The 8 Winning And Losing Trades & Free Agent Signings in The 2023 NBA Offseason So Far
The NBA has become well known for its Off-Season theatrics. Player movement, including trades and free agency signings, for incomparable amounts of money have become must-see-tv for fans as they await to see if their team will get into the fray and land a highly sought after player. The NBA draft, notably known for its loud suits and team apparel snapbacks give a glimpse into the future of where a franchise may be placing its priorities.
By: Ammar Thomas
Here are the 8 WINNING AND LOSING moves (trades & free-agent signings) of the NBA off-season so far:
Fred Vanvleet to Rockets
Gabe Vincent to Lakers
Bruce Brown to Pacers
Austin Reaves back to Lakers
Max Strus to Cavaliers
Obi Toppin to Pacers
Jerami Grant back to Blazers
Kyrie Irving back to Mavericks for $126 million
FRED VANVLEET TO ROCKETS
Three years, $130 million. VanVleet joins a young Rockets team looking to change its fortunes. VanVleet has already made generational money ($82 million in career earnings so far) and looks to continue cashing those big checks for the foreseeable future.
Winning or Losing Moving: Winning
Image Courtesy: Instagram/@fredvanvleet
GABE VINCENT TO LAKERS
$33 million for three years from the Lakers. Life-changing money. In his first season in Miami he made $79,000. He made well under a million in his first two seasons, and has never made over $1.8 million in his career. Congrats to Gabe who was a bright spot in Miami’s Eastern Conference winning run. Landing in L.A. where he could immediately provide a spark to a team looking to chase a title NOW.
Winning or Losing Moving: Winning
Image Courtesy: Instagram/@iamgabevincent2
BRUCE BROWN TO PACERS:
The Nuggets could only offer him $7.8 million on a straight raise from his 2022-23 deal. But the $21.9M Brown will get from Indiana in year one of a two-year, $45 million deal. Possibly made this an easy decision for Brown. Brown, who has made $15 million over his entire career to this point, couldn't resist such a lucrative offer.
Winning or Losing Moving: Winning
Image Courtesy: Instagram/@brucebrown
AUSTIN REAVES BACK TO LAKERS:
They get him at four years, $56 million, an average annual salary of $14 million, just north of the non-taxpayer mid level exception. Reaves is an undrafted player who has struck it rich. To this point in his career he's made under $2.5 million total.
Winning or Losing Moving: Winning
Image Courtesy: Instagram/@austinreaves12
MAX STRUS TO CAVALIERS:
Signed to a $63 million four year deal. An undrafted player that logged quality minutes for Miami on their run to the NBA Finals.
Winning or Losing Moving: Winning
Image Courtesy: Instagram/@maxstrus
OBI TOPPIN TO PACERS
Traded to Indiana, New York will get back second-round picks in exchange for Toppin who never could quite get his footing playing behind a rejuvenated Juluis Randall.
Winning or Losing Moving: Either Way
Image Courtesy: Instagram/@obitoppin_1
JERAMI GRANT BACK TO BLAZERS
A high price to pay giving Grant a $160 million over five-year deal. Portland seemingly was committing itself to Grant, to ensure Lillard would stay after deciding not to deal their draft pick for an experienced veteran and instead drafting Scoot Henderson. The move however backfired as “Dame” has insisted on being traded not wanting to join the prospective rebuild Portland has chosen.
Winning or Losing Moving: Losing
Image Courtesy: Instagram/@jeramigrant
KYRIE IRVING BACK TO MAVERICKS ($126 million)
$126 million over three years. This could very well be the best episode of this upcoming NBA season’s reality show “How to Win with Kyrie.” Averaging $42 million annually Dallas has seemingly tied their rising star Luka Doncic’s future in the short term to Irving’s unbelievable talent and erratic behavior. Irving may be the most prolific point guard the league has ever seen. But also the most mercurial.
Winning or Losing Moving: Biggest Loser
Image Courtesy: Instagram/@kyrieirving