Hoops Habit
Fansided

2017 NBA free agency: 5 best bargain deals

By Gerald Bourguet

Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
2017 NBA free agency
Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images /

With most of the major deals signed already, here’s a look at the five biggest bargain contracts of the 2017 NBA free agency period.

After last summer’s outrageous spending spree, the 2017 NBA free agency period has been far more reserved. Though there are several notable restricted free agents yet to ink new deals, for the most part, the major players are off the board.

From Gordon Hayward joining the Boston Celtics to the Golden State Warriors keeping a dynasty intact to superstar trades left and right, it’s been a summer filled with winners and losers. One of the biggest winners of the offseason, however, has been an unprecedented amount of responsible spending.

There are still some exceptions, of course. The Washington Wizards had to overpay to match a massive four-year, $106.5 million offer sheet for Otto Porter Jr., the New York Knicks wet the bed over Tim Hardaway Jr. at four years and $71 million, and no one’s quite sure how Cristiano Felicio warranted a four-year, $32 million deal with the Chicago Bulls.

The majority of deals signed this summer, however, were more reserved contracts on par with their market value. In fact, many reputable free agents who would’ve received huge paydays in last summer’s market had to settle for one-year deals and veteran minimum contracts after every team’s cap space had all but dried up.

Bearing this in mind, it’s harder than normal to determine the best bargain deals of the summer. Still, we’re going to give it our best shot.

While it’d be easy to include one-year rentals, contracts worth the minimum or really anything the Warriors did this summer, we’re going to try and stick with the most team-friendly, multi-year signings. Let’s get to it, starting with a few honorable mentions:

One-year honorable mentions

  • Omri Casspi: 1 year, $2.1 million (Golden State Warriors)
  • Nick Young: 1 year, $5.2 million (Golden State Warriors)
  • Tyreke Evans: 1 year, $3.3 million (Memphis Grizzlies)
  • Zaza Pachulia: 1 year, $3.5 million (Golden State Warriors)
  • Willie Reed: 1 year, $1.5 million (Los Angeles Clippers)
  • Rajon Rondo: 1 year, $3.3 million (New Orleans Pelicans)
  • Ian Clark: 1 year, $1.6 million (New Orleans Pelicans)

Honorable mentions: