Last summer was the best ever to be an NBA free agent. With the increased salary cap because of the new television contract, many players received career-defining deals to join new teams or stay with their own clubs.
Many teams banked that some players would ascend in new situations to earn their hearty contracts.
For example, the Trail Blazers signed Evan Turner to a four-year, $70 million deal after he earned $3.4 million with the Celtics last season. The Pelicans signed Solomon Hill to a four-year, $52 million deal after he averaged 4.2 points and 14.7 minutes in his final season with the Pacers.
The question is whether teams are actually benefiting from any of these free agent deals.
One of the fears for owners with the increased salary cap was that they would be forced to offer above-market deals to players just to avoid the salary floor. The NBA is unlike Major League Baseball, where teams can pay players any salary they want with the only repercussion being the luxury tax. NBA teams have to exceed the salary floor, therefore there were several free agents last summer who benefited from the cap increase. And the same will occur next summer.
Which players are really living up to their deals? The number is lower than expected. Many free agents have had trouble adjusting to new and expanded roles and the pressure of being so handsomely paid.
A look at how some of last summer’s free agents are faring nearly a third into the season:
Evan Turner, Trail Blazers, four years, $70 million — Turner is one of the first Blazers off the bench, averaging 25 minutes per game. He is shooting just 42.7 percent from the field and his assists are down from last season. Turner admitted it was taking him some time to adjust to playing in the Western Conference and his new role of backing up the dynamic backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.
Solomon Hill, Pelicans, four years, $52 million — Hill is pretty much what he was in Indiana, except he starts. He is averaging 5.9 points per game and shooting a career-low 37 percent from the field. He is taking twice as many shots as last season, yet averaging just 1.7 points more per game. The Pelicans were banking on Hill flourishing in his new situation, but it hasn’t happened.
Harrison Barnes, Mavericks, four years, $94 million — Barnes is doing exactly what he did in Golden State, just with a bigger role and more minutes. He is averaging a career-high 20.4 points and nearly 37 minutes per game. He has struggled with his 3-point shot but overall he has played well. The only down side is the Mavericks are one of the worst teams in the league and Dirk Nowitzki has missed most of the season with an Achilles’ injury.
Allen Crabbe, Trail Blazers, four years, $75 million — The Nets signed Crabbe to an offer sheet with the plan of making him their starting shooting guard, but the Trail Blazers loved his shooting and matched the offer. So far, the results have been mixed. Crabbe’s scoring average is down, but his 3-point percentage is up. The Blazers spent a lot of money this past summer on free agents, getting Turner and re-signing Crabbe and Meyers Leonard in addition to McCollum. Crabbe may be more of a victim of an undefined role than actual lack of production.
Luol Deng, Lakers, four years, $72 million — This contract begs the questions: If the Lakers are trying to rebuild with younger players, why spend $72 million on an aging Deng? The Lakers have a load of young talent that needs to play under new coach Luke Walton. Deng is averaging a career-low 7.6 points in 25.5 minutes and shooting 37.7 percent from the field. Did the Lakers sign Deng merely for leadership? If so, the price of leadership has risen considerably over the past few years.
Timofey Mozgov, Lakers, four years, $64 million — Mozgov has been a factor but he has played just 22 minutes per game. Mozgov has played well in this new market, in which $16 million a year is market value for a capable center.
Ian Mahinmi, Wizards, four years, $64 million — Mahinmi has been limited to one game and 14 minutes because of knee issues. The Wizards were counting on Mahinmi to pair with Marcin Gortat, and their interior defense has suffered.
Kent Bazemore, Hawks, four years, $70 million — Remember when Bazemore excelled in the playoff series against the Celtics and was due for a big payday? He got it, as Atlanta paid him to be its long-term swingman. So far he has struggled, with his numbers down in every category, most notably 3-point shooting. Bazemore is still making a difference on defense but he has hardly been the perimeter threat the Hawks expected.
Eric Gordon, Rockets, four years, $53 million — Gordon was considered damaged goods when he left New Orleans, but the Rockets banked on his good health and he has been a big reason for their surprising season. He is averaging 17 points in 31 minutes per game and shooting 43.5 percent from the 3-point line. Gordon could always score and he has become a nice complement to James Harden as the Rockets seek a top-four playoff seed in the Western Conference.
HANGING AROUND
Duncan offers some assistance
Tim Duncan has an open invitation to the Spurs’ facility, even though he is retired. Duncan, whose number will be raised to the rafters of the AT&T Center Sunday night, makes an occasional appearance at practice, shooting baskets, working out, and playing a little one-on-one with Pau Gasol, who was signed in the offseason to assume Duncan’s role.
Duncan, 40, looks like he could give the Spurs quality minutes. Last Monday, he asked Gasol if he could defend him, and Duncan offered pointers during the session.
“It’s a little bit unfair because he’s only playing defense and I’m only playing offense,’’ Gasol said. “So he stops me, it’s a point, and if I score it’s a point. It’s a different one-on-one. It was fun because I get to work on some post moves, get a couple of comments from him after, and I learn to work the post, which I like.’’
What was the advice he received from Duncan?
“Every time I go quick on my moves, it makes a big difference,’’ said Gasol, who scored 17 points two nights later against the Celtics. “You have to keep it in mind at all times what works best. He’s a great defender and he’s always been. He understands what works and what hurts him and what doesn’t, so I have to go a little quicker on my moves and be the aggressor and not try to just pound it, pound it, and allow the defense to get organized. Just take advantage of your skills, your footwork, and your length.’’
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Duncan is welcome to any job or responsibility he wants in the organization, and his presence is encouraged.
