NBA: Identifying the best value signings of free agency

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after a basket by Stephen Curry #30 in Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 21: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball in the first half against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 21, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /

Win Shares

If you’re unfamiliar with this advanced stat, the full explanation can be found here. Basically, there are offensive win shares and defensive win shares.

If an NBA team wins 20 games in a season, all of the players on that roster should have different win shares dependent on their play throughout the season and various statistics, and those win shares should total to about 20 between all 15 players.

If Player A is a superstar, he may have 8 offensive win shares and 4 defensive win shares, totaling 12 for the season. Player B from that same team may be an extremely gifted defensive player (perhaps someone like Andre Roberson) who contributes very little on offense.

Let’s assume Player B has 2 defensive win shares and 1 offensive win share, totaling 3. It would then be assumed that the rest of the roster would account for the remaining 5 win shares (20-12-3=5).

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