FA Day 1 Reactions
Posted: November 27th, 2025, 3:47 pm
Clippers Sign PG Darryn Peterson for $119,809,138 over 7 years
Grade: A. I would have probably tried a lower annual raise amount along with the 7 years for a lower AAV commitment, given the guy is tagged, but Peterson is great and now in LA for the long haul.
Rockets Sign PG Markelle Fultz for $100,000,000 over 5 years
Grade: B. I have Fultz as among the top few PGs, so $20mm is not too much for him, but you have to worry that he is going to start to fade soon. For transparency, I offered Fultz a 3 year deal that I was pretty confident he would not take. All of that said, Fultz could easily justify the value for a few seasons and then retire as well, which could be a nice outcome for Houston or wherever Markelle lands.
Trail Blazers Sign PG Brandon McCoy for $93,750,000 over 6 years
Grade: B. Totally a bet on upside and growth. So far, it's hard to say McCoy has done anything to justify a full max deal, but he still shows A pot and is up to flat A defense. Too bad he won’t be coming to Portland.
Knicks Sign PG Stephon Castle for $15,000,000 over one year
Grade: INC. I’m assuming this is for a trade. Because Stephon Castle is Mr. Mid.
Bulls Sign SG Jalen Green for $17,500,000 over one year
Grade: B. Pretty reasonable flier deal on a very talented and potentially high variance wing. Despite a pretty down year last year, he was still more efficient than league average as a shooter on high volume, so he delivered some meaningful offensive value. Also movable trade fodder.
Pistons Sign SF Cade Cunningham for $106,839,250 over 5 years
Grade: B. I’m in a grading rut here. Cade has really blossomed, so great for RB to bring him back, and I think he knew he had to compete with $17.5mm deals in year one, and this is just what it was going to take. The last couple of years could be painful, but that’s just the cost of doing business.
Bullets Sign SF Scottie Barnes for $75,427,188 over 4 years
Grade: F for F you, Wes. I really really really did not expect Scottie to draw offers from other teams on Day 1. What a dummy I am, I guess. This is more than I wanted to pay Scottie anyway, so maybe I was just destined to lose him, but he is quite good, especially at the 2. Totally fine deal that I think he overperforms.
Knicks Sign SF Bronny James for $112,500,000 over 6 years
Grade: B-. Bronny was a couple of points above average last year as compared to other starting SGs, but he split time there and at SF, which I think inflates his rebounding total and value a bit in my metrics. He is definitely above average though, and the A scouted potential is pretty enticing. This deal is really long however, and is just a lot of money to lock into a SG that doesn’t project to be a star.
Timberwolves Sign SG Donovan Mitchell for $12,000,000 over one year
Grade: B. The one year deal doesn’t hurt at all, but Mitchell is just okay, and could easily be a camp fatality. Potentially useful trade contract.
Bucks Sign SG Lauri Markkanen for $8,750,000 over one year
Grade: A. Nothing much to say here. Perfectly fine number to bring back Lauri. I miss him.
Cavaliers Sign SG AJ Dybantsa for $76,652,842 over 6 years
Grade: B-. I offered Dybantsa less than this and was worried I would land him and that it would be an overpay. Right now, I don’t think he’s worth it, but the average raise is low, the deal is basically flat, and if he has a couple good TCs it could be a steal. I am intrigued to see how Manty fills out his roster now, but it's doable, and he has a good squad under contract.
Pacers Sign SG Anthony Thompson for $4,500,000 over one year
Grade: C. Probably worth a flier, but played below average last year for Philly. Not how I’d hope to use my MLE on Day 1.
76ers Sign SF Jeremy Sochan for $13,608,000 over 2 years
Grade: B+. Nice two year deal for a solid utility player and decent pinch starter. I love how much DMo loves Sochan.
Hawks Sign C Daniel Gafford for $28,430,350 over 3 years
Grade A-. Really nice AAV number to lock in a good starting 5. I offered just a million less or so, and am bummed to have lost out. CA CAW.
Grizzlies Sign SF LiAngelo Ball for $4,500,000 over one year
Grade: B. A decent innings eater at the 2, Ball would not be a terrible starter. Lower upside MLE use but shouldn’t be a total zero.
Spurs Sign SG Keldon Johnson for $4,752,000 over 3 years
Grade: B. Keldon is a slightly below average SG, but this is a nice number for a guy coming off the bench. I would be kind of surprised if he is getting meaningful minutes next season, but the AAV is so low I don’t know that it matters a ton.
Pacers Sign SF Isaac Okoro for $1,200,000 over one year
Grade: A. Okoro is probably going to be better than Thompson for Indiana, and should be very marketable playing for just an LLE. He did have an efficiency dip last season in a limited sample, so something to be mindful of, but again at this price, he’s just a cheap flier.
Hornets Sign PG Kingston Flemings for $8,000,000 over one year
Grade: INC, hopefully trade fodder.
Nuggets Sign C Mark Williams for $4,500,000 over one year
Grade: C. I don’t think he’s ever been any good?
