While the NBA world awaits word on whether or not the Orlando Magic are actually going to give Dwight Howard to the Brooklyn Nets for ten cents on the dollar, there have been plenty of other major moves made via trade and free agency in the past couple of days. Here is a breakdown of the latest player movement in this NBA off-season.
Indiana Pacers plan to match 4-year, $58 million offer sheet Portland Blazers agreed to with C Roy Hibbert
By offering Hibbert a max deal, the Blazers backed the new Pacers front office into a corner. Pony up the cash to overpay Hibbert or let their All-Star center walk. It still seems insane that Hibbert is going to make max money but Indiana obviously thinks it is more important to keep him for that price than trying to find a cheaper, likely less productive replacement.
Milwaukee Bucks re-sign PF Ersan Ilyasova to 5-year, $45 million deal
Ilyasova parlayed a career year into an insane 5-year, $45 million contract to stay in Milwaukee. Congrats, Bucks… you now have five power forwards on your roster in Ilyasova, Drew Gooden, Ekpe Udoh, Larry Sanders, and first round pick John Henson. Throw Samuel Dalembert into the mix and it will be interesting how Scott Skiles decides to divvy up minutes in the frontcourt. The one thing that Ilyasova can do that the other power forwards can’t is stretch defenses due to his outside shooting. While he is only 25 years old, $45 million is a ridiculous amount to spend on Ilyasova.
New York Knicks acquire C Marcus Camby from Houston Rockets for PG Toney Douglas, C Jerome Jordan, C Josh Harrellson, and second round picks in 2014 and 2015
The Knicks add yet another veteran to their mix who they hope can become a solid contributor off the court and provide his wisdom and leadership in the locker room. In order for the Knicks to trade for Camby, the big man had to agree to a three-year, $13.2 million contract and then consent to this sign and trade deal. The former UMass center and Tyson Chandler provide New York with a pair of shot blocking, rebounding, defensive specialists in the middle. On the down side, the Knicks have even less depth across their roster by giving away three players (albeit, three players who weren’t major contributors.
The Rockets add some needed depth and two more future draft picks which GM Daryl Morey loves stockpiling. With Houston agreeing to trade Kyle Lowry and uncertain on whether or not they will actually sign Jeremy Lin after agreeing to an offer sheet with him; the team needed another point guard which Douglas can be. Jordan and Harrellson are big bodies to help fill the void inside left behind by Camby and Samuel Dalembert who have both been dealt this off-season.
New York Knicks re-sign F Steve Novak to a 4-year, $15 million deal
After failing to find his niche in the NBA for the past several seasons, Novak became a huge asset off the Knicks bench leading the league with a 47% clip from three-point land. Paying less than four million a year for somebody who provides a huge scoring punch off the bench is a very reasonable deal. It also helps solidify New York’s bench a bit which the team definitely needs at this point of the summer.
New Orleans Hornets acquire PF Ryan Anderson from Orlando Magic for PF Gustavo Ayon
The new front office staff in Orlando was not willing to pay Anderson roughly nine million dollars per year so decided to deal him and at least get something in return. Anderson agreed to a sign and trade deal that will earn him $34-36 million over the next four years. The NBA’s Most Improved Player had his breakout season at the perfect time and adds a stretch four in New Orleans as they will have a new frontcourt next year when you add in number one overall pick, Anthony Davis. Neither guy is a true center by NBA standards so the Hornets won’t have a ton of physicality up-front when Davis and Anderson are in the frontcourt at the same time. Ayon had a solid first season in the league and should be a decent contributor off the Magic but does not possess the same ability as Anderson. I’m sure this deal also really makes Dwight Howard want to stay in Orlando. (Sarcasm)
San Antonio Spurs re-sign G/F Danny Green to a 3-year, $12 million deal
In typical Spurs fashion, they scooped Green from nowhere and have turned him into a key role player on their deep roster. Due to his versatility and willingness to get after it on defense, Green became a regular starter for San Antonio and R.C. Buford has made another great deal by only having to pay him four million dollars per year.
Chicago Bulls agree to 2-year, approximately $6 million deal with PG Kirk Hinrich
With the Bulls likely not having Derrick Rose next season due to injury, Hinrich makes his return to the Windy City and will likely start at the point for them next season. Chicago did use their first round pick on Marquis Teague but he certainly isn’t ready to step into a starting spot right away. Hinrich will add some leadership, defense, and toughness to the floor for the Bulls who now figure to decline the team option on C.J. Watson’s contract for next season.
Philadelphia 76ers sign SG Nick Young to 1-year, $6 million deal
In order for this deal to happen, Philly had to amnesty Elton Brand shedding them of the ridiculous $18.1 million that he was slated to make next season. Young has emerged as a dangerous scorer but doesn’t add much else on the court. Still, getting him for a one-year deal at six million bucks is a solid bargain. Young’s addition likely means Jodie Meeks will not return for the Sixers next season.
David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities. David has appeared on numerous national radio programs spanning from Cleveland to New Orleans to Honolulu. He also had the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft and the most accurate 2012 NBA Mock Draft on the internet (Yup, repeat champ… #humblebrag.)
You can follow him on Twitter at David_Kmiecik.