The NBA’s free-agent period began on August 2. The deadline for free agency was 6 p.m. ET and, in the span of one day and a half there has been a rush of highly-publicized agreements. A majority of the top free agents have signed contracts with notable stars, while some have extended their contracts, and the new rosters are taking form for the 2021-22 season and beyond. Let’s examine the most significant free agency deals from the perspective of fantasy and real-world basketball perspectives!
Devonte’ Graham, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Kira Lewis
Graham will likely depart a packed Charlotte backcourt in order to play for the rapid-paced Pelicans in what is expected to be a starter role that will get lots of time. After making headlines in the 2019-20 He took a step back in 2021-22 after the arrival of the reigning Player of the Year LaMelo Ball. He’ll be looking to rebound with the new team he joined.
Alexander-Walker was also a standout in his second season as he was excellent at filling in when needed, and playing well from the bench. He’s likely to be able to play the role of a starter within New Orleans’ new-look offense.
Lewis could be the one to be left on the court and is the one most likely to be on from the sidelines in 2021-22. But in the event of Lonzo Ball as well as Eric Gordon out the door, Lewis’ minutes should be up from 16.7 millimeters he averaged in his rookie.
Keldon Johnson
The second-year player scored 12.8 per game and 6.0 boards during his first season for the Spurs in 2020-21, which is an impressive improvement over his numbers in his rookie season. The Spurs are in a good place. DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay gone and the Spurs going through a full rebuild, Johnson looks primed for an impressive breakout season. Johnson is likely to be with Gregg Popovich after his appearance for Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics and the added chance of playing could be a big benefit to his development and fantasy value. Devin Vassel should see an increase in playing time too however Johnson is the one I am most fond of.
Norman Powell
In which Powell scored 18.6 points as well as 2.5 triples on shooting splits of 47/41/87 Powell was lavishly rewarded with a lucrative new contract to stay as a member of the Blazers.
Utah Jazz
In the wake of a disappointing exit the playoffs of last year’s season, Utah will return its core players in 2021-22 for a second run. The Jazz have reportedly signed Mike Conley to a three-year contract and also added two key reserve players with Hassan Whiteside and Rudy Gay who are expected to have a big contribution on the bench.
Lonzo Ball
Ball’s huge contract immediately will make him a winner and the fantasy value is very sensible as well. Ball increased his outside shot significantly in the years 2020-21, which means there’s a chance to be offensive but his main potential is in his role as a facilitator. He’s has DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine along with Nikola Vucevic to feed, and the stats that are being tallied by those who count them should accumulate quickly.
Chicago Bulls
Chicago reportedly has landed Lonzo Ball, DeMar the DeRozan along with Alex Caruso. The first five projects of the year asfollows: Ball, Zach LaVine, DeRozan, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevic. It’s not the basement dwelling that Bulls fans are used to. They Bulls are the biggest winners from this free-agent period, and it’s not close.
Los Angeles Lakers
Defense, schmee-fense. The Lakers are believed to be in the process of buying Russell Westbrook and a bunch of players and shooters which could take some of the burden off LeBron James’s age and the injury-prone Anthony Davis.
Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown
In the wake of Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker leaving the team and no major free-agent signings, Smart should be in position to play a bigger backcourt position in 2021-22. Smart was a 3-and-D specialist who took on an increased role as a facilitator this season, scoring an all-time high of 5.7 assists per game. Tatum and Brown may be in line to play bigger roles in the offensive also.
Jarrett Allen
The Cavs proved their commitment to Allen by announcing a five-year agreement. Allen averaged career highests in terms of points (12.8) and rebounding (10.0) while shooting more than 60 percent from the field, and 70 percent at on the line of free-throws. With Evan Mobley in the fold, Allen should be a good fantasy center for many years to be.
Chris Paul & Phoenix Suns
The youthful core consisting of Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton as well as Mikal Bridges, along with important players, will enjoy Paul’s direction for at least four years. In the past, it might be absurd to believe that CP3 could be in a in a position to accept his huge contract and lead the group through The Finals, but here we are.
Evan Fournier
Fournier will shift from the fourth or fifth banana to become a principal offensive option, as New York’s primary scorer, second just Julius Randle. The Knicks are in dire need of scoring and Fournier instantly fills that gap.
Richaun Holmes
A few of the more intriguing Fantasy studs of the last 2 seasons. Holmes is expected to remain in The Kings throughout the coming four seasons on the back of a lucrative contract. After beginning his career as a player in the role of The Sixers as well as the Suns, Holmes has become a top big. Holmes was averaging 14.2 per cent, 8.3 boards 1.7 dimes and 1.6 blocks between 2020-21 All career highs. He is expected to be an integral player for an opponent that lacks frontcourt depth.
