{"id":72715,"date":"2024-08-26T07:32:50","date_gmt":"2024-08-26T11:32:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=72715"},"modified":"2024-08-26T07:32:50","modified_gmt":"2024-08-26T11:32:50","slug":"former-nba-exec-lists-the-most-underrated-moves-of-free-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/08\/26\/former-nba-exec-lists-the-most-underrated-moves-of-free-agency\/","title":{"rendered":"Former NBA Exec Lists Most Underrated Moves of Free Agency"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the NBA offseason slowly winds down, several impactful yet underrated moves have flown under the radar. While the Philadelphia 76ers’ acquisition of Paul George<\/a> was a major headliner, other strategic moves deserve attention for their potential long-term benefits. To be clear, this article will not praise the OKC Thunder\u2019s acquisition of Isaiah Hartenstein<\/a> and Alex Caruso<\/a> because those moves have already received recognition. Instead, these will be the underrated deals of free agency.<\/p>\n

Former NBA Exec Lists Most Underrated Moves of Free Agency<\/h2>\n

The Athletic\u2019s John Hollinger writes on the most underrated<\/a> deals from this year’s free agency.<\/p>\n

Warriors\u2019 Klay Thompson Sign-and-Trade<\/h3>\n

Rather than overpay a declining player for the vibes, the Warriors parlayed him into two different players (Buddy Hield<\/a> and Kyle Anderson<\/a>), who together will make less money than Thompson<\/a> and a random minimum-contract guy. There\u2019s a good chance that each individually will matter more to the Warriors than Thompson would have. (Thompson seems like a good fit in Dallas, incidentally \u2026 but Golden State is not Dallas.)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Golden State\u2019s decision to let Thompson leave<\/a>\u00a0in a sign-and-trade deal with Dallas was initially met with skepticism. However, this move could prove shrewder than it first appeared. The Warriors acquired<\/a> Hield and Anderson, who together could contribute more effectively than the aging Thompson. Hield, a proficient three-point shooter, and Anderson, known for his versatile playmaking, provide depth and flexibility to Golden State’s lineup. This trade also allowed the Warriors to stay under the luxury tax apron and maintain their ability to make future moves.<\/p>\n

Rockets\u2019 Draft-Pick Recalibration<\/h3>\n

The one deal from this summer that has the highest ratio of \u201ccrazy high upside\u201d to \u201cpeople aren\u2019t really talking about this\u201d is Houston\u2019s ancillary piece of the Mikal Bridges<\/a> trade between Brooklyn and New York. Obviously, the Knicks and Nets made their own fascinating bets, but Houston seems to have walked away with something for nothing.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Houston Rockets capitalized on a complex trade<\/a> involving draft picks from Brooklyn and Phoenix. By swapping picks, Houston secured valuable future assets, including unprotected first-round picks from Phoenix and an additional swap opportunity. This move positions the Rockets favorably if the Suns\u2019 aging roster leads to future struggles. The Rockets’ strategic maneuvering could pay off significantly if Phoenix\u2019s performance declines, enhancing Houston\u2019s long-term outlook.<\/p>\n

Timberwolves Moving into the Draft\u2019s Top 10<\/h3>\n

We still don\u2019t know exactly how the player will work out. Rob Dillingham<\/a> might end up being too defensively vulnerable to stay on the floor in the playoffs or not quite offensively gifted enough to be more than a second-unit scorer. He was the eighth pick in a weak draft<\/a>; history says stardom is hardly guaranteed.
\nOn the other hand, the more I think about the process behind this trade, the more it seems fairly brilliant. The Timberwolves had little capacity to add rotation-caliber players in free agency due to being above the second apron, realistically needed at least one more rotation-level player at any perimeter position over the next two years, and also had a looming succession issue at point guard (Mike Conley Jr.<\/a> is 36 years old) with no talent waiting in the wings.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Minnesota Timberwolves made a bold move<\/a> by trading up to secure Dillingham<\/a> with the eighth pick. This decision, which involved moving a future first-round pick and a swap, reflects Minnesota’s commitment to strengthening their roster. Dillingham, a promising point guard, fills a crucial role<\/a> and offers potential value on a cost-effective rookie contract. This move could provide the Timberwolves with a key asset as they navigate their current roster challenges and financial constraints.<\/p>\n

