The Best Free Agent Signing In Every NBA Team’s History

As has been the case ever since unrestricted free agency was introduced with Tom Chambers in 1988, the free agency period is one of the most exciting parts of the NBA offseason. All 30 teams have a chance to improve their rosters through free agency, whether that be through the addition of a superstar, All-Star, mid-level star, or even an unproven hidden gem. The best part is teams and fans won’t know how much each signing will impact their franchise until further down the road, making the entire process one big deal at the craps table.

Of course, there have been deals that have backfired and crippled franchises for years to come as well. If you don’t believe me, just ask the Knicks, who have spent $3 billion since 1999 and have never been back to the NBA Finals. Today will not be about the deals that backfired. Today’s list will be about the ones that paid the most dividends to a franchise and set them up for maximum success through free agency.

These free agency moves set some teams up for runs at championships and made their teams relevant for years. For other teams, it was a step up from the mediocrity they had grown so accustomed to. Whatever the case, these free agency deals still rank as the best in the history of their franchise.

These are the greatest free agency deals in every NBA team’s history.

Atlanta Hawks – Joe Johnson

As the summer of 2005 approached, the Atlanta Hawks were looking for a superstar to add to their roster and make a splash during the NBA’s free agency period. At the same time, a budding All-Star was frustrated with his role with the Phoenix Suns, waiting for another team to come and save him from being held back.

In 2005, Joe Johnson was a restricted free agent with the Phoenix Suns. This meant he could sign an offer sheet with any other team and as long as Phoenix didn’t match it, he would be on the move. Johnson would do just that by signing a 5-year, $70 million deal with the Hawks. Phoenix did not match the offer and Johnson was on the move.

What followed was seven tremendous seasons with Atlanta which included six straight All-Star selections for Johnson from 2007 through 2012 and five trips to the NBA playoffs for Atlanta. Johnson would also make the only All-NBA Team of his career in 2010. In his seven seasons with the team, Johnson averaged 20.9 PPG,4.2 RPG, and 5.2 APG while shooting 44.9% from the field and 36.3% from three.

Boston Celtics – Al Horford

Many may scoff at the idea of Al Horford as the best free agent signing in Celtics history, but they are the ones who don’t truly understand what Horford brings to the court or what the signing itself meant to the organization. Up until the time that Horford signed with Boston, they had struggled mightily to sign any big names in free agency. When Horford arrived as one of the NBA’s best big men on a four-year $113 million deal in 2016, it made Boston a desirable location once again.

Now, Horford’s arrival did not result in a championship, but it did speed up the process quite a bit. Without Horford’s defensive anchoring and veteran leadership, the Celtics were looking at a three or four-year process to become contenders. Instead, they immediately became Eastern Conference contenders and finalists. Horford has been a leader both on and off the court for Boston, aiding in their attempt at winning another NBA championship. For that, Horford is the best free agent signing in Celtics history.

Brooklyn Nets – Kevin Durant

Regardless of how much of a disaster it turned out to be, the Kevin Durant signing by the Brooklyn Nets is the biggest in franchise history. After three seasons of going to the NBA Finals and winning two with the Golden State Warriors, Durant decided to switch coasts and head for the mean streets of Brooklyn to play with Kyrie Irving and the Nets on a four-year $164 million deal.

Durant would be spectacular in a Nets uniform, but injuries to himself, teammates, and a whole lot of inner turmoil with the franchise held them back from taking the next step toward an NBA title. Durant would have a great few seasons in Brooklyn, averaging 29.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, and 5.8 APG in his two and a half healthy seasons with the Nets, taking them to the NBA playoffs in both healthy seasons before being dealt to the Suns in 2023.

For the Nets, they still are searching for their first NBA championship, and although their best chance was squandered away by Durant, Irving, and James Harden’s failures, Durant remains the best free agent signing in team history.

Charlotte Hornets – David Wesley

The Charlotte Hornets are often criticized for the mistakes they have made through the NBA Draft and other organizational decisions they have made over the years. In 1997 when they acquired David Wesley in free agency, Michael Jordan was still playing, so he had no chance to mess this one up, except on the court in the NBA playoffs as their opponent.

