B-
Monta: Very similar signing to Pongo, except Borg is a better scorer, but worse defender. Both are young and the Wizards have nothing much to lose here. While they are repetitive, it shouldn’t be hard to flip one for a piece or two at other positions.
Fortson: Wizards threw money at the wall and it stuck to 3 PG’s yada yada yada yada. I like Borg better than Campazzo and I think he’s also very tradeable. If GB ends up keeping all 3 I’m gonna rename him PG.
Aidan Mahaney signs with the Bucks for $8,641,000 over 1 years.
Monta: C-
Fortson: B
Monta: Mahaney was already on a downward trend, and at 35 years of age, there’s no reason to give him a full MLE. Granted it was just a single year, but there were other options that were better.
Fortson: Very underrated signing here. He’s probably on the same level as Vlaholic but the Bucks are also in cap hell. I hope the Rockets CB Bojan Tomasevic for him because otherwise he’ll have to waive this nice signing.
Sylven Landesberg signs with the Cavaliers for $47,300,000 over 4 years.
Monta: A-
Fortson: A
Monta: Love this signing for Cleveland as Sylven is as solid as it gets for a starting wing. He spreads the floor with his shooting and can hold his own on the defensive end. Add to that his plus rebounding and he’s just an overall good player. The Cavs had one of the best FAs this year.
Fortson: I’m not sure if he’s a SF, SG, or PG but Sylven is a very underrated player. This of all the Cavs signing I thought was the best and at the worst he is a great asset to trade. Great use of cap here, Hokey.
Brad Waldow signs with the Suns for $62,350,000 over 4 years.
Monta: B
Fortson: A
Monta: This signing is alright. Waldow reminds me a little of Tiny Gallon minus the range. He’ll likely be one of the focal points on a Suns team in flux.
Fortson: Where’s Waldow? He’s now in Phoenix and he traded spaces with Tiny Gallon. There’s a lot of potential for a TV show here but not as great as the potential of Waldow to really make an impact in Phoenix. Steal of a contract here, and if his defense improves any in TC he’s an arguable top 12 big man.
Worthy de Jong signs with the Knicks for $2,393,887 over 1 years.
Monta: A-
Fortson: B+
Monta: Quality veteran point guard for the minimum, can’t really complain here. Worthy has taken a pretty steep fall since a few seasons ago when he was one of the faces of the franchise in Utah, but he can still contribute.
Fortson: Championship level back-up PG and a 1 year deal. Frank is great at identifying veteran role players and he’s found another as he looks to compete.
John Salley signs with the SuperSonics for $33,170,295 over 4 years.
Monta: A-
Fortson: A+
Monta: I was today years old when I found out Salley had transformed into a shot blocker. Honestly didn’t even notice him until he was signed. Salley has definitely developed a “second peak” of sorts in his return to Seattle. Just a few seasons ago he could barely see the court and now he’s got himself a nice little payday.
Fortson: Criminally underpaid and criminally underrated by so many. Salley is terrific shot blocker and the ideal backup PF/C for a contending team. He’ll probably never play for the Sonics but contenders should line up to acquire him. A first for him is very likely.
Dmytro Gliebov signs with the Pistons for $6,933,100 over 2 years.
Monta: B-
Fortson: A-
Monta: Another repetitive signing, and Gliebov has fallen off quite a bit since his 20 PPG season in Denver. At best, will be third-string SG on this team, but at 34 years of age, feel like Denver could have found someone similar who’s younger.
Fortson: Terrific job once again by Gopher. Gliebov doesn’t command the ball and doesn’t turn it over. He’s a fit as the backup PG/SG and getting him for this cheap feels unfair. He will burn someone in the playoffs off of the bench.
Rakim Sanders signs with the SuperSonics for $52,758,325 over 4 years.
Monta: B+
Fortson: B
Monta: Everyone knows Seattle is looking to rebuild so Rakim will likely just become trade bait to acquire more draft capital. Getting him on an affordable deal is a major win as he’s not getting younger any time soon.
