NBA free agency 2013 is in full effect. We’re seven full days into the NBA’s free-agent frenzy and the biggest names have come off the board. Dwight Howard is going to Houston, Chris Paul is staying in Los Angeles and Andre Iguodala is going to Golden State. Did they land in the right spots? Did Josh Smith deserve a near-max deal in Detroit? Let’s get to it.
Dwight Howard Landed In The Ideal Spot In Houston
It would be nice to see Dwight happy again. Photo Credit: Keith Allison (Flickr.com)
FICTION – Don’t get me wrong here. The Houston Rockets are going to be hosting a first-round playoff series and with continued health, could be going deep into the playoffs. Still, the Rockets are an incomplete team. They’re still weak at the point guard spot with Jeremy Lin. Even though they were a prolific 3-point shooting team last season, they didn’t have one guy in the top-40 of the league. Chandler Parsons was No. 43 at 38.5 percent.
The Rockets need a more reliable point guard and another shooter. Currently, they’re shopping Omer Asik, which has resulted in a tasty rumor about Asik going to the New Orleans Pelicans for Ryan Anderson. If they could grab a veteran point guard on the cheap after that, it’s game over. Otherwise, Golden State would have been the better fit.
Josh Smith Is A Great Fit Next To Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe In Detroit
When they inevitably have to move Smith to the PF spot, it’s Drummond who will lose minutes. Photo Credit: mariselise Flickr.com
FICTION – This isn’t a knock on Smith as a player, because he definitely brings a lot to the table. What baffles me is how Pistons management thought it was a good idea to bring Smith in knowing that they already have Monroe and Drummond in the frontcourt. That means Smith is going to have to play small forward and will be expected to stretch the floor.
Let’s take a look at Smith’s numbers for a second. Smith has never shot better than 33.1 percent from the 3-point line and shot just 30.3 percent last season. Smith made 32.9 percent from 16 feet out to the 3-point line an a horrific 19.4 percent from 10-to-16 feet. Smith will get plenty of open jumpers … he just won’t make many. Defenses will just pack the paint against Detroit and will be successful in doing so.
The Brooklyn Nets Will Not Be Better Than The No. 3 Seed In The Eastern Conference
Williams and the Nets are good, but not elite just yet. Photo Credit: Mark Runyan, Basketball Schedule
FACT – After acquiring Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry from the Boston Celtics, the Nets will certainly have a starting five to be reckoned with. Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez are all borderline all-star talents and the bench is improved as well.
Still, the Miami Heat have to be the favorite in the East. It’s hard to vault the Nets in front of the Indiana Pacers, who have kept their core intact and have addressed some glaring needs. They brought Chris Copeland in to score off the bench,  C.J. Watson is a savvy pickup and they’ll get Danny Granger back healthy. The Nets are good, but the Pacers are good AND experienced deep in the playoffs.
Andre Iguodala Makes The Golden State Warriors NBA Championship Contenders
Iguodala brings a lot of things to Golden State, but a championship is not one of them. Photo Credit: NBA.com
FICTION – Getting Iguodala while losing depth puts the Warriors in a very precarious situation. They were hurt by the loss of David Lee in the 2013 playoffs and Andrew Bogut is as fragile (or unlucky, depending where your loyalties lie) as they come in the league.
To get Iguodala, the Warriors had to let go of Carl Landry, Jarrett Jack and Brandon Rush. Yes, the Warriors can bring Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green off the bench but then what? Is Festus Ezeli ready for big minutes? Is Iguodala going to step up and make the big shots that Jack did last year? I’m going with no. Warriors will make the conference semis again but will bow out.
Tyreke Evans Will Blossom With The New Orleans Pelicans
Tyreke Evans could benefit from a change in scenery. (Photo Credit/SacramentoPressMedia/Flickr.com)
FACT – Evans quietly had a very solid season for the Sacramento Kings in 2012-13. Many had written him off and typecast him as an undisciplined turnover machine without shooting touch (harsh, I know). Instead, Evans showed that he could play a disciplined game, even amongst the turmoil in Sacramento. Going to a more stable atmosphere can only help him continue to mature.
Thirteen players averaged more than 15 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game during the 2012-13 season. Only seven shot better than 47.8 percent from the field. The list is impressive: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Dwyane Wade, David Lee, Chandler Parsons and Evans.