Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

Grading the 11 biggest headline-grabbing day 1 NBA Free Agency signings

By Michael Saenz

Fred VanVleet (Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports)
Fred VanVleet (Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 20: Bruce Brown #11 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates after making a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in game three of the Western Conference Finals at Crypto.com Arena on May 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, 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 Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 20: Bruce Brown #11 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates after making a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in game three of the Western Conference Finals at Crypto.com Arena on May 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, 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 Harry How/Getty Images) /

Bruce Brown, Indiana Pacers

The contract: 2 years, $45 million

It was the worst-kept secret in the NBA that heading into the offseason the Indiana Pacers were going to be in the market for a difference-making wing. However, many believed that it would come via trade. In the end, the Pacers used their significant cap space to lock up Bruce Brown, who is coming off an impressive run with the Denver Nuggets in which he helped them win an NBA Championship. While Brown is a good addition, there are going to be questions about the money.

Brown, who is coming off a season in which he averaged 12 points and four rebounds per game on 36 percent shooting from 3-point range, inked a two-year, $45 million deal with the Pacers. That comes out to an average of $22.5 million per year. For as valuable as Brown was for the Nuggets this past season, this is a contract that’s going to be viewed as an overpay.

Clearly, the Pacers needed to overpay to snag Brown. Entering free agency, he was considered one of the most sought-after free agents. There were going to be many suitors and the Pacers made it quite clear that they weren’t willing to miss out on him. I don’t love the overpay from a team that probably is still a few years away from being a real player in the Eastern Conference.

Grade: C-

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