“I love it, I think it’s important for his transition,’’ Gasol said. “You can’t go from being here every day for 20 seasons to not being here at all. So I think it’s important for his mind-set to come in and get a feel and be involved, and he has an opportunity to do that here. I think it’s very important and very positive for him, and it helps the guys. He invokes respect and professionalism and everybody tries a little harder.
“I’m sure he could play some quality minutes for sure, but his decision has been made and at some point all of us will do the same.’’
Gasol played against Duncan for 15 years and has plenty of memories.
“Just how fun it was to go against one of the best, measure up against one of the best all time,’’ Gasol said. “It was always a big motivator for me. It was one of the games you always look at and go, ‘I’ve got to be ready. I’ve got to bring my game.’ ’’
As for this season, the Spurs have moved forward, but with many of the principles of the past. With a veteran team, they don’t practice much. And this past week Popovich gave All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge two practice days off, and then rested him for the game against the Celtics.
“I haven’t been around a team that emphasizes as much rest as this team,’’ said Gasol. “It works for me. The down side of it you can get rusty, you can get a little flat.
“But I think it pays off down the line. It’s just finding a balance, where guys are still in good shape with a flow and a good rhythm. But at the same time they’re not overfatigued and you allow them to recover when we have guys that are veterans.’’
ETC.
Thomas is in a giving mood
Isaiah Thomas has put on a couple of charity events in the last two weeks through his foundation, World Vision. What’s more, Thomas and fellow Seattle-Tacoma native Jamal Crawford of the Clippers have decided to compete to determine who can raise the most money for impoverished families. Thomas kicked off the competition Thursday by hosting a dinner and holiday party for families affected by the Dec. 3 Cambridge fire.
Thomas also recently hosted a holiday party at the Celtics’ practice facility for children of military families in New England. Thomas said it’s his responsibility as a professional athlete to contribute to the community.
“The city of Cambridge, we put the word out and then they backed it 100 percent,’’ Thomas said. “It just says a lot about the people of this city. It’s that time of the year where it’s about giving back. That’s what I try to do.’’
It seems that the little kid from Tacoma is still present when Thomas gives back to families, remembering those days when he dreamed of being a professional athlete and helping his community.
“This is my job. This is what I’m blessed to do,’’ he said. “I’ve got a platform and I try to give back as much as I can to the communities I’m a part of. This time of year, it’s about giving back and putting smiles on other families. This is a time of need for these families and I’m trying to do the best job I possibly can to help out.
“The first thing [the families] say is, ‘Thank you, we appreciate you,’ and I just say, ‘Thank you.’ This is something I feel like I needed to do. They’re happy and as long as they’re happy, I’ve done my job. I’m trying to interact with the kids and interact with as many families as possible.’’
The Celtics have long been active in the community. Thomas is one of the more active players in recent memory, especially with events through his foundation.
“It’s something that you don’t have to do, just because you’re an athlete you don’t have to do it,’’ he said. “And a lot of people don’t do it, but you can’t bash them for not doing it. Ever since I was a little boy I said when I was going to be successful at whatever it is, I was going to give back to the community I was a part of. This is one of the events I love to do. I love interacting with kids. I love interacting with families, and like I always say, it’s about me just shaking hands, taking pictures, and being there. They know I’m just like them and it’s about giving back.’’
Thomas said he will remain a fixture in the community. Since being acquired by the Celtics, Thomas has felt embraced by the city of Boston and Celtics fans.
“You’ve got to show your face,’’ he said. “I think that’s the most important thing. It’s not even about your money. It’s more about your time because once these people in the community see that you’re just like them, that says more than any money you can ever give back. I try to show my face as much as possible and show that I care. There’s people that are going through way worse things than I’ve ever been through and they’ve still got a smile on their face. Knowing that I’m blessed and able to give back is what I live for.’’
Layups
The Rockets finally ended their charade with forward Donatas Motiejunas, renouncing his rights and making him an unrestricted free agent. Motiejunas signed a $37 million offer sheet with the Nets this month that was matched by the Rockets, who then decided to adjust the contract. Motiejunas missed 45 games last season because of back issues, averaging 6.2 points. He was a restricted free agent last summer but contract issues carried into the season. Since the Rockets renounced Motiejunas’s rights, it’s uncertain whether it was for health reasons. If healthy, the 7-footer could be an asset. He averaged 12 points and nearly six rebounds in 2014-15 . . . The NBA’s goal of having a D-League affiliate for all 30 teams is coming closer to fruition with the Orlando Magic purchasing the Erie BayHawks and moving the team to Lakeland, Fla. The NBA wants each team to have an affiliate as a means for tutoring players who are not ready for the NBA. With the new collective bargaining agreement still including the one-and-done rule, there will be more teams seeking to sharpen the skills of younger players who are unprepared for the NBA. The Celtics have used NBADL Maine for players such as James Young, Jordan Mickey, and Demetrius Jackson . . . It has been a miserable season for Celtics forward Gerald Green, who missed Wednesday’s loss to San Antonio with a left hip injury and has been limited to 12 games and 120 minutes because of the injury and general ineffectiveness. Green was supposed to provide instant offense off the bench but has shot 29.4 percent from the field and missed 19 of 26 3-point attempts. The Celtics have all 15 roster spots occupied. With teams able to sign players to 10-day contracts next month, the Celtics may consider waiving Green and adding a more useful player to a 10-day contract. The Celtics are still trying to work out their rotations, but it’s apparent that Green has been a poor fit in his second tenure with Boston. The Celtics’ bench desperately needs offense but Green has been unable to hit shots and has been a defensive liability.
Gary Washburn can be reached at gwashburn@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter at @GwashburnGlobe. Material from interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report.