Fortson: Another signing by Cloud as a quick sell off for an asset. 4 years for a 32 year old Sanders might deter teams but the SF position is weak in this league and he’s proven to play well there.
Facundo Pinero signs with the Grizzlies for $115,519,446 over 3 years.
Monta: A
Fortson: A+
Monta: The main reason I’m giving this an A is that this helped secure a trade that landed the Grizzlies Manu Ginobili. Yes, the former finals MVP is headed to Vancouver and this signing enabled that. While Pinero will be shipped to Seattle, he is in a similar boat as Rakim Sanders, as he will be on the trade block from day one of the season. If he does end up getting dealt, it will be interesting how he’ll shift the playoff picture.
Fortson: This got Donkey Manu finally so good job.
Otis Smith signs with the Heat for $2,176,260 over 1 years.
Monta: B
Fortson: B
Monta: Had no idea there was an Otis Smith in this league, but can’t be too mad at a one-year minimum. Doesn’t look like Smith can do much of anything on the offensive end, but he’s a plus-defender and rebounder at the wing position.
Fortson: Terrific defender and overlooked player. 1 year deal, Brad finds steals.
Marko Koljevic signs with the Trail Blazers for $19,250,000 over 5 years.
Monta: C+
Fortson: A+
Monta: The money isn’t anything crazy, but Koljievic has shown nothing in his first four years to warrant a 5-year extension in my opinion. He has shown flashes of shooting and defensive ability, but as an undersized two-guard, who struggles on the boards, and without the versatility/ball handling to play point, this is a questionable move.
Fortson: Bringing Marko back at this number feels like a steal and it totally is. I’m not sure how more GM’s didn’t bid for him but good job YRTB for not bidding against yourself. I’m confident his offense will catch up his defense and this could be another Almeida potential.
Jerry Lucas signs with the Thunder for $131,411,010 over 4 years.
Monta: F+
Fortson: D-
Monta: I get it, bigs are at a premium right now, and Lucas does two things very well that are valued very highly: interior defense and rebounding. However, in no world is he worth $30+M/year. OKC has made it clear they would like to move Lucas for draft capital, but signing him for that much of a cap hit will be near impossible to match.
Fortson: This feels like a gross overpay for someone who is 27 and likely already hit his potential. I understand the Thunder are trying to retool but at what cost? This signing will cost you $10M alone as a renegotiation is on the horizon. I don’t want to criticize the Thunder too much but what was the logic here? You could’ve had Williams and Waldow for this price.
Fabricio Oberto signs with the Heat for $75,062,400 over 4 years.
Monta: A
Fortson: A-
Monta: Love that Miami brought back Oberto for a very affordable price tag. This is what OKC should have done above. Retaining Oberto was huge for Miami as they try to compete for the Eastern Conference crown.
Fortson: Oberto back in Miami. Let’s see if he stays healthy this season as Miami quietly put together a sleeper team in South Beach. Oberto is making half of what Lucas is making so this feels like a steal.
Bateer Mengke signs with the Pacers for $42,031,223 over 4 years.
Monta: B
Fortson: B-
Monta: Bateer is an interesting player, as he can really score the ball with his diverse skillset at the big position. However, teams have been unwilling to give him major minutes because he is such a liability on the defensive end. I think a declining deal for Mengke was a solid idea and the Pacers needed frontcourt help desperately.
Fortson: Mengke has been underrated for a while and this feels like an oversight to see the Suns let him walk. I’m unsure if Beats plans to trade him but he has value being the type of big he is. His defense is questionable, but he’s a fit in any system and a great rebounder.
James Siakam signs with the Heat for $3,922,910 over 2 years.
Monta: B-
Fortson: B
Monta: Yeah sure. Not much to say here, two-year min for a low-end roster player is expected.
Fortson: He had so much potential but never reached it. Nice back-up for the Heat as they look to compete.
Mareks Mejeris signs with the Nets for $12,360,000 over 4 years.