David Wesley was a member of the Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets for parts of eight seasons in his 14-year NBA career after he signed a seven-year, $20.16 million deal. Wesley came over in a free agency deal in 1997 after posting career-high numbers in 1996 with the Boston Celtics. Over his first five seasons in Charlotte, Wesley averaged 14.5 PPG, 5.3 APG, and 1.5 SPG and shot the ball 42.5% from the field while helping the Hornets reach the playoffs four times.

When the franchise moved to New Orleans, Wesley spent time with the team for two and a half seasons, where he averaged 15.2 PPG, 3.3 APG, and 1.3 SPG on 41.0% shooting and went to the playoffs twice. Wesley would not be an All-Star or lead the Hornets to an NBA championship, but the role he played in some of the best seasons in franchise history definitely warrants his selection as their best free agent signing ever.

Chicago Bulls – Michael Jordan

For this deal, we were willing to make an exception for a player who re-signed. We made an exception because of who the player is and what he meant to the organization as a whole during the time he played there. When that player is Michael Jordan, all bets are off the table.

In 1996, Michael Jordan had just led the Bulls to their fourth NBA championship and won his fourth Finals MVP award. The Bulls had the greatest regular season by any team in history up until that point with 72 wins and 10 losses. For the first time in his career, Jordan was a free agent which led to complete chaos between two organizations. Jordan was seeking a “balloon payment” similar to what Patrick Ewing was making with the Knicks at the time.

The Knicks had mutual interest and were prepared to give Michael Jordan $25 million to leave Chicago and come to the Big Apple. Jordan’s agent gave the Bulls one hour to match or exceed the $25 million offer from the Knicks. As we all know, the Bulls came back with $30 million and Jordan remained in Chicago to win two more championships in 1997 and 1998, as well as two more Finals MVP awards for his NBA-record sixth Finals MVP, a record that may never be broken.

As for the Knicks, they poured their money into Allan Houston and Chris Childs. The team would make one NBA Finals in 1999 and haven’t been back since. Could Jordan actually have left Chicago and won a championship in New York?

Cleveland Cavaliers – LeBron James

In 2010, LeBron James became a free agent for the first time after spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers. James would shock the world and commit one of the NBA’s most traitorous acts when he decided to “take his talents to South Beach” and join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh with the Miami Heat. Over the next four seasons, James would win two NBA championships, two Finals MVP awards, and two MVP awards. Then came another free agency decision for James, and it was time to make things right.

After accomplishing what he set out to do with NBA championships, it was time to bring that experience back to Cleveland and deliver one for his hometown team, signing a one-year $23 million deal with a player option for a second year worth $24 million. From 2015 through 2018, James would lead them to four straight NBA Finals appearances while playing some of the best basketball of his career. Three of the four years ended with a loss to a superior opponent. The one that didn’t will live forever in NBA history.

In 2016, just as he had done for the last six seasons in a row prior, LeBron James led his team to the NBA Finals. Across from them were the 73-9 Golden State Warriors and after they built a 3-1 series lead, all hope looked lost for Cleveland. James and teammate Kyrie Irving would lead the greatest comeback and complete the biggest upset in NBA playoff history as the Cavaliers won three games in a row and an NBA championship. The greatest signing in team history and maybe NBA history as well.

Dallas Mavericks – Shawn Marion

There are very few people who know or give Shawn Marion the credit he deserves for his time with the Dallas Mavericks. Marion came over when Dallas was trying to put the pieces back together after a devastating First Round loss to the Warriors in 2007. He signed a five-year, $39 million deal which he would honor the entirety of through 2013, playing a pivotal role in their franchise.

This proved to be especially true in the 2011 playoffs. There were several occasions that Marion stepped up on the offensive side of the ball, but it would be his defense that would be a difference-maker. Marion saw series after series being tasked with defending the likes of Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James. Marion excelled in his role and the Mavericks would go on to win the NBA championship in 2011, their first in franchise history.

Over the course of five years with the team, Marion averaged 11.6 PPG, 7.0 RPG, and 1.0 SPG in 361 games played.

