The NBA free agency period started just about two weeks ago, and most of the big names on the market have signed new deals. Some signings have gotten great reviews, while others have left experts scratching their heads.Here are the five best signings of the offseason so far.
5. Nick Young, SG, Los Angeles Lakers
Nick Young has a lot of talent, but hasn’t been able to find the right situation yet thus far in his career. Enter Mike D’Antoni’s system in Los Angeles.Young fits perfectly into the offensive system D’Antoni wants to run. Young is a knockdown three-point shooter and will help spread the floor, especially on pick-and-roll sets.
Look for Young to have a breakout year in 2013-2014.
4. Andrei Kirilenko, SF, Brooklyn Nets
After making the blockbuster trade with the Boston Celtics, the Nets still had a few holes to fill and not a lot of money to spend.Brooklyn needed a wing defender and another three-point shooter badly. Somehow, the Nets managed to steal Andrei Kirilenko away from the Minnesota Timberwolves for just over $3 million per year. Kirilenko opted out of his contract with Minnesota that would have paid him $10.2 million this year.
Kirilenko is a great fit in Brooklyn. Throughout his career, Kirilenko has always been one of the league’s best defenders. He isn’t a lights out three-point shooter, but he can certainly hit an open jump shot if opposing teams leave him open. With the addition of Kirilenko, the Nets appear to be serious contenders.
3. Monta Ellis, SG, Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks desperately needed a scoring guard to replace OJ Mayo, especially because Dirk Nowitzki is getting older and can’t continue to carry the offensive load on his back.The Mavs got exactly what they needed in Monta Ellis.
Ellis can score from anywhere on the court. He is super quick and loves to get in the lane, but he also has the shooting touch to light a team up from deep. Ellis has never played with a true scoring big before, and he is going to benefit greatly from having Dirk on his side.
Don’t be surprised to see Ellis among the league leaders in points per game next season. He has a legitimate shot at averaging 25-26 points per game next year.
2. Dwight Howard, C, Houston Rockets
The Rockets needed a big man to pair up with James Harden, and they found a way to reel in the best big man in the free agency market, Dwight Howard.As far as basketball goes, this is a great fit. Houston head coach Kevin McHale was one of the best big men to ever play in the NBA, so he should be able to help Dwight improve his back to the basket game.
It will be interesting to watch how Dwight handles the massive expectations that the Rockets will face next year.
1. Andre Iguodala, SG/SF, Golden State Warriors
In my mind, this is a no brainer: the Warriors signing Andre Iguodala is the best move of free agency so far.Iguodala is a player who finds ways to score the ball without needing to have the ball in his hands at all times. He’ll fit perfectly at the small forward position next to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
With Jarrett Jack leaving Golden State this offseason, Iggy will also be the Warriors secondary ball-handler next year, which will take some pressure off Curry and allow him to focus more on scoring and getting open shots.
The biggest thing Iggy will add to the Warriors is his defensive ability. Harrison Barnes was a decent defender last year, but he doesn’t even compare to Iggy on that end of the court. Iggy will lock up the opposing team’s best player on a nightly basis.
The Warriors weren’t a great defensive team last season, but with Iggy on the roster now, look for them to be much improved on that side of the court next season.
[tps_footer][Mike Lucas Sports][/tps_footer]