Monta: B
Fortson: D
Monta: Getting a wing with this kind of skill-set is rare. Mejeris is basically Kerry Kittles, but was signed for way less than what Kittles was initially signed at. Mejeris had a very good training camp as well, and will probably see some quality minutes off the bench.
Fortson: Mejeris is one of those players that looks good on paper but is not good at all. At this price I can’t complain too much but I’m unsure if he’s even a contender worthy wing back-up at this point.
Peja Stojakovic signs with the Knicks for $2,393,887 over 1 years.
Monta: A-
Fortson: C
Monta: It’s crazy to see how Peja’s value has fluctuated from paycheck to paycheck. Now he’s at a minimum level contract, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he saw a decent payday next year when he hits the market next year. On a Knicks team that’s lacking wings, I would expect Peja to be the opening day starter.
Fortson: Peja is unplayable but has a recognizable name and maybe Frank sees something. It’s only 1 year.
June Mar Fajardo signs with the Trail Blazers for $9,225,000 over 2 years.
Monta: B-
Fortson: B
Monta: Meh…Fajardo can’t defend or score, and really only has one ability and that’s rebounding. After a rough training camp, Fajardo is borderline unplayable and Portland will probably look to upgrade over him. Luckily the money isn’t crazy.
Fortson: Underrated rebounder and quietly has high scoring games every 20-30 games off of the bench. Clippers will miss him and it feels like a mistake not to bring him back.
Howard Bayne signs with the Clippers for $3,378,844 over 2 years.
Monta: A-
Fortson: A
Monta: Bayne averaged double digits scoring last year in limited action, but getting him on a two-year min is a quality value signing. If Bayne can hold his own at power forward, then he could possibly see some meaningful minutes.
Fortson: Nice SF/PF back-up for the Clippers and props to FortsonBass who had the vision to convert him to a PF as a scoring big off of the bench.
Colton Iverson signs with the Heat for $4,570,147 over 2 years.
Monta: A
Fortson: B+
Monta: A big who can block shots and almost averaged a double-double per game somehow only got a two-year minimum deal. Definitely an A, especially for a Miami team that needed frontcourt help. Extra bonus for snagging him away from another Eastern Conference contender.
Fortson: Not sure how the Heat got him for this cheap but they cleaned up role players in FA. Iverson is a talented back-up big and great complement to what they have going on in South Beach.
Tiny Gallon signs with the Jazz for $73,100,000 over 4 years.
Monta: B-
Fortson: B
Monta: Gallon got the same contract Aaric Murray got a few years ago, and I’m sure Utah would be ecstatic if he could take the same trajectory. However, while Gallon is a good scoring and rebounding big, his lack of defensive ability caps his impact on the court. I’m glad Utah didn’t massively overpay for a slightly above average big, but I’m not sure if Gallon helps them all that much.
Fortson: Tiny Gallon and Brad Waldow trade places and we ask ourselves should the GM’s just trade them back to where they belong? Gallon is a talented scorer, rebounder, but his defense is a huge question mark. The Jazz have a quirky team no doubt this was a calculated move on NoTail’s part.
Johnny Berhanemeskel signs with the Nuggets for $61,918,219 over 5 years.
Monta: B+
Fortson: B+
Monta: After years of giving them hometown discount deals, the Nuggets finally rewarded Johnny with a five-year deal at about $12M/year. Berhanemeskel is an absolute sniper and a quality perimeter defender, and it will be interesting how he meshes with Tyron McCoy and Tatsuya Suzuki.
Fortson: Like Suzuki, Johnny Bhdgdxiywvgdxyys(is that how you spell it?) can really score the rock and is an ideal fit in their outside system. He can even play as far up as SF as he’s shown. $60M to him for 5 years feels like a steal (it is). Gabe and Jon continue to make FA magic happen.
Jalen Williams signs with the Knicks for $2,393,887 over 1 years.
Monta: C+
Fortson: B
Monta: Jalen should have retired after last season, but decided to see if he could hang around for another year. I don’t expect him to have much if any impact for New York this year.