Denver Nuggets – Kenyon Martin

With a big shout out to Bruce Brown, who helped the Nuggets win the 2023 NBA championship, Kenyon Martin remains Denver’s greatest free agent signing. Coming off a stellar start to his career with the Nets, Martin would sign a massive six-year, $82.3 million deal with the Nuggets.

In his time with Denver, Martin’s toughness and all-around play helped the team reach the playoffs all seven seasons he played there. They were only able to get past the second round once, but that was a trip to the 2009 Western Conference Finals. Martin provided the edge that Denver needed as far as physicality and toughness were concerned and it made them a serious contender for most of the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Over the course of seven seasons with the team, Kenyon Martin averaged 12.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.2 SPG, and 1.0 BPG, making him one of their biggest threats on both sides of the court.

Detroit Pistons – Ben Wallace

There are a few contenders for the best free agent signing in Detroit Pistons history, but none stand out more than Ben Wallace. As one of the greatest undrafted players ever, Detroit’s signing of Wallace in 2000 can only be seen as highway robbery. By his second season in Detroit, Wallace was the best defender in basketball, winning his first of four Defensive Player of the Year awards he would win with the Pistons from 2002 through 2006.

Wallace’s defensive ability took centerstage in 2004 when the Pistons met the Lakers in the NBA Finals. It would be Wallace’s defensive stand on Shaquille O’Neal that led the Pistons to their first NBA championship since 1990, forever enshrining him into Detroit Pistons history. In his career with the team, Wallace would make four All-Star appearances, five All-NBA Teams, and five All-Defensive teams, along with his NBA record four Defensive Player of the Year awards and one NBA championship.

Golden State Warriors – Kevin Durant

As the Golden State Warriors were dealing with the aftermath of blowing a 73-9 season and a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals to LeBron James and the Cavaliers, they were plotting to pull off the craziest move in NBA history. That summer, they would catch free agency’s biggest fish when they pried Kevin Durant away from the Thunder and added him to their already stacked lineup with a two-year, $54 million contract.

The basketball that followed was beautiful to watch as the Golden State Warriors went on to appear in three straight NBA Finals, winning back-to-back NBA championships in 2017 and 2018. Durant grabbed both Finals MVP awards with monster performances that buried the Cavaliers in five games in 2017 and a sweep in 2018.

Durant and the Warriors were ridiculed and bombarded with hatred for their tipping of the scales in the NBA during that time. Durant still hasn’t lived it down as far as his legacy goes, but if you ask him, he has no care in the world. Durant was able to cement his career as one of the greatest players ever while the Warriors added two NBA championships to their trophy case. That will always take precedence over fans’ feelings about the move when it comes to rankings.

Houston Rockets – Dwight Howard

At the end of the 2000s and the beginning of the 2010s, Dwight Howard was undeniably the best center in the NBA. He was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and perennial All-Star with the Orlando Magic. In 2012-13, Howard spent one abysmal season with the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash. After that massive failure, Howard had some damage control to do.

In an attempt to do just that, Howard opted to play with James Harden and the Houston Rockets for the 2013-14 season on a four-year, $88 million deal. Howard would be an All-Star in his first season with the Rockets averaging 18.3 PPG, 12.2 RPG, and 1.8 BPG. Howard would spend two more years with the Rockets but fail to make an All-Star or All-NBA team in those seasons, but the Rockets went on some deep playoff runs, including a trip to the 2017 Western Conference Finals.

Howard did not aid in helping the Rockets secure their first NBA title since 1994, but he did play a small part in their success during the late 2010s. For a team that isn’t full of free agency wins, Dwight Howard remains their greatest.

Indiana Pacers – David West

Small market teams tend to have far less success than big market teams when it comes to landing big fish in free agency. It’s just the way that things tend to work out. For the Indiana Pacers, there have been many mistakes from the NBA Draft to trades made within the organization, but their free agency deals have always been as bad.

In 2011, David West opted for a two-year, $20 million deal with the Pacers after spending the first eight years of his career with the New Orleans Hornets. Although his list of individual accolades is as short as can be in Indiana, West was a more than reliable starter for them as they challenged for Eastern Conference supremacy in 2013 and 2014.

