The NBA offseason has been completely quiet lately. Free agent signings are scarce, trade talks are at a standstill, and fans are waiting for training camp to begin in October.
Of course, there’s still a lot going on behind the scenes. Don’t think for a second that league operations are at a standstill. Every front office is busy planning for the upcoming season, planning for contingencies, and scraping the bottom of the barrel for potential competitive advantages.
There aren’t many big names left in free agency—please, for the love of God, someone sign Markelle Fultz—but of those who have signed, several aren’t getting the attention they deserve. It’s easy to focus on Paul George in Philly or Isaiah Hartenstein in OKC, but championships are often won on margins. Finding the right role player at a bargain price can be the difference between a good season and hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Here are five of them NBA Free Agent signings that will have more impact than their contracts or reputations suggest.
THE Detroit Pistons acquired Simone Fontecchio from the Utah Jazz Last season, the second-year Italian forward paid immediate dividends for Detroit. The Pistons weren’t buyers in the traditional sense, and Fontecchio doesn’t fit the standard profile of a player with a promising future at age 28. Still, the second-year Italian forward paid immediate dividends for Detroit.
In 16 appearances (including nine as a start) for Detroit after the trade deadline, Fontecchio averaged 15.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting .479/.426/.846 in 30.3 minutes. There is a slight tightness on the wing for Detroit right now, but Fontecchio should likely start and spend a lot of time next to Cade Cunningham. His shooting is invaluable to a Pistons team that is sorely lacking that ratio.
Detroit has invested nearly all of its recent picks in athleticism and playmaking, with little emphasis on three-point shooting. Ron Holland is a perfect example. He was a great pick—he’s FanSided’s pick. Prospect #1 — but becoming the best player available has its drawbacks. Between Holland, Ausar Thompson and Jaden Ivey, there’s not much room for mega-athletics who can’t reliably space the floor.
Fontecchio will bombard the three-pointer at a high rate and provide useful connective tissue on both ends of the floor. He’s not a spectacular defender, but at 6’4″ and 200 pounds, Fontecchio rebounds well enough and moves his feet in space. Tobias Harris will steal the show this offseason, but Fontecchio should really help the Pistons’ developmental project.
His contract – two years, $16 million – is a steal.
THE Denver Nuggets The Denver Broncos have chosen Aaron Gordon as their backup center for the playoffs. It works out pretty well, but it puts a lot of pressure on Gordon and inherently limits the amount of time he can spend alongside Nikola Jokic. Denver’s backup center issues were pronounced during the regular season. Deandre Jordan and Zeke Nnaji just aren’t enough.
Dario Saric comes in on a modest two-year, $10.6 million contract. The Homie should immediately step into a role behind Jokic, averaging 15-20 minutes per game and providing a new dynamic for the bench. He obviously won’t replicate Jokic’s production, but there are useful skill-set parallels. Saric can space the floor, create in the midfield and function as a passing center at the five. He’ll allow Denver to execute many of the same plays Jokic did on the first unit.
Saric isn’t without his flaws—he’s not going to protect the basket and his shot can be either very hot or very cold—but he’s easily the best backup center of Jokic’s MVP era. He plays with power, is endlessly creative as a passer, and will quickly win over fans with his crafty post moves and effervescent smile.
The few forgotten years in Golden State didn’t do justice to Saric’s ability to impact winning. He fills arguably the biggest hole on the Nuggets’ roster.
Guerschon Yabusele opened eyes with a dominant performance for the French national team at the Olympics. A first-round NBA pick in 2016, Yabusele is back on American soil with the French national team. The Philadelphia 76ersThis is likely Daryl Morey’s final summer signing, putting a nice cap on a successful offseason for the Sixers.
Yabusele, who signed a minimum contractwill compete with KJ Martin for playing time as a power forward. He attacks the weakest point in the 76ers’ base. Philadelphia desperately needs a source of size and physicality next to Joel Embiid. The Sixers have no shortage of 6-foot-10 forwards who can shoot and score, but rebounding has been a huge problem in the playoffs, and the Sixers have been the target of harassment by the Knicks too often.
Yabusele stands 6’4” and weighs 260 pounds. He brings considerable strength and raw power to the 76ers’ arsenal. He shot 43.1 percent from three-point range with Real Madrid last season, averaging just under 10 points and nine rebounds in 21.9 minutes. It’s questionable how all of that translates after his departure from the NBA, but Yabusele has clearly improved in every area since arriving in Europe.
He was an influential advocate in space at the Olympic GamesSo Yabusele, aptly nicknamed “The Dancing Bear,” should be able to hold his own against Embiid or Andre Drummond on defense. The Sixers won’t be short on quality defenders around him. Yabusele will find ways to contribute with rebounds, three-pointers, and thunderous screens. He can pass a bit and work two-man plays on the perimeter as well.
This is a very good pick. Don’t be surprised if Yabusele finds his second wind and ends up playing a central role for the Sixers.
De’Anthony Melton was out of sight and out of mind for most of last season due to various injuries. The 76ers were loaded with quality forwards after the James Harden trade, so Melton’s absence wasn’t as keenly felt as one might think. Golden State Warriors With a one-year, $12.8 million contract, Melton plans to remind NBA fans of his two-way talent.
Melton is one of the most effective defensive backs in the NBA when he’s at his best. While not an elite ball stopper, Melton is a glutton for deflections. He wreaks havoc with his 6-foot-10 wingspan, breaking up passing lanes, picking pockets, and even providing the occasional weakside block. Melton’s instincts and activity level as an off-ball defender are next-level.
Replacing the still-prime Klay Thompson with Melton on defense will be a huge positive for the Warriors. He’s no slouch on offense, either. Melton isn’t the most solid shooting, but he shot 39.0 percent of his three-pointers in his last healthy season. We’ve seen Melton play backup point guard before. It’s not his strong suit, but he can put the rock on the floor in an emergency.
Ultimately, Melton’s value will be rooted in the 3-and-D department. He’ll add length and athleticism to a Warriors backline that desperately needs it. With Curry, Draymond and others creating advantages and finding cracks in the defense, Melton’s lack of personal creation shouldn’t be an issue. He can focus on his strengths and rebuild his value as one of the league’s best role players.
THE Phoenix Suns He managed to convince Tyus Jones to sign a minimum contract. It was perhaps the biggest surprise of the offseason. Jones should have been on the market for $15 million or more, at a minimum. Maybe even more than $20 million. Instead, he turned down more lucrative offers in favor of a competitive situation with Phoenix.
Jones is expected to start at point guard alongside Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. The Suns will have questions on defense, but credit where credit is due — Mat Ishbia and the Suns management have done everything in their power to maintain and improve Phoenix’s chances of competing despite a very restrictive CBA. Not all contenders have the nerve to stick with it after a first-round sweep. The Suns have the most expensive roster in basketball and the owners aren’t holding back, which is a rare luxury.
All the talk about Phoenix needing a point guard last season was overblown, but Jones should still make a significant impact. He averaged 12.0 points and 7.3 assists while hitting .489/.414/.800 for the team. Washington Wizards last season, operating with absurd efficiency despite the dilapidated state of the squad around him. assists/turnovers ratio (7.35) last season was the highest in NBA history.
He’ll set the table effectively and elevate his teammates. Jones won’t score in droves, but he’s a good enough off-the-ball shooter to fit into a loaded Suns team. Phoenix can alternate between Jones on and off the ball, allowing him to either run the show or just provide connective tissue.
Either way, this guy is an absolute winner and he’s going to far outperform his contract value.