Kyle Kuzma
In 2018-19, Kuzma (as a second-year player) scored 18.7 points 5.5 rebound, as well as 2.5 assists over 33.1 minutes of play. Over the past two seasons under LeBron James Kuz is seeing his playing time decrease and his averages fall from 12.9 scores, 5.3 boards, and 1.6 assists over only 26.5 minutes per game. He is now part of a squad in Washington which was the first team to be with pace between 2021 and 2022. However, it was only 21st in offensive efficiency. Kuz will likely to start immediately and will get many more chances than what he did when he was in Los Angeles over the last two seasons.
Spencer Dinwiddie
Similar to Kuzma, Dinwiddie will see the opportunity to grow when he joins the new club. He is likely to be eclipsed by the Brooklyn Big 3 in the event that he remains in his current team, the Nets, Dinwiddie will get an opportunity to play a key role in the Wizards which is a team that is without Bradley Beal. In the 2019-20 season, Dinwiddie scored 20.6 points as well as 6.8 dimes, which earned him his very first All-Star appearance. After missing just three games between 2020-21 due to injuries He’ll be looking to rebound with a huge performance in DC.
James Bouknight, Terry Rozier
With Devonte Graham, and Malik Monk gone, both the rookie Bouknight and the veteran Rozier will be on the lookout to get more time and chances. Bouknight is the most successful in this situation, however, Rozier will benefit too.
John Collins & Atlanta Hawks
Collins This deal isn’t too outrageous given his diverse ability. This move is beneficial for both parties. From a perspective of fantasy, Collins could have potentially been a part of the team that featured his name more frequently than Atlanta However, he demonstrated the world that even on a crowded team, he’s still a fantasy-oriented superstar.
New York Knicks
It’s a good thing. Kemba Walker signing, although not the most exciting, fills an excellent need for a team that I deemed losers only yesterday. The starting five of Walker-Fournier-Barrett-Randle-Robinson will definitely be an improvement over last year’s squad.
San Antonio Spurs
After a big effort to grab Joshua Primo at No. 12. in the NBA Draft, San Antonio’s most notable free-agent splashes are Doug McDermott and Zach Collins. Collins has played 11 games in the last two seasons, while McDermott has never been anything more than a 3-point shooter with little potential upside. DeMar DeRozan was lost to the Bulls as part of a deal which netted Thaddeus Young, and then Al-Farouq Aminiu. For a team in rebuilding mode there’s not many positives for the future.
Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan
As we’ve mentioned in the previous paragraph, the Bulls have made significant upgrades. Chicago could be among the top 4 or 5 selection for the Eastern Conference this season. To be used for fantasy, LaVine and DeRozan are clearly winners. DeRozan will move from his role of high-usage as a player for the Spurs to playing alongside LaVine and other high-quality scorers such as Nikola Vucevic. LaVine will expected to have his role decreased as he joins DeRozan playing as a scoring option.
Isaiah Stewart
Stewart appeared set to be able to fill the center position in Detroit following Mason Plumlee was traded, however, now that Kelly Olynyk on board, Stewart’s time and minutes are in doubt again.
Portland Trail Blazers
In the event that the New York Knicks were going through an unfavorable free-agent period however, I’m not sure what to call Portland’s. The team appears to be playing in the playoffs each year and is only competitive due to Damian Lillard’s nightly performances. Instead of making major trades or sign high-quality free agents the Blazers have signed Cody Zeller and Tony Snell and – no thanks. Have a great time with another early exit from the playoffs, Portland.
LeBron James
Thanks to the trade of Russell Westbrook and bevy of signings, James’ team should be better than it was in 2020-21. But it also means he’ll spend longer off the field or resting during this season, which is his 18th. From a fantasy standpoint I’m not convinced by James this season unless his ADP is in the 3rd or 4th rounds.
Dennis Schroder
Schroder rejected a four-year extension for $84 million from the Lakers this season and the team avoided the bullet with a massive grin. Schroder however remains behind. While the majority of major free-agent dominoes fell, Schroder remains without a team. There is no verdict deliberating on Schroder’s fantasy value for 2021-22, based on the team Schroder plays but from a economic standpoint Schroder is clearly a winner.
KJ Martin
Martin was on fire in the final game of the season of 2020-21 Martin scored 19.7/8.7/3.7 With 2.9 triples in the final seven games (all begins). Martin will now face many players for the frontcourt with Daniel Theis, Usman Garuba and Alperen Sengun.
Andre Drummond
Drummond was signed by the 76ers and will play as a backup to Joel Embiid. This is a great move for the team, as they is likely to be comfortable with Embiid’s absence and increasing his time as necessary. However, this is devastating to Drummond’s fantasy worth.
Kelly Oubre
Oubre’s transfer to the Hornets will be a major boost for Charlotte’s playoff hopes however, it’s also the end of Oubre’s fantasy potential. The team already has players like Terry Rozier, LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward and Miles Bridges It’s likely Oubre is dropped from the bench and is likely to see a drop in terms of minutes and usage with the new Hornets team.
