5 Best and Worst Signings of 2008 FA Season

[Brooklyn]

TOP 5 WORST SIGNINGS


5. Josh Howard (Cleveland) – 5 years, $86.3M ($17.3M annual average) No option

Howard had a breakout season as the main option last year averaging 18 points 5 rebounds and 3 assists on 44% shooting. While Howard is a great player and a starter on just about any team, a fully guaranteed 5-year max contract was no doubt an overpayment. By year 5, Howard will account for 33% of Cleveland’s soft cap, which might put them in a tough position to build a winning team. If Howard can improve on his numbers a bit during this contract, we could look back on this deal as not being so bad.



4. Rony Seikaly (Beijing) – 3 years, $23.5M ($7.8M annual average) No option

Seikaly has averaged 8 points 5 rebounds and 1 block per game in his career, with a 12.8 career PER. It was clear that Beijing thought highly of Seikaly before FA started, and while $7.8M for one year for a backup big might have been reasonable, a guaranteed 3 year commitment is something Beijing will eventually regret.



3. Tom Van Arsdale (Newcastle) – 4 years, $66.8M ($16.7M annual average) Team option

Van Arsdale’s career 9 points 3 rebounds and 2 assists per game on 43% shooting and 11.5 PER doesn’t match this contract’s value. Unlike Howard who no is no doubt a starter, it’s hard to understand the logic of this signing. The only reason this isn’t a completely terrible signing is the fact that it’s only a 3-year commitment, as Newcastle will most definitely opt out in year 4.



2. Chris Kaman (Moscow) – 5 years, $78.0M ($15.6M annual average) No option

As with Beijing loving Seikaly, Moscow loved Kaman and rewarded him with a full 5-year near-max contract. I would consider Kaman a solid but average starting big, so at 14 and 9 in 33 minutes per game last season this is a big overpayment.



1. Justise Winslow (Newcastle) – 5 years, $86.3M ($17.3M annual average) Team option

Newcastle made another odd signing, this time giving 4 years of guaranteed max money to a guy that can’t grab a rebound if his life depended on it. His ratings look decent in general, but his numbers make you think he is unplayable – he recorded a 47% TS%, 1.02 PPS and 9.4 PER, numbers so bad you can’t really find comparables around the league (let alone on max contracts).





TOP 5 BEST SIGNINGS


5. Fran Vazquez (Beijing) – 2 years, $5.2M ($2.6M annual average) No option

For the LLE, having an athletic big like Vazquez on the bench is a great use of cap space. In the right system he could be a very useful player. I guess Beijing didn’t think so as he shipped him off to New Orleans instantly.



4. Donnie Freeman (Chicago) – 2 years MIN

Freeman on a 2-year minimum contract is an excellent signing by Chicago. While he’s not a difference maker he is a great guy to have on the bench. I would actually take Freeman over Justice Winslow, who got a max contract by Newcastle.



3. Tiago Splitter (Seattle) – 2 years, $11.4M ($5.7M annual average) Team option

Splitter has had a lengthy and productive career, with a 16.5 career PER. He was a big part of Toronto’s run last year which is why it was surprising they didn’t bring him back. At a 2-year MLE (and the second year an option), this is a nice signing by Seattle. I’m guessing the team will look to trade this contract for a decent asset, sit on Saric for another season instead of trading him in a rebuild, and miss the playoffs again.



2. Michael Finley (Mikawa) – 2 years, $13.0M ($6.5M annual average) Team option

Mikawa got lucky with the timing of his FA signings, which allowed him to bring in a new asset in Devin Booker, as well as to go over the soft cap and bring back key players Finley and Guy Rodgers. Finley is still a solid contributor and at $6.5M he will help Mikawa towards another Finals run.



1. Joe Johnson (Seattle) – 2 years, $21.8M ($10.9M annual average) Team option

JJ has always been overpaid which has maybe caused teams to instinctively look away, but at $10.9M annual average over 2 years this is another great signing by Seattle. He had a bit of a down season last year, but in the right system he can still be an effective scorer. He is a career 1.36 PPS player on 50% FG shooting, and could definitely return to scoring 20 ppg this season.

[Seattle]

Thanks for the love Nets!

[Beijing]

In the right system, Fran can be a great 3rd big and a solid spot starter. But my system isn't the right system. I know because I've had him before for quite a bit of time.

As for Seikaly, I gave him a declining contract for a reason. He's a very good 3rd big as well. He only played 18mpg last season so he'lol be fine for what I need him for. NO RAGRETS

[Moscow]

With Kaman- I'm very happy to get him where I did, honestly- I thought getting him at the rookie max with only 2% raises was a steal- I get why some people look at his numbers and say- why did he get a max? My scout loves him and I think he's going to only continue to get better.

[Sarawak]

Good stuff

I wanted Freeman badly and offered above the minimum (just barely) but it wasn't too be.

125 x 2 = 250 pp

[Portland]

Nice read, enjoyed it.

[Madrid]

Nice job. Much appreciated that you looked at the bargain signings rather than taking the easy way out with the big names. That said, I might replace Josh Howard with Hezonja or Darko. I offered Howard a max deal with near-max raises because he's 25, is a guaranteed starter, has purple potential, and averaged 18 ppg with stellar defense last year. Not sure Cleveland could've re-signed him without the full max. But yeh, definitely not a fan of the deals for TVA, Kaman, and Winslow.

[New York]

You've been doing great with these articles Brooklyn, always enjoy reading them.

[Chicago]

Great article Brooklyn as usual. Donnie Freeman usually slips through the cracks because people see him as G/G.

[Minnesota]

no mention of wolves signing Big Country smh

[Milan]

good stuff

[Mikawa]

I like it