Hoop Diary

My continued look at NBA free agency signings… which is likely to provoke a less than amicable response from Ryan. Again, you’ll see a  or a  for each transaction.

Deron Williams agrees to a five-year, $98 million deal with Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Nets’ main goal heading into this new era was to be competitive immediately and with Williams, they go a long way to being just that. The addition of Joe Johnson gives them an extremely good back court and one that can create offense. The idea was (and probably still is) to have Dwight Howard anchoring the middle, so if they land D12, this signing boosts even higher.

Chris Kaman agrees to one-year, $8 million deal with Dallas

Dallas has acquired a serviceable big man who won’t be there after this season. In my opinion, they could have done that for a lot cheaper that $8 million and would have probably seen more than 50 games out of the alternative.

Marcus Camby agrees to three-year, $13.2 million deal with New York

Again, a serviceable big who will block shots and rebound but three years? Really? By the time Camby’s contract is up he will be 41 years old. The money is reasonable but the three years is a shocker.

Raymond Felton agrees to a three-year, $10 million deal with New York

Felton is cheap and has a lot to prove. He played well during his last stint in New York and I think he can do it again. At the end of the day, all he has to do is feed the ball to Stoudemire and Anthony. It really can’t be that hard. Defense is a concern but it’s not like Lin or Davis was stopping anyone last season.

Ray Allen agrees to a two-year, $6 million deal with Miami

The perfect move for Ray at this time of his career. Less chance of wear and tear injury, less pressure on him to perform and more chance of hoisting that Larry O’Brien trophy again in June. As for Miami, well they got Ray at a great price and he’ll make big plays. This one is a no-brainer.

Kirk Hinrich agrees to two-year, $6 million deal with Chicago

I could see the sense in bringing in Hinrich or the like on a one year deal considering Derrick Rose’s injury but to commit two years to Hinrich seems a little dumb. The Bulls are going to be average at best next season and I can’t see what Hinrich offers them moving forward. I would have rather seen CJ Watson extended for continuity’s sake but it seems he’d made his way to Coach Thibs’ doghouse.

Courtney Lee agrees to a four-year, $21.5 million deal with Boston

It’s about time a half-decent team got their hands on Courtney Lee. This guy is a strong wing defender and can consistently connect from downtown. Having made a great impression in Orlando early, Lee had fallen off the radar in New Jersey and more recently Houston. I believe working with Boston head coach Doc Rivers will bring out the best in Lee, who will be surrounded by accomplished guards Rajon Rondo and Jason Terry.

Roy Hibbert agrees to a four-year, $58 million deal with Indiana (Portland offer sheet)

Indiana probably didn’t want to pay that much for Hibbert but they’re building momentum with this group and wouldn’t want to mess too much with their lineup. Hibbert plays at both ends of the floor and has curbed his excessive fouling ways. Some will argue he is a similar player to Brook Lopez but I think Hibbert to Indiana is a better fit to Lopez in Brooklyn.

Rashard Lewis agrees to two-year, $2.75 million deal with Miami

Cheap, has made his money through buyout, will hit long range bombs. That’s the plan and for the price, you can’t knock this move. Definite “thumbs up”.

Landry Fields agrees to a three-year, $18.7 million deal with Toronto

I would have liked to see what Fields could achieve in New York but the Raptors came knocking and the Knicks made the right call in not matching. Toronto surprised a lot of people with the money they were throwing around (Nash 3yrs, $36m) but to commit close to $20m on Fields seems excessive.