This article is part of our NBA Offseason series.
The NBA's free agency period began in earnest Sunday with several high-level deals beginning to leak out in the hours leading up to the 6:00 PM ET start time.
Thus far, the biggest name on the move is Kevin Durant, who announced via The Boardroom's Instagram account that he'll sign a four-year deal with the Nets. The two-time Finals MVP will be joined in Brooklyn by Kyrie Irving, who also inked a four-year contract.
New York's other team swung and missed on its top targets in comical fashion, but the Knicks managed to make a smaller splash, quietly signing Julius Randle to a three-year, $63 million deal.
Meanwhile, a pair of sign-and-trades could shape the top of the Eastern Conference for years to come. The Bucks dealt Malcolm Brogdon to the Pacers, who signed the 26-year-old to a four-year, $85 million contract. Shortly after, the 76ers struck a deal to send Jimmy Butler to Miami in exchange for a package centered around Josh Richardson. The Heat will sign Butler to a four-year, $142 million max contract.
Minutes after the Butler deal was announced, Al Horford left one Eastern Conference contender for another, agreeing to a four-year, $109 million contract with the 76ers. Earlier Sunday night, the Sixers reached a deal to keep Tobias Harris in Philly on a five-year max.
As of Wednesday morning, we're still waiting on the biggest domino of them all to fall, and while that may not happen for another few days, it's never too early to start assessing how player movement will shape the fantasy landscape next season.
Here is where we'll keep a running tally of each free agency move, along with some brief fantasy analysis. Be sure to check back throughout the week for RotoWire's take on each development as it happens:
LAST UPDATED: Saturday, 10:45 am ET
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
The contract: Four years, $142 million
What it means: It took a haul that tops even when the Lakers gave up for Anthony Davis to get Paul George to Los Angeles, but in securing PG's services, the Clippers were able to convince Leonard to join him on what's now the Vegas favorite to win the title. Coming off of a dominant run to the title in Toronto, Leonard begins a new chapter in his hometown, where he'll step in as the face of the Clippers franchise.
Fantasy-wise, Leonard's value shouldn't change significantly, though he could see a slight regression in scoring playing alongside George and Lou Williams. Of course, when it comes to Leonard's value, the biggest concern will be his health, and whether he and the Clippers chart another "load management" course for the 2019-20 season.
Danny Green, Los Angeles Lakers
The contract: Two years, $30 million
What it means: It's not the signing they were hoping to announce Saturday, but Green's combination of defense and three-point shooting is exactly what a shallow Lakers roster needs. Green has run hot and cold over the last few years, but he's coming off of a strong year in Toronto, where he shot 46.5 percent from the field and a career-best 45.5 percent from three. Green also offers some shot-blocking from the guard position (career 0.8 BPG), in addition to solid rebounding (4.0 RPG last season) and steals (0.9 SPG) contributions.
Quinn Cook, Los Angeles Lakers
The contract: Two years, $6 million
What it means: Cook has typically played well when called upon in Golden State, but he'll enter a more unstable situation with the new-look Lakers. Cook is a career 41.8 percent shooter from three, and he could step into a slightly increased role, depending on how the Lakers fill out the rest of their roster in the wake of losing out on Kawhi Leonard.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Los Angeles Lakers
The contract: Two years, $14 million
What it means: KCP returning to Los Angeles always felt like an inevitability, and with Kawhi Leonard no longer a possibility, the Lakers wasted no time bringing the Klutch Sports client back for a third tour. Caldwell-Pope appeared in all 82 games last season and averaged 11.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.9 steals per game. The addition of Danny Green likely rules out an extended role for Caldwell-Pope, but averaging close to 25 minutes again is very realistic.
JaVale McGee, Los Angeles Lakers
The contract: Two years, $8.2 million
What it means: Leonard choosing the Clippers triggered a chain reaction of backup plans for the Lakers, who will bring back McGee to likely serve as the starting center next to Anthony Davis. While McGee's reputation doesn't do him any favors, he was a 2.0-blocks-per-game player in just 22.3 minutes per game last season.
Jake Layman, Minnesota Timberwolves
The contract: Three years, $11.5 million (sign-and-trade)
What it means: A fan-favorite in Portland, Layman will head to Minnesota in search of expanded opportunity. Layman finally found himself in a more-regular role last season, but with Kent Bazemore and Rodney Hood on the wing, he may have been limited again in 2019-20. In Minnesota, Layman will have a chance to start at one of the forward spots alongside Robert Covington.
Raul Neto, Philadelphia 76ers
The contract: One year, veteran's minimum
What it means: Injuries contributed to Neto's limited opportunity in Utah, and he'll enter a similar situation in Philadelphia as the de facto replacement for T.J. McConnell.
Boban Marjanovic, Dallas Mavericks
The contract: Two years, $7 million
What it means: When the rare opportunity presents itself, Marjanovic can be a double-double threat, but his double-digit-minute nights are few and far between, making him far more attractive as a DFS darling than a year-long fantasy commodity. Marjanovic is a fun player who creates interesting mismatches, but he's simply too immobile to hold up for starter-level minutes.
Markieff Morris, Detroit Pistons
The contract: TBA
What it means: A neck injury robbed Morris of much of last season, but if he's healthy he'll have a great chance to return to being a meaningful contributor. Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond are locked in as starters, but Morris could be the primary backup at one -- or even both -- positions for a team in need of depth all over. Two seasons ago in Washington, Morris averaged 11.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks/steals with 48/37/82 shooting splits.
T.J. McConnell, Indiana Pacers
The contract: Two years, $7 million
What it means: For fantasy, not much. McConnell is a nice depth piece and had a nice run as a fan-favorite in Philadelphia, but he'll fill a similarly minor role in Indiana. Malcolm Brogdon is firmly entrenched as the starting point guard, and the Pacers like what last year's first-rounder, Aaron Holiday, showed in limited minutes as a rookie.
