No time to waste...comin' in hot...
1. LeBron James signs with the Los Angeles Lakers for 4 years, $154 million.
Team Grade: A++
Player Grade: D
At first I was agitated -- to beat the Warriors, I would have preferred the Rockets or Celtics -- but I'm already coming around on this move. LeBron to the Lakers injects more suspense into the NBA playoffs, as the talented Warriors, Rockets, Thunder, Spurs, Timberwolves, Nuggets, Blazers, Pelicans and Lakers will all have to contend with each other. This season, more so than ever, injuries to rotation players will dictate the minor separation between quality teams. Gotta stay completely healthy to come out of this West.
As for LeBron, well, we can look at this one of two ways: (1) It's a move for his family and personal image, and he knows it's a longshot for his "Baby Lakers" to outlast the Warriors and Rockets in the postseason, or (2) he really believes in the young talent on this team. Maybe "GM LeBron" has scouted Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart intently, and he really likes what he sees long-term.
Then again, LeBron's pedigree with young players is questionable. He turned Jordan Clarkson and Rodney Hood into shells of their former selves. I question how much he can elevate these Baby Lakers, though Kuzma strikes me as the one kid who should be fine. He's a confident kid who will look to impress LeBron every second he is out there.
Overall, I mean, what can ya say? This is a monumental win for the Lakers, and a highly-questionable move for The King.
2. Kevin Durant re-signs with the Warriors for 2 years, $61.5 million.
Team Grade: A++
Player Grade: A++
NBA Fan Grade: F-
Did anyone really think he was going elsewhere?
Not much to say here. This is the second-best (or maybe best?) player in the world re-signing with the team that won the last two NBA championships. This is bad news for everyone but Golden State.
3. Aaron Gordon re-signs with the Orlando Magic for 4 years, $84 million.
Team Grade: A-
Player Grade: F
Dude, what are you doing? The Magic suck! Gordon had a lot of interest around the league; so why not sign with a club that has a chance to go somewhere? Loyal to the franchise that drafted him, I suppose.
Relatively easy move for the Magic, as they are basically lining Gordon up as their franchise player. He started off raw with a limited all-around game, but he has vastly improved his perimeter shooting and the rest of his repertoire has opened up around that. I went with an A- instead of an A because I don't personally view Gordon as a potential superstar, franchise-type player. I see him as a No. 2 or 3 player on a decent club.
4, 5 and 6. All Lakers: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope re-signs for 1 year, $12 million; Lance Stephenson inks for 1 year, $4.5 million and JaVale McGee for 1 year, $2.4 million.
Team Grade: A-
Player Grade(s): A-
And the building around LeBron begins. "KCP" is necessary because of his productive three-point shooting from the corners and wings; Stephenson -- obviously this is hilarious because of his past feuds with LeBron -- is a very experienced, useful all-around bench player, and JaVale can catch-and-finish from LeBron or Lonzo.
Stephenson is taking "if ya can't beat 'em, join 'em" to a new level here. He signed on the dotted line just a few hours after Los Angeles inked The Chosen One. He should spark the "Showtime" bench, provided LeBron doesn't have him thrown off the team for being annoying.
KCP and Kuzma should be the key players for LeBron, a la better versions of wings like J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver, Shane Battier and James Jones from his past. We'll see if Kawhi Leonard, DeMarcus Cousins, Tyreke Evans and/or Clint Capela join the evolving circus in La La Land.
7. J.J. Redick re-signs with the Philadelphia 76ers for 1 year, roughly $12.5 million.
Team Grade: A-
Player Grade: A
This was a must for the Sixers after losing both Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova. With the oft-referenced shooting issues hovering over both Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz, Brett Brown needs reliable bombers from beyond the arc. We all know JJ is one of the best in the biz. Philly should be on the market for another shooter, as well.
QUICK GRADES
8. Elfrid Payton gets a 1-year deal from the Pelicans.
Team Grade: C
Player Grade: C+
9. Fred VanVleet re-signs with the Raptors for 2 years.
Team Grade: B
Player Grade: A
10. Rudy Gay re-signs for 1 year with the Spurs.
Team Grade: A-
Player Grade: A-
Stay tuned for Round 3 in the coming days...
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