G9.
Pistons GM
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S18 FA Deals, Steals, and ... Fails
Maybe during quarantine I’ll continue a series for once, so I’m calling this one Deals, Steals, and … Fails. Solid signings will be considered deals, excellent signings – steals, and poor signings – … fails. On the note of continuing a series, if anyone can think of a major trade in the last ~10 seasons that has had a significant ripple effect, I might do another “What Became of It?” article. If you can think back to this monstrosity:
Anyways...
Los Angeles Clippers
Jalen Weaver
5 Years, 22.5M-25.7M
Career Stats:
30.2MPG 17.1PPG 5.5RPG 2.7APG 1.3SPG 1.6TOPG
44% FG, 80% FT, 38% 3PT
Last Season Stats:
32.4MPG 17.4PPG 6.0RPG 2.2APG 1.1SPG 1.4TOPG
45% FG, 83% FT, 47% 3PT
Jalen Weaver is coming off a hot-shooting 2034 season. Last year he sported the leagues 3rd best 3PT% on 3.7 attempts per game. During Free Agency, Weavers ability as a shooter became more apparent as it clearly outranked a number of rivaling wings (Barnes, Edwards). His outside "A" held strong through TC and Weaver can be expected to put up another year of efficient offense. This contract will be considered a deal as it secured one of the leagues more efficient wings on a <max contract.
New Orleans Pelicans
Romero Osby
5 Years, 16.2M-21.4M
Career Stats:
17.4MPG 7.8PPG 6.0RPG 0.9APG 0.4SPG 0.7BPG 0.8TOPG
44% FG, 70% FT, 30% 3PT
Last Season Stats:
30.6MPG 15.0PPG 11.2RPG 1.6APG 0.6SPG 1.2BPG 1.1TOPG
46% FG, 67% FT, 29% 3PT
Romero Osby entered Free Agency coming off a career year in New Orleans. Ownership wasn't very transparent with Osby about his future as a Pelican, prompting him to test the market. At one point during the offseason, Pelicans General Manager made a statement that he did not even intend to offer Osby a contract. Ultimately, this appeared to be some sort of genius bluff - as Osby returned home to the Pelicans on a rather team-friendly deal. The Pelicans can expect Osby to play at a starting level for the duration of his contract, while many other teams around the league struggle to find a big as well rounded as he. This contract will be considered a deal as it secured a consistent big man on a <lg average contract (see: Oberto, Lucas, Chappell).
Chicago Bulls
Walker Kessler
1 Year, 2.4M
Career Stats:
31.8MPG 17.1PPG 10.7RPG 1.4APG 0.8SPG 3.0BPG 2.6TOPG
45% FG, 70% FT, 31% 3PT
Last Season Stats:
31.0MPG 13.7PPG 10.1RPG 1.1APG 0.9SPG 2.6BPG 2.5TOPG
42% FG, 66% FT, 36% 3PT
The intimidating Walker Kessler certainly is not his old self, but he's still holding his own. In 2034 the big man posted his 7th consecutive double-double season, and his 11th in the past 12 years. These years have also inclued a career avg. 3.0 blocks per game, a commodity that isn't always easy to come by. Despite this, Kessler didn't pick up much traction in Free Agency. As the Osby, Chappell, Powell, and Lucas's of the league sat down to sign in 80 million dollar contracts - Kessler's phone remained silent. That is, until, legendary GM Ebbs1TheWholesomeTeacher gave him a call. Ebbs picked up Kessler on the league minimum, and despite his ratings, Kessler has proven he can still perform. In CPUPre he brought in 10.2 rebounds per game while blocking 3.4 shots per game. Kessler's one year veteran minimum is considered a steal.
