As soon as the off-season kicked off, NBA free agency rumours started to swirl around all over the internet. According to reports, nearly $3 billion worth of contracts were handed out on the first day of free agency alone.
Each year, some of the biggest NBA stars enter the free agency and things get a little too entertaining for the fans. While we wait for the confirmations, let’s take a look at some of the smartest NBA free-agency signings yet.
Top 5 NBA Free Agency Deals
5. Grant Williams
The 23-year-old who started his NBA career with Boston Celtics was traded to Dallas Mavericks in 2023. The Mavericks desperately needed a good defensive player to complete their team for a shot at the championship in the upcoming season. When Williams reached his NBA free agency, the 6-foot-6 power forward was already looking out for his options.
While other teams were contemplating a deal offer for the Celtics’ power forward, Mavericks wasted no time in pushing their offer for the young talent. His move to the Mavericks has been speculated as a smart move by the team.
Williams will have no problem playing alongside star players such as Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. On the other hand, Celtics fans have heavily criticised their decision to forego the talent.
4. Bruce Brown
The Denver Nuggets star probably made the most of his NBA free agency by joining the Indiana Pacers. The 26-year-old star player had a big decision to make, whether to stick with his championship-winning team or make a switch to a higher-paying team. He chose the latter, which eventually worked out well for both the Pacers and Brown. He averaged 11.5 points during his 2022-23 season with the Nuggets.
Brown was looking at a $7.8 million paycheck if he stuck with the Nuggets, but the 6-foot-3 star signed a $45 million deal for a two-year deal with the Pacers instead. With Tyrese Haliburton and Obi Toppin by his side, Brown should have no problem making his mark with the Pacers.
3. Taurean Prince
Taurean Prince is the latest power forward addition to Los Angeles Lakers. While the Lakers were not in desperate need of a power forward this season, Prince still makes a good addition to the team. The 29-year-old NBA player has averaged 9.1 points, 46.7% field goal, and 38.1% three-points per game. The 6-foot-5 player is certainly going to solidify his game by playing alongside legendary players such as Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
2. Yuta Watanabe
The underrated Japanese player was a much-needed addition to the Pheonix Suns’ star-studded team. With players like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, a need for defence may not seem the need of the hour. However, the 28-year-old is certainly going to make a huge difference to the team’s defensive line with his skills and basketball IQ. Watanabe is certainly an underrated NBA free-agency player whose impact will be felt once the NBA season kicks off.
1. Georges Niang
The Philadelphia 76ers “Minivan” exercised his NBA free agency to find a new home with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lacking scoring production from the Cavaliers last season, led to Kevin Love’s waiver. While Love was a strong power forward for the team, a younger Niang was surely a great decision to replace the 34-year-old. Even though Niang does not possess the rebounding score which Love does, he makes up for it with his last season’s average of 44.2% field goals and 40.1% three-points per game.
Credits: SI
