Assessing Marquee Free Agents Who Re-Signed
A while back we looked at some of the biggest names to switch teams in free agency this past offseason. Now, let's take a look at some of the top free agents from the class of 2011 who wound up back with their teams and see how the deals have paid off so far:
- Marc Gasol signed a four-year, $57.5MM offer sheet with the Rockets, but the Grizzlies matched it even though it meant they'd be well over the cap and flirting with luxury tax territory this year. So far it looks like it was worth it, as he's averaging career highs in virtually every relevant statistical category and made his first All-Star Game this year. The 27-year-old's improvement helped mitigate the absence of fellow post player Zach Randolph for much of the season. The only negative has been his 48.8% shooting from the floor, which barring improvement will represent his first season shooting below 50%. Still, the struggles of Nene Hilario and DeAndre Jordan, the market's other top centers this past offseason, make Gasol's deal look smart.
- The Nuggets did an about-face on Nene Hilario's signing so quickly that team president Josh Kroenke had to deny they weren't looking to get rid of him all along. Nene missed most of training camp as he and the team hammered out a five-year, $65MM deal. That missed time, coupled with injuries, helps explain a dip in scoring and a jump in turnovers in his play for Denver this year. Since his trade to the Wizards, he's shown signs of breaking out of the funk, averaging 14.8 PPG and 9.3 RPG. Though the numbers are from a tiny sample size of six games, they would be career highs if extended out over an entire season.
- The Warriors had to have thought they were sure to have DeAndre Jordan this season when he inked a four-year, $43.04MM offer sheet with the team in December. Clippers GM Neil Olshey swallowed hard and matched the offer, however, locking up the 23-year-old long-term despite more promise than production in three previous seasons. His averages in points (7.7), rebounds (8.4) and blocks (2.2) are up, but that's largely been the result of increased minutes, as his per-36-minute numbers are mostly consistent with where they've been throughout his career. His PER, though, is at 17.2, well above the 14.8 PER he posted last year, so his progress seems to be a matter of which stats you trust. The question of whether the Clippers can trust Jordan to deliver on his contract, however, is yet to be resolved.
- Tayshaun Prince might have fit in well with a contending team looking to add a veteran with championship experience. Instead, he re-signed with the Pistons for four years and $28MM. He's responded with 12.8 PPG, his worst scoring average in eight years, even though he's taking a career-high 13 shots a game. His PER of 12.6 suggests he's having his worst season since his rookie year, when he was only on the floor for 10 minutes a night. The only consolation for GM Joe Dumars on this one is he's making less per season than Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, his much-maligned signings from the summer of 2010, as well as Rodney Stuckey, who's become a more efficient scorer after inking a three-year, $25.5MM deal before the season.
- Compounding the misery for Dumars is the play of former Pistons draftee Arron Afflalo, whose points per game number is up for the fourth straight season after re-signing with the Nuggets for $36.75MM for five years. He's been a fixture in the starting lineup for Denver ever since coming over from Detroit three years ago for the bargain price of just a second-round pick, and Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri was willing to pay a premium to keep Afflalo even though he's not a top-tier shooting guard. His 14.2 PPG this year reflects the increased offensive load he's been carrying as the team deals with a multitude of injuries and another shakeup at the trade deadline. His steady improvement and willingness to commit to the team long-term may prove worth the price.
Warriors ‘Very Likely’ To Re-Sign Mickell Gladness
3:50pm: Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com reports the deal is likely to be for the rest of the season, and not another 10-day contract. Thompson is reporting it this way now, too.
2:25pm: Mickell Gladness is "very likely" to get another 10-day contract with the Warriors, a source tells Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group (Twitter link). He's on the last day of a 10-day deal he signed earlier with the team.