West would spend four years in Indiana, where he averaged 14.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, and 2.8 APG on 48.7% shooting. In 2013, West averaged an Indiana-best 17.1 PPG and 7.7 RPG as they advanced to the Conference Finals and 15.9 PPG and 7.6 RPG in the playoffs. West did not put the Pacers over the top as a championship threat, but he is undoubtedly their best free agency signing ever.

Los Angeles Clippers – Kawhi Leonard

You can crack all of the load management and injury jokes you want about Kawhi Leonard, but there has been no greater free agent signing in Los Angeles Clippers history. Leonard was just coming off his most miraculous playoff run in 2019 when he became an unrestricted free agent for the very first time in his career. With the opportunity, Kawhi chose to go home to L.A. and play with the Clippers on a three-year, $103 million deal, a marriage that was supposed to deliver an NBA title.

Despite the injuries over the last three seasons that have either ended his playoffs early or cost him an entire season, Leonard has been the Clippers’ best player every night he has taken the court in a healthy manner. In 2021, Leonard was on track to deliver on that championship promise until a knee injury shut him down. In 2023, he looked on pace to do so again until another injury to the same knee took him down again.

Leonard has by no means been the franchise savior as he and teammate Paul George were labeled to be when they got together in 2019, but he has still performed better and put the team in a better position than any other free agent signing in Clippers history.

Los Angeles Lakers – Shaquille O’Neal

In 1996, Shaquille O’Neal made one of the most shocking free agency deals in NBA history when he left the only franchise he had ever known in Orlando for the bright lights of Hollywood and the Los Angeles Lakers for seven years and $121 million.

O’Neal was already one of the best big men in the game with the Magic, but he reached another level with the Lakers. By the early 2000s, O’Neal was unstoppable and led the Lakers to the only three-peat in NBA history by a team not named the Celtics or Bulls from 2000 through 2002. During that time, Shaq would also be named MVP in 2000 as well as a three-time Finals MVP for all three of their championship runs.

In two of those championships, Shaq recorded two of the highest PPG in an NBA Finals by a Finals MVP and ran through every center and frontcourt that the league could throw at him. With a peak as dominant as any other peak in NBA history, Shaq easily gets the nod as the Lakers’ greatest free agent signing ever.

Memphis Grizzlies – Tony Allen

To show the contrast between big markets and small markets during free agency, we head from Los Angeles to Memphis and their greatest free agent signing, Tony Allen. With the Grizzlies, Allen would take on the identity of their defensive leader and become one of the faces of the Grit and Grind era during the 2010s.

For years, Allen felt overshadowed in Boston even though he had played a role in their run to the 2008 NBA championship. With the Grizzlies and their team-friendly three-year $9.7 million deal with Allen, he was finally able to be the player he always wanted to be. Allen would be a six-time All-Defensive Team selection which included three selections to the First Team and helped the Grizzlies reach the NBA playoffs six times. This included their run to the 2013 Western Conference Finals, where he was the clear star of their defensive unit.

Miami Heat – LeBron James

For the second time on our list, LeBron James makes an appearance in one of the greatest, and most shocking, free agent moves in NBA history. After seven seasons with the Cavaliers, James shocked the world when he left his hometown team for the Miami Heat to form a Big 3 with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on a six-year, $110 million deal. It was so villainous that fans all over the NBA booed and rained down insults wherever James went, and he played the role perfectly.

In four seasons with the Heat, James have the best four-year stretch of his career. He would lead the Heat to four NBA Finals in four seasons, winning back-to-back NBA championships in 2012 and 2013. James would be named Finals MVP in both championship victories as well as the MVP both seasons, they went on to win those championships.

On top of those accolades, James also had a very underrated stretch as a defender. He would be named to three All-Defensive First Teams as well as an All-Defensive Second Team in those four years. In 2013, James would finish as the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year, although many still believe he deserved it over Memohis’ Marc Gasol. Even with the snub, James is easily the greatest signing in Miami Heat history, and it is not very close at all.

Milwaukee Bucks – Brook Lopez

Over the years, the Milwaukee Bucks have mainly been able to make their noise through trades and the NBA Draft rather than attracting any big names in free agency. With that being said, the Milwaukee Bucks found themselves a diamond in the rough during free agency in 2018 and a gift that continues to give to this day.

