Hoop Diary

We are all still waiting to hear what happens with Dwight Howard in Orlando and while a lot of people thought the free agency race would be stalled, there’s been plenty of movement. Some teams have moved swiftly to improve their rosters and I thought I’d take a look at some of the moves made so far and give them a  or a .

These views are mine only, I’m sure Ryan will probably disagree with me on a lot of them.

Eric Gordon agrees to a four-year, $58 million deal with New Orleans (Phoenix offer sheet)

Such a massive contract for an undersized shooting guard is always questionable. Not to mention the fact that Gordon expressed that his heart was simply elsewhere. Not sure what choice the Hornets had though, considering they received Gordon back as the main piece in the Chris Paul trade with the Clippers. A solid player who could really blossom, Gordon should work well with newly drafted Anthony Davis.

Steve Nash agrees to a three-year, $27 million deal with the Lakers

This move will receive a tentative “thumbs up” at this stage as the major benefits will come with the expected inclusion of Dwight Howard. Nash’s ability to involve people will benefit a Lakers team who at times last season looked a little lost in offense. Too many times the team diverted to Kobe Bryant who held the ball before shooting a long jumper as the shot clock expired. If the Lakers can embrace the presence of a true play-making point guard, this will be a masterstroke.

Jason Terry agrees to a three-year, $15.6 million deal with Boston

Although Terry is no spring chicken, I love this move for Boston. The “JET” will not be expensive, provides a hell of a locker room presence and can still shoot well from the perimeter. Once the Celtics signed Courtney Lee as well, this move became an immediate “thumbs up”.

Goran Dragic agrees to a four-year, $34 million deal with Phoenix

Goran Dragic was starting to become something in Phoenix before being moved to Houston via trade. After a solid, yet sometimes unpredictable time and role with the Rockets, Dragic returns. I like the risk taken here by Phoenix, who get a chance to see if they can remedy the mistake of parting company with the point guard in the first place.

Brook Lopez agrees to a four-year, $61 million deal with Brooklyn

I couldn’t care less how strategic this is, I just cannot find a reason why Brook Lopez is worth this much money. Rumours were circulating that Charlotte were going to send him an offer sheet, well I say let them and we could continue to laugh at MJ’s franchise.

Jason Kidd agrees to a three-year, $9 million deal with New York

The per year cost of this move isn’t an issue, it’s the fact that Kidd is done and will be well over 40 by the time this deal expires. The Knicks had a chance to further develop Jeremy Lin while bringing in some veteran leadership. That plan didn’t work out and now New York is stuck with this roster for the next three years.

Gerald Wallace agrees to a four-year, $40 million deal with Brooklyn

It’s a hell of a price tag for Wallace considering he’s only going to decline from here but as we know the Nets’ ownership aren’t short of cash. I cannot bring myself to give this a “thumbs up” however Wallace should work well with this line-up.

Kevin Garnett agrees to a three-year, $34 million deal with Boston

It was hard to comprehend KG walking away from his adopted home in Boston and the Celtics made sure he didn’t have to. While the price is high, Garnett’s “Benjamin Button” play during the post season suggests he’s still got another run left in him. A tireless worker and the perfect mentor for Boston’s newly drafted big men. I’m also keen to see how Garnett and Terry psych up the Celtics for the upcoming season, as they’re both clearly mental.

Kris Humphries agrees to a two-year, $24 million deal with Brooklyn

There’s strategy within this signing which I do understand (re: Orlando) however with Dwight Howard on the verge of going to Los Angeles, I think the Nets have made a small mistake here. $12 million is a lot to pay for a one-dimensional player such as Humphries, and they’re likely stuck with him if they cannot use his salary to obtain Howard. It’s a risk but at only two years, they can probably live with it. The money is bad, the length of the deal is good… just not good enough to get a “thumbs up” from me.

Aaron Brooks agrees to a two-year, $6.6 million deal with Sacramento

The Sacramento Kings are running their franchise into the dirt. Brooks is probably the last player they needed considering their lack of defense and trigger-happy guard rotation. Kwame Brown would have been a better pick up for the Kings than Brooks.