6. Andrew Bynum, Cleveland (2 years, $24.8 million): Tremendous patience shown by Cavaliers GM Chris Grant, who didn’t bite on a deal for Bynum in the summer of 2012, which would have put them where the Philadelphia 76ers are right now. If the former All-Star’s knees remain balky, Grant can tap out in January at a total cost of $6 million or again next summer, nullifying the second year at $12.54 million. And if Bynum remains healthy enough to finagle the contract’s full value of out the Cavaliers, that means he played two years at a salary that was more than $4 million less than what he made last season, when he didn’t appear in a single game. When was the last time any team signed a better low risk-high reward deal with any player?
5. J.J. Redick, LA Clippers (4 years, $26.7 million): He has been a reserve for most of his career but figures to be elevated to starter. Redick is a huge upgrade over Chauncey Billups and Willie Green and will allow Jamal Crawford to remain in the role of sixth man. Throw out the 28-game aberration in Milwaukee; he has been a double-digit scorer and 40 percent arc shooter for four seasons. He also is much better at creating off the dribble and defending than given credit for.
4. Andrei Kirilenko, Brooklyn (2 years, $6.5 million): He and his agent dramatically overestimated the market, opting out of a $10 million season with Minnesota in search of a multiyear deal in the range of $8-10 million annually that never came. His loss became the Nets’ gain, as new coach Jason Kidd now has an athletic defender with length to sic on conference rivals Paul George, Luol Deng, Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James. Don’t be surprised if Kidd goes defense-offense with Kirilenko and Paul Pierce late in games.
3. Matt Barnes, LA Clippers (3 years, $10.2 million): Lost in the allure of Lob City is that the Clippers – aside from Chris Paul – are a bit caught up in the show and don’t often show the ability to grind out tough games. Barnes is a hard-nosed player who defends, knocks down open threes and gives the Clippers more grit than glitz. He is going to be a starter for just the second time in his career at a very nice number. And the Clippers hold an option on the third year.
2. Jarrett Jack, Cleveland (4 years, $25.2 million): You can argue that $6 million-plus per season is too 
much for a backup point guard, but Jack will be backing up both guard spots, much the way he did in Golden State last season. His versatility provides insurance for injury-prone Kyrie Irving and also will allow the All-Star to play off the ball at times. That duo figures to finish plenty of games for coach Mike Brown, who will often go to Jack’s experience, toughness and decision-making rather than rely on inconsistent Dion Waiters.
1. Dwight Howard, Houston (4 years, $87.8 million): After all the drama of the last two-plus years, he is still by far the best center in the league and a top-five player. Given the instruction he will get from franchise institution Hakeem Olajuwon and coach Kevin McHale, he only figures to get better offensively, where his post presence will provide more space for the half-dozen shooters GM Daryl Morey has to station around him. And in crunch time, his inability to make free throws will be mitigated by the ball being in James Harden’s hands. It is hard to imagine Houston not reaching the NBA Finals at least once during Howard’s deal.
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Chris Bernucca is the managing editor of SheridanHoops.com. His columns appear Monday during the season. You can follow him on Twitter.
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How come no Metta World Peace? I would put that signing at #10.
Could be a great signing. Given his temperament and being back in NYC, could be a terrible one. And I tried to avoid vetmin deals. But thanks for reading.
Of course, thank you!
Mike Dunleavy should be on here. He will be a big asset t for the Bulls. He’s the first two-way backup 3 the Bulls have had in the Thibs era, and that should mean a major drop in Deng’s minutes. He also can play multiple positions, which will allow him to play alongside Butler and Deng with any one of the three able to play the four at stretches, which will give them lineups that are very difficult to math up against. It’s a signing which got an initial very positive view, but has become forgotten about since.
Was strongly considered. He was in my top 12 or 13 but IMO didn’t make the cut. Could be wrong. Thanks for reading.
Actually, its fairly easy for me to imagine Houston not making the finals at least once during Howard’s deal.
Well @ Least Tiago Splitterrrrrrrrrr (StephenASmith Voice) Isnt on this list ..I think somebody said Andre Blatche LOL i thought he was kicked out the league…Agree W/ THe List 1 person you are missing is Francisco Garcia Rockets CDut Him & Signed Him 2 min. contract This Guy Was a Beast On D vs Kevin Durrant & Does Everything better then Del3ino
What?? NO PAUL MILSAP? HAWKS GOT A GREAT DEAL FOR MILSAP AT 9MIL
How do you not have Nate Robinson among the top, when he had a better post season and regular season than JJ Redick and he only signed for 2 yrs, $4 million. You really should think about writing about another sport.
It’s not just what a supposed value player like Robinson signs for. It’s where he signs. He signed with the Nuggets, who already have two undersized point guards. And while Nate is not a pure point, he does kind of need the ball in his hands to be effective. If Denver trades Miller, it will get great value for Robinson. But it looks crowded in their backcourt right now. Thanks for reading.
Since when is 6-2, 200 lbs, which Andre Miller is, is being undersized for a point guard in the NBA. What a ridiculous statement. Many of the top point guards don’t even have his size or strength. i.e. Tony Parker, Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, and most of the others are in that range. As a matter of fact, MIller overpowers a lot of point guards in the low post. Your knowledge is weak. Sorry if the truth hurts.
Need a category for best $3 million and under signings, or just Vet Min signings.
Otherwise, its like comparing Apples with Oranges.
Andray Blatche was a free agent even though he immediately re-signed with Nets for essentially a minimum of 1.375 million. (I guess so was CP3).
Can’t have a better value signing that Blatche, who should be allowed to play more at PF this season.
Jerry,
As always, thanks for reading. I tried to avoid vetmin signings because they are almost always great value. But your idea about finding a financial line of demarcation is not a bad one. Maybe next year. CB