“Fuhgetaboutit!”
That’s what Brooklyn Nets fans were saying on Twitter when the team announced it had agreed to terms with Andrea Bargnani.
Nets fans in Little Italy applauded the move.
The agreement is reportedly a two-year deal for the veteran’s minimum salary, according to the New York Post. The second year of the deal is a player option. Barring a catastrophically bad season, Bargnani would opt out after this season.
Fans of the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks may laugh at the signing, but Bargnani can stretch the floor at a bargain price for a former No. 1 overall pick. He is worth a flyer.
However, it will be interesting to see how long it takes Lionel Hollins – a coach who demands accountability from his players on defense – to lash out at Bargnani during a game for his defensive liabilities. I give Hollins one preseason game, maybe two.
Brooklyn also traded Steve Blake to the Detroit Pistons for Quincy Miller, who is expected to be waived. In addition, the team waived Cory Jefferson on Monday.
Speaking of big men coming off the market, Enes Kanter will return to the Oklahoma City Thunder after having his four-year, $70 million offer sheet from the Portland Trail Blazers officially matched.
“We traded for Enes last season with the intention of keeping him as a member of the Thunder for several years to come, and we are excited that he will continue with us,” general manager Sam Presti said. “He adds valuable depth to our roster, diversity to our frontcourt and the dimension that he brings offensively will positively impact our team.”
While Kanter’s defensive struggles were obvious, no Thunder center had a 20-point, 10-rebound game before his arrival. Kanter finished with 11 such games in the 26 he played after being acquired from the Utah Jazz as ESPN notes.
Despite not landing Kanter, Portland did pick up a new player. The Trail Blazers continued their youth movement by acquiring Moe Harkless from the Orlando Magic for a future second-round pick, Yahoo reports.
While Portland looks to rebuild after the losses of LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez, the rest of the Western Conference continues to load up.
The Dallas Mavericks continue to try and fill the void of DeAndre Jordan at center. The team was previously linked to Kevin Seraphin and JaVale McGee. Now the team is reportedly showing interest in Tyler Hansbrough, Elton Brand and Samuel Dalembert. No word if Erick Dampier and Shawn Bradley were also contacted.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a day in free agency without more revelations in the Jordan saga.
The Los Angeles Clippers retained Austin Rivers on a two-year, $6.4 million deal. The deal includes a player option for the second year.
The Houston Rockets added some scoring off the bench with the addition of Marcus Thornton on a one-year deal.
The Denver Nuggets signed Wilson Chandler to a four-year, $46 million contract extension, Yahoo reports. The deal prevents him from entering free agency next summer. On Monday, the team also agreed to a three-year, $13.5 million deal with Jameer Nelson and a four-year, $5.5 million deal with Nikola Jokic, ESPN reports.
Who is Jokic? Our own A.J. Mitnick previously wrote a scouting report on him.
If you thought the Nuggets were done being in the news, think again. The Boston Celtics also called Denver regarding a possible Danilo Gallinari trade, but talks didn’t go far according to the Boston Herald.
Lastly, add Mario Chalmers to the trade market according to the Miami Herald.
With that in mind, here’s a list of the best remaining available players:
1. Kevin Seraphin, C, Wizards (Unrestricted): Probably the third-best French center in the NBA, depending on the relative merits of Alexis Ajinca. No question he is half the player that Rudy Gobert is. He averaged 12 minutes per game in the postseason, backing up Marcin Gortat. The five-year veteran had his best season in his sophomore campaign and has flatlined since. But he is 25 years old, so his long-term upside is still untapped. He’d like the opportunity to start. JULY 4 UPDATE: His friendship with new Clipper Paul Pierce could be a factor is getting him to Los Angeles as DeAndre Jordan’s replacement, but Paul Allen’s wallet could get him to Portland as Chris Kaman’s running mate. JULY 5 UPDATE: Marc Spears of Yahoo says Lakers, Wizards, Suns and Spurs in the mix. JULY 7 UPDATE: Keep an eye on the Clippers, who were linked to Seraphin by Dan Woike at the start of free agency. They still need a center to help replace the departed Jordan. UPDATE II: The Mavericks have expressed interest in Seraphin, a league source tells our Mike Scotto. JULY 9 UPDATE: Wizards are conducting business as though they expect Seraphin to move on, the Washington Post reports. JULY 12 UPDATE: Wizards, Lakers and Mavericks have shown interest in Seraphin, Yahoo reports.
