Signings and Such (Day 2)

Davis (Blazers): 3yrs/$20m. Nice raise for Davis, a nice player. On a good team like the Blazers, he'll get regular bench minutes, won't get asked to do too much, if he stays on his game, Davis will help out and be a productive player. The Blazers have taken on Davis, Aminu, Mason Plumlee at very affordable prices, locked up Lillard for the long term, and I still think they end up keeping Aldridge. If so, they have legitimately upgraded without breaking the bank. I think the Blazers are quietly off to a great start in the free agency period.

Ellis (Pacers): 4yrs/$44m. Not sure Monta is the perfect fit for the Pacers, but they need playmskers on offense and he needs a PG and a strong D behind him, maybe it is a perfect fit. Now do the Pacers flip Hibbert?

Monroe (Bucks): 3yrs/$50m/player option year 3. Great deal for the Bucks! I thought Deandre Jordan was the ideal fit for the Bucks (but not the other way around, an unfortunate occurrence). But making a real run at Jordan, the flirtation with Chandler, those things add gravitas and now the Bucks steal the guy everyone thought was going to NYK. So far its been an aces off-season for the Bucks: re-signed Middleton, brought in Monroe and Vasquez, reatained Dudley, drafted Vaughn, all positive steps and they've still got room to make some moves. Bucks starting five next year: MCW, Middleton, Antetokounpo, Jabari, Monroe. This team was nowhere not long ago and now they look like they're in the mix for home court in the playoffs.

Afflalo (Knicks): 2yrs/$16m. Did Afflalo just opt out of an $8.5m deal to sign an $8m deal with a crappier team? Hmmm, think he needs a new agent. Knicks need anything and everything so this is a good deal for them but what does this do for Afflalo? Seems like he could've gone for either more money and/or a better situation. (Afflalo is now the answer to cool trivia question: Who was Phil Jackson's first free agent signing as a GM?)

Crowder (Celtics): 5yrs/$35m. The Celtics lock up another fine role player on a reasonable deal. The Celtics have the most reasonable roster in the league right now, its a good thing that they've got the best coach to maximize them. The Celtics are in the packaging business now, gotta turn all these nice pieces into a star. There are still big trades waiting out there, the Celtics need to get on the end of one of those.

Asik (Pelicans): 5yrs/$44m (incentive-laden deal, call it $44-ish). I like Asik but I didn't think he was the ideal fit last year, a little surprised they brought him back but apparently new coach Alvin Gentry wanted the whole team back. The Pelicans without any changes at all should still be at least a little better than their 8th spot last year. But the Thunder will be back next year, Suns could be better, the Pelicans best bet is that the Blazers and Mavs can't get it together by the end of the summer.

Kings trade Stauskus, Thompson, Landry, at least one 1st round pick (and maybe some pick-swapping rights?) to Sixers for rights to Gudaitais (#47 pick in the draft) and Mitrovic (#60). Told ya those Sixer 2nd round picks would be on the move in a salary dump capacity (people act like those things aren't valuable but they can be very effective in a salary cap league). I assume the Sixers will waive Thompson and Landry, while Stauskus gets a second chance. Sixers need scoring (and rookie contracts), so Stauskus should get plenty of playing time. As for the Kings, they can ill-afford a salary dump when they're already the horriblest team in the league, giving away 1st rounders is not a good move for them and pick swapping?!? All the Kings have for the next three years is Demarcus Cousins and three 1st round pick, they cannot be giving those picks away (though if you're gonna swap with anyone, the Sixers are a pretty safe bet). The Kings are horrible and everything they do is horrible...you think Calipari wants this job? You crazy. And this is all to create space so they can chase after Rondo and Ellis...who hated each other in Dallas but they're gonna love each other in Sacramento? Crazy. Every move is a step back for this franchise.