The biggest name remaining in free agency, Josh Smith, agreed to a nearly-max deal from the Detroit Pistons in the biggest of moves left to be done, while the Golden State Warriors lost both Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry to different teams, as their hopes for next season take another hit.
In more minor turn of events, the Dallas Mavericks are bringing back Devin Harris, while Zaza Pachulia joins the Milwaukee Bucks and Darren Collison joins the retooling Los Angeles Clippers during a very busy day of transactions.
Detroit Pistons Get Josh Smith
While the Detroit Pistons have both a power forward and center they feel quite confident about, they wanted to make a splash in free agency, spending $56 million over four-years on Josh Smith, who’ll probably be playing more as a small forward for the Pistons. Smith averaged 17.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Hawks last season. With $20 million in cap space entering free agency, this is probably the last major move the Pistons make, hoping it’s enough of a talent upgrade to make them into a playoff contender.
Sacramento Kings add Carl Landry
For the second time in his career, Carl Landry finds himself joining the Sacramento Kings. In 2009, it was via a trade that sent Kevin Martin (and other moving parts) to the Houston Rockets. This time, he joins as a free agent after only one season with the Golden State Warriors, opting out of the final year on his contract worth $4 million.
With the Kings, Landry signs a four-year deal worth $27 million, hoping that he finds more playing time than the 23 minutes a night (scoring 10.8) that he did for the Warriors, joining a frontcourt that includes DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson, Jason Thompson and Chuck Hayes.
Cleveland Cavaliers add Jarrett Jack
Very similar to the Landry story. Jack spent only one season with the Golden State Warriors, mostly impressing coming off the bench, averaging 12.9 points per game coming off the bench. He opted out of his $4 million deal, and signed a four-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers worth $25 million.
Jack is likely going to be a sixth-man off the bench, coming in for Dion Waiters or Kyrie Irving, but just like he did quite a lot for the Warriors, he’ll be an integral part of a three-guard lineup that the Cavs will probably use now that they’ve added him.
Los Angeles Clippers Sign Darren Collison
The Clippers continue to make interesting moves in keeping their depth chart quite impressive and loaded for next season, finding themselves a backup point guard in the form of Darren Collison, signing him on a two-year deal, worth $1.9 million next season and has a player option for the following season.
Collison was a starting point guard for most of last season with the Dallas Mavericks, but lost the spot to Mike James as the end of the campaign was drawing near. He averaged 12 points and 5.1 assists per game, and reunited with Chris Paul. Collison was Paul’s backup in New Orleans (2009-2010), getting to start 37 games and post a strong rookie campaign while Paul was out injured.
Portland Trail Blazers Get Dorrell Wright
The Blazers continue to make impressive moves this offseason in an attempt to improve their depth and especially their bench situation compared to last season, when there was absolutely no cover for Aldridge, Batum and Lillard. Wright played for the 76ers last season, averaging 9.2 points per game, playing 22 minutes a night. He agreed to a two-year deal worth $6 million.
Milwaukee Bucks add Zaza Pachulia
After eight seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, Zaza Pachulia is leaving to the Milwaukee Bucks, signing a three-year deal worth $16 million, showing once again that being a big man, even without impressive numbers, is good enough to get a decent contract in the NBA. Pachulia averaged 5.9 points and 6.5 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per game last season for the Hawks, and is reunited with Larry Drew, who coached him last season in Atlanta.
Dallas Mavericks Sign Devin Harris
Five years after trading him away to the New Jersey Nets, Devin Harris is back in Dallas, signing a three-year deal worth $9 million, making him the third point guard the team has signed this offseason, following Gal Mekel and Jose Calderon. Harris was a part-time starter for the Atlanta Hawks last season, averaging 9.9 points and 3.4 assists on 24 minutes per game.
Indiana Pacers Get Chris Copeland
The Pacers are adding the oldest rookie in the NBA on a two-year deal worth $6.1 million, hoping that Copeland’s ability to score quite often during his short minutes on the court, with an expanded role in Indiana, will payoff. Copeland averaged 8.7 points a game and shot 42.1% from beyond the arc during his rookie season for the Knicks, playing 15.4 minutes a night.
Houston Rockets add Omri Casspi
For the first time in his NBA career, Omri Casspi is likely going to play for a winning team, picked up by the Houston Rockets on a two-year contract, paying him $1.3 million during his first season and comes with a team option for his second. After a promising rookie season with the Kings, Casspi’s production and outside shooting has significantly dropped, playing only 43 games last season for the Cavs, averaging 4 points per game.