After his days in Brooklyn, it was said Brook Lopez was not a valuable asset to the NBA anymore. Lopez would ink a two-year, $48 million deal with the Bucks. After arriving in Milwaukee, Lopez completely revamped his game and became an efficient three-point shooter as well as one of the top defenders in basketball. In 2021, Lopez would help Milwaukee capture an NBA championship for the first time in 50 years. In 2023, he would finish second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, recording 2.5 BPG and leading the NBA with 193 total blocks.

Although his name doesn’t hold the star power that other moves have on our list, Brook Lopez has been nearly as important as anyone else for any other team here today, and I will stand on that.

Minnesota Timberwolves – Chauncey Billups

When it comes to free agent signings, the Minnesota Timberwolves did not give us much to choose from. The Timberwolves had either been handcuffed by lack of funds to compete for big names, or their signings were just flat-out bad over the years so with that, Chauncey Billups gets the nod for Minnesota here today with his two-year, $5 million deal.

Billups wasn’t even in his best form when he played two seasons with Minnesota in 2001 and 2002. He averaged just 10.9 PPG and 4.5 APG over two years in Minnesota but would have his breakout in the 2002 playoffs. In that series, Billups would average 22.0 PPG and 7.0 APG once he was finally given the green light with the offense and after the season, Minnesota inexplicably let him go.

This opened the door for other teams to swoop in on the cheap and grab Billups without giving up much. Detroit would end up being the team that landed him and he made it worth it with a 2004 NBA championship and Finals MVP performance.

New Orleans Pelicans – Julius Randle

As far as free agency deals go, the New Orleans Pelicans have made very few that deserve recognition which is why we see Julius Randle as their selection here today. Randle’s time in New Orleans was extremely short-lived, one season in fact, as the young power forward broke out with a 21.4 PPG and 8.7 RPG season before leaving for the Knicks.

Randle was not even an All-Star like he has been twice with the Knicks since leaving New Orleans, and the team failed to reach the playoffs as well. Randle signed with the Pelicans for two years and $18 million during the 2018 free agency. It’s safe to say that deal was worth it for both parties even if his tenure lasted just one season.

New York Knicks – Allan Houston

If we give this article even two more years, it may say Jalen Bruson at the top of it instead of Allan Houston, but one season does not truly define a free agency signing’s impact quite like years and years of service does.

After breaking out with the Pistons in 1995-96, Houston felt the best thing for his career was to make a change. It just so happens that change came with one of the biggest markets in the NBA at the time which led to the birth of a New York legend after his inked a five-year, $35 million deal with the Knicks. Houston became a staple of the Knicks, earning two All-Star selections and a trip to the 1999 NBA Finals. Houston’s sharpshooting and defensive awareness earned him a great deal of respect and popularity in New York and he is still one of the better shooting guards of the 1990s and 2000s.

In his nine seasons with the Knicks, Houston averaged 18.5 PPG while shooting 44.4% overall and 39.9% from three in an era when the three-point shot wasn’t as celebrated. Most will remember his second contract with the team that nearly crippled them financially. Often they forget what he did to earn it.

Oklahoma City Thunder – Gus Williams

The best free agent signing for the Oklahoma City Thunder happened all the way back in the 1970s when they were still known as the Seattle SuperSonics. Williams was a shorter two-way guard who often gets left behind in all-time great NBA conversations. Williams spent the first two seasons of his career with the Golden State Warriors before signing a three-year, $510,000 deal with Seattle, a deal considered to be very rich at the time.

In just the third season of his deal with Seattle, Williams, and teammate Dennis Johnson would help lead the SuperSonics to the NBA championship. Although he did not win Finals MVP honors, Williams led Seattle in scoring with 29.0 PPG in the series against the Bullets. Williams would play a total of six seasons in Seattle, averaging 20.3 PPG, 6.0 APG, and 2.3 SPG. He would earn two All-Star appearances and two All-NBA Team selections on top of the 1979 NBA championship.

Orlando Magic – Tracy McGrady

Believe it or not, the Orlando Magic have a long list of good to great free agent signings. Horace Grant, Grant Hill, Hedo Turkoglu. These were all players that Orlando convinced to join at one point and players who had a positive impact on their franchise. However, only one takes the cake over them all.

