NBA: 10 biggest Free Agency winners (pre-KD trade edition)
By Dan Knitzer
Toronto Raptors – mild winner
On last year’s team, coach Nick Nurse only played eight players 18 minutes or more per game, and the two who were free agents are back on the team, on reasonable contracts. Signing Otto Porter Jr. not only adds to the franchise’s healthy obsession with 6-foot-7-6-foot-9 wings with 7-foot wingspans, but it also provides depth, and – if need be – a tradeable contract. That makes the offseason above average.
Cleveland Cavaliers – mild winner
Three years, with the third year almost entirely guaranteed, may be a little steep for Ricky Rubio, but an average of $6 million per year is a fine piece to pay for a key rotation player. Signing Robin Lopez and Raul Neto to the minimum also offer the team optionality.
Most importantly, however, is the lack of interest in Collin Sexton. If a player of his caliber accepts the $7.2M qualifying offer, regardless of where he ends the season, that’s a huge win for Cleveland.