Kawhi Re-Signs! My Thoughts From Day 5 of NBA Free Agency
I didn’t know what to post for today, but Kawhi finally re-signed, so here’s my chance to talk about that and all the moves that happened today. Here are my thoughts from Day 5 of NBA Free Agency.
Kawhi Leonard Re-Signs With Clippers, Contract TBD
This really isn’t surprising. No other team really went after Kawhi and now nobody has the cap space to sign him. So a return to LA was inevitable for Kawhi, who looks to help the Clippers break through and finally win an NBA title.
Kawhi is going to miss a lot of 2022, so he might not be back until 2023. He might not be the same player, but Kawhi has really never been an athletic guy. I’m guessing he’ll still be able to hit his mid-range jumpshots after this injury, so he’ll still be a really good player, maybe a little less explosive and maybe the defense gets a little worse.
The Clippers already locked up Paul George long-term and now they got the Klaw. The Clippers finally didn’t mess something up. They re-signed Batum and Jackson, drafted Keon Johnson, and added Justice Winslow as well (more on that later). Pretty good offseason for LAC.
Reggie Jackson Re-Signs With Clippers, 2yrs/$22 Million Dollar Deal
Thank god nobody over paid for Reggie Jackson. Jackson’s role in LA makes him a lot better than anywhere else. Here, he doesn’t have to do anything else other than score, which is perfect for him. He’s the perfect 6th man for the Clippers and he should continue to be excellent in LA.
With Kawhi out for most, if not all of 2022, he’ll get to be more of a featured part of the offense, so this contract suits him very well. LA keeps a key contributor from last year.
Grizzlies Receive: Sam Merrill & Two Future 2nd RP
Bucks Receive: Grayson Allen
Grizzles: I kind of get this move and I kind of don’t. The Grizzlies have so much depth and young talent, they probably had too much. So many guys on their roster deserve minutes and maybe they’re just trying to trim that down. They could also be trying to make way for 10th overall pick Ziaire Williams. Both of those possibilities are valid, but Allen is really good. A gritty player who was really impactful for the Grizzlies last season.
Somebody like Tyus Jones is somebody who I would have traded, if anybody. The future picks are cool, I guess. Memphis is still a pretty deep team, but I don’t really get this move.
Bucks: What a steal. They lost PJ Tucker and Bryn Forbes in free agency and now they’re getting a hybrid of both players. Allen is a very good shooter, like Forbes, who isn’t a defensive liability. Sure, he’s not PJ Tucker good, but he can definitely play in the playoffs, unlike Forbes, who fell out of the rotation due to defensive shortcomings.
I like this move a lot, this gives the Bucks some much needed depth after two key pieces left in free agency. Great, great move for the defending champs.
Andre Iguodala Signs With Golden State, One Year Minimum Deal
When Iguodala said that the Warriors were one of his 3 final teams, I think we all knew a return to Golden State was inevitable. Iguodala brings a winning mentality and he already knows how to play with Curry, Thompson, and Draymond Green. He knows the Warriors system, he should help bolster their bench depth.
This makes the Warriors a lot better, a very good signing.
Justice Winslow Signs With Clippers, Two Year Deal
Even though LA re-signed Kawhi, they’re not going to have him for most of 2022 due to that ACL injury. So they have done a really good job adding wing talent. They re-signed Batum in addition to George and Morris. They drafted versatile defender Keon Johnson and now they’re adding Justice Winslow.
Winslow was the 10th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, but he hasn’t really stuck anywhere. He missed almost his entire sophomore season and never blossomed like some thought he would in Miami. He only played 11 games in 2020 and this past season in Memphis? Injuries also limited his playing time.
I’m guessing this contract isn’t going to be worth that much, but it’s low risk high reward. When healthy, Winslow can give you some offense and he’s another decent enough wing defender. Again, low risk high reward for LA. A good replacement body on the wing for however long Kawhi is out.
Kevin Durant Signs 4yr/$198 Million Dollar Contract Extension With Brooklyn
Not really surprising. KD is well worth this money and he’s going to continue to be one of the best players in the league. Apparently an achilles injury in his 30’s can’t slow him down, so this is well worth it for the Nets, who will look to win a title with their incredibly stacked Big 3.
Marcus Smart Offered 4yr/$77 Million Dollar Extension
I’ve seen a lot of Celtics fans wanting Marcus Smart gone after one sub-par season, but I think they need him more than ever. When healthy, he’s one of the best and most versatile defenders in the NBA. He’s fiery and the heart and soul of Boston, similar to Draymond Green in a lot of ways.
This is what the extension would look like money wise. For the 2021-22 season, Smart is on the final year of the 4-year extension he signed in 2018. For the final year of his deal, he’s getting paid $13.8 million. If he accepted this extension, the money would look like this;
2022-23: $17.2 Million
2023-24: $18.5 Million
2024-25: $20 Million
2025-26: $21.3 Million
It does get expensive on the back end, but when healthy, Smart is definitely worth that type of money. So if he accepted that, including the final year of his deal, this would be about a 5y/$91 million dollar deal for Smart, which is totally worth it.
Also factor in that Smart is likely going to have to be the starting point guard for Boston in 2022, they really need him. I do think this is a good investment for Boston and one that Smart is likely going to accept.
Frank Vogel Signs Contract Extension With Lakers
Vogel is one of the most underrated coaches in the league. With the Lakers roster in pieces at times last year, they remained one of the best defenses in the league. He made great adjustments in the Bubble en route to a title. I think this is well deserved.
What Are Your Thoughts From NBA Free Agency? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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