Suns Signing Tyus Jones<\/h3>\n

Phoenix only had a minimum deal to offer Jones<\/a>, and when the market turned on him, he took it. Credit to the Suns for having the patience to wait out the market before filling their 15th roster spot, and to their ownership for paying the additional $12 million in luxury tax this required rather than just staying at the minimum 14 players.
\nOn the other hand, I don\u2019t think the impact of this move is getting enough attention. The Suns desperately needed both A) a real point guard and B) another starting-caliber player at any position. Jones checked both boxes without costing them any draft picks (not that they had any left to trade) or other assets.
\nMy BORD$ formula had a $14.2 million valuation on Jones, which obviously makes him a screaming bargain on a minimum deal.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Phoenix Suns’ signing<\/a> of Jones on a minimum deal is a notable yet underappreciated acquisition. Jones, valued at $14.2 million by Hollinger\u2019s metrics, fills a critical need for the Suns as a reliable point guard and starting-caliber player. His addition improves Phoenix\u2019s chances in a competitive Western Conference<\/a>, despite the team\u2019s reliance on a short-term solution for a long-term problem. The Suns\u2019 patience in securing Jones without sacrificing assets demonstrates their strategic foresight.<\/p>\n

Mavericks\u2019 Tim Hardaway Jr. Trade<\/h3>\n

Dallas\u2019 sign-and-trade for Thompson hogged the spotlight, and early returns are tilting positive after Josh Green<\/a>\u2019s 0-for-the-Olympics in Paris. (Dallas sent Green to Charlotte as the matching salary in the deal.)
\nHowever, the Mavs\u2019 other moves might have been better. The trade of Hardaway\u2019s<\/a> $16.2 million salary<\/a> for Quentin Grimes<\/a>\u2019 $4.3 million salary<\/a> set the stage for the Thompson trade and the Naji Marshall<\/a> signing. The deal only cost them two seconds, and it was critical to keeping the Mavs under the first apron and thus making both the Thompson and Marshall additions cap-legal.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Dallas Mavericks’ trade of Hardaway Jr. for Grimes is a move with significant implications. This trade not only saved cap space but also upgraded the Mavericks’ roster with Grimes, a younger and potentially more effective player. Grimes’ defensive abilities and three-point shooting complement Dallas’ star duo of Luka Don\u010di\u0107<\/a> and Kyrie Irving<\/a>. Additionally, the Mavericks gained a $16.2 million trade exception, providing flexibility which they used to acquire<\/a> Thompson and Marshall.<\/p>\n

The Last Word<\/h3>\n

In summary, while high-profile transactions like George’s move to Philadelphia received the most attention, these under-the-radar deals may have a substantial impact on their respective teams’ futures. Whether through strategic asset management or shrewd acquisitions, these moves highlight the nuanced decisions shaping the NBA landscape for the coming season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the NBA offseason slowly winds down, several impactful yet underrated moves have flown under the radar. While the Philadelphia 76ers’ acquisition of Paul George was a major headliner, other strategic moves deserve attention for their potential long-term benefits. To be clear, this article will not praise the OKC Thunder\u2019s acquisition of Isaiah Hartenstein and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5018,"featured_media":92445,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,1608,6,30,25,31,21,22,13,28],"tags":[49040,49059,2037,256,993,49477,1923,70,1021,406,1133,1484,208,2288,98,50,3160,49162,287,569],"class_list":["post-72715","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba","category-basketball","category-nets","category-mavericks","category-warriors","category-rockets","category-timberwolves","category-thunder","category-76ers","category-suns","tag-2024-nba-draft","tag-2024-nba-free-agents","tag-alex-caruso","tag-buddy-hield","tag-isaiah-hartenstein","tag-john-hollinger","tag-josh-green","tag-klay-thompson","tag-kyle-anderson","tag-kyrie-irving","tag-luka-doncic","tag-mikal-bridges","tag-mike-conley","tag-naji-marshall","tag-nba-draft","tag-paul-george","tag-quentin-grimes","tag-rob-dillingham","tag-tim-hardaway-jr","tag-tyus-jones"],"modified_by":"Kenny Kluska","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72715","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5018"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72715"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72715\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/92445"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72715"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72715"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72715"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}