After a few unhappy seasons up north with the Raptors, Tracy McGrady jumped ship the first opportunity he got and went south to join the Orlando Magic on a seven-year, $92.8 million contract. In just four seasons with Orlando, McGrady turned into an MVP-caliber player who set the NBA on fire with his scoring and athletic abilities taking center stage every night he was on television.

McGrady would make four straight All-Star games with the Magic from 2001 through 2004, which included back-to-back scoring titles in 2003 and 2004 when he averaged 32.1 PPG and 28.0 PPG, respectively. Overall, he averaged 28.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 1.0 BPG in those four seasons and led them to the playoffs three times. McGrady reached his offensive peak in Orlando and became a superstar overnight. He is easily Orlando’s greatest free agent signing.

Philadelphia 76ers – Moses Malone

There are not many cases throughout NBA history in which a reigning MVP has jumped ship immediately following that MVP campaign for another situation. One of the few times it actually happened was back in 1982 with Moses Malone. Having spent the previous five-plus seasons with the Rockets, Malone took home the 1982 MVP and became a restricted free agent.

Malone was offered a deal of $11.8 million over six years that the Rockets were simply unwilling to match and thus, Moses was headed for the City of Brotherly Love. Malone made it count during his first season with the team. He captured another MVP award averaging 24.5 PPG, 15.3 RPG, 1.1 SPG, and 2.0 BPG. Furthermore, he and the 76ers dominated the NBA playoffs and swept the Showtime Lakers in the NBA Finals. Malone was named Finals MVP, averaging 25.8 PPG, 18.0 RPG, 1.5 SPG, and 1.5 BPG. Any time that a free agent deal leads directly to an NBA title, chances are it was the greatest decision in team history.

Phoenix Suns – Steve Nash

Steve Nash was originally drafted by the Phoenix Suns as a member of the famous 1996 NBA Draft Class. After seeing little opportunity to thrive in their system, Nash was traded to Dallas where he would spend six seasons becoming a franchise legend and helping the Mavericks return to relevancy. After the 2003-04 season, Nash wanted to return to Dallas but was lured away by Phoenix’s massive offer of five years and $44 million that ended up being too much for Mark Cuban and Dallas to match. Big mistake.

Over the next eight seasons, Nash would become the NBA’s top playmaker and lead the most potent offense in the NBA. Nash would win back-to-back MVP awards in 2005 and 2006 while shooting with 50/40/90 splits and winning five assists titles in eight seasons. Nash is highly scrutinized for his MVP wins back then, with some saying he deserved neither award. I say to those people to go back and watch the tape of Nash at the time and really immerse yourself into some of the best basketball ever played by a point guard. Yes, I am being serious.

Portland Trail Blazers – Rod Strickland

Once again, the NBA’s small market teams have had their struggles landing big names over the years which leaves us with tough decisions in most cases on this list. For Portland, their selection has to be Rod Strickland, who they acquired immediately following their loss to the Bulls in the 1992 NBA Finals for $12.6 million over three years.

Strickland is considered one of the many New York City Point Gods who flourished in the NBA. In his four seasons with Portland, Strickland averaged 16.2 PPG, 8.2 APG, and 1.2 SPG but never earned an All-Star selection or All-NBA nod while with the team. Despite that, Portland advanced to the playoffs all four years that Strickland spent there in his prime as he helped usher in the era post-Clyde Drexler as well. Despite no team or individual accolades, Strickland has to be Portland’s greatest free agent signing ever.

Sacramento Kings – Vlade Divac

Vlade Divac is well-remembered as being the trade piece that helped facilitate Kobe Bryant’s move to the Los Angeles Lakers. The truth is, at his peak, Divac was a vital member of a team that was screwed out of their chance at an NBA championship.

Divac was signed to the Kings for six years and $65.2 million after a rather forgettable stint with Charlotte after that trade went through. Over the next six seasons, Divac would help the Kings reach new levels as a franchise and make deep playoff runs that nearly ended in a fight for the NBA championship. During this time, Divac averaged 11.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.0 SPG, and 1.2 BPG. He was an underrated passer from the post, especially and rallied his team on more than one occasion on the court. Divac is quite easily the Kings’ greatest free agent signing and his work with the team after his career is just icing on the cake.