Knicks Sign SG Lonnie Walker IV for $17,500,000 over one year
Grade: INC - trade filler. Also get that money, Lonnie.
Jazz Sign C Alex Sarr for $40,500,000 over 6 years
Grade: C. Sarr’s offense is horrible. He is about average at rebounding and a good shot blocker, but doesn’t do anything else well. I don’t think it’s out of the question that he becomes a value on this deal (especially as higher volume guys start to eat up more of the available shots in Utah). However, it is a very long term deal for an already 26 year old net-negative.
Grizzlies Sign SF Thomas Haugh for $1,200,000 over one year
Grade: A+. Pretty innocuous deal for a not very good SF, but I always support poaching Raptors.
Hornets Sign SF Patrick Baldwin Jr. for $5,000,000 over one year
Grade: B. Baldwin looks like a capable backup wing, and this is capable backup money.
Lakers Sign SF Miles Bridges for $1,440,000 over one year
Grade: B. Money here is so small, who even cares? Bridges had pretty decent shooting numbers the last couple years in limited minutes. Maybe he has some juice left.
Suns Sign C Mitchell Robinson for $43,692,000 over 3 years
Grade: B. I offered Mitch more than this but he did not get the offer fast enough apparently, Probably an overpay, but he’s a very good center, and Tyler did well to limit it to a three year deal. Definitely a camp risk.
Clippers Sign SG Wesley Yates III for $8,500,000 over one year
Grade: INC - assuming this is trade filler.
Warriors Sign C Yves Missi for $4,500,000 over one year
Grade: B+. I think Missi is good-ish, not great, but this is a good MLE use and makes progress filling a hole for Golden State.
Jazz Sign PF Zymicah Wilkins for $4,500,000 over one year
Grade: A+. Chat GPT informed me that he was recently ranked as the top frontcourt free agent.
Nets Sign PF Jarred Vanderbilt for $11,000,000 over one year
Grade: INC - assuming this is trade filler.
Lakers Sign C Jakob Poeltl for $4,500,000 over one year
Grade: B. Poeltl is still solid. He could totally die in TC, but if he doesn’t, he’s just fine as an MLE big.
Lakers Sign C Liam Robbins for $1,440,000 over one year
Grade: B+? IDK, I’m running out of things to say here. Robbins is decent and paying him essentially LLE money is a win.
Jazz Sign C Magoon Gwath for $1,200,000 over one year
Grade: Someone with a better grasp of last year’s NDL season can fill this one in. Magoon is 26 and can maybe play defense? Maybe?
Grade: A. I would have probably tried a lower annual raise amount along with the 7 years for a lower AAV commitment, given the guy is tagged, but Peterson is great and now in LA for the long haul.
Rockets Sign PG Markelle Fultz for $100,000,000 over 5 years
Grade: B. I have Fultz as among the top few PGs, so $20mm is not too much for him, but you have to worry that he is going to start to fade soon. For transparency, I offered Fultz a 3 year deal that I was pretty confident he would not take. All of that said, Fultz could easily justify the value for a few seasons and then retire as well, which could be a nice outcome for Houston or wherever Markelle lands.
Trail Blazers Sign PG Brandon McCoy for $93,750,000 over 6 years
Grade: B. Totally a bet on upside and growth. So far, it's hard to say McCoy has done anything to justify a full max deal, but he still shows A pot and is up to flat A defense. Too bad he won’t be coming to Portland.
Knicks Sign PG Stephon Castle for $15,000,000 over one year
Grade: INC. I’m assuming this is for a trade. Because Stephon Castle is Mr. Mid.
Bulls Sign SG Jalen Green for $17,500,000 over one year
Grade: B. Pretty reasonable flier deal on a very talented and potentially high variance wing. Despite a pretty down year last year, he was still more efficient than league average as a shooter on high volume, so he delivered some meaningful offensive value. Also movable trade fodder.
Pistons Sign SF Cade Cunningham for $106,839,250 over 5 years
Grade: B. I’m in a grading rut here. Cade has really blossomed, so great for RB to bring him back, and I think he knew he had to compete with $17.5mm deals in year one, and this is just what it was going to take. The last couple of years could be painful, but that’s just the cost of doing business.
Bullets Sign SF Scottie Barnes for $75,427,188 over 4 years
Grade: F for F you, Wes. I really really really did not expect Scottie to draw offers from other teams on Day 1. What a dummy I am, I guess. This is more than I wanted to pay Scottie anyway, so maybe I was just destined to lose him, but he is quite good, especially at the 2. Totally fine deal that I think he overperforms.
Knicks Sign SF Bronny James for $112,500,000 over 6 years
Grade: B-. Bronny was a couple of points above average last year as compared to other starting SGs, but he split time there and at SF, which I think inflates his rebounding total and value a bit in my metrics. He is definitely above average though, and the A scouted potential is pretty enticing. This deal is really long however, and is just a lot of money to lock into a SG that doesn’t project to be a star.