Darius Miller, New Orleans Pelicans
The contract: Two years, $14.25 million
What it means: Paying Miller more than $7 million next season is a fairly hefty price, but the second year of the deal is non-guaranteed. A second-round pick back in 2012, Miller has asserted himself as a valuable, three-and-D wing, having hit nearly 39 percent of his threes over the last two seasons. Even so, he's never been much of a fantasy option, and he could be looking at a reduced role this season given the amount of depth on the new-look Pelicans' roster. At least on paper, Miller will be behind Brandon Ingram and J.J. Redick, while, E'Twaun Moore, Kenrich Williams, Josh Hart, and Nicolo Melli will also fight for minutes on the wing.
Jared Dudley, Los Angeles Lakers
The contract: One year, $2.6 million
What it means: Dudley is unlikely to be much of a fantasy target, but he should play a key role for a Lakers team in need of shooting -- and basketball players in general.
Emmanuel Mudiay, Utah Jazz
The contract: One year, TBA
What it means: It's difficult to separate Mudiay's counting stats from the situation he was in with the Knicks, but the former top-10 pick seemed to be moving in the right direction. He'll move back into a reserve role with the Jazz as added insurance behind Mike Conley and Dante Exum.
Jeff Green, Utah Jazz
The contract: One year, $2.5 million
What it means: The Jazz continue to load up on what's now one of the deepest rosters in the league -- let alone the Western Conference. Green won't have a clear path to a starting job, but he can back up Bojan Bogdanovic and Joe Ingles at both forward spots.
Luke Kornet, Chicago Bulls
The contract: Two years, TBA
What it means: With the Knicks last season, Kornet was good for a few games that made you double-check the box score, but he ultimately finished the year as a sub-40% shooter who struggles to rebound his position.
Glenn Robinson, Golden State Warriors
The contract: Two years, TBA
What it means: As they attempt to fill out their wing rotation, the Warriors will give Robinson a chance. He only hit 29 percent of his threes in Detroit last season, but prior to that he shot a combined 39 percent from downtown in three years with the Pacers. With Klay Thompson out and Andre Iguodala gone, plenty of minutes will be available for the taking. Robinson will compete for playing time with Alfonzo McKinnie, Damion Lee, Eric Paschall, and perhaps another free agent addition or two.
Ryan Arcidiacono, Chicago Bulls
The contract: Three years, $9 million
What it means: The former Villanova standout had a few impressive stretches last season and wound up starting 32 games, but as the Bulls shift away from a multi-year rebuild -- or at least attempt to -- Arcidiacono will likely sink back into a lesser role as the third point guard. Even with Kris Dunn expected to be traded at some point, both Tomas Satoransky and rookie Coby White will be firmly ahead of Arcidiacono on the depth chart.
Willie Cauley-Stein, Golden State Warriors
The contract: One year, TBA
What it means: Getting a starting-caliber center at just above the veteran's minimum is a fantastic value for Golden State, which has assembled a pretty strong starting five, even with a glaring hole on the wing while Klay Thompson recovers from a torn ACL. While both sides felt it was time for Cauley-Stein to move on from Sacramento, the 25-year-old is coming off of a productive season. In 81 games, Cauley-Stein put up 11.9 points on 56 percent shooting to go with 8.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks. His lack of shooting makes him an interesting fit next to Draymond Green, but the Warriors have certainly made it work with non-shooting big men in the past.
James Ennis, Philadelphia 76ers
The contract: Two years $4.1 million
What it means: Ennis reportedly turned down more lucrative offers to return to Philadelphia, where he finished last season after coming over from Houston. While he offers some shooting and versatility as a wing defender, Ennis has never been much of a fantasy contributor, and that's unlikely to change next season.
Brad Wanamaker, Boston Celtics
The contract: One year, TBA
What it means: A 29-year-old rookie last season, Wanamaker never cracked the regular rotation, and he'll be on the outside looking in again in 2019-20.
Dorian Finney-Smith, Dallas Mavericks
The contract: Three years, $12 million
What it means: Brought in as undrafted free agent in 2016, Finney-Smith gets a nice salary bump after essentially playing on minimum deals for the last three years. A rangy, versatile defender, Finney-Smith should have a good chance to again approach 25 minutes per game, but his poor shooting precludes him from holding much fantasy value.
Dorian Finney-Smith, Dallas Mavericks
The contract: Three years, $12 million
What it means: Brought in as undrafted free agent in 2016, Finney-Smith gets a nice salary bump after essentially playing on minimum deals for the last three years. A rangy, versatile defender, Finney-Smith should have a good chance to again approach 25 minutes per game, but his poor shooting precludes him from holding much fantasy value.
Vincent Poirier, Boston Celtics
The contract: Two years, TBA
What it means: Boston is in need of depth at center after losing Al Horford, and the 6'11 Frenchman brings size and rebounding. At this point in his career, the 25-year-old isn't much of an outside threat, but he shot 62 percent from the field and led the EuroLeague in boards last season.
Isaiah Thomas, Washington Wizards
The contract: One year, TBA
What it means: After failed rehab stints in Los Angeles, Cleveland and, most recently, Denver, it's probably time to pull the plug on the notion that Thomas will ever return to his All-Star form. But if there's a team that can afford to give him an opportunity, it's Washington. While they wait out John Wall's recovery, the Wizards appear set to roll out Ish Smith as their starting point guard. As the roster stands now, Thomas will have a great chance to compete for backup minutes. That's more than the Nuggets could ultimately offer last season given Thomas' lengthy rehab, as well as the emergence of Monte Morris.
Jordan Bell, Minnesota Timberwolves
The contract: One year, $1.6 million
What it means: Bell entered the league with a fair amount of hype for a second-round pick, but it never fully materialized over the course of two seasons. Because of his defensive potential, the 24-year-old remains fairly intriguing, though his lack of size and lack of shooting make him a difficult fit in today's NBA.
Kevon Looney, Golden State Warriors
The contract: Three years, $15 million
What it means: The 23-year-old may be positioned for the largest role of his career next season, but even if he averages closer to 25 minutes per game, Looney doesn't project as an overly impactful fantasy contributor. He'll shoot a high percentage on low volume and grab rebounds, but not at a rate that makes him fantasy-relevant.
Matt Thomas, Toronto Raptors
The contract: Three years, $4.2 million
What it means: Using part of their mid-level exception, the Raptors will bring over one of the best shooters in Europe. A product of Iowa State, the 6-5 Thomas hit 47 percent of his three-point attempts over the last two seasons in Spain.
