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2016 NBA Free Agency: 5 Best Bargain Deals

By Ian Flickinger-Galeza

Jan 31, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler (4) guards Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler (4) guards Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Beyond the signature star signings and the massive contracts, other teams made major additions to their roster without breaking the bank. Check out the five best bargain deals in 2016 NBA free agency.

NBA
Apr 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs power forward David West (30) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

The first weekend of 2016 NBA free agency came and went without so much as a whisper, right? Not so much. The Thunder looked primed for another Western Conference Finals matchup versus the Warriors after trading away Serge Ibaka, continuing Sam Presti’s never finished quest to get younger ever year.

Everything was going according to plan — who was going to offer Kevin Durant more? Instead, Oklahoma City became the first ever recipient of the Crying Jordan of the Month Award. Really, what’s the better honor, keeping your franchise player or internet meme immortality?

Now OKC looks like it was hit by meteor and the rest of NBA is left wondering what just happened. Gregg Popovich might have made one of his infamous “Pop Faces” he makes during sideline interviews. The West, once the better of the two conferences by a wide margin, became Golden State…and then everybody else struggling to catch up.

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Tim Duncan is leaning toward retirement? The Utah Jazz might actually be good? Kobe Bryant keeps calling Timofey Mozgov on a blocked number threatening him if he doesn’t leave L.A.? KD’s signing created a ripple effect throughout the rest of the league.

Thankfully we have the Sacramento Kings to keep us sane; they’re the only constant in a brave new world of basketball. (Seriously, how aren’t the Kings signed to a reality series yet?)

In reality, the Warriors weren’t the only teams with major acquisitions this offseason. And while the Lakers threw a combined $136 million at the likes of Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng’s 29,000-plus regular season minutes, a number of teams went out and found bargain deals in spite of market that dictated steep raises for role players and stars alike.

Other teams locked up key role players to deals that fall well below market value— a rarity with this salary cap. These players aren’t franchise saviors like Durant is, but they do help take their respective teams to the next level. And for most teams, landing Kevin Durant was never a realistic option, but finding valuable assets was. Here’s a look at the five best bargain deals of the summer.

Next: The Rich Keep Getting Richer