Boozer To Kings, Artest To Bulls Highlight Free AgencyAugust 6, 2009 - Many splashes were made in the NBA's free agency period. Perhaps the largest was
Carlos Boozer to the Utah Jazz. Boozer, 27, was signed to a 5 year contract worth nearly 95 Million by the Sacramento Kings. The Kings, coming off a 36 win season, will now have another star to team up with Kevin Martin. Along with the addition of rookie Tyreke Evans, the Kings should be a playoff threat. Then again, this could end up being like the Elton Brand signing, which yielded disappointing results as the 76ers once again say a first-round playoff exit. They additionally signing
Chris "Birdman" Andersen" to a 3 year contract worth 20 million.
The Thunder beat out Chicago to win the
Ben Gordon sweepstakes, signing the 6'2" guard to a 5 year contract worth 68 million. The Bulls hurried to replace him, and snared former Rockets forward
Ron Artest to a 5 year, 70 million dollar contract. This move is precarious due to Artest's age (30), but with Ben Gordon's poor play in the first round of the 09 playoffs, where they were swept by the underdog Nets, Artest could give them the experience and defense to take them to the next level. In addition, the Bulls helped make up for the loss of Gordon by signing combo guard
Rashad McCants to a 4 year, 18 million dollar contract.
Kevin Pritchard was busy at work. First he signed point guard
Raymond Felton to a six-year, 48 million dollar contract. Then, he signed forward
Charlie Villanueva to a 5 year, 45 million dollar contract. The Blazers, who were just one win away from a finals appearance last season, get an excellent sixth man that can play three positions, as well as a clear starting point guard. These signings further increase the legitimacy of the Blazers' status as title contenders.
Other large moves were made as well. The Warriors signed veteran point guard
Steve Nash to the MLE, and scrub center
Kyrylo Fesenko to the league minimum. The Nets grossly overpaid for center
Anderson Varejao, signing him to a 6 year, 60 million dollar contract. Sharpshooting center
Mehmet Okur joined the Grizzlies to a 5 year, 55 million dollar contract. Completely draining the Jazz's frontcourt,
Paul Millsap signed a 4 year, 47.5 million dollar contract with the Pacers.
Marcin Gortat went to Houston for a 4 years and 30 million dollars. Charlotte signed pocket dynamo and 2-time slam dunk champ
Nate Robinson to a 5 year, 50 million dollar contract.
Allen Iverson became a Hawk, for a measly 10 million dollars over three years.
Shawn Marion became a Bobcat to a three year, 25 million dollar deal.
Also noteworthy were the re-signings.
Jason Kidd,
Rasheed Wallace,
David Lee,
Lamar Odom,
Mike Bibby and
Martell Webster were among the notable resignings. The free agency brings major changes to the NBA's current climate. The Kings become a legitmate contender, the Warriors improve, the Jazz lose all their big men and Portland gets even deeper.
Free Agency 2009Nash to Warriors - 3 year, $18.48M
Joe Smith to Spurs: 3 year, $6.87M
Josh Powell to Suns: 4 year, $16.60M
Ariza to Raptors: 4 year, $32.98M
Sessions to Clippers: 5 year, 34.21M
Gooden to Cavaliers: 3 year, $14.87M
Moon to Clippers: 5 year, $31.96M
Kyrylo Fesenko to Warriors: 1 year, minimum
Iverson to Hawks: 3 year, $10M
Anthony Parker to Thunder: 3 year, $10.52M
Szczerbiak to Raptors: 4 year, $13.46M
Bass to Bucks: 3 year, $16.67M
Murray to Thunder: 4 year, $29M
Boozer to Kings: 5 year, $94.47M
Barnes to Cavaliers: 5 year, $23.93M
Knight to Bobcats: 3 year, $9.25M
Birdman to Kings: 3 year, $22.31M
Nate Robinson to Bobcats: 5 year, $50M
Gortat to Rockets: 4 year, $30M
Artest to Bulls: 5 year, $70M
Wafer to Clippers: 3 year, $16M
Gordon to Thunder: 5 year, $68.65M
Millsap to Pacers: 4 year, $47.5M
Okur to Grizzlies: 5 year, $55M
Varejao to Nets: 5 year, $60M
Lorenzen Wright to Mavs: 1 year, minimum
Felton to Blazers: 6 year, $48M
Pollard to Cavs: 1 year, minimum
Marion to Bobcats: 3 year, 25M
McCants to Bulls: 4 year, $18M
Frye to Thunder: 5 year, $37.25M
Shannon Brown to Nuggets: 3 year, $10.81M
Villanueva to Blazers: 5 year, $45M