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2017 NBA free agency: 5 best signings of the summer

By Nate Wolf

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 6: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Utah Jazz plays defense against Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 6: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Utah Jazz plays defense against Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. Patrick Patterson, Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 years, $16.4 million

In all probability, Patrick Patterson could’ve found a richer deal elsewhere. Taj Gibson, who Patterson is replacing in Oklahoma City, got $28 million over two years from Minnesota. Gibson is probably better than Patterson, but only slightly, and he’s a worse fit with the Timberwolves than Patterson is with the Thunder.

Before free agency began, I predicted Patterson would get something like $12 million annually. The market, of course, was cooler than most predicted. That said, to snag the former Raptor for well below the mid-level exception is staggering.

Patterson really is a seamless fit in Oklahoma City. Having shot 37.3 percent from three and 40.2 percent from the corners in Toronto, Patterson is a good-not-great shooter who will stretch the floor for Russell Westbrook. Gibson’s range is basically 17 feet, and he was woeful from midrange last season, which is partially why Westbrook’s driving lanes were so clogged.

At heart, Westbrook is a spread pick-and-roll point guard. Now, with Patterson and Paul George, the Thunder’s offense will finally have a bit of “spread.”

On the other end, Patterson shouldn’t hurt the Thunder’s 10th ranked defense from last year. He doesn’t bring Gibson’s physicality, but he’s exactly the type of quick 4 needed to switch onto smaller players.

He’s also surprisingly effective around the rim, where he held opponents to 45.8 percent shooting, the 10th-best mark among players who faced more than 2.5 such shots per game over 10 or more games.

Rebounding can be an issue for Patterson, who is a tad undersized. That said, any loss in rebounding at power forward should be offset by the improvements Oklahoma City made elsewhere.

Basically, Patterson is quietly effective, if unspectacular. The advanced stats love him, as the Raptors were 8.1 points better per 100 possessions with him on the court in his career there. The Thunder will gladly take his discreet impact, especially on his bargain deal.