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The best free-agent signing this summer was … ?
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David Aldridge: Paul Millsap with Denver (technically, a sign-and-trade with Atlanta and the Clippers). Just love what I think is going to be a perfect fit between a four-time All-Star who still should have two or three top seasons left in him — which dovetails perfectly with his contract. Millsap remains one of the most underrated guys in the game, able to impact the game as a scorer, rebounder, defender and passer. I just think he should be a great complement playing off of Nikola Jokic with his ability to space the floor and pass. And the Nuggets needed another veteran voice in what is still a pretty young locker room.
Steve Aschburner: Paul Millsap to Denver struck me as a nice acquisition, one that addresses needs for the Nuggets both on the floor and in the seams. Millsap is a grown-up and repeat All-Star who brings leadership, which only matters if he can play his solid, versatile, ball-optional game up front. His deal — three years, $90 million — protects the Nuggets with that final year as a team option.
Fran Blinebury: Kevin Durant. The MVP of The Finals took less than the max so the Warriors could keep the core together with Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston and make the defending champs the solid favorites for 2018.
Scott Howard-Cooper: The best was the Warriors’ package deal of retaining Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. That’s a decent outcome for Golden State. But if the conversation is free agents who were in play, then it’s Gordon Hayward to Boston. To add a young All-Star without giving up anything in return, to a roster that already has a large window of opportunity, when the player and coach already have a very good relationship, would be tough to top most summers.
Shaun Powell: Easy answer: Gordon Hayward with the Celtics. He wasn’t the most economical signing (Jonathon Simmons to Orlando) but in terms of an impact signing, he’s right at the top. I look for Hayward to mesh easily with Brad Stevens, his former college coach; and mentally because he’s not the savior of the franchise; and have a seamless relationship with Isaiah Thomas because Hayward isn’t bringing a massive ego.
John Schuhmann: There’s nothing better than re-signing the Finals MVP (and the second best player in the world) for less than 75 percent of the max, even if Kevin Durant’s return to Golden State was a foregone conclusion. Gordon Hayward was the best player to change teams via free agency, gives the Celtics a much-needed, secondary playmaker, and makes what was a top-10 offense last season tougher to defend. And my personal favorite was the Clippers bringing the brilliant passing of Milos Teodosic from Europe.
Sekou Smith: In a summer when there were trades (Chris Paul to Houston, Paul George to Oklahoma City) that could have more impact than any free agent signing, I have to go with Gordon Hayward to Boston as the best signing of this summer. Hayward chose a path East while it seemed every other star of significance was relocating West. Boston has a well-stocked roster, one ready to challenge Cleveland for the top spot and the chance to represent the Eastern Conference in The Finals next year. While Hayward is not necessarily a “superstar,” he is in that tier below and more than capable of helping push the Celtics to a higher level.
Ian Thomsen: Kevin Durant. By re-signing him to $9.5 million less than the max, the Warriors were able to max-out Steph Curry, retain their key bench players and add Nick Young. No other offseason move will have a greater influence on the championship race.
Lang Whitaker: One of the biggest signings this summer was Gordon Hayward to Boston, and certainly the Celtics will once again be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. But I really like the way Hayward’s former team, the Utah Jazz, navigated free agency. First they re-signed Joe Ingles, one of the NBA’s best glue guys and an ace outside shooter, then following Hayward’s departure they signed two terrific, active wing players in Thabo Sefolosha and Jonas Jerebko. Add in the trade for Ricky Rubio, and the Jazz may not be as good as they were a season ago, but I don’t think they’re going to be appreciably worse, either.
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