Tim Frazier, Detroit Pistons
The contract: One year, $2 million
What it means: Simply a depth add for Detroit, Frazier will serve as insurance if the Derrick Rose signing doesn't work out.
Nerlens Noel, Oklahoma City Thunder
The contract: TBA
What it means: A potential target for teams like the Lakers and Clippers is now off the table. Noel was never able to emerge from a limited, backup role last season, but he once again posted one of the best steal rates in the league to go with a career-best 7.7% block rate. If this is the year Steven Adams finally misses more than a handful of games, Noel would immediately become a hot commodity.
Alec Burks, Oklahoma City Thunder
The contract: TBA
What it means: Following stops in Utah, Cleveland and Sacramento last season, Burks' future in the league was clouded, at best, but he'll land in a good spot with the Thunder -- a team in need of wing shooting. In his 34 games with the Cavs, Burks compiled averages of 11.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists while hitting 38 percent of his three-point attempts.
Frank Kaminsky, Phoenix Suns
The contract: Two years, $10 million
What it means: Using the room exception, Phoenix gets a cheap backup big man who can absorb minutes at both center and power forward. With Deandre Ayton and Aron Baynes in place, backing up Dario Saric at the four figures to be Kaminsky's primary role. The former Wisconsin star is yet to find his niche at the NBA level, though he did average 12.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 made threes over the final 21 games of last season (22.6 MPG).
Wesley Matthews, Milwaukee Bucks
The contract: One year, veteran's minimum
What it means: Losing Malcolm Brogdon leaves a major hole in the backcourt, and Matthews will help fill it. There's a chance he'll compete for the vacated starting spot, but the more likely scenario is the Marquette alum and Madison, Wis. native taking on a slightly reduced role in a deep Bucks rotation. Matthews' run of nine straight seasons averaging at least 30 minutes per game will be in jeopardy, but that could be for the best, as he's begun to show signs of decline. Nonetheless, Matthews arrives as a major bargain and should still be a source of made threes, with a few steals and assists, for deeper-league owners.
Edmond Sumner, Indiana Pacers
The contract: Three years, TBA
What it means: A second-round pick in 2017, Sumner has only appeared in 24 games over the last two years, but the Pacers apparently like him as an end-of-the-bench option.
Richaun Holmes, Sacramento Kings
The contract: Two years, $10 million
What it means: Sacramento makes another addition to bolster its frontcourt, but it's not clear what kind of role Holmes will occupy considering the Kings already have Marvin Bagley, Dewayne Dedmon and Harry Giles as more than capable options up front. Even so, Holmes could still prove to be a solid asset for the money, as he's averaging a solid 8.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 17.8 minutes across the past three seasons. The soon-to-be 26-year-old has shown upside as a three-point shooter (27-of-77 during his sophomore campaign) and defender (combined 3.1 blocks/steals per game for his career).
J.J. Barea, Dallas Mavericks
The contract: One year, veteran's minimum
What it means: Expecting much out of a 35-year-old coming off of a torn Achilles would be a risky proposition, but the Mavs will bring Barea back as a means of cheap, familiar depth in the backcourt. Given the injury situation, the emergence of Jalen Brunson, and the addition of Seth Curry, it's highly unlikely that Barea reaches fantasy relevance in most leagues next season.
Enes Kanter, Boston Celtics
The contract: Two years, $10 million
What it means: The loss of Al Horford to the 76ers left the Celtics extremely thin at center. Kanter might be only a temporary stopgap, and while his defensive woes are well-documented, he's a proven commodity as a scorer and high-volume rebounder. Splitting last season between the Knicks and Trail Blazers, Kanter posted 13.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists across 24.5 minutes per game while shooting 54.9 percent from the field. The 27-year-old figures to step into a starting job with the Celtics. If that leads to 25-plus minutes per night, Kanter's fantasy value will be on the rise.
Maxi Kleber, Dallas Mavericks
The contract: Four years, $35 million
What it means: He's only been a part-time starter over the last two years, but Kleber will likely battle with Dwight Powell for the right to start alongside Kristaps Porzingis. Both players will limit each other's upside, though Kleber carries some appeal as a source of blocks. Last season, he posted a 4.4% block rate and needed only 21.2 minutes per game to average 1.1 blocks.
Elfrid Payton, New York Knicks
The contract: Two years, $16 million
What it means: Given the presence of Dennis Smith, Jr. and RJ Barrett, committing $16 million to Payton is unexpected. Payton has started every game he's appeared in over the past two seasons between Orlando, Phoenix and New Orleans, but that could change in New York. Payton has struggled to develop his long-range shooting, and his free-throw percentage is also subpar, but he's shown upside as a passer. From a fantasy perspective, this brings Payton's stock down, as a reduced role on a suddenly crowded roster appears inevitable.
Troy Daniels, Los Angeles Lakers
The contract: One year, $2.1 million
What it means: The Lakers are still hoping to land Kawhi Leonard, and the move to sign Daniels won't affect that, salary-wise. Daniels has played a limited bench role throughout his career, functioning as a three-point specialist. He boasts a career 40.0 percent mark from three on 4.4 attempts per game. Regardless of how the remainder of the Lakers' offseason pans out, Daniels figures to hold down a fairly limited role off the bench.
Austin Rivers, Houston Rockets
The contract: Two years, TBA
What it means: While the shooting numbers weren't great (41% FG; 32% 3PT), Rivers fit in well with the Rockets last season and had a few positive moments in the playoffs. He'll likely hold a similar role to last season, meaning he won't be in line to provide fantasy owners with much value. Per Adrian Wojnarowski, the second year of Rivers' deal is a player option.
Seth Curry, Dallas Mavericks
The contract: Four years, $32 million
What it means: After missing all of 2017-18 due to injury, Curry reemerged with the Trail Blazers last season. He played a backup role at both guard positions, though he mostly occupied the shooting guard spot. Over his past three seasons, Curry has established himself as one of the premier three-point threats in the league, hitting 43.9 percent of his 3.6 attempts per game. We'll see how the roster looks come October, but there's a good chance Curry could start alongside Luka Doncic next season.
