Friday, July 2, 2010

Free Agent Signing Updates

We are in the middle of day 2 of free agency and here are some more updates on who's signing where.

SF Paul Pierce, 32 years old
- Agreed to a 4 year/61 mil extension with the Boston Celtics. As expected, they definitely over-payed to keep Pierce in green. However, i can't blame them because I would have done the same thing. Loyalty can mess you up in this business but here I think is the perfect example of when it's done right. With all of these crazy contracts being offered, Pierce's market value was rising be the second. Instead of letting him go, Danny Ainge conceded the money and set Pierce up so he can retire a Celtic. I like this deal for two other reasons. Pierce has shown that he is the type of player that should age well. He has never been the most athletic guy out there and so he should be able to adjust to losing his athleticism. Also this contract has a team option for the 4th year. So in any case where it is clear that Pierce cannot play anymore ala Rasheed Wallace, they can decline the 4th year.

PF Hakim Warrick, 27 years old
- Agreed to a 4 year/18 mil contract with the Phoenix Suns. This is probably the best signing money wise as the Suns get a productive bench player who should excel in their system. This signing most likely spells the end of the Amare era in Phoenix.

SF John Salmons, 30 years old
- Agreed to a 5 year/ 39 mil extension with the Milwaukee Bucks. Salmons is an underrated player in this league and should be credited with Milwaukee's playoff push late last season. Here is another player I project to age well so I'm not too worried about the length of the contract. They might have overpaid a tad for him but considering the recent contract offers think this is a solid signing.

PF Amar'e Stoudemire, 27 years old
- Close to agreeing to a 5 year/100 mil contract with the New York Knicks. Stoudemire plans to join forces with his old coach Mike D'Antoni and play in the big apple. I like this move if they can sign a center to play next to him. Stoudemire is terrible defensively against centers and this problem will only get worse as he would have to battle against the likes of Dwight Howard and the bigger centers of the east. Not sure if he is a max contract player but we will see in his first season without MVP point guard Steve Nash.

Agree? Disagree? Lemme know!

JR

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