2022 NBA Free Agency: Favorite deals so far
The 2022 NBA Free Agency has been underway for just about five days now. After a rather frenetic start, free agency has hit a standstill amid the trade discussions surrounding Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Donovan Mitchell. For now, let’s discuss a few of the free agent signings I have liked thus far.
(Note: I tried to include just deals involving new players signing with new teams, not players re-signing with their respective teams.)
Otto Porter Jr., Toronto Raptors — two years, $12.4 million
The Toronto Raptors are mistaken. They oftentimes get confused as a big team. They’re not big, and they’re certainly not small — they’re a long, lengthy squad. And Porter Jr. adds to its treasure trove of multi-positional 6-foot-8 and above wings. Even though he’s battled some injuries throughout his career, the 29-year-old has made a consider impact wherever he’s gone. He averaged 8.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 22.2 minutes per game in his career, a rather small role compared to previous stints in Washington and Chicago. He is a floor-spacer, smart defender and will fit well alongside Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr.
Isaiah Hartenstein, New York Knicks — two years, $16 million
Even though I was hard on them for some of their draft night trades, I talked myself into Jalen Brunson being a good signing for the New York Knicks. But I liked their acquisition of Hartenstein much more, especially at the price they got him at.
New York nabbed him with most of their remaining cap space. He averaged 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 17.9 minutes per game last year. Hartenstein is an excellent playmaking big as a roller and from the high-post. He only shot 30 3s last season — hitting 14 of them, a 46.7 percent conversion rate — but is superb within 10 feet.
He’s also an excellent rebounder, screen-setter and is disciplined defensively. You almost couldn’t draw up a better replacement for Nerlens Noel, who was shipped to Detroit on draft night. He has a high on-court acumen and will make life easier for Brunson, Derrick Rose and Immanuel Quickley.
Donte DiVincenzo, Golden State Warriors — two years, $9.3 million
Golden State lost some important role players — Porter and Gary Payton II — though I believe DiVincenzo could help alleviate a few of the holes each departure provided.
He’s not as handsy or feisty as Porter at the point-of-attack, but he’s still a sturdy defender that can navigate screens well and apply quality on-ball. He’s not as big as Porter Jr., listed at 6-foot-4, but can create off the dribble and apply rim pressure as well as being a good spot up threat. His last fully healthy campaign — in 2020-21 — he canned 38.1 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3-point attempts and has a quick-enough first-step to attack hard closeouts.
Getting placed in a system that involves Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins, DiVincenzo should have a bevy of opportunities to thrive, perhaps seamlessly.
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