Wayne Ellington, New York Knicks
The contract: Two years, $16 million
What it means: Picking up where they left off Sunday night, the Knicks add yet another veteran to the mix in Ellington. He's the fourth player to sign a two-year deal with New York, which is not-so-covertly positioning itself to be a player in the 2021 free agency market. Ellington is fairly redundant alongside Reggie Bullock, and it's unlikely that he'll be able to reach the 27 minutes per game (and 7.8 three-point attempts) he averaged with Detroit to end last season.
Tomas Satoransky, Chicago Bulls
The contract: Three years, $30 million
What it means: In another sign-and-trade, the Bulls gave up some future second-round draft capital to get their hands on a veteran guard. It's a bit of an odd move after drafting Coby White less than two weeks ago, but the Bulls are (shockingly) ready to move on from Kris Dunn, so that would eliminate some of the clutter. Even with Dunn presumably out of the picture, this may be a lateral move, at best, for Satoransky. Had he stayed in Washington, Satoransky likely would've been in line to fill John Wall's role for perhaps the entire season. In Chicago, he'll have to compete with White, who could very well open the season as the starter.
Michael Carter-Williams, Orlando Magic
The contract: One year, TBA
What it means: Orlando paid up to keep Nikola Vucevic and Terrence Ross, while also adding Al-Farouq Aminu, but the Magic failed to address their most pressing need at point guard. Carter-Williams adds some cheap insurance behind the expiring D.J. Augustin, who appears to be in line to again hold down the starting spot. The wild card, of course, is Markelle Fultz, but the fact that he won't even be playing in summer league is not an encouraging development.
Patrick Beverley, Los Angeles Clippers
The contract: Three years, $40 million
What it means: While they wait on Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers took themselves out of the running to sign a second max player, but with Jimmy Butler on his way to Miami, the superstar market had all but dried up, anyway. After playing on a string of team-friendly deals, Beverley finally gets his big payday, and he figures to fill a similar role next season, regardless of what happens with Leonard. Set to turn 31 next month, Beverley has evolved into a 39.4 percent three-point shooter over the last four seasons. He doesn't offer a whole lot else, fantasy-wise, but he has some room to boost his steals numbers after falling below 1.0 per game last season for the first time since his rookie year.
D'Angelo Russell, Golden State Warriors
The contract: Four years, $117 million
What it means: The details are still trickling out, but the Warriors came out of nowhere to work a sign-and-trade with Brooklyn to acquire Russell and sign him to a max deal. Needing to clear cap space, they'll part with Andre Iguodala, sending him to Memphis along with a (very) lightly protected future first-round pick. Who knows what the Warriors are planning long-term, but landing Russell was all about acquiring high-level talent -- fit be damned. For now, Russell can be penciled in as the off-guard next to Stephen Curry in what's suddenly back to being a top-flight Warriors backcourt. Curry will be (by far) the most talented teammate of Russell's career, which should help him build on a breakout 2018-19. Given his ability to play both guard spots, Russell will likely be set for bigger minutes after hovering around 30 minutes per game last season.
Robin Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks
The contract: TBA
What it means: Trading John Henson and losing Nikola Mirotic meant the Bucks needed a backup center. Robin probably won't see enough minutes to be particularly relevant in most leagues, unless Brook were to sustain an injury.
Ed Davis, Utah Jazz
The contract: Two years, $10 million
What it means: Davis, who finished 17th in total rebounds last season despite playing just 17.9 minutes per night, is primed to continue that role behind Rudy Gobert. Davis' fantasy value is relatively limited considering he averaged only 5.8 points and failed to record even half a block last season. However, fantasy owners in deep leagues can consider Davis as a late-pick rebounding specialist.
Mario Hezonja, Portland Trail Blazers
The contract: One year, minimum salary (plus player option)
What it means: Was not aware you could get both a one-year minimum deal and a player option. Incredible negotiating. The second year feels like an unnecessary commitment by Portland, but despite what four seasons' worth of numbers say, Hezonja still has an undeniable ability to catch the eye of NBA GMs. Stretches like his three-game garbage time rampage in April -- 37.2 MPG, 25.0 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 7.0 APG 1.7 SPG -- are the reason why, but there's little reason to believe he'll find consistent minutes in Portland.
Mike Muscala, Oklahoma City Thunder
The contract: TBA
What it means: Not much to see here. Muscala quickly flamed out in a difficult situation in Los Angeles, but he's a 37 percent three-point shooter over the last three seasons. With Patrick Patterson declining, the Thunder don't have a ton of depth behind Jerami Grant.
Derrick Favors, New Orleans Pelicans
The contract: TBA
What it means: A casualty of Utah's acquisition of Bojan Bogdanovic, the Jazz send Favors to New Orleans in a sign-and-trade that brings them a pair of future second-rounders. Working quickly in the wake of the Anthony Davis trade, David Griffin has built a playoff-ready roster stocked with an intriguing mix of veterans -- the Pels also added J.J. Redick on Friday night -- and young talent. After putting up 11.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game last season, Favors would appear to have the inside track to the starting center job in New Orleans over Jahlil Okafor and rookie Jaxson Hayes.
Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
The contract: Four years, $142 million
What it means: The Heat went out and got a star, but is Butler worth the four years and more than $140 million? To facilitate the sign-and-trade, Miami shipped Josh Richardson -- arguably its best asset -- to Philadelphia, and more moves could be coming. Goran Dragic was initially thought to be part of the deal, but Shams Charania of The Athletic has since clarified that Dragic remains in Miami -- at least for the time being.
Parting ways with Richardson on an affordable contract is difficult, and Miami is now hard-capped for the 2019-20. This roster isn't built to contend for a title anyway, but with Butler in the fold, the Heat have positioned themselves to be players in the coming summers' free agency markets.
Butler will essentially fill Richardson's spot in the starting lineup, and he'll instantly become Miami's top offensive option. While Butler found success in Philadelphia and Minnesota, he was often in a complementary role -- or, at best, a partnership -- so he'll have a chance to return to being a 20-point-per-game scorer. Butler's efficiency could suffer as a result, but he hasn't dipped below 45 percent shooting since his third year in the league.
Replacing Richardson with a higher-usage player in Butler could result in slightly reduced roles for Dragic and Justise Winslow, but it's too early to say for sure whether the move will significantly impact either player.
For Richardson, going from Miami to Philadelphia puts him in a better basketball situation, but he could stand to lose some fantasy value playing alongside three All-Stars and a borderline-All-Star in Tobias Harris. It'll be tough for Richardson to match last season's career-high 4.1 assists and 16.6 points per game, but he should be more efficient after hitting just 41.2 percent of his field goals. Defensively, Richardson still projects as a 1.0-plus-steals player, and the move to a more top-heavy team shouldn't mean a meaningful reduction in playing time (34.8 MPG).
DeAndre Jordan, Brooklyn Nets
The contract: Four years, $40 million
What it means: Lob City feels like ages ago. Jordan's numbers last season -- 11.0 points, 13.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game -- represent a real decline. It was back in 2014-15 that Jordan led the league in rebounds (15.0) and swatted 2.2 shots. However, he's evolved in some ways. Jordan reached a career-high 70.5 free-throw percentage. That's a massive leap considering his previous high was 58.0 percent. Jordan's 2.3 assists per game were also a career mark.
Teaming up with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in Brooklyn may provide Jordan the opportunity to get back to his old ways, though the true iteration of the team won't exist until Durant returns in 2020-21. While the block rate might not return, Jordan should be the target of plenty of lobs from Irving, both in transition and in the pick-and-roll.
Al Horford, Philadelphia 76ers
The contract: Four years, $109 million
What it means: There were rumblings over the last week that a "mystery team" was in the mix for Horford -- it turns out the Sixers were that team. Seemingly out of nowhere, Philadelphia swooped in to sign the veteran to a nine-figure deal, which includes $12 million in championship-related bonuses.
Despite losing both Jimmy Butler and J.J. Redick, the Sixers reloaded around Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons -- Philly snagged Josh Richardson from Miami in a Butler sign-and-trade -- and now enter next season as perhaps the prohibitive favorites in the East.
Pairing Horford with Embiid should unlock even more spacing for the Sixers, though it'll mean sliding Tobias Harris down to small forward. Regardless, Horford and Embiid may be the best defensive frontcourt in the league, with both players comfortable defending the rim, as well as the pick-and-roll.
In terms of fantasy value, Horford could take a slight step back as a passer (4.2 APG last season), but his rebounding (6.7 RPG), shot-blocking (1.3 BPG) and relatively modest scoring production (13.6 PPG) should be sustainable in a new environment. Keep in mind that Horford averaged just 29 minutes per game last season.
Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
The contract: Four years, $164 million
What it means: Durant is headed to New York City -- just not to the team that seemingly had him all but locked up a month ago. Of course, any Durant news has to be couched in the reality that he'll likely miss all of next season, but this is still a massive acquisition for the Nets, who will also add Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan as they gear up for a window of title contention.
Replacing D'Angelo Russell with Irving should be enough to keep the Nets in the playoffs next season, but Brooklyn's real window opens up in 2020-21, when Durant should be back at full strength. Even if the 30-year-old doesn't come back at an All-World level, his floor as a player is high enough that he'll still be capable of star-level production -- especially in an environment where the offensive burden won't be squarely on his shoulders. Durant at 90 or even 80 percent might still be a top-20 player in the NBA.
Kemba Walker, Boston Celtics
The contract: Four years, $141 million
What it means: While Al Horford still appears to be on the way out, the Celtics acted quickly and found the best available replacement for Kyrie Irving. Walker may not be the player Irving is, but he can do a reasonable impression and should be a massive upgrade in terms of leadership and coachability. The acquisition of Walker via sign-and-trade keeps the Celtics in contention in the East while they continue to develop Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum on the fly.
Fantasy-wise, Walker moving to a truly good team for the first time in his career will almost certainly mean a decline in value. Walker topped out at 25.6 points per game last season while posting a usage rate north of 30 percent -- a number that will likely tumble back toward the mid-20s in Boston. That will probably entail slight dips in scoring and assists, though a vastly more talented supporting cast than what he had in Charlotte could result in better efficiency. Walker took a career-high 8.9 threes per game last season but shot just 35.6 percent -- his lowest figure in four years.
Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers
The contract: Five years, $180 million
What it means: The 76ers gave up plenty to get Harris at the trade deadline last season, and that effort has been rewarded. About to turn 27 years old, Harris has shown steady improvement throughout his career -- one that has already included stints with five teams. It appears he's finally found a home. Harris started all 27 of his appearances with Philly last season, averaging 18.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists. While his three-point shooting took a dip once he was dealt to the 76ers, that feels like an anomaly. He shot 39.7 percent from deep on the year.
Surrounded by Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Al Horford and Josh Richardson, Harris' offensive contributions could fluctuate. There will undoubtedly be certain nights where he's the leading scorer, but there will also be nights where he could slip to fourth considering the talent around him. Replacing Jimmy Butler with a lower-usage player in Richardson could boost Harris' fantasy stock.
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
The contract: Four years, $196 million
What it means: Lillard was never going to be on the move this summer, but the Blazers still got right to work on locking in the franchise centerpiece two years before his current deal expires. The new supermax contract, which kicks in at the start of the 2021-22 season, will pay Lillard nearly $200 million over four years, the final of which is a player option. While Lillard is a notch below the ultra-elite tier of fantasy producers, expect him to continue to be among the most valuable guards in the league. Lillard is an elite scorer who also provides assists, threes and steals, but his durability -- 25 missed games in seven seasons -- may be his best asset.
Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets
The contract: Three years, $58 million
What it means: As part of a three-team sign-and-trade, the Celtics and Hornets essentially swap Kemba Walker for Rozier. But while Walker becomes the centerpiece for what should be another strong Celtics team, Rozier now heads up one of the bleaker rosters in the league -- one that was further weakened when Jeremy Lamb signed with the Pacers.
Charlotte is banking on Rozier looking much more like the player who filled in admirably for Kyrie Irving two seasons ago -- not the one who struggled to find his footing off the bench in 2018-19. Considering they were going to lose Walker, regardless, it's not an overly ambitious gamble by the Hornets, but Rozier is yet to shoot 40 percent from the field in any of his four NBA seasons, and even at his best is nowhere near capable of being the primary option for a playoff-caliber team.
