The NBA’s free agency period is off to a hot and heavy start, with over $1 billion worth of contracts reportedly agreed to in the opening hours. Even without any superstar names on the market, teams have been swift to scoop up the talent available. Here are four deals I especially enjoyed during the initial rush of signings.
Draymond Green, Warriors: 4 years, $100 million
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It would have been incredibly strange to see Green put on any jersey other than a Warriors one moving forward. Newly minted GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. didn’t waste any time in bringing Green back. Draymond was fantastic on the defensive end last season, and his chemistry with Stephen Curry makes them one of the game’s most feared duos. I appreciate Dunleavy’s commitment to Golden State’s veteran core. Green, along with Curry and Klay Thompson, deserve the chance to compete for championships together until the wheels completely fall off. With championship-hungry vets still on the market, the Dubs are signaling that they are no longer a two-timeline team. The Warriors want to win now, and bringing back Green was an essential move to any title hopes this upcoming season.
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Bruce Brown, Pacers: 2 years, $45 million
Great deal for both player and team. Brown more than triples his salary, while the Pacers have a team option for next season. If the fit isn’t good, Indiana can move on, and Brown can try to find a longer contract somewhere else. Brown deserves the massive raise after his spectacular play for the Nuggets last season. He’s a point guard who can play off the ball while also functioning as a screener and cutter. He should be a great backcourt partner for Tyrese Haliburton, and he’ll bring the team a defensive edge as well. The number may look big, but the Pacers had to spend their cap room on someone. Taking a short-term gamble (so to speak) on a tough role player with championship experience is a no-brainer. And the worst case for Brown is contenders will almost assuredly line back up for him next summer.
Gabe Vincent, Lakers: 3 years, $33 million
Possibly my favorite move of free agency. Vincent was spectacular during the Heat’s surprise run to the Finals, starting the entire postseason. He provided timely pull-up shooting as well as rugged defense. The version of Vincent we saw in the 2023 playoffs arguably would have been the Lakers’ best option at point guard during their last postseason run. I would expect Vincent to close many games for Los Angeles this season. He doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective.
Keita Bates-Diop, Suns: 2 years, $5 million
For a team only restricted to minimum signings, the Suns had to be very diligent about who they acquired to put next to their big three of Bradley Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. Bates-Diop is a very sensible move. He shot 39.4% on threes with the Spurs last season, and was over 50% from the field overall. He should receive plenty of open looks in the corners playing off so much offensive talent, and he gives Phoenix a capable, long defender on the wing. How teams will guard him and how well he can hold up defensively in the playoffs remains to be seen. The Suns were limited in what they can do, though. And for Bates-Diop, he is young enough that thriving in Phoenix on a short deal could open up longer and more lucrative opportunities for himself the next time he’s a free agent. Both sides are making a good bet.
