NBA: Top 25 Free Agent Signings of All-Time

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Jun 15, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) during the first quarter in game five of the 2014 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Who are the Top 25 Free Agent Signings in NBA History?

While NBA Free Agency has become one of the biggest spectacles of the season and offseason, I found, in my research, free agent signings very rarely have a direct impact on the NBA championship.

Sure, there are major contributions from free agent role players, but it’s very rare that a player like LeBron James would change teams once in free agency. Trades are definitely the more likely route for the top players in the league.

For my rankings of the Top 25 free agent signings in NBA history, I’ve decided to include sign-and-trades in the rankings. Why would I do such a thing?

Well, it makes sense because a sign-and-trade is basically the same thing as signing out right with a new team, but the contract figures have to work out. Personally, I don’t care about the value of the contract in most cases. I’m simply ranking the player’s performances with their new teams.

Also, I’m not counting re-up contracts with new teams, like Carmelo Anthony or Chris Bosh last summer. That’s no fun for anyone.

Let’s take a look at the top 25 free agent signings in NBA history, starting with the first unrestricted free agent signing, Cazzie Russell.

Next: 25. Cazzie Russell