Once the NBA preseason begins, it can be considered that the off-season is over. Although there are still important movements like the one from Towns to New York, the summer is past and it is time to look at the future. Or rather, to look at what newly signed free agents can do on their new teams. Beyond Paul George and DeMar DeRozan, Klay Thompson and even Isaiah Hartenstein and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, many players have changed teams this summer in free agency. While others were betting on renewing and extending their ties with their teams, there were just as many players packing their bags. For seeking a better future, or because their team did not want one with them.
A list where two of the big favorites for the ring, the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks, do not have names. Because either they have gotten their players via transfer, or they have simply maintained the block that made them champions last year in the case of the greens. No major free agent has arrived for any of the three, with permission from Lonnie Walker IV and Cam Payne. Others, like Oklahoma, Orlando or Sacramento, their big name is too exclusive for this list. But there are seven teams that have signed a free agent who could be key when deciding the champion. One who was neither the first nor the second level of players, but who in May could be an important piece.
Gary Trent Jr., Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee had a great summer, and any of their three signings could be on the list, but the one chosen is Gary Trent Jr. He signed for a veteran’s minimum, about $2.6 million for just one season. Nobody bet on GTJ, who a summer ago decided to use his player option to remain in Toronto and it turned out badly. Now he needs to revalue himself and that means playing his best basketball. He comes to the Bucks contributing two of the team’s biggest deficiencies last year: triples and the ability to pressure the rival point of attack. The only bad news is that in keeping with Milwaukee tradition, he has already been injured. But if it’s not Trent Jr, Taurean Prince or Delon Wright could perfectly sneak in here.
Nico Batum, Los Angeles Clippers
Although the Clippers may no longer be in that first level of candidates, and the real objective is to avoid the play-in more than anything else, there is always one variable in Los Angeles that makes you dream: Kawhi Leonard. Healthy, Kawhi remains one of the best players on the planet. And while they have lost Paul George, irreplaceable name for name, management has done its homework on several names. They have robbed Dallas of Derrick Jones Jr, they have signed Kriss Dunn and above all, Nico Batum returns. The Frenchman returns to the Clippers eight months later, for $9.6 million in two seasons, home, where he played 207 games. And at almost 36 years old, he is still efficient in everything: the play-in against Miami, the test.
Naji Marshall, Dallas Mavericks
From three to three. The NBA finalist decided to bet on Naji Marshall to replace Derrick Jones Jr and the former Pelicans player has a very difficult task: convince the public that he deserves to be a starter ahead of Klay Thompson. Last year, Jones Jr was key in defending the rival star, preventing Kyrie and Luka from wearing out; Marshall will have to copy the role, something Klay cannot do in 2024. They signed him for three seasons and $27 million, a cheap contract for a starting player who complements and has one function: fulfill his role. If he does, if he helps his two stars win games, his arrival will have been a success.
Kyle Anderson, Golden State Warriors
The departure of Klay Thompson is, narratively, one of the turning points in the modern history of the NBA, but the Warriors have managed to rebuild themselves. They have divided Klay’s duties into three, and Kyle Anderson, who will earn just over $27.6 million for three seasons, is left with the defensive part. Anderson lands from Minnesota, via transfer in a sign and trade that also brought Buddy Hield. And the two, with De’Anthony Melton, come to improve what Chris Paul and Thompson did last year. It doesn’t sound easy on paper, but the Warriors missed the playoffs with the 10th best record in the West.
Caleb Martin, Philadelphia 76ers
We return to the East, because it has moved a lot. And in Philadelphia all the spotlight has been on Paul George, but the arrival of Caleb Martin and his price were the real surprise. Not only do you get a four proven in the playoffs, capable of scoring and defending and at the same time being the bete noire of the Celtics, but you also steal it from Miami, a direct rival. Part of the Sixers’ perfect summer involved knowing how to use money beyond Paul George, and Martin is the perfect example. For $35 million, Philadelphia has a four-year level power forward, finding something unusual for the Sixers: keeping a player and a project around Embiid.
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Joe Ingles, Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves lacked ideas in the series against Dallas. Once Anthony Edwards was disconnected, and the outside game was turned off, the role players were unable to make a difference. And that’s why Joe Ingles arrives, older and for a veteran’s minimum ($3.3 for one year) to provide depth to a bench that had lost units in free agency. Only the arrival of Donte DiVincenzo (trade, not a free agent, that’s why he is not on the list) improves one of the problems last year to close the best version of Minnesota in 20 years. Experience, generating and solving problems, in addition to regaining his friendship with Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert. And that always contributes in the NBA.
Tyus Jones, Phoenix Suns
We save the best for last. Tyus Jones is the definition of an undervalued signing, a player who earns little (a minimum of three million) and a piece that can completely change a franchise. J.ones is, with numbers in hand, one of the best pure point guards in the NBA. And for months the Suns were accused of needing a generator next to Booker, Durant and Beal, so it seems like a perfect deal for both parties. The quintet, with Nurkic, is one that should be scary because of its names, but Jones’ fit goes much further. If he can take the Suns’ offense beyond hero ball, with three talents like his, it will be difficult to stop Phoenix. The defense is another different story.
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