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Latest NBA Free Agent Signings – Aug. 13, 2009
Blazers sign Brandon Roy to 5-year, $82 million extension
This needed to be done. Roy is the centerpiece of the Blazers emergence in the Western Conference and deserved the maximum extension. He is becoming one of the best shooting guards in the league and locking him up now saves the trouble of dealing with any negotiations during the season or waiting until next summer when he would be a restricted free agent. Now it’s time to figure out an extension for LaMarcus Aldridge who becomes a restricted free agent next summer.
Hawks bring back Marvin Williams 5-year, $37.5 million deal
Williams hasn’t truly lived up to his billing as the second-overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, averaging just 12.5 points during his career. But you have to take into account that the former Tar Heel is just 23 years old and still yet to reach his potential. Re-signing him at a reasonable amount also ensures he doesn’t hit the free market after this season. He is and will continue to be part of the re-building process in Atlanta that has brought the team back to respectability. Next up for the Hawks: working on an extension for unrestricted free agent to be, Joe Johnson.
Celtics Add Depth Up-Front
Glen Davis stepped up big in the postseason when Kevin Garnett was forced to rock the sweater/tie/suit coat combo and angrily yell at opposing players from the bench due to injury. Re-signing “Big Baby” at two years, $6.3 million is a very affordable deal. It also gives Boston one of the deepest frontcourts, having Davis, Garnett, Rasheed Wallce and Kendrick Perkins. Add in the 1-year, $1.3 million deal the Celtics inked with Shelden Williams, and no team will deeper up front in the NBA.
The signing of both players also add insurance in case Garnett or Wallace get banged up during the season, and ensures that Brian Scalabrine won’t be seeing significant minutes during any hopeful playoff run.
Cavs sign Leon Powe
A season-ending torn ACL cost the former Celtic from cashing in on a longer, more lucrative deal. Because he likely won’t be ready for a return until sometime around February, Boston decided not to extend Powe a qualifying offer and instead allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent. The Cavaliers stepped up and snatched Powe from one of their biggest contenders out East.
A 2-year deal at around $1.77 million is worth the possible payoff that Powe can provide down the stretch. If he returns at 100 percent, it will be a steal for the Cavs as Powe can provide some energy and toughness off Cleveland’s bench. If not, the second year of his deal has a team option and the Cavs can let him walk next summer.
Linas Kleiza Heading to Greece
A key component of the Nuggets bench, Kleiza decided to sign a 2-year, $12.2 million deal with Olympiakos of Greece rather than accept the $2.7 million qualifying offer to stay one more year in Denver after the two sides were unable to reach a contract extension. This is costly for the Nuggets who have already lost starting shooting guard Dahntay Jones to free agency and have really done little this offseason while other teams in the West have seemingly improved.
Who’s left?
There are still some talented free agents available; the only problem is teams either don’t have the money or don’t want to spend the money these players want. Allen Iverson is still the biggest name out there and continues to be linked to three teams: the Heat, Clippers and Grizzlies.
The Knicks are in no hurry to sign restricted free agents David Lee or Nate Robinson to long-term deals as they don’t want to risk hurting their cap situation for next offseason.
Bucks restricted free agent Ramon Sessions has been linked to the Clips and Knicks, but might have to settle returning to Milwaukee for a $1 million qualifying offer and hope to receive a better deal next summer.
Written by Paul Banks of NBC Chicago and the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
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