Day two of free agency: second-tier names getting scooped up
Jul 11, 2018 4:02:53 GMT
duc15 and Mike like this
Post by TimPig on Jul 11, 2018 4:02:53 GMT
After a busy day one that saw most max-worthy players get locked up to long term deals, day two saw a number of unproven but high-potential youngsters signed to contracts that may look big now, but could pay off for their teams in the long run.
The Sonics continued their strategic play of adding youth with potential, signing 2003 Rookie of the Year De'Anthony Melton to a four-year, $40,000,000 contract. Last season Melton showed great potential running the point in a league that is lacking true star point guards. He averaged 23.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game, but that's where the "good" ends. His .435 field goal percentage and 3.8 turnovers per game show tons of room for improvement.
"He's got a running back's build," said Sonics GM Duc Mullins of Melton, a day after signing Michael Porter Jr. "We feel with Porter out wide and Melton in the backfield, we can create some really unique sets. With Romeo under center, we feel like in a couple years we'll be the class of the league."
The Sacramento Kings also made a splash for the second day in a row after Jalen Brunson agreed to a four-year deal with an average value of $6,000,000 per year. The Kings solidified their backcourt in the offseason, adding point guard R.J. Cole on day one and resigning Brunson to a team-friendly contract on day two.
"My team is going to be starting five potential max guys. How many other teams can say that?" said Sacramento GM Billy King after Brunson put pen to paper. "Steph, Gragg, Brunson, Cole, and (R.J.) Barrett is an unstoppable group."
King was reminded multiple times during his press conference that R.J. Barrett had not actually signed with the Kings, but he would not be deterred.
The third big move of the day came out of the nation's capital, but this time it was the Wizards making moves as they locked up shooting guard Troy Brown for four years and $46,410,000. In a less-publicized signing, the Wizards also signed Hornets castoff Drazen Petrovic to a one-year deal worth $5,000,000.
"We think Brown's got a lot of potential, plus he has that championship pedigree after winning it with Utah last year," said Wizards GM Tiger Heel. "We think with the opportunity to start, he could turn into an excellent young player whose best years are ahead of him that we can ship off to a championship-caliber team for two late first-round picks and some cash."
When pressed on the Petrovic signing, Heel refused to provide comment.
The final signing of the day was a desperate one as the Hornets signed 35-year-old power forward Jon Pierce to a one-year deal worth $13,000,000. Pierce is the first player who will wear a Hornets uniform that is over the age of 26.
"Look, we had as much cap space as anyone, OK?" said Hornets GM Fecta Kepla. "I know you guys might think I'm new to this based on how this Hornets team is constructed, but I've actually been a general manager for 30+ seasons. I know that if people are going to come play in Charlotte, it's because we paid them twice as much as anyone else was willing."
"Vince Carter is a building block - I don't care what anyone else says," continued Fecta. "I dare anyone to look me in the eye and tell me Jon Pierce isn't the missing piece from last year. Look me in the eye and tell me that Pierce doesn't get this team at least the #2 seed in the East. Look me in the eye and tell me that Brad Daugherty, Jon Pierce, Vince Carter, Cecil Exum, and whoever else I sign this offseason isn't the best starting five in the league."
The Sonics continued their strategic play of adding youth with potential, signing 2003 Rookie of the Year De'Anthony Melton to a four-year, $40,000,000 contract. Last season Melton showed great potential running the point in a league that is lacking true star point guards. He averaged 23.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game, but that's where the "good" ends. His .435 field goal percentage and 3.8 turnovers per game show tons of room for improvement.
"He's got a running back's build," said Sonics GM Duc Mullins of Melton, a day after signing Michael Porter Jr. "We feel with Porter out wide and Melton in the backfield, we can create some really unique sets. With Romeo under center, we feel like in a couple years we'll be the class of the league."
The Sacramento Kings also made a splash for the second day in a row after Jalen Brunson agreed to a four-year deal with an average value of $6,000,000 per year. The Kings solidified their backcourt in the offseason, adding point guard R.J. Cole on day one and resigning Brunson to a team-friendly contract on day two.
"My team is going to be starting five potential max guys. How many other teams can say that?" said Sacramento GM Billy King after Brunson put pen to paper. "Steph, Gragg, Brunson, Cole, and (R.J.) Barrett is an unstoppable group."
King was reminded multiple times during his press conference that R.J. Barrett had not actually signed with the Kings, but he would not be deterred.
The third big move of the day came out of the nation's capital, but this time it was the Wizards making moves as they locked up shooting guard Troy Brown for four years and $46,410,000. In a less-publicized signing, the Wizards also signed Hornets castoff Drazen Petrovic to a one-year deal worth $5,000,000.
"We think Brown's got a lot of potential, plus he has that championship pedigree after winning it with Utah last year," said Wizards GM Tiger Heel. "We think with the opportunity to start, he could turn into an excellent young player whose best years are ahead of him that we can ship off to a championship-caliber team for two late first-round picks and some cash."
When pressed on the Petrovic signing, Heel refused to provide comment.
The final signing of the day was a desperate one as the Hornets signed 35-year-old power forward Jon Pierce to a one-year deal worth $13,000,000. Pierce is the first player who will wear a Hornets uniform that is over the age of 26.
"Look, we had as much cap space as anyone, OK?" said Hornets GM Fecta Kepla. "I know you guys might think I'm new to this based on how this Hornets team is constructed, but I've actually been a general manager for 30+ seasons. I know that if people are going to come play in Charlotte, it's because we paid them twice as much as anyone else was willing."
"Vince Carter is a building block - I don't care what anyone else says," continued Fecta. "I dare anyone to look me in the eye and tell me Jon Pierce isn't the missing piece from last year. Look me in the eye and tell me that Pierce doesn't get this team at least the #2 seed in the East. Look me in the eye and tell me that Brad Daugherty, Jon Pierce, Vince Carter, Cecil Exum, and whoever else I sign this offseason isn't the best starting five in the league."
