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This was a big year for free agency in the NBA. Not many big names switched locations but a lot did stay with their teams. Every offseason deals are made that shape the league for the future. Here are the top 10 deals signed this summer that will have a lasting effect for years to come.
10. DeMarre Carroll Leaves, Paul Millsap Remains In ATL
Millsap opted to stay with the Hawks despite a max offer from the Orlando Magic. Paul is one of the Hawks most important pieces. He is their go to guy and a very good scorer. By staying in Atlanta it appears they will be a playoff team going forward.
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9. Greg Monroe Leaves Pistons For Bucks
Monroe did something that is not so common in the NBA. He passed up max offers from the Lakers and Knicks to sign with a small market team in the cold weather. Monroe made his decision based on the opportunity to win and make the playoffs. Not all players are like him, but it is possible he may have started a trend of guys passing on big markets for a chance to win.
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8. Kevin Love Re-Signs With the Cavaliers
Despite multiple reports all season long that Love would opt out of his contract and leave the Cavaliers, he stayed. He had said it all along that he wanted to play in Cleveland long term but the media still proceeded to put reports out that he was leaving. Love is in the prime of his career and now the big 3 in Cleveland is set and stone for awhile.
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7. Draymond Green Re-Signs With Dubs
Green was a huge part of the Warriors success this season. He is their glu guy, doing all of the dirty work that needs to be done in order to win a championship. Getting him signed long term was a priority and very important. It is a scary thing when a young championship team stays together and gains experience. Look out for the Warriors.
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6. Jimmy Butler Commits Long-Term To Bulls
The reason this signing is so high up on the list was that many believed Butler wanted out of Chicago. It was said that he wanted to sign short term with the Lakers. By locking him up for 5 years the Bulls have a great tandem with him and Derrick Rose. A combination of their core guys and not suffering any more injuries, they could add to their title count in the Windy City.
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5. Marc Gasol Remains In Memphis
Not many people believed Gasol would leave Memphis and he didn’t. Marc has a great connection to the area and wants to win there. Memphis is poised to be a force in the West for awhile after locking up the top center in the game.
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4. Kawhi Leonard Stays A Spur
There was pretty much a 0% Kawhi even got to go visit another team. He is one of the best young stars in the NBA and the Spurs would not afford to let him walk. Had he even signed an offer sheet somewhere else it would be matched immediately. Having young pieces like Leonard on the Spurs ensures their run of great seasons isn’t going to end any time soon.
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3. Lamarcus Aldridge Leaves Blazers For Spurs
The Spurs signing Aldridge is a nightmare for the rest of the NBA. It is a scary thought having him play within this system with the pieces already in place. This signing pushed them into the top 3 teams in the NBA and will help them long term. Aldridge will take over the reign in San Antonio when Tim Duncan decides to retire.
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2. LeBron James Signs With Cavs Right Away
Lets be honest, LeBron James has a lot of say in the NBA. By signing just a one year deal with a player option he gives himself leverage within the Cavaliers franchise and dictates free agency every year. Other players will try to sign their contracts to give them a chance to play with LeBron. This move is obviously a huge deal for the Cavs but also has large implications on the league going forward.
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1. Deandre Jordan Spurns Mavs For Clippers
What a roller coaster ride this was. Jordan committed to signing with the Mavericks but then had a change of heart and wanted to stay in LA. But throughout all of this process there was a mini (fake) hostage situation and they Clippers wouldn’t let DJ leave his home. And also there were reports that were later proven false that Mark Cuban was driving around Houston trying to get Jordan’s address. Overall the situation was handled poorly by Jordan but the Clippers needed him to win. And with him they will do just that.
