Ranking the best and worst 2021 NBA offseason deals so far

November 14, 2021 c_admin NBA News Comments Off on Ranking the best and worst 2021 NBA offseason deals so far

The 2021 NBA offseason did not involve many big names or star-caliber players because most are already locked up with their current teams. Even if superstars did not move teams, there were still a plethora of signings that bolstered the gaping holes of some contending teams.

Some of the squads that are on top of their conferences were unexpected, but their rise has been possible because of their offseason acquisitions.

2021 NBA Offseason Best Deals

3. Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRoza and Alex Caruso to Bulls

With Zach LaVine on the final year of his deal, the Chicago Bulls decided to go all-in by signing DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso in order to convince LaVine to stay with the franchise.

DeRozan’s deal at three years for $85 million initially seemed pricey, but he is living up to it so far. Ball’s contract is arguably the steal of the offseason because it is just at $85 million for four years for one of the best floor generals in the league.

2. Kyle Lowry and PJ Tucker to Heat

The Miami Heat encountered a rough 2020-21 season wherein they were swept in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. With the reputation of Pat Riley, everyone knew he would work his magic and search for players that would fit the Heat culture.

Even at his age, Miami signed Kyle Lowry to a three-year, $85 million contract. They also added P.J. Tucker on a short two-year, $15 million deal. These two stocky individuals personify and exemplify the kind of players head coach Erik Spoelstra and Riley would want on their franchise.

1. Carmelo Anthony to Lakers

With LeBron James and Russell Westbrook struggling to begin the year, one of the pleasant surprises for the Los Angeles Lakers has been Carmelo Anthony. As he is on the latter stages of his career, he has adjusted to being a sixth man for a championship-contending franchise.

Anthony has already been the catalyst of their few victories against the Memphis Grizzlies and Charlotte Hornets, where he tallied 28 and 29 points, respectively. Even at a lesser role and a minimum contract only, Anthony has been an instrumental piece for the 17-time world champion Lakers.

2021 NBA Offseason Worst Deals

3. Evan Fournier to Knicks

Evan Fournier was terrific with the French national team in the Olympics, establishing himself as a leader in their silver medal finish in Tokyo. With this excellent performance, he earned a four-year, $78 million contract with the New York Knicks. They were in need of a scorer to complement RJ Barrett and Julius Randle anyway

However, their defensive system has taken a dip because of the starting backcourt of Fournier and Kemba Walker.

2. Duncan Robinson stays with Heat

Another shooter on the list is Heat shooting guard Duncan Robinson. Miami paid him $90 million for five years, but he has been shooting an atrocious 31.2 percent from behind the arc. Shooters are paid at a premium in free agency because of their wide demand, but the Heat may have paid a bit too much to keep their young shooter.

Robinson was a lethal marksman in his first full season as a starter, but defenses have realized that they should not help off him. When his shooting is not clicking, Robinson has not proven to provide other assets in his repertoire like his defensive prowess or slashing abilities. If he plans to live up to his contract, he must expand his game and be more of a threat in the first unit of head coach Erik Spoelstra.

1. Daniel Theis to Rockets, Kelly Olynyk to Pistons

These two deals have a questionable purpose on the objective of both the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons. These two organizations are in the midst of their rebuilding years, but they sign big men that may even hinder the development and growth of their young bigs like Christian Wood and Alperen Sengun for Houston and Isaiah Stewart for Detroit.

Theis and Olynyk are not even ideal fits in the first unit of their teams because their style of play does not suit a system that would push the ball a ton and try to convert many transition buckets.

The spacing of the Rockets have been terrible with Theis and Wood in the starting lineup. Meanwhile Olynyk is currently injured, but when he was healthy, it prevented head coach Dwane Casey from increasing the minutes of Stewart and rookie Luka Garza.

With some of these deals just in early stages, lots of results and changes may still occur, but these six deals have had a major impact on the affected franchises.

Raptors, Pistons, Fred VanVleet