NBA Free Agency: 5 biggest spenders on July 1

2018 NBA Finals - Game Four
There weren't any big surprises, but a couple of deals left us wondering if certain tweaks would just allow all the involved parties to reap greater benefits

NBA's free agency got off to a frantic start right from Day one as big names signed gargantuan deals left, right and center. There weren't any big surprises, but a couple of deals left us wondering if certain tweaks would just allow all the involved parties to reap greater benefits.

The Mavericks, for example, signed DeAndre Jordan for essentially the same amount as the player option for his 2018-19 deal.

If only they'd traded for him after he'd picked up that option, they would've had the opportunity to shed some deadweight (like Wesley Mathhews) from their roster.

But by and large, all of these moves helped their team both in the short term as well as the long-term, and seem like exactly what these players wanted. The fact that these deals culminated in announcements right off the bat makes it seem like these players have had their minds made up for quite a while now.

The following teams were the 5 biggest spenders on Day 1:

#5 Orlando Magic

Verizon Slam Dunk Contest 2016
Orlando Magic was hard-pressed to retain their homebred talent this summer

Not being a free agent destination and having let Victor Oladipo walk in a trade for Serge Ibaka, Orlando was hard-pressed to retain their homebred talent this summer. Aaron Gordon was the beneficiary, as he signed a four-year, $84 million deal to stay on with them.

They were unable to lock up any other player on day 1, but getting this problem off the table so soon will now allow them to pick up other free agents that teams will pass on.

They made a good play last summer by recruiting Jonathon Simmons on a fair contract, and he has played to the level of that deal.

While Gordon certainly put in the best season of his career, questions remain over whether he'll ever be able to lead them to relevance.

#4 Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers v Cleveland Cavaliers
The Lakers have landed the best player in the world

Given that the Lakers have landed the best player in the world, one wouldn't be amiss to say that the offseason battle has already been won by Rob Pelinka and Magic Johnson in the Lakers' front office.

LeBron was continually linked with a move to the Lakers, and his signing for four years, $154 million allows them to pursue the remaining free agents this summer with a spring in their step.

The Lakers are well-placed to land another max player this very offseason, or to tie up good role players to bloated contracts in order to make a run at the free agency class of 2019.

They also landed Lance Stephenson and JaVale McGee for a combined cap hit of $6.8 million, which is a pretty good business right on Day 1. Magic must be grinning from ear to ear in his sleep right now. And with good reason.

#3 Houston Rockets

Golden State Warriors v Houston Rockets - Game Five
The Rockets' front office has set about doing exactly that - re-signing the same pieces to make another run next season

After winning the first MVP trophy of his career, when asked about what changes the Rockets needed to make in order to push themselves, Harden emphatically replied: "We were a half away from the Finals. I don’t think there’s a piece we need to bring or take away. We’re great where we are. Our focus is getting healthier."

The Rockets' front office has set about doing exactly that - re-signing the same pieces to make another run next season. They tied Chris Paul to a 4-year, $160 million max deal, and are in talks with Clint Capela to do the same.

One snag they've hit so far, however, is the fact that Trevor Ariza has signed a one-year, $15 million. Swingmen like Ariza rarely hit the market, and the Rockets would do well to replace him with someone like Avery Bradley who can perform a similar role.

#2 Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder v Miami Heat
The Oklahoma City Thunder's offseason would be considered a failure if they failed to lure Paul George back to the franchise

The Oklahoma City Thunder's offseason would be considered a failure if they failed to lure Paul George back to the franchise.

Thus, abiding by the philosophy expounded in A Tribe Called Quest's 'scared money don't make none' lyrics, Sam Presti went all-out, offering George a four-year, $137 million contract that allows him to sign an extension at the end of his second year to make it a 7-year, $290 million deal.

They also moved to retain Jerami Grant, who's been pretty good for them in a variety of frontcourt roles depending upon the game situation. The deal he accepted and signed amounts to 3 years and $27 million.

Retaining him and George, however, put the Thunder $33 million above the luxury tax limit. Since they were already above the cap last year, they will now be hit with a crippling luxury tax of $150 million in total.

They might just have to stretch Melo's contract out of the need in order to soften the hit to $68 million, though that might not help them as contenders for the 2018-19 season.

#1 Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets v Minnesota Timberwolves
Jokic deserves every penny of the five-year, $148 million contract extension that he received from the Nuggets

As the latest unicorn to emerge from the past couple of draft classes, Jokic deserves every penny of the five-year, $148 million contract extension that he received from the Nuggets.

While Jokic is not a great defender, he is a one-of-a-kind center who can walk the ball up the court and run a five-out offense from the perimeter.

In fact, Jokic has been so good as a facilitator in the past couple of seasons that the Nuggets have been able to field a top-10 offense for each of the last two seasons without a true point guard.

His 2017-18 season averages of 18.5 points on 49.9% shooting from the field and 39.6% 3-point shooting while dishing out 6.1 assists per game are as elite as they come.

In addition, the Nuggets also signed Will Barton to a four-year, $50 million deal that makes them the biggest movers on Day one of the free agency.


What did you think about the trades made on Day One? Sound off your opinions in the comments section below!

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Edited by Alan John