2. JaVale McGee, C, Sixers (Unrestricted): This is a guy who was traded to Philadelphia so that Sam Hinkie could get to the salary floor. He was waived without a buyout in time to latch onto a playoff team, but no one bit. As of now, he is the highest-paid player on the Sixers’ roster for next season at $12 million, and there is no doubt he will join Josh Smith as a double-dipper (a player receiving paychecks from two teams). There is no getting away from the fact that he has underachieved throughout his career, and as a double-dipper, he may not be motivated to change. A major risk/reward guy who could go boom or bust depending on who signs him. JULY 4 UPDATE: Doc Rivers placed a phone call to McGee, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. Also, George Karl likes him, so if DeMarcus Cousins gets moved, he can become a tutor to Willie Cauley-Stein and a cohort of Rajon Rondo. JULY 5 UPDATE: With the Lakers having acquired Roy Hibbert and the Kings getting Koufos, this could be a two-horse race between the Clippers and the Blazers. Then again, there are other teams with more cap space than the Clippers who could pad McGee’s bank account. JULY 6 UPDATE: See Seraphin. In a thin free agent market for centers at a discounted price, McGee is an option for the Clippers. JULY 13 UPDATE: Dallas had emerged as a potential suitor for McGee, RealGM reports.
3. Tristan Thompson, F, Cavaliers (Restricted): He turned down a four-year, $52 million contract extension in October, which may or may not have been a mistake. Counting all options and qualifying offers, the Cavs already are on the hook for over $100 million in salaries next season. It’s hard to imagine GM David Griffin maxing out Love and giving $13 million annually to Thompson, who threatens a double-double every night and more than adequately replaced Love in the rotation during the latter stages of the playoffs. Griffin could allow another team to set the market or simply play a little hardball, which would make Thompson unrestricted in 2016. That might be a mistake, too, given that Thompson and LeBron James share the same agent, Rich Paul. JULY 1 UPDATE: Safe to say he made the right move turning down that $52 million extension offer in October. The Cavaliers and Thompson reportedy agreed to a five-year, $80 million deal. JULY 2 UPDATE: Thompson and the Cavs “are still apart” on contract talks, Brian Windhorst tweeted. But it’s almost certain he’ll return to Cleveland. JULY 5 UPDATE: Agent Rich Paul, who also represents LeBron James, wants the Thompson deal done before any talks on James can begin. JULY 6 UPDATE: Dialogue is ongoing, but getting nowhere, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reports. JULY 9 UPDATE: Thompson and the Cavaliers are not close to a deal despite the LeBron agreement. The two are “not a package,” a source told ESPN. JULY 12 UPDATE: Cavaliers general manager David Griffin recently said, “We really like him. I think we’ll end up getting something done.”
4. Josh Smith, F, Rockets (Unrestricted): After being made the scapegoat – unfairly or not – in both Atlanta and Detroit, you get the sense that he has found some peace in Houston alongside former AAU teammate Dwight Howard, even if their series against Golden State did not exactly go as planned. Don’t forget that the Pistons are paying him over $5 million in each of the next five seasons, which makes taking less money for a smaller role with a contender much more palatable. If he stays with the Rockets, his salary should directly commensurate with Houston’s playoff success this postseason. If logic flies out the window the way it did when he signed with Detroit, anything is possible. JULY 3 UPDATE: The Kings reportedly began discussions with Smith, according to Jake Fischer. That report was later said to be false. JULY 6 UPDATE: Crickets. JULY 8 UPDATE: He is on the radar for the Clippers, but their pursuit of him is secondary to their goal of trying to get DeAndre Jordan to change his mind. JULY 9 UPDATE: The Mavericks are in play for Josh Smith now that DeAndre Jordan officially signed with the Clippers, a league source tells our Mike Scotto. UPDATE II: Mark Spears of Yahoo Sports says the Kings remain interested. JULY 10 UPDATE: The Clippers continue to be linked to Smith at this time.
5. J.R. Smith, G, Cavaliers (Unrestricted): When we first published this summer’s rankings, we wrote this: “He would be crazy to opt out, given his $6.4 million number for next season, the Cavs’ preoccupation with retaining Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson, and the fact that the light bulb is never really going to come on.” So much for expecting Smith to do the sane thing. While a half-season alongside LeBron James seemed to calm him down a bit, his two-game playoff suspension proved that he is a cheetah who isn’t changing his spots. He’s had his moments in the playoffs, especially in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against Atlanta, but he is the epitome of a faulty faucet — nobody runs more hot and cold. He would have been much better off minding his P’s and Q’s for another season and hitting a fertile market next summer. JULY 2 UPDATE: With Iman Shumpert getting $40 million for four years, how high will Dan Gilbert allow his luxury tax bill to climb? That will be a factor in whether Smith stays or goes. JULY 7 UPDATE: Despite adding Mo Williams, the Cavaliers are intent on keeping Smith and Matthew Dellavedova, ESPN reports. JULY 12: Cavaliers general manager David Griffin made it clear he would like to retain Smith.