In terms of fantasy value, however, Rozier moving to a bad team with a gaping hole at point guard is a dream scenario. Rozier could easily tack on 10-to-15 more minutes per game after sinking down to 22.7 MPG last season, and he'll likely be the No. 1 option on a roster whose top remaining scorer in Marvin Williams. He'll have to prove he can score with significantly more efficiency, Rozier is positioned to be among the biggest year-over-year risers in all of fantasy basketball.
Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets
The contract: Four years, $141 million
What it means: The Nets are officially out of the darkness and positioned to be among the best teams in the East for the foreseeable future. While Irving alone won't be enough to vault Brooklyn from fun playoff team to true title contender, pairing him with Kevin Durant gives the Nets one of the best 1-2 punches in the league.
In the immediate future, with Durant's return to playing in NBA basketball games on hold, Irving is positioned for another elite fantasy season as the unquestioned No. 1 option. He'll have plenty of complementary shooting around him, as well as a rim-running center in DeAndre Jordan to team with Jarrett Allen. He may have ruffled some feathers last season, but Irving is coming off of the best statistical year of his career in Boston. As long as he stays healthy, there's little reason to believe Irving will take a step back.
Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
The contract: Five years, $178 million
What it means: He may have briefly shopped around, but it never felt like Middleton was a serious threat to leave Milwaukee. Handing out $178 million to a one-time All-Star is a difficult pill to swallow, but the Bucks were backed into a corner and simply couldn't afford to lose their second-leading-scorer for no return.
Limiting its flexibility elsewhere was part of the price Milwaukee paid for Middleton, and that came to form in the Bucks ultimately signing and trading Malcolm Brogdon to Indiana. With Brogdon out of the picture, there's a case to be made that Middleton could help pick up the slack, but he's unlikely to significantly outpace last season's production. More than anything, an increase in minutes (31.1 MPG last season) could be the biggest boost to Middleton's value.
Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers
The contract: Four years, $85 million
What it means: The Bucks facilitated a sign-and-trade that nets them a future first-round pick and two second-rounders, but losing Brogdon is a gut punch for a team that was two wins away from a Finals berth. The Bucks clearly had a walk-away number with Brogdon, who's coming off of a 50/40/90 season but has also battled significant foot issues each of the last two years.
The Pacers were willing to throw 20-plus-million per year at Brogdon, who will step in as the starting point guard in the wake of Darren Collison's retirement. Brogdon may not be able to match last season's efficiency, but he should have a larger role in Indiana -- especially early in the year -- after ranking fourth on his own team in usage rate and field goal attempts in Milwaukee.
Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
The contract: Five years, $190 million
What it means: This is the contract the Warriors had to offer -- and probably wanted to. With Durant in Brooklyn, locking up Thompson was priority No. 1, and while the Warriors will likely take a step back next season, they'll re-tool and gear up for another run in 2020 fueled by a proven Curry/Thompson/Green core.
Bojan Bogdanovic, Utah Jazz
The contract: Four years, $73 million
What it means: Bogdanovic had a career year in the wake of Victor Oladipo's season-ending injury. Bogdanovic played his final 34 games with Oladipo, averaging 20.7 points (50.3 FG%, 41.1 3P%), 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists. With Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell around, it may be tough for Boganovic to see that type of usage in Utah. However, he figures to be the third offensive option, and his ability to knock down open threes should provide better floor spacing than the Jazz have had in recent years.
Ricky Rubio, Phoenix Suns
The contract: Three years, $51 million
What it means: Once the Jazz traded for Mike Conley, it was a foregone conclusion that Rubio would end up elsewhere. Rubio's tenure in Utah was different than his prior time in Minnesota. With the Wolves, he ranked in the top-five in assists per game three times, with the lowest mark of those seasons being 8.6 APG. During Rubio's two seasons with the Jazz, he averaged only 5.7 assists. While he saw his scoring increase, the trade-off was far from equal, and Rubio's fantasy value has suffered.
Though Rubio will enter a new environment in Phoenix, the backcourt makeup is similar. Rubio will once again be flanked by a high-usage shooting guard in Devin Booker. And the Suns and Jazz played at nearly the same pace last season, so we can't count on Rubio getting extra assists simply by having more possessions to work with. Will Rubio be able to revert back to his old ways, or is the Rubio we've seen lately what we'll be getting with the Suns?
J.J. Redick, New Orleans Pelicans
The contract: Two years, $26.5 million
What it means: In desperate need of spacing, the Pelicans will turn to the services of Redick, who ranked seventh in made threes last season and averaged a career-high 18.1 points per game. The Pelicans' starting five is still to-be-determined, so it's unclear if Redick will start. That scenario is likely only if Zion Williamson gets the nod at center. If not, one of Redick, Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram will come off the bench. Either way, Redick still figures to garner around 30 minutes per game and he should continue providing fantasy value as a high-volume three-point sniper.
Jonas Valanciunas, Memphis Grizzlies
The contract: Three years, $45 million
What it means: Memphis hangs on to a key piece in the Marc Gasol trade at a reasonable price. With all of the money available around the league, getting Valanciunas at an average of $15 million per year is somewhat of a bargain -- especially after he averaged 19.9 points and 10.7 rebounds in just 27.7 minutes per game after the trade. He may not have that level of opportunity again alongside a healthy Jaren Jackson, but it wouldn't be shocking if Valanciunas is a 15-and-10 player next season.
Rudy Gay, San Antonio Spurs
The contract: Two years, $32 million
What it means: Gay did what he could to fill in for the absence of Kawhi Leonard last season. He averaged the third-most points (13.7) on the team, as well as the second-most rebounds (6.8). Also of note, he set a career high in three-point percentage, drilling 40.2 percent of his 2.7 looks per contest. Considering the Spurs are bringing back a similar team next season, it's reasonable to expect a similar season for Gay, though he'll be turning 33 in August and could see some natural decline.