The 6'11", 220-pound Gladness has played a total of 44 minutes in six games with Golden State, hitting on six of 12 shots from the floor and recording six blocks. The Warriors are short on big men with Andris Biedrins out with a groin injury, and have signed both Gladness and Keith Benson to 10-day deals in the last two weeks, as our 10-day tracker shows.
Gladness began the season with the Heat, and appeared in just eight games before getting waived February 7. He then signed a pair of 10-day deals with Miami, despite interest from the Warriors when he signed the last one. If he re-ups with the Warriors as expected, it will be his fourth 10-day deal this season.
Pacific Notes: Cousins, Warriors, Brooks
The Pacific Division's top two teams are both in action at Staples Center today, and if the first-place Lakers get upset by the Hornets the afternoon and the Clippers beat the Jazz tonight, there will be a tie atop the division. Here's the rest of the news from the West Coast:
- The Kings picked up DeMarcus Cousins' $3.88MM option for 2012/13 this past offseason, and the investment looks smarter as the center matures and develops, writes Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee.
- Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com criticizes the Warriors' approach to the season, reasoning that the caliber of player the team is likely to get in the draft probably won't be enough to make Golden State a contender.
- Suns GM Lance Blanks blogged about his trip to China to see Aaron Brooks for Suns.com. Blanks' comment that Brooks is "eager to get back home to the States, see his family and begin his off season training to prepare himself for a return to NBA" seems to indicate that the point guard will not play in the league this season, and instead test restricted free agency this summer. The Suns hold the right to match any offer Brooks gets.
- The Clippers have started winning again, but the heat is still on coach Vinny Del Negro, writes Sam Amick of SI.com. Amick says Del Negro has been told to heighten the team's offensive pace, get them to play more aggressive defense, and regard stars and role players with the same level of scrutiny.
- The Kings, who've signed Terrence Williams for the rest of the season, have quickly come to trust him in the 10 days he's spent with the team, giving the former 11th overall pick key fourth-quarter minutes, notes Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee.
Pacific Notes: Warriors, Kings Arena, Sessions
With only four games on Thursday night's schedule, one particular matchup stands out as a potential preview of things to come during the playoffs. The Lakers take on the Thunder at the Staples Center in a battle between a particularly strong road team and a squad that does an excellent job of defending their homecourt. Let's take a look around the Pacific Division to catch up on the latest news and happenings.
- The Warriors are in an unenviable position where finishing out the season on a strong note would cost the team a draft pick, writes Carl Steward of the San Jose Mercury News. Currently the ninth-worst team in the league, the Warriors would have to forfeit their lottery pick to the Jazz as compensation for a trade made in 2009 if they fail to finish the season as one of the seven worst teams by record. The Warriors received Marcus Williams, now playing in China, from the Nets with hopes of him developing into a replacement for Baron Davis.
- Tony Bizjak of The Sacramento Bee says the construction of the Sacramento arena can take a step in the right direction come Tuesday when the Sacramento City Council votes on appropriating $6.5MM toward arena pre-development.
- John Hollinger of ESPN.com (Insider link) looks at how the addition of Ramon Sessions to the Lakers has stabilized the team's backcourt, but raises concern over the team's heavy reliance on players such as Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol with regard to their usage. Hollinger raises the point that Sessions arrival in Los Angeles has merely kept the Lakers from imploding due to the fact that the rest of the key players are exhausted from being completely overworked.
Pacific Notes: Brooks, Rush, Warriors, Lakers
Aaron Brooks will return from China soon, but the Suns are unlikely to sign him this season unless he agrees to a cap-friendly, multiyear deal, says Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic. The Suns hold Brooks' rights, so if they decide not to sign him this season, they could renounce his rights and let him become an unrestricted free agent. It's more likely, however, that the team will keep its rights to Brooks, resulting in him becoming a restricted free agent this summer.
