The Most Underrated 2019 NBA Free Agency Moves

Anyone can name the most impactful free agent signings and trades this NBA off-season. Kawhi Leonard changed the competitive balance of power with his decision to sign with the Clippers while the Nets could be a powerhouse in the making after inking Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

But what signings and acquisitions didn’t get the coverage of Kawhi-watch or breathlessly followed like KD’s courtship, but were nonetheless impactful and could very well turn out to be potential difference makers for their respective squads? More than a few, actually, if you’re asking us.

So after surveying all the transactions that were officially announced this week, we complied a list of signings and trades that weren’t necessarily splashy, but savvy and shrewd business decisions. No, these additions will not shift the power of the league the way KD and Kawhi moving squads did, but the players highlighted here could easily be the reason why their squad secures positive playoff positioning or even helps extend a playoff run.

In no particular order, here are the most seven most underrated transactions from the craziest NBA off-season we’ve ever seen.

Re-signed via a three-year, $40 million deal.

Beverley is the heart and soul of the Clippers and failing to re-signing the defensive specialist would have been a blow. Beverley said he took less money to stick with LA, where he’s been for the past two seasons. He’s carved out the perfect niche for himself under Doc Rivers—the coach raves about Patty Bev whenever he’s asked about the scrappy point guard. Added bonus for the Clippers: Beverley can do all the talking for the much more muted Kawhi Leonard.

Acquired via a four-year, $73 million free agent deal.

Other than what the Clippers and Nets did, the Jazz had arguably the most celebrated off-season with their additions and Bogdanovic should turn out to be a huge coup. While trading for Mike Conley, deservedly, gets the majority of the praise, the former Pacers forward will be another offensive weapon for the Jazz. Bogdanovic stepped up for Indiana last season after Victor Oladipo went down and ended up shooting a career high 42.5 percent from three. Bogdanovic and Joe Ingles will be launching in Salt Lake City.

Acquired via a sign-and-trade with the Bucks who received a future first round pick and two second round picks upon signing a four-year, $85 million deal.

In the perfect world, the Bucks would’ve been able to keep all their free agents and run it back for the 2019-20 season. But they had to prioritize and the 2016-17 Rookie of the Year took a lot of money to play for the Pacers and form an awesome duo with Victor Oladipo. Already one of the better defensive squads, the Pacers are going to be a pain in the ass when Oladipo returns to the court, ideally in December.

Re-signed via a three-year, $15 million deal.

For a little, it looked like the Warriors were going to see their versatile big man sign elsewhere, with the Celtics among his rumored suitors. But Looney was lured back with a reasonable deal and his ability to defend all over the court and rebound clearly turned out to be way too valuable for the Warriors to miss out on in the wake of losing Kevin Durant and letting Boogie Cousins walk.

Acquired via trade with the Thunder who received a 2020 first round pick.

This was basically a salary cap dump on the Thunders’ part after dealing Paul George to the Clippers. Oklahoma City’s strategy to stockpile draft picks continued with this under-the-radar deal that gives the Nuggets the highly productive Grant. Just 25, Grant started 77 games for OKC last year and averaged 13.2 points, 5.2 boards, and 1.3 blocks. Whether he can crack that starting lineup remains to be seen, but in the arms race that is the Western Conference, the Nuggets just got a body that’s pretty damn versatile.

Signed via a one-year, $2.5 mlllion free agent deal.

While the Bucks are going to miss Brogdan, and surely wish they didn’t lose him to a division rival, Milwaukee did just fine with their wheelings and dealings this off-season and the Matthews addition was extremely savvy in our estimation. Can never have enough shooting—especially considering how Milwaukee spaces the floor with Giannis Antetokounmpo running the show—so why not give Matthews the veteran minimum to bomb away from deep?

Acquired via trade with the Heat in the Jimmy Butler sign-and-trade deal.

It’s easy to get forget that Richardson is in Philly after the more celebrated signings of Tobias Harris and Al Horford. But Richardson’s progression through his first four seasons in the NBA have been notable—he had a career season last year in Miami—and with the assembled talent on the court, especially all the big men who can dish it, Richardson is going to get a lot of looks. And we can knock them down. Don’t forget that he can really defend.