6. Carlos Boozer, F, Lakers (Unrestricted): At this point in his career, his starting days are behind him. Boozer’s most effective role would be a scoring big man off the bench used in pick-and-roll sets with the ability to stretch the defense from 18-feet out. The biggest knock on Boozer is his inability to provide much rim protection. JULY 6 UPDATE: Boozer has received interest from the Clippers, Spurs, Mavericks and Raptors. JULY 7 UPDATE: With the Spurs adding David West, Boozer’s chances of landing with San Antonio decreased. UPDATE II: Boozer and the Clippers have mutual interest, L.A. Times reports. JULY 13 UPDATE: Boozer has received interest from the Clippers, Spurs, Mavericks, Raptors, Knicks and Nuggets, a league source tells Sheridan Hoops.
7. Matthew Dellavedova, G, Cavaliers (Restricted): LeBron James described him as basically the most feisty player on the team, which is quite an endorsement. He showed his value — and David Griffin’s skill in assembling a roster full of quality, capable backups — by filling in for Kyrie Irving at the end of the second round vs. Chicago, during the conference finals against Atlanta, and in Games 2-6 of the Finals. He is smart, and defends like a puppy nipping at your ankles and is fearless. JULY 3 UPDATE: Dellavedova and the Cavaliers are progressing on a multi-year contract in the $3-5 million range, RealGM reports. JULY 6 UPDATE: Cavaliers remain intent on keeping Dellavedova. JULY 12 UPDATE: GM David Griffin stressed he wants to retain him.
8. Andre Miller, G, Kings (Unrestricted): Miller is like that old man in the park, he’s not flashy, but you want him on your team because he gets the job done. He was reunited with his former coach George Karl in Sacramento, one of his biggest supporters over the years. Miller is a proven playoff veteran who averaged 14 points per game during the 2013 playoffs with the Nuggets under Karl. JULY 7 UPDATE: At 39, Miller would like to continue his NBA career, Bleacher Report says. July 9 UPDATE: Miller and the Kings have spoken, according to The Sacramento Bee.
9. Norris Cole, G Pelicans (Restricted): Cole played the best basketball of his career in New Orleans after being acquired in a trade. Cole averaged 9.9 points and shot 44 percent from the field overall and 38 percent from downtown in 28 games. With Jrue Holiday an injury risk, Cole is a quality backup point guard who can provide defensive energy and scoring when called upon. JULY 10 UPDATE: The Pelicans are holding out hope they can retain Cole, Nola.com reports.
10. K.J. McDaniels, G, Rockets (Restricted): McDaniels came into the league as the ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2014) and burst onto the scene with numerous blocked shots on SportsCenter. However, after averaging 25.4 minutes with the Philadelphia 76ers, he was traded to the Houston Rockets and barely saw playing time on a contending team. At 22, McDaniels has the size (6-6) and strength (200 pounds) to be a defensive pest for years to come. JULY 13 UPDATE: Although he played sparingly in Houston, the Rockets have interest in retaining McDaniels, but appear to be in no hurry to do so. His RFA status has prevented offers from other teams.
11. Jason Terry, G, Rockets (Unrestricted): How much more fuel does “Jet” have left? At 37, Terry is in the twilight of his career but still showed signs of being a productive bench player. Terry averaged 7.0 points per game and shot 39 percent from beyond the arc in 77 games (18 starts) for the Rockets last season. JULY 6 UPDATE: Dallas reached out to Terry about a possible reunion, The Dallas Morning News reports. JULY 13 UPDATE: Terry and the Rockets are progressing on a deal to retain the veteran guard, RealGM reports.
12. Nate Robinson, G, Clippers (Unrestricted): Robinson was slowed by a knee injury during his brief stint with the Clippers. When healthy, Robinson can pack energy and a scoring punch off the bench as he did for the Bulls during the 2013 playoffs, averaging 16.3 points per game. JULY 13 UPDATE: Expect Robinson’s camp to receive calls from teams putting out feelers. If put in the right situation with a veteran team and a strong locker room, his scoring talent off the bench can be a huge plus.
The Next Five: Michael Beasley, Heat (Unrestricted); Tyler Hansbrough, Raptors (Unrestricted); Alexey Shved, Knicks (Unrestricted); Matt Bonner, Spurs (Unrestricted); Reggie Evans, Kings (Unrestricted).
MORE: THE TOP 50 FREE AGENTS
THE TOP 15 REMAINING FREE AGENTS: EDITION I; EDITION II
Michael Scotto is an NBA columnist for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter: @MikeAScotto.