“Fast and furious” is an understatement to describe how the NBA free agent market exploded on the first day of open bidding for expiring contracts.
The Philadelphia 76ers made a splash by signing point guard Tyrese Maxey to a contract extension and spending $416 million on a guaranteed contract to acquire unrestricted free agent Paul George, giving Philadelphia a so-called “big three” along with Joel Embiid.
George's absence was seen as a setback for the Clippers, but they moved quickly to acquire free agent Derrick Jones Jr., who the Mavericks wanted back.
And Oklahoma City got another big scorer and another defender in Isaiah Hartenstein, plus the return of shooter Isaiah Joe on a $48 million contract.
Here's how we rate the first wave of free agents.
Chicago Bulls
C Jalen Smith: 3-year, $27 million contract
Chicago desperately needed an active big man, and the Bulls got a potential diamond in the rough without paying a huge salary. Smith played as a backup to Myles Turner with the Pacers, but he's a promising prospect. He's a new-age fifth-man who shot 42 percent from 3-point range last season.
Rating: B+
Los Angeles Clippers
>Lost UFA Paul George (Clippers)
The PG-Kawhi pairing was ultimately a disappointment story, with what may have never materialized with the Clippers and George finding his youthful home again with the 76ers. It's not an add-or-subtract move, but giving Harden and Leonard more defined roles and Jones Jr.'s aggressive, agile on-ball defense might not be the losing trade-off some suggest.
Rating: B
Oklahoma City Thunder
<C Isaiah Hartenstein: Three-year, $87 million contract
Joe is a solid perimeter shooter and good one-on-one defender. Hartenstein, while not considered as a scorer, will likely contribute significantly to the Thunder's defense and rebounding metrics. Hartenstein is an underrated passer who does more than just clog lanes in half-court defense. Oklahoma City has taken a measured approach to staying near the top of the league defensively and to tightly define roster roles. It's worked.
Class A
Philadelphia 76ers
<Signed RFA PG Tyrese Maxey to a five-year, $204 million contract
The summer Philadelphia has been waiting for is here, as team president Daryl Morey finds a top-tier free agent to help cover the 76ers' cap bill, the latest attempt to appease Joel Embiid, who has yet to prove he can play alongside a championship team.
Tyrese Maxey finished in the top 20 in assists and points (25.9 points per game) last season and led the team to the playoffs while Embiid was dealing with another knee injury. Given George's age (34) and Embiid's durability, this is a potential Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker-level flop in Phoenix. Keeping Philadelphia's star on the court consistently and in key postseason minutes will determine whether this move works, but the 76ers had to try again to acquire a third star.
Rating: B-
