NBA Free Agent Signings Print E-mail
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Written by Rodney K   
Sunday, 13 July 2008
NBA Free Agent Signings


What an off-season it’s been for the National Basketball Association! A great amount of free agent signings have been made, some have changed faces of franchises, where as others have solidified a teams attempt to contend. Good luck contending with Boston, as they look to be the team to beat again in 2009, but a nice free agent class may be all it takes to be the next Champ! Let’s take a look at a few of the bigger signing that have happened thus far:

Baron Davis signs in LA. So the Lakers are REALLY the team to beat out West now, right? Wait a second, Davis signed with the Clippers! Whoa. We all thought the Clippers were dead to right after Elton Brand and Corey Magnetite bolted. The Clippers signed Davis to a five-year deal worth close to $85 million.  Davis, who is 29 years old scored 21.8 points a game last year, dishing out 7.6 assists and grabbing close to 5 rebounds a game for the Warriors. This is an excellent signing for the Clippers, and I think this gives them a super star that could assist in winning a lot of games. Will he stay healthy? Well he is a Clipper, so chances are no, but if he does, this will really boost the Clippers. Playoffs? Maybe! The Clippers are also going after Josh Smith and Emeka Okafor. With Davis and Chris Kaman, if they can pick up Smith and Okafor then there is no reason Mike Dunleavy Sr. cannot lead this group to the postseason.

The Milwaukee Bucks signed Andrew Bogut to a five year $72.5 dollar contract. This seems steep, but this appeared to be the asking price for Bogut’s services. Bogut was the top pick in the 2005 NBA draft out of Utah. Last year Bogut scored 14.3 points per game and grabbed close to 10 rebounds a game. This appears to be a solid signing. With the Bucks getting Richard Jefferson in a trade done a few weeks ago, Bogut was excited about the Bucks willingness to win. With new coach Scott Skiles, look for the Bucks to be much improved in the Eastern Conference.  

Elton Brand was signed. He is now playing his professional basketball near where he played his college ball. The Philadelphia 76ers showed Brand the money, and signed him to a five year, 82 million-dollar contract. This move has turned the 76ers into an Eastern Conference contender. Why? The way they played the last 30-40 games of the season last year, with Andre Iguodala and other youngsters, and now with the addition of Brand! The key for the 76ers, and for Brand, is can he stay healthy all season? If he does, the 76ers should be in the top echelon of the East.  Reports are that the Golden State Warriors offered Brand more money- a reported 90 million, but Brand felt more comfortable in Philadelphia. Brand, who was the #1 pick in the 1999 draft started his career in Chicago, before leaving for LA, and now makes a home in the East.

Corey Maggette signed a big deal with the Golden State Warriors this week as well, finishing a cycle of free agent signings. Maggette, who was the Clippers leading scorer last year signed a five year, 50 million dollar contract with the Warriors. Maggette appears to be a nice fit for Don Nelson’s fast paced offense. Look for Corey to get a lot of scoring chances. The former Duke star played in 70 games last year scoring 22.1 points per game. Adding Maggette with Al Harrington, and Stephen Jackson this definitely gives Golden State a team that can the basketball in the hoop. Does this improve them from Baron Davis? Probably not. Ronny Turiaf also signed with the Warriors, for a four year 17 million dollar contract.  

Other signings include:

Roger Mason Jr. signs with the San Antonio Spurs.
Eduardo Najera and Jarvis Hayes signed with the New Jersey Nets.
Brent Barry signs with the Houston Rockets.
Mickael Pietrus signs with the Orlando Magic.



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