Rajon Rondo: 2 years, $15 million (Atlanta Hawks)
Rajon Rondo is a fascinating addition to a suddenly very intriguing Atlanta Hawks team. Coming off his second NBA championship last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Rondo opted to decline his player option and test the market for both a bigger deal (his option was barely over the minimum) and a bigger role as well. He’s going to join a young team laden with exciting talents like Trae Young and John Collins, and he’ll provide some veteran leadership.
Rondo’s days of being a consistently plus-level defender are long (LONG) behind him, but he’s earned a reputation for stepping up in the highest-leverage moments. Whether that’s ever going to matter for the Hawks (who at best are probably still a fringe playoff team) remains to be seen.
Grade: C+
Paul Millsap: 1 year, $10 million (Denver Nuggets)
After losing Jerami Grant to the Detroit Pistons, it was essential for the Denver Nuggets to retain Paul Millsap, and they did so for pretty good value considering the desperate spot their frontcourt found itself in. Millsap will continue to provide a steady presence in the frontcourt for the Nuggets as they look to build on their Western Conference Finals appearance from last season.
The Nuggets like Millsap on the floor and off it, and they’re happy he’s back.