Fortson: Frank the Tank assembling his bench with vets.
Elliott Pitts signs with the Hawks for $838,464 over 1 years.
Monta: D-
Fortson: C
Monta: In the words of Stephen A. Smith, this guy’s a bonafide scrub.
Fortson: Writing about this guy is really the Pitts. Sure why not Hawks
Latavious Williams signs with the Nets for $64,500,000 over 4 years.
Monta: A
Fortson: B+
Monta: I thought this was the best signing of the entire class, as the Nets strengthen their team by bringing in one of the most well-rounded, solid bigs in the league. Latavious can score, defend, and rebound at a high level. While he doesn’t excel in any of these categories, he will fill that starting center role in Brooklyn nicely.
Fortson: The Nets best signing far and away. Getting Williams at this price is terrific value and he fixes their biggest issue which has been interior defense/rebounding. Let’s see if this move puts them over the hump.
Dain Dainja signs with the Kings for $5,453,978 over 1 years.
Monta: B-
Fortson: B+
Monta: Dain has not aged gracefully, especially on the defensive end. Once, a pretty dominant defensive presence, Dainja is now just a veteran big who can shore up some rebounding woes in spot minutes. Kings are in desperate need of some frontcourt help this isn’t it.
Fortson: Kings always sign back-up bigs to great contracts and this is another one. If Dainja doesn’t die in TC this could be critical for the Kings.
Preston Purifoy signs with the Bulls for $72,150,000 over 4 years.
Monta: D
Fortson: C
Monta: This would’ve gotten an F if it were an increasing deal, but at least it’s declining. Purifoy is not a good player by any means, and after a rough training camp, his value is even worse. Maybe he can spot up and hit open threes, but that’s about it.
Fortson: Gross overpay but it’s declining so I’ll give some wiggle room for the Bulls. If he reaches his potential he could be a decent third option but too many if’s for Purifoy overall. Maybe one day he’ll drop 20 PPG and Josh will point to this article as the reason I suck at evaluating players, or maybe I’m right.
Adam Walden signs with the Trail Blazers for $4,787,774 over 2 years.
Monta: C
Fortson: B+
Monta: RIP Walden.
Fortson: YRTB got a steal here and no one is talking about it. Like Dainja, if he doesn’t die in TC this is a really solid back-up big move here.
Gary Trent signs with the Cavaliers for $51,600,000 over 4 years.
Monta: B+
Fortson: C
Monta: Big fan of Gary Trent as he is one of the best defensive bigs in the league, and getting him on a reasonable deal is a job well done by Cleveland. Cleveland somehow has been able to upgrade their frontcourt, adding Trent to a frontcourt that already had Mac, Ridley, and Jennings.
Fortson: Trent is low key a fouling machine but he is a good rebounder and terrific shot blocker. I didn’t think 4 years was good here but Hokey has to spend his cap somewhere I guess. If this is his starting C going forward when Koshwal leaves I don’t like it.
Jonathan Holmes signs with the Bulls for $45,030,000 over 3 years.
Monta: C+
Fortson: A-
Monta: Holmes is still young and has an intriguing offensive skillset, as he has stretch-four potential, but this is still a bit of an overpay. Yes, it’s a declining deal, but Holmes has yet to prove that he’s a starting caliber big, and he probably won’t get that chance again this year as he’s behind Joel James and Cady Lalanne, and possible CJ Walker on the depth chart.
Fortson: Not sure why the Cavs let him walk and laid Trent instead but here we are. Holmes was the Bulls’ best signing by far and has sneaky potential to be a star. The Bulls took the Adam Dunn approach at FA. Jones and Purifoy might be strikeouts but Holmes has all the potential to be a home run. Time will tell.
De'Vion Harmon signs with the Knicks for $2,393,887 over 1 years.
Monta: C
Fortson: B
Monta: Knicks on a veteran minimum players well past their prime signing spree. Harmon can still shoot, but can barely move on the court as he gets blown by almost every time down.
Fortson: Frank knows role players.