Bobby Portis, New York Knicks
The contract: Two years, $31 million
What it means: After whiffing on their top two targets in comical fashion, the Knicks immediately pivoted in the opposite direction and began loading the roster with veterans on short-term deals. In addition to Portis, New York swiftly signed Taj Gibson, Reggie Bullock and Wayne Ellington -- all to two-year deals -- in addition to Julius Randle. Portis and Randle, both 24 years old, carry some longer-term intrigue, but in the bigger picture the Knicks are setting themselves up to once again be free agent players in the summer of 2021.
In terms of fantasy value, Portis could actually take a small step back following a strong close to the season in Washington, where he shot better than 40 percent from the field. Randle figures to start at power forward, and while Portis can play some center, the Knicks already have Mitchell Robinson, who will be set for a larger role after a promising rookie season. They'll also need to find minutes for Gibson and Kevin Knox, so Portis reaching the 27 minutes per game he saw in Washington is no guarantee.
Thomas Bryant, Washington Wizards
The contract: Three years, $25 million
What it means: Bryant provided excellent value on a $1.4 million salary last season, making 53 starts on his way to averaging 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.9 blocks in 20.8 minutes per game. Washington apparently sees him as a longer-term fit, though his value could suffer in the immediate future given the return of Dwight Howard, whose absence is what opened the door for Bryant in the first place. With that said, the Wizards are shallow at both forward spots, so Bryant, who hit 33 three-pointers last season, could see some minutes at power forward, as well.
Thaddeus Young, Chicago Bulls
The contract: Three years, $41 million
What it means: We knew Young would have plenty of suitors, but the Bulls are an interesting fit coming off of a second straight sub-30-win season. As far as 22-win teams go, Chicago has an attractive young core, but Young isn't the missing piece to transform the Bulls from a lottery team to a contender. Getting him for three years is a plus, but Young will be 34 by the time the summer of 2022 rolls around.
Young hasn't come off the bench since his early days with the Nets, but he'll likely be staring at a reserve role in Chicago with Wendell Carter and Lauri Markkanen entrenched up front. That could hamper his overall utility, though Young's diverse portfolio of points, steals, rebounds, assists and threes should buoy his value.
Kristaps Porzingis, Dallas Mavericks
The contract: Five years, $158 million
What it means: This felt like a foregone conclusion once Dallas traded for Porzingis in late January. The Mavericks weren't scared off by the ACL tear that limited him to just 48 games in 2017-18. At the time, the former No. 4 overall pick was en route to a career year, averaging 22.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.2 assists in 32.4 minutes.
Porzingis will have more help next season, teaming up with the Rookie of the Year in Luka Doncic, not to mention a significantly more complete roster from top to bottom. It's possible we see Porzingis' 18.5 field goal attempts per game decrease, but a more cohesive environment always opens up the possibility of an efficiency increase -- Porzingis shot an underwhelming 43.9 percent from the field in 2017-18.
Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks
The contract: Four years, $52 million
What it means: Retaining Lopez was clearly a priority for Milwaukee -- perhaps even ahead of Malcolm Brogdon, who will head to Indiana as part of a sign-and-trade. Playing on a bi-annual exception contract last season, the 31-year-old gets a substantial pay raise on what will likely be the last big contract of his career. Lopez started 81 games for the East's best regular season team last season, averaging 12.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and a career-best 2.2 blocks per game. More importantly, he solidified himself as a legitimate, high-volume three-point threat at the center position -- an especially valuable trait for a team built around a shaky-at-best shooter in Giannis Antetokounmpo.
George Hill, Milwaukee Bucks
The contract: Three years, $29 million
What it means: After declining to match Malcolm Brogdon's offer with the Pacers, Milwaukee quickly turned around and brought Hill back on a three-year deal. A mid-season acquisition, Hill came into his own in the playoffs, often emerging as a key component of closing lineups in Rounds 2 and 3. With Brogdon gone, there's a chance Hill starts alongside Eric Bledsoe, but either way he'll be in a position to average more than the 20.2 minutes per game he saw last season.
Terrence Ross, Orlando Magic
The contract: Four years, $54 million
What it means: Ross has earned a reputation as a streaky shooter, but his indiscriminate three-pointers felt necessary for a Magic team otherwise lacking elite perimeter threats. Finishing 10th in made threes last season, Ross also averaged a career-high 15.1 points in 26.5 minutes. At 28 years old, Ross is theoretically in his prime, but we shouldn't expect him to make major changes to his game. We know who he is as a player. For fantasy purposes, that means points and threes.
Garrett Temple, Brooklyn Nets
The contract: Two years, $10 million
What it means: The title chase might be on hold for a year, but the Nets wasted no time building out a diversified roster. After splitting last season between Memphis and the Clippers, Temple will step in as part of the replacement plan for DeMarre Carroll and Jared Dudley on the wing. Temple likely won't take all of the 25 minutes per game vacated by Carroll, but his versatility should keep him relevant in deeper formats.
Derrick Rose, Detroit Pistons
The contract: Two years, $15 million
What it means: Well. The Pistons are certainly in need of guard help, but this is an interesting choice. At $7.5 million per season, it's not a huge commitment, but it's unclear where Rose fits with Reggie Jackson still in the mix. While the former MVP is coming off his most encouraging season in quite some time, he still missed 31 games due to injury, and it remains to be seen if his dramatically-improved three-point shooting (37% 3PT) is here to stay. Chances are, Rose won't average 18 points per game again, but in terms of opportunity for fantasy production, Detroit is a good landing spot.
Julius Randle, New York Knicks
The contract: Three years, $63 million
What it means: Set to turn 25 next season, Randle is beginning to live up to his billing as a former No. 7 overall pick. He cracked 20 points per game for the first time in 2018-19, doing so while shooting at an impressive 52.4 percent. Randle also showed off an improved three-pointer, hitting 34.4 percent of his 2.7 attempts per contest.
In joining New York, Randle walks into a situation where he could be the oldest member of the starting five. Dennis Smith Jr. will handle the offense while RJ Barrett gets his bearings, but it's possible -- if not likely -- that Randle evolves into the Knicks' No. 1 option. If that's the case, Randle has immense good stats/bad team potential and could end up being an extremely valuable fantasy asset.