Seattle Supersonics
C.J. Walker
4 Years, 18.0M-20.7M
Career Stats:
31.8MPG 10.2PPG 11.2RPG 1.3APG 0.8SPG 3.0BPG 1.0TOPG
42% FG, 65% FT, 36% 3PT
Last Season Stats:
33.5MPG 10.0PPG 12.2RPG 1.5APG 0.7SPG 3.3BPG 1.1TOPG
42% FG, 67% FT, 32% 3PT
C.J. Walker has found himself among the top 10 leaders in rebounds per game and blocks per game for over a decade now. He also won a championship with Denver not too long ago. At 33 years old, Walker is still a premier big man in the league. There aren't many others who can beat him on the boards or at the rim. Rumors of Walker receiving a maximum contract shook Twitter for multiple days early in Free Agency, but as he waited to find the right fit - those hefty contracts were signed by others. There was a report of Dallas offering C.J. a 4 year, 140 million dollar contract. But before he was able to accept, Anthony Edwards instead took the fat Dallas paycheck and left Walker with limited options. Of course, he would have much preferred to sign in Dallas. The Mavericks haven't made the playoffs since he was born, and he was hoping to be part of that new wave. Saddened, C.J. ultimately sat down at the table with the Seattle Supersonics, signing a 4 year, 78 million dollar deal. The contract rivals those of Wiseman (yike), Osby, Lucas, Chappell, and Oberto - but C.J. is expected to bring much more to a table. Because of this, Walker's deal with the Sonics is definitely a steal.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Marshawn Powell
5 Years, 10.0M-13.2M
Career Stats:
30.4MPG 11.8PPG 9.4RPG 2.0APG 1.0SPG 0.9BPG 1.3TOPG
43% FG, 65% FT, 31% 3PT
Last Season Stats:
29.8MPG 11.3PPG 9.1RPG 1.3APG 0.9SPG 0.9BPG 1.3TOPG
46% FG, 66% FT, 30% 3PT
Marshawn has consistently improved his efficiency from the field since his sophomore year in the league as he has quietly held down the 4 for the Thunder. He quietly snuck through Free Agency as well. Powell's 11M AAV is significantly lower than similar players in Osby, Chappell, Lucas, and Dave DeBusschere. While Oklahoma City isn't exactly competing for a ship, it is probably comforting to have a solid starter locked down on this contract. Who knows, Powell could still improve in future TCs. In the FA pool he was close to C+ outside, and entered this TC at A- defense. He's close to being a very appealing starting power forward. The Thunder should be able to squeeze out a nice trade if they do decide to move this steal.
Detroit Pistons
Peja Stojakovic
4 Years, 13.4M-15.4M
Career Stats:
29.5MPG 12.8PPG 5.1RPG 1.5APG 0.8SPG 0.2BPG 2.1TOPG
45% FG, 81% FT, 38% 3PT
Last Season Stats:
28.0MPG 12.4PPG 4.1RPG 1.5APG 0.7SPG 0.1BPG 1.5TOPG
47% FG, 84% FT, 37% 3PT
After 4 years of invisible management in Milwaukee, and 2 years of coachless basketball in Charlotte, fans around the league were thrilled to see the restart of Peja's career in Seattle. Seattle's GM Cloud has a knack for maximizing production and offensive efficiency - it was time for the Peja that was promised. Sadly instead, while Peja did have his most efficient season in 4 years, he was still ... not good. He was expected to sign for less than an MLE. Detroit management must still be clinging onto the Peja that was once promised, as this 4 year 60 million dollar deal is certainly a fail.
Miami Heat
Colton Iverson
4 Years, 9.55M-9.55M
Career Stats:
21.5MPG 8.5PPG 6.3RPG 1.1APG 0.6SPG 1.3BPG 1.3TOPG
44% FG, 66% FT
Last Season Stats:
22.8MPG 11.4PPG 6.3RPG 1.1APG 0.6SPG 1.6BPG 1.2TOPG
47% FG, 67% FT
When news broke of the Heat signing Colton Iverson, Miami fans went wild. They were thrilled to obtain this mystic Iverson. "Is he related to A.I?," "Is his game similar?." Infinite questions circulated the press. Fans scoured YouTube to find highlights or mixes. Nobody could find anything. There was nothing on the kid. Was he that good? They've just been hiding him? When the Free Agency period officially started, and the Miami Heat manager took seat for his press conference, fans across the globe tuned in to hear him speak about the newly signed Iverson. He opened the conference by addressing the topic immediately, "4 year deal, nothing crazy. We're bringing back the white kid from last year." As Colton took the stage, you could hear the whispers in the crowd. Media last season hadn't even bothered learning his name, and even though he had just signed a 4 year deal, they still did not want to bother with something so uninteresting. The conference quickly shifted to another topic. Fail.
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