NBA Free Agency 2024: Grading the top free agent signings so far

DeMar DeRozan. Paul George. Klay Thompson. Three names that have been a staple in the NBA for years that have found new homes.

Though it has only been a week, NBA free agency has certainly been wild so far. Whether it's been through signings or trades, plenty of teams have been able to improve, while plenty have also been able to retain their key players.

Here is a grade for every big name move that has happened so far this offseason.

Paul George signs with the 76ers: A

Despite losing a step over the last few seasons, Paul George can still be a very valuable piece on a contender, and the Sixers could be the best place for George to finally get his first ring. Signing a four year, $212 million deal, he will be joining a storied franchise with a very young team that has struggled to make it past the second round over the last decade. With Embiid and Maxey likely to hold most of the scoring duties, George will likely have something of a three and D role, two aspects of his game that he has thrived in his entire career.

I truly believe this move is perfect for both parties. The Sixers finally get a third star, something they haven't had since the 2018-2019 season, and George gets to play with two young stars equally as hungry as him to bring home an NBA title.

Donovan Mitchell resigns with the Cavaliers: A+

Mitchell has had his two best seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers individually, so it is no surprise that he wanted to return. Despite the Cavs not living up to expectations in the post season, they have showed improvement in each of Mitchell's two years with the team, giving the city hope that a ring in the next few years is not too far fetched of a dream. And with Mitchell himself being only 27, the sky is the limit for how good this guy could get.

Now, for the love of god Koby Altman....

GET HIM SOME HELP!!!!!!

Klay Thompson is traded to the Mavericks: C

Here's the thing.

Four time champ? Yes. One of the best shooters of all time? Without a doubt. Part of one of the best backcourts in NBA history over the last 12 seasons? Easily.

But despite all these facts, Klay Thompson has not played his best basketball the past two years.

Ever since the Warriors magical finals run in 2022 to bring home their fourth ring in eight seasons, its like Thompson has had his powers zapped away. Sure, he can still get you 40 when he's hot, but those days are becoming fewer and farther in between. However, a change of scenery could be exactly what Thompson needs to revamp his career, and having playmakers such as Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving will definitely help, but because of his lackadaisical past two seasons in the Bay, expectations are low for Thompson in Dallas.

Tyrese Maxey resigns with the 76ers: A+

The reigning NBA most improved player, Maxey has turned himself into the perfect sidekick for Joel Embiid. At 6'2, 200 pounds, Maxey is one of the fastest players in the NBA, and will surely have a greater role after proving himself last season. After signing a 5 year, $204 million contract, Sixers will surely enjoy the rise of another great point guard, as he isn't going anywhere anytime soon, And with the addition of Paul George, Maxey will also have plenty of help to turn him into a superstar.

Jayson Tatum signs max extension with the Celtics: A

Jayson Tatum is having the best summer of all time. Between June and August, he will have:

1. Won an NBA Championship

2. Represented his country in the olympics.

3. Signed a five year, $313 million dollar extension with Boston.

All things considered, there are worse ways to spend your summer.

Tatum is one of the best young players in the entire NBA, and with the Celtics retaining almost all of their key pieces from this past season, the chances of bringing more banners back to Beantown are looking pretty good.

DeMar DeRozan is traded to the Kings: C+

To tell the truth, I was a bit surprised by this trade, as I felt like the Kings had enough offense, and would've been better off going after a more defensive minded wing. However, even though he is getting up there in age, DeRozan will undoubtedly add to an already stacked Kings offense, and he is also a decent enough defender to help make an impact on that end. DeRozan also hails from California, so I'm sure that was a major part of his desire to play in California as well.

Cade Cunningham signs extension with the Pistons: B+

If there has been one bright spot for the Detroit Pistons the last few seasons, it's been Cade Cunningham. Despite being a bit injury prone, Cunningham has consistely been the Piston's best player. However, he is not the best shooter, meaning Detroit will need to add players to help space the floor around Cunningham if they want to find success. He is still very young, and will surely continue to improve as the five year, $226 million contract goes on.

Chris Paul signs with the Spurs: B

Watching Victor Wembanyama play last season, it was plain obvious that the next step for the Spurs to take was to find a competent point guard to play along him (no offense Tre Jones). So what better player than one of the best point guards of all time, Chris Paul. At 39 years old, Paul is still one of the the best passers and defensive guards in the NBA, though his scoring punch has dwindled over the years. He is for sure on his last legs, but what better role for him than to mentor a player that will no doubt develop into an all-time great.

LeBron James signs extension with the Lakers: A-

The GOAT has made it clear that he has intended to play with his son since the day he was born, and thats genuinely all I see this decision as. The oldest active player in the NBA, James has shown very little signs of slowing down, and I firmly believe he could play another five years if he wanted to. He will likely ride out this contract before retiring, but no matter what happens, as long as James is on the roster and even only partially functioning, the Lakers will remain in contention.

Pascal Siakam resigns with the Pacers: A+

The Pacers majorly exceeded expectations last season by making it to the Eastern Conference Finals, and Siakam played a major role in that. It was his first time being the second option in almost four years, but he thrived in that role behind star guard Tyrese Haliburton. After being traded from Toronto last season, Siakam was able to maintain the same numbers he averaged with the Raptors, and now that he will be more familiar with the Pacers system, greater things are to come.

James Harden resigns with the Clippers: C-

Even though he has consistently been one of the best players of the last decade, it feels like Harden is finally on the decline. Last season, he averaged 17 points per game, his lowest since the 2011-2012 season. Almost all of his other numbers took a dive as well, so I really do not understand the two year, $70 million contract, as I feel like they would have been better off going after a younger guard with more upside.

Scottie Barnes resigns with the Raptors: A+

As a diehard Cavs fan, it pains me to say this, but Barnes has easily been the best player out of the 2021 draft class. Despite being almost 6'10, he played the guard position on offense, and was also the Raptors best defender all season long. The Raptors were terrible last season, but resigning Barnes to this five year, $270 million deal is the perfect move to start them off on a new winning track.

Dejounte Murray is traded to the Pelicans: C

Coming off a failed two year experiment in Atlanta, Murray was traded to the Pelicans in one of the first big moves of the offseason. He is without a doubt one of the best two way guards in the NBA, but I was a bit confused by this move, as I felt the Pelicans were already set at the two position with Trey Murphy and Herbert Jones, two guards who excel in the three and D role. I could see him playing point guard, but he has never done well in a playmaking role, so we will see what happens I guess.

Bam Adebayo signs extension with the Heat: A

If the Heat want to win, they may want to start thinking about moving on from Jimmy Butler, and instead focus on building around superstar center Bam Adebayo. After signing a three year, $166 million deal, Adebayo will continue to grow as one of the premier defenders in the NBA. If he wants to develop further, he will need to continue to work on his offensive game, but at 26 years old, he has displayed plenty of upside, and what better place to continue to improve than under the system of Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra.