NBA Free Agency Report Card
Grading notable off-season signings.
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NBA Free Agency Report Card - While LeBron James’s return to Cleveland made the biggest splash, other teams did make key moves during the NBA’s free agency period. BET.com took this opportunity to grade some of the notable NBA free agent transactions. And to think…although most of the big names are off the board, there are still off-season moves to make. (Photos: NBA)
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LeBron JamesSigned Two-Year $42 Million Deal With Cleveland CavaliersA+ - In announcing his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, LeBron James made July 11, 2014, into one of those ‘Do you remember where you were when King James announced his return to Cleveland” kinda moments. The overwhelming feel-good story of King James coming back home coupled with the fact that the Cavs are returning their Ohio-bred superstar as the best player in the world are enough to make any other free-agent moves pale in comparison…not just this off season, but for years to come. Grading this move is a no brainer — A+ all around. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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Carmelo Anthony Signed Five-Year, $129 Million Deal With NY KnicksA+ - The Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks were all in hot pursuit of Carmelo Anthony, hoping that he’d leave New York City and join their respective squads. Not happening. A day after LeBron James decided to return home, Melo decided he was going to stay home out of love for his city too. (Peep his “My City, My Heart letter.) On Sunday, the Knicks officially re-signed the All-Star small forward to a reported max of $122-$129 million over five years. Having a ringmaster as team president in Phil Jackson — and the 11 championships he has won — gave Melo the confidence that the franchise is building a winner. Now that the Knicks have the cornerstone of the franchise sewn up, they can really begin building toward a title. (Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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Paul PierceSigned Two-Year $10 Million Deal With Washington WizardsB+ - After losing Trevor Ariza to the Houston Rockets on Saturday afternoon, the Washington Wizards snatched up veteran small forward Paul Pierce to take his place. Although the Wizards lose some youth — Ariza is 29 to Pierce’s 36 — we like the move. The Wizards are young and need some veteran leadership, especially come playoff time. A 10-time All-Star, champion and former NBA Finals MVP — not to mention future Hall of Famer — “The Truth” has seen it all. And…he can still ball! (Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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Isaiah ThomasSigned Four-Year $27 Million Deal With Phoenix SunsB - Shoveled under — OK, way, way under — Friday’s breaking news of LeBron James returning to Cleveland, was the quiet sign-and-trade deal that allowed the Phoenix Suns to nab point guard Isaiah Thomas for $27 million over four years from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for forward Alex Oriakhi. The 5-foot-9 blur of a point guard — and his 20.3 points per game — will fit well into the Suns’ high-octane offense. But we have questions as to how Phoenix will set up its back court with Thomas, Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe and 2014 draft pick Tyler Ennis. Of course, the Suns can play three out of four guards with the other coming off the bench. But how will that work out?(Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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Luol DengSigned Two-Year $20 Million Deal With Miami HeatB - Look, once LeBron James left the Miami Heat, they weren’t going to find anyone to fill his shoes. But signing Luol Deng to a two-year, $20 million deal is as good as it gets in the three-spot after losing King James. The 6-foot-9, 220-pound small forward is as battle-tested as they come, can score (averages 16 points per game), and can guard up to four positions as good as anyone in the league. Kudos to the Heat's president, Pat Riley, for striking this deal…even though it’s a consolation for missing out on that other one. (Photo: Albert Pena/Icon SMI/Corbis)
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Gordon HaywardSigned Four-Year $63 Million Deal With Utah JazzB- - Quiet as kept out in Utah, shooting guard Gordon Hayward is pretty damn good. So much so that Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan got him to sign a four-year, $63 million offer sheet that the Jazz signed to keep him. There’s no doubting Hayward’s talent and size. At 24 and 6-foot-8, Hayward averaged 16.2 points, 5.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game. But we feel the $63 million price tag was high for a team that needs major rebuilding, and that’s the main trigger point impacting this grade. (Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Trevor ArizaSigned Four-Year $32 Million Deal With Houston RocketsC+ - After falling short in their pursuit of players like Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh, the Houston Rockets also declined to match the offer sheet of Chandler Parsons and watched him leave to the Dallas Mavericks. While Trevor Ariza is a proven and solid NBA contributor at the same small forward position as Parsons, we like Parsons’s upside better. We also feel like the four-year, $32 million Houston gave him was a bit on the high side and probably a fallout after failing to secure a big-name player to put them over the top. We can’t sit here today and say the Rockets are ready for a greater liftoff next season. (Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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Josh McRobertsSigned Four-Year $23 Million Deal With Miami HeatB- - Word around the league is that Josh McRoberts is one of the better, but underrated, big men in the league. And tough, since he was the one who delivered that vicious elbow to LeBron James’s throat during the first round of last year’s playoffs between the Heat and the Charlotte Bobcats. Fast forward and the Miami Heat, who signed McRoberts to a four-year $23 million contract, are going to count on the 6-foot-10 power forward to give them a paint presence they sorely need as well as some harder rebounding. His 4.8 rebounds per game just won’t do it for Pat Riley. Still, beside Chris Bosh and Luol Deng in a revamped front court, this just might work. (Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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Thabo SefoloshaSigned Three-Year $12 Million Deal With Atlanta HawksB - The Atlanta Hawks were on the brink of upsetting No. 1 seed Indiana Pacers during the first-round of the Eastern Conference playoffs last season. Signing Thabo Sefolosha to a three-year, $12 million contract will only bolster the Hawks' chances next year. Sef plays hard defense and can hit an open three when his offensive game is clicking. This will work, ATL. (Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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