Timberwolves Sign SG Donovan Mitchell for $12,000,000 over one year
Grade: B. The one year deal doesn’t hurt at all, but Mitchell is just okay, and could easily be a camp fatality. Potentially useful trade contract.
Bucks Sign SG Lauri Markkanen for $8,750,000 over one year
Grade: A. Nothing much to say here. Perfectly fine number to bring back Lauri. I miss him.
Cavaliers Sign SG AJ Dybantsa for $76,652,842 over 6 years
Grade: B-. I offered Dybantsa less than this and was worried I would land him and that it would be an overpay. Right now, I don’t think he’s worth it, but the average raise is low, the deal is basically flat, and if he has a couple good TCs it could be a steal. I am intrigued to see how Manty fills out his roster now, but it's doable, and he has a good squad under contract.
Pacers Sign SG Anthony Thompson for $4,500,000 over one year
Grade: C. Probably worth a flier, but played below average last year for Philly. Not how I’d hope to use my MLE on Day 1.
76ers Sign SF Jeremy Sochan for $13,608,000 over 2 years
Grade: B+. Nice two year deal for a solid utility player and decent pinch starter. I love how much DMo loves Sochan.
Hawks Sign C Daniel Gafford for $28,430,350 over 3 years
Grade A-. Really nice AAV number to lock in a good starting 5. I offered just a million less or so, and am bummed to have lost out. CA CAW.
Grizzlies Sign SF LiAngelo Ball for $4,500,000 over one year
Grade: B. A decent innings eater at the 2, Ball would not be a terrible starter. Lower upside MLE use but shouldn’t be a total zero.
Spurs Sign SG Keldon Johnson for $4,752,000 over 3 years
Grade: B. Keldon is a slightly below average SG, but this is a nice number for a guy coming off the bench. I would be kind of surprised if he is getting meaningful minutes next season, but the AAV is so low I don’t know that it matters a ton.
Pacers Sign SF Isaac Okoro for $1,200,000 over one year
Grade: A. Okoro is probably going to be better than Thompson for Indiana, and should be very marketable playing for just an LLE. He did have an efficiency dip last season in a limited sample, so something to be mindful of, but again at this price, he’s just a cheap flier.
Hornets Sign PG Kingston Flemings for $8,000,000 over one year
Grade: INC, hopefully trade fodder.
Nuggets Sign C Mark Williams for $4,500,000 over one year
Grade: C. I don’t think he’s ever been any good?
Knicks Sign SG Lonnie Walker IV for $17,500,000 over one year
Grade: INC - trade filler. Also get that money, Lonnie.
Jazz Sign C Alex Sarr for $40,500,000 over 6 years
Grade: C. Sarr’s offense is horrible. He is about average at rebounding and a good shot blocker, but doesn’t do anything else well. I don’t think it’s out of the question that he becomes a value on this deal (especially as higher volume guys start to eat up more of the available shots in Utah). However, it is a very long term deal for an already 26 year old net-negative.
Grizzlies Sign SF Thomas Haugh for $1,200,000 over one year
Grade: A+. Pretty innocuous deal for a not very good SF, but I always support poaching Raptors.
Hornets Sign SF Patrick Baldwin Jr. for $5,000,000 over one year
Grade: B. Baldwin looks like a capable backup wing, and this is capable backup money.
Lakers Sign SF Miles Bridges for $1,440,000 over one year
Grade: B. Money here is so small, who even cares? Bridges had pretty decent shooting numbers the last couple years in limited minutes. Maybe he has some juice left.
Suns Sign C Mitchell Robinson for $43,692,000 over 3 years
Grade: B. I offered Mitch more than this but he did not get the offer fast enough apparently, Probably an overpay, but he’s a very good center, and Tyler did well to limit it to a three year deal. Definitely a camp risk.
Clippers Sign SG Wesley Yates III for $8,500,000 over one year
Grade: INC - assuming this is trade filler.
Warriors Sign C Yves Missi for $4,500,000 over one year
Grade: B+. I think Missi is good-ish, not great, but this is a good MLE use and makes progress filling a hole for Golden State.
Jazz Sign PF Zymicah Wilkins for $4,500,000 over one year
Grade: A+. Chat GPT informed me that he was recently ranked as the top frontcourt free agent.
Nets Sign PF Jarred Vanderbilt for $11,000,000 over one year
Grade: INC - assuming this is trade filler.
Lakers Sign C Jakob Poeltl for $4,500,000 over one year
Grade: B. Poeltl is still solid. He could totally die in TC, but if he doesn’t, he’s just fine as an MLE big.
Lakers Sign C Liam Robbins for $1,440,000 over one year
Grade: B+? IDK, I’m running out of things to say here. Robbins is decent and paying him essentially LLE money is a win.
Jazz Sign C Magoon Gwath for $1,200,000 over one year
Grade: Someone with a better grasp of last year’s NDL season can fill this one in. Magoon is 26 and can maybe play defense? Maybe?