Dewayne Dedmon, Sacramento Kings
The contract: Three years, $40 million
What it means: If you're a center who hits threes at a 38 percent clip, there will always be a market. Dedmon steps in as the replacement for Willie Cauley-Stein, and he'll likely play a similar role in Sacramento to the one he held in Atlanta. Expect the 29-year-old to continue providing rebounds, steals, blocks and threes, though his overall fantasy upside could be capped by the presence of Marvin Bagley, Harry Giles and Richaun Holmes, who could all spend time at center.
Trevor Ariza, Sacramento Kings
The contract: Two years, $25 million
What it means: For the second consecutive summer, Ariza will head to a team with a bit of a dubious free agency history, but he'll cash in again with a two-year, fully guaranteed deal. Ariza never quite fit in with the Suns and Wizards last season, and while mileage is a concern at age 34, the veteran has forged a reputation as one of the better three-and-D wings in the league. Ariza has started every game in which he's played since 2013, but that could change with Harrison Barnes expected to return to Sacramento.
Paul Millsap, Denver Nuggets
The contract: One year, $30 million (team option exercised)
What it means: It's a hefty price to pay for a big man who turns 35 in February, but the Nuggets feel they have a window to contend in the West with the Warriors in a holding pattern. Millsap's fantasy value has been on a gradual decline over the last few years, and while he posted his lowest scoring average (12.6 PPG) last season since 2009-10, Millsap remains an above-average source of rebounds and defensive stats with solid shooting percentages.
DeMarre Carroll, San Antonio Spurs
The contract: Two years, $13 million
What it means: Carroll fell off a bit last season after a resurgent 2017-18 campaign, but he remains a solid wing defender who rebounds and shoots the three. The hope is that Carroll bounces back after a disappointing 2018-19 season, but he likely won't be counted on for a major role. The Spurs always value depth, but it's hard to envision a path to big minutes in a wing rotation that currently features Rudy Gay, DeMar DeRozan, Marco Belinelli, Davis Bertans and rookies Luka Samanic and Keldon Johnson.
Jeremy Lamb, Indiana Pacers
The contract: Three years, $31.5 million
What it means: Lamb saw his role evolve over the past two seasons, acting as a sixth-man for the Hornets at shooting guard and small forward. Last year marked his most productive campaign, racking up 15.3 points in 28.5 minutes per game. With the Pacers, there's a strong chance he'll start at shooting guard while Victor Oladipo (quad) is recovering from his injury. That could provide him the opportunity to see another uptick in production. Even when Oladipo comes back, Lamb should still garner at least 25 minutes per night and be a nice end-of-draft fantasy asset.
Nicolo Melli, New Orleans Pelicans
The contract: Two years, $8 million
What it means: A 6-9 forward, Melli is a stretch-four who brings much-needed shooting to a frontcourt in which Derrick Favors, Zion Williamson, Jahlil Okafor and Jaxson Hayes will play major minutes. The Italian shot better than 40 percent from three for Fenerbahce last season on relatively low volume.
Ish Smith, Washington Wizards
The contract: Two years, $12 million
What it means: After three years as mostly a backup in Detroit, Smith is, at present, in line to start next to Bradley Beal while John Wall recovers from a torn Achilles. Obviously, that's an extremely positive development for his fantasy value, though he'll have to bounce back from a poor shooting season (42% FG; 33% 3PT) to reach his potential low-end option at point guard.
Cory Joseph, Sacramento Kings
The contract: Three years, $37 million
What it means: The Kings are one of a handful of teams cornering the mid-level veteran market, as they'll add Joseph to a haul that includes Harrison Barnes, Dewayne Dedmon and Trevor Ariza. More than $12 million per year is a lot to pay for a backup coming off of the worst season of his career, but the third year is only partially guaranteed. Unless De'Aaron Fox gets hurt, Joseph will remain on the fantasy periphery.
Al-Farouq Aminu, Orlando Magic
The contract: Three years, $29 million
What it means: Since 2015-16, Aminu has been a staple in the Trail Blazers' rotation. His rebounding and defensive ability vaulted him to starter status, despite his subpar offensive contributions. He's shown potential as a three-point shooter, though his mark of 35.3 percent last season leaves something to be desired. In joining the Magic, Aminu's starting role will be in jeopardy, as Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac appear to be the future of the team at the forward spots.
Taj Gibson, New York Knicks
The contract: Two years, $20 million
What it means: One of several veterans the Knicks will add to the roster, Gibson remains a strong rebounder and finisher at age 34, but he'll likely have trouble finding fantasy relevance in what's quickly become a crowded frontcourt. Gibson will compete for minutes with Julius Randle, Bobby Portis, Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson -- all of whom are considerably younger and could thus take priority over the Brooklyn native.
Reggie Bullock, New York Knicks
The contract: Two years, $21 million
What it means: Another acquisition in the Knicks' late-night shopping spree, Bullock brings more shooting to a roster that also added a similar player in Wayne Ellington. The pair could end up hampering each other's fantasy value, but the bigger question is how they'll fit with a team focused on developing a pair of younger players in RJ Barrett and Kevin Knox.
Gerald Green, Houston Rockets
The contract: One year, TBA
What it means: The journeyman has found somewhat of a permanent home in Houston, where he'll return for the third consecutive season. Green could have some value as a source of made threes (2.3 3PM/G over his last two seasons), but he's a drag on field goal percentage and doesn't offer much else.
Dwight Powell, Dallas Mavericks
The contract: Three years, $33 million
What it means: Powell has had a tough time cracking the full-time starting lineup, but he could end up starting next to Kristaps Porzingis to begin the year. His role will be partially dependent on whether or not Kelly Olynyk is actually involved in Sunday night's three-team Jimmy Butler sign-and-trade.
Danuel House, Houston Rockets
The contract: Three years, $11.1 million
What it means: Thus far, the Rockets have been limited to minor moves, and they'll lock up another rotation player on an affordable deal. House appeared in 39 games for Houston last season, averaging 9.4 points and 3.6 rebounds to go with 1.9 made threes (41.6% 3PT). The 26-year-old carries some upside, but with both Austin Rivers and Gerald Green also returning to Houston, his opportunities may be fairly limited.