San Antonio Spurs – Bruce Bowen

Nowadays, defense isn’t what sells. Defense isn’t something that is seen as attractive as an NBA fan as most of the NBA is centered around offense and three-point shooting. However, defense is still something that leads to NBA championships and it will remain that way forever. For the Spurs in 2001, they knew defense is what they needed to add in order to become a powerhouse NBA champion once again, and they did.

Bruce Bowen wasn’t flashy or even what could be considered a superstar, but he was more than effective. It was probably the reason they were able to get him for just $45 million. Bowen would hit the court with one goal in mind. Guard the opposing team’s best offensive player and make his night as difficult as possible. More often than not, he was successful in that goal, which resulted in a lot of wins for the Spurs during the 2000s.

Bowen would win three NBA championships with San Antonio in his eight seasons with the team. He would also be selected to the All-Defensive Team eight times in his career, cementing his claim as one of the best defensive specialists in NBA history. With that kind of impact and mindset, Bowen embodied exactly what the Spurs have been all about and is their greatest free agent signing ever.

Toronto Raptors – Fred VanVleet

If we are being completely honest, the Toronto Raptors are not one of the bigger free agent destinations in the NBA. Canada is cold, and I would know, I live here. Even more than that, being in a different country is a difficult change for many, especially ones that have the choice of where they would like to play. For an undrafted player just looking for a chance, it is a perfect spot to get their game on the right track, and that is exactly what Fred VanVleet did.

After a few seasons of getting his game right in the NBA Developmental League, VanVleet joined the Raptors roster in 2018. In 2019, he became a key piece during Toronto’s run to their first NBA championship. He averaged 14.0 PPG in the NBA Finals and was one of the team’s best outside shooters. The next season, he took over as the starter and began to carve out his name among the NBA’s best guards.

In 2022, VanVleet was named an All-Star for the first time. He began to smash every expectation one can have of an undrafted player and exceeded all expectations there was of him. In 2023, VanVleet spent his last season in Toronto and inked a massive deal with the Rockets worth $130 million with incentives over three years.

Utah Jazz – Carlos Boozer

The NBA world was shocked when Carlos Boozer announced he intended to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers after just two seasons and join the Utah Jazz. Boozer had been decent with the Cavaliers, averaging over 15.0 PPG and 11.0 RPG in his second season with the team. He had a chance to do some special things with LeBron James alongside him in Cleveland as well, but money talks, and Utah was willing to give it up with six years and $68 million.

Boozer joined the Jazz in 2004-05 and remained with the team for six seasons through the 2009-10 season. During that time, he would become a two-time All-Star averaging over 20.0 PPG and 10.0 RPG in 2007 and 2008. The Jazz would go to the playoffs four times in those six seasons with Boozer averaging 20.3 PPG and 12.5 RPG in those 44 playoff contests. While the case for a championship always fell short, these were the best days of the organization after the Stockton/Malone era.

Washington Wizards – Bob Dandridge

The casual NBA fan will have a tough time remembering or knowing who Bob Dandridge is, so let’s give a bit of a reminder. Outside of Kareem and Oscar, Dandridge was the Bucks’ greatest offensive player during their run to the 1971 NBA championship. He was also one of the best defenders in the NBA at the time and a versatile wing who could take multiple positions completely out of the game.

This is why in 1977, the Washington Bullets had to have him and they went out and pried him away from the Bucks in free agency with a three-year, $250,000 deal. Dandridge was immediately the missing piece for the Bullets as they went to two NBA Finals in 1978 and 1979. It was Dandridge in the 1978 Conference Finals who did the superb job of shutting down Julius Erving, and it was Dandridge’s 20.4 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.0 SPG, and 1.0 BPG in the NBA Finals that put them over the top as NBA champions.

Although he is forgotten and underrated by today’s fans, it is important to remember what Dandridge meant to not one but two different NBA championship teams in his career. For the franchise from Washington, it led to their only championship in franchise history.

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