Nba Free Agent Contracts 2016
The NBA free agency period is always an exciting time for basketball fans. This year, the contracts that NBA free agents signed in 2016 are still affecting the league landscape. In this article, we will look at some of the biggest and most impactful free agent deals from 2016.
Kevin Durant`s Move to the Golden State Warriors
The biggest free agent move of 2016 was undoubtedly Kevin Durant`s decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder and sign with the Golden State Warriors. The signing was a game-changer for the league, as it created one of the most dominant teams in NBA history. Durant signed a two-year, $54.3 million contract with Golden State, with a player option for the second year. He went on to win two championships with the Warriors and was named NBA Finals MVP in both years.
Al Horford Joins the Boston Celtics
Al Horford left the Atlanta Hawks in free agency and signed with the Boston Celtics on a four-year, $113 million contract. The move was a significant one for the Celtics, as Horford provided a skilled big man who could space the floor and play solid defense. In his first season with Boston, Horford helped lead the team to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Harrison Barnes Signs with the Dallas Mavericks
After spending his first four seasons with the Golden State Warriors, Harrison Barnes became a free agent in 2016. He signed a four-year, $94 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks, which was viewed as a major gamble for the team. Barnes had shown flashes of promise with the Warriors, but he had never been a consistent scorer. In his first season with the Mavericks, Barnes established himself as a reliable go-to scorer, averaging a career-high 19.2 points per game.
Joakim Noah`s Ill-Fated Move to the New York Knicks
Joakim Noah was one of the more curious signings of the 2016 free agency period. After spending nearly a decade with the Chicago Bulls, Noah signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the New York Knicks. The move was ill-fated from the start, as Noah never lived up to his contract and was eventually waived by the team. He played just 53 games over two seasons with the Knicks, averaging 4.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.
Conclusion
The NBA free agency period is always full of intrigue, and 2016 was no exception. The biggest move of the year was Kevin Durant`s signing with the Golden State Warriors, which created a dynasty that dominated the league for several years. Al Horford`s move to the Boston Celtics was also impactful, as he provided the team with a skilled big man. Harrison Barnes proved to be a reliable scorer for the Dallas Mavericks, while Joakim Noah`s signing with the New York Knicks ended up being a bust. These contracts continue to affect the league today, even five years later.