Best Deals in 2016 NBA Free Agency: Sullinger to Raptors, Pachulia to Warriors
The 2016 NBA Free Agency's huge salary cap has allowed teams to give huge contracts to mediocre NBA players. Some NBA stars have also obtained lucrative deals never before seen in the league's history.
Having said that, some teams have given out reasonable contracts to players who truly deserve what they're getting, and then some. Here are some of the best deals in 2016 NBA Free Agency.
1. Jared Sullinger to Toronto Raptors
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Many sportswriters say Sullinger is one of the most underrated free agents this year.
In the years Sullinger played with the Boston Celtics (2012-2016), he averaged 11.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists. Sullinger also led the team in rebounds for the last three years.
Sullinger signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Raptors. He is still 24 years old, so there's still room for improvement. He most recently added a defensive element to his game.
A lot of teams ignored him though. That's probably due to his fitness and conditioning issues. According to Danny Ainge, Celtics president of basketball operations, "Jared and I have talked about [his conditioning] over the past year . . . He's not up to the standards that he wants, and is not up to the standards that we think are in the best interests for the long-term health of his career."
2. Zaza Pachulia to Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors got Pachulia for a modest one-year, $2.9 million deal.
With Andrew Bogut now playing for the Dallas Mavericks, the Warriors need a new, versatile five man.
Having a solid center is still crucial to the Warriors' success even if they're already considered a super team with the acquisition of Kevin Durant.
Zaza Pachulia, a 13-year veteran, played with the Dallas Mavericks last season. He averaged 8.6 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. All of these numbers are better than his career averages. In fact, last season could be considered Pachulia's best season in NBA.
According to Dirk Nowitzki, "[Pachulia] is one of the smartest centers I ever played with. He can pass, he can shoot a little bit, he can put it on the floor."
3. Festus Ezeli to Portland Trailblazers
Festus Ezeli agreed to a two-year, $15 million contract with the Trailblazers. He played in the Golden State Warriors in all his three years in the NBA, career averaging 4.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Ezeli had his best seasons yet last year, getting more points and assists than his first two seasons.
Ezeli will definitely be a good backup center for Mason Plumlee.
4. David West to Golden State Warriors
David West signed a one-year, $1.55 million deal to play for the Golden State Warriors. The 13-year veteran averaged 7.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game last season with the San Antonio Spurs.
West joined the Spurs last season, hoping to get a ring, even turning down a $12.6 million option with the Pacers. This year, he decided to join the Warriors for a vet minimum, getting reactions from NBA fans and analysts, saying West seems desperate to get a ring.
Still, West is definitely more than an upgrade in the backup power forward position for the Warriors. He replaces Marreese Speights who now plays for the Los Angeles Clippers.