Here are a few more Thursday morning notes out of the Pacific Division:
- The Warriors may have a logjam of wing players next season, which makes Brandon Rush's future uncertain, as he tells Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle: "I just want to finish the season out strong and showcase what I can do. I know I'm auditioning for 29 other teams. I've had a great opportunity here, because the coaches are letting me play all kinds of positions, and I appreciate that." Rush will be a restricted free agent this summer if the Warriors extend him a $4.09MM qualifying offer.
- Barry Stavro of the Los Angeles Times rounds up reactions from members of the Lakers, among others, on Magic Johnson's involvement in buying MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Lakers executive vice president Jim Buss deserves more credit than he gets for his roster decisions, according to T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times.
Odds & Ends: Garnett, Randolph, Kings, Warriors
Don't look now, but the playoffs begin just one month from today. Most NBA teams are in action tonight with 10 games on the schedule, so let's dive in and check on the news from around The Association:
- Kevin Garnett will be a free agent this summer, but a return to the Wolves might not be at the top of his wish list. He gave a nod to Minnesota fans, but says he had "nothing positive to say" about the franchise, tweets Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.
- Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee noticed Shavlik Randolph walking through the Kings' locker room tonight, though there's no word if the team is looking to sign him (Twitter link). Randolph reportedly worked out for the Heat earlier this month and has apparently spoken to at least two clubs regarding a deal.
- Matt Steinmetz of CSNBayArea.com looks ahead to next year for the Warriors and concludes they need to get a solid third guard, a quality backup for David Lee and Andrew Bogut, and an upgrade at small forward:
- Don Nelson, the NBA's all-time winningest coach, says he's been informed he'll be inducted into the Hall of Fame, writes Jeff Caplan of ESPN Dallas. Nelson coached the Bucks, Warriors, Knicks and Mavs after a playing career spent mostly with the Celtics. The official announcement of the 2012 Hall class will come Monday.
- Chris Broussard of ESPN.com takes a look at stars who've changed teams in recent years and says what's happened to them since should be a cautionary tale to Dwight Howard and others who could be looking to make a move (Insider link).
- A year after the Jazz parted ways with Jerry Sloan in the wake of a rift between the coach and Deron Williams, new coach Tyrone Corbin has established rapport with his players, which has been key to the team's playoff push this year, writes Sean Deveney of The Sporting News.
- The Nets have an open roster spot and might look to fill it after finishing tonight's 100-84 victory over the Pacers with only eight healthy players, as the Associated Press reports, via The New York Times. Centers Shelden Williams and Jordan Williams went down, so if those two are to miss any time, the team may target a big man.
- Rookie Malcolm Lee is adjusting to life as an NBA point guard as he finds his way into the Wolves' rotation, writes Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune.
Bogut Talks Bucks, Warriors, Trade, Injuries
In an interview with Sam Amick of SI.com, Andrew Bogut discussed his old team, his new team, his injury history, and a number of other topics. Here are some highlights:
- Bogut would've liked to have a backup center in Milwaukee, noting that the Bucks didn't have a true big man backing him up since Jamaal Magloire in 2005/06. He says it was "frustrating" to continue having power forwards backing him up at center.
- Added Bogut on Milwaukee's personnel decisions: "I can definitely question the way things were ran there, too, but I'm not going to get into the nitty-gritty."
- The big man called the decision for the Bucks to trade him "as mutual as it gets." According to Bogut, there were frustrations on both sides, and the time was right for him to move on.
- Bogut was lukewarm in describing the medical treatment he received on his injuries in Milwaukee, hinting that perhaps he returned earlier than he should have from his elbow injury: "At the end of the day, it's a trainer's job on an NBA team and team doctors to get you back on the floor. That's how they're evaluated on their performance, so a lot of times you've got to be smart with your body and know your own body."
- Bogut is hoping on-court success will make free agents less reluctant to sign with the Warriors going forward: "Obviously, it's not the city, it's not the weather; it's the franchise. We need to get the franchise back where it needs to be."
