We’re a few days into NBA free agency and we’ve seen some… interesting contracts to say the least. With the new CBA, teams are required to spend at least 90% of their cap space. This has forced teams to give out some pricey contracts to not get any additional taxes.
Fred VanVleet (3 yrs/$130M w/ Houston Rockets): C+
Not sure what the Rockets direction is, but getting a veteran PG doesn’t hurt. VanVleet will bring a veteran presence to the backcourt in Houston immediately. Although I think $43.3M/year is an overpay, I don’t think signing VanVleet was the wrong move. They needed a locker room leader in that young Houston team.
I’m not a huge fan of VanVleet as he’s extremely inefficient and adding him to an already inefficient team isn’t the best recipe. With all that said, I think his best value will come in providing guidance to Amen Thompson and Jalen Green.
Max Strus (4 yrs/$64M w/ Cleveland Cavaliers): B-
Shooters always seem to get paid and boy did Max Strus get paid. Strus was one of the more relied upon shooters in the Heat rotation and started every game in the Heat run to the Finals. The Cavaliers needed a shooter in the starting lineup next to Garland and Mitchell, adding Strus doe that.
Although $16M/yr will probably come back to bite the Cavs, Strus is a winning player that’s played under the brightest lights. They can slot him in as the starting SF immediately with the length they have at PF/C.
Donte DiVincenzo (4 yrs/$50M w/ New York Knicks): A+
The Knicks go and reunite Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart with their Villanova teammate by getting DiVincenzo. Love this move by the Knicks. The way players have been getting paid this free agency, I thought DiVincenzo was going to get AT LEAST Strus money. The Knicks were able to get a bargain for a player who can be a 6th man type player or spot starter that can shoot and be an important piece during a playoffs run.
DiVincenzo is another winning player to take the Knicks to the next level. He’s not the big superstar name, but a reliable role player that can shoot, defend, and make plays for others. Overall, getting Donte DiVincenzo for $12.5M/year is a bargain in today’s market, great move by the Knicks.
Bruce Brown Jr. (2 yrs/$45M w/ Indiana Pacers): A-
Don’t get me wrong, $22.5M/year for Bruce Brown is insane, but he’s worth every penny. Bruce Brown Jr. does all the little things and more for a team. He’s the ultimate winning player to help a young Pacers team get to the playoffs. There’s a reason why Michael Malone wanted him back:
The Pacers needed perimeter defense and another ball handler in the rotation, Bruce Brown Jr. does that and more. He can guard 1-3 exceptionally and was one of the more underrated reasons the Nuggets won a championship.
The Pacers were able to get Brown for essentially a one year deal with the 2nd year being a team option. This deal is great for both sides as it gives the Pacers flexibility in next year’s crazy FA class and also allows Bruce Brown Jr. to get his money now.
Gabe Vincent (3 yrs/$33M w/ Los Angeles Lakers): B+
Another solid signing by the Lakers. The Lakers have been one of the bigger winners in free agency, improving their depth drastically. After seeing what Dennis Schroder got, this deal doesn’t seem that bad at all. Vincent is a shooter that can bring some consistency at the backup PG position. He can run the offense and also heat up any time.
Not to mention, he proved he can perform when the lights are brightest in the playoffs. Adding Vincent to a team that already went to the Western Conference Finals was a great addition by the Lakers.
Dillon Brooks (4 yrs/$80M w/ Houston Rockets): B-
This could’ve been worse, the way money has been flying. Although Dillon Brooks is a terrible offensive player, you can’t deny his defensive impact. He hustles every play defensively and will give it his all on the perimeter. Adding a personality and a player with an edge to a young team isn’t the worst idea.
An edge is something the young Rockets team with Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun lacked. Dillon Brooks will immediately become the best perimeter defender and help the Rockets improve in totality.
I give it a B- due to the length of the contract and the amount, $20M is still an overpay for Dillon Brooks. If this was around $13-16M, I would’ve gave it a higher grade for sure.