Odds & Ends: Powell, Lakers, Azubuike, Curry
Here are a few Wednesday afternoon odds and ends from around the NBA:
- Josh Powell, who was thought to be drawing interest from a handful of NBA teams, has decided to play in Puerto Rico, as he announced on his Twitter account. According to Sportando, Powell will play for Brujos de Guayama.
- Lakers legend Magic Johnson will become the face of Los Angeles Dodgers ownership, after his bidding group reached an agreement to buy the MLB franchise for a staggering $2.15 billion. Check out MLB Trade Rumors' story for more details.
- Current Laker Andrew Bynum stirred up some drama when he was benched following a misguided three-point attempt, says Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com. Bynum, who will have his 2012/13 option exercised by the team, didn't seem to have any regrets: "I guess 'don't take threes' is the message, but I'm going to take another one and I'm going to take some more, so I just hope it's not the same result."
- Kelenna Azubuike won't play a significant role on the Mavericks' 2011/12 squad, but Dallas intends to exercise its team option for next season, barring a setback, as Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com writes.
- Jonathan Abrams of Grantland.com takes an interesting look at the next step for an NBA player when he finds out he's been traded.
- Byron Mullens is becoming a larger part of the Bobcats' future plans, according to an Associated Press report (via NBA.com).
- The Warriors will re-evaluate Stephen Curry in two weeks to determine if he's ready to ready to return to action, the team announced today. There's been speculation that Golden State would prefer Curry not play this season, in part because the team would like to retain its top-seven-protected pick that's ticketed for Utah. Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group hears that Warriors management wouldn't mind Curry sitting out the season, though they'd be happy to have him return to the lineup if he's healthy.
Dominic McGuire Hopes To Re-Sign With Warriors
Dominic McGuire is playing on his fourth team in as many NBA seasons, but he has no desire to join a fifth next year. If it were up to him, he'd return to Golden State for 2012/13, as he tells Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group.
"Hell yeah," said McGuire when asked if he'd like to remain a Warrior. "Without a doubt. No question about it. I would like to be back here. Hopefully I found a home. We’ll see what happens."
McGuire's season-long numbers (3.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, .448 FG%) don't look overly inspiring at first glance, but the 6'9" forward has received increased minutes in the last month and has responded on both ends of the floor. In last night's game against the Lakers, the versatile 26-year-old spent time running the offense and defending Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant, and Ramon Sessions, impressing coach Mark Jackson.
"It’s shocking to me that a guy like him was at home waiting for a phone call without a job," said Jackson. "Anybody that wants to win and wants to develop a culture of winning — the phone should have been busy every time you tried to call…. He’s an absolute winner. We are fortunate to have him and hopefully we can keep him around."
McGuire, who signed a one-year, minimum-salary deal with the Warriors in December, will be an unrestricted free agent at season's end.
Pacific Notes: Wright, Bryant, Bynum
One Pacific Division team, the Clippers, picked up a win over the Grizzlies in the day's only matinee, while two more Pacific teams, the Warriors and Kings, meet tonight. They're all chasing the first-place Lakers, who look well in control following the acquisition of Ramon Sessions last week. Here's what going on along the West coast:
- The Warriors have sent forward Chris Wright to the Dakota Wizards of the D-League, according to a statement released by the team. Wright, in his first NBA season, has averaged 2.1 points and 1.1 rebounds in limited action during 17 games this year. The team has signed big men Mickell Gladness and Keith Benson in recent days, pushing the 6'8", 226-pound Wright farther down the bench.
- Ben Golliver, writing for CBS Sports, takes a look at the desire of Lakers executive Jim Buss, son of owner Jerry Buss, to keep Kobe Bryant past his current contract, which expires after two more seasons. Golliver believes making Bryant a "Laker for life" will be an expensive proposition.
- The Lakers have a $16.1MM option on Andrew Bynum next season, but there's little doubt they'll exercise it, especially given his continued development this season, as chronicled by Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Times.