Breaking down Day 7: Garnett staying in Minnesota
— -- On the seventh day of NBA free agency, teams mostly rested, signing just five players to contracts. Still, Tuesday did bring a new deal for the most legendary player in Minnesota Timberwolves history, as well as bench pieces for multiple contenders. Let's break them down.
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Kevin Garnett
Team: Timberwolves (re-signed)
Contract: Two years, TBD
What it means: Garnett's Minnesota homecoming, which began when he was reacquired at the trade deadline, will continue as a player for the next two seasons. A sore knee limited Garnett to just five games in a Timberwolves uniform, and at 39 he can no longer be counted on as a major part of the rotation. ESPN's Marc Stein reports Minnesota expects him to play about 20 minutes per game, which makes room for the Timberwolves' younger big men. Garnett should still have some on-court value this season. By 2016-17, my projections show him dipping below replacement level at age 40.
What's next: Garnett's signing gives Minnesota 14 players under guaranteed contract, along with a non-guaranteed deal for guard Lorenzo Brown, so there's little room left on the roster unless the Timberwolves move veteran players who no longer fit their plans. As a result, according to Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press Minnesota withdrew its qualifying offer to forward Robbie Hummel, a rotation piece at times over the past two seasons who is now an unrestricted free agent.
Aaron Brooks
Team: Chicago Bulls (re-signed)
Contract: One year, TBD
What it means: After re-signing starting wings Jimmy Butler and Mike Dunleavy, Chicago's remaining order of business was signing a backup point guard. It's a little surprising the Bulls brought back Brooks, who struggled in the postseason, putting up a .421 true shooting percentage. Alternatives were dwindling with C.J. Watson and Mo Williams signing elsewhere, however, and Brooks should be effective on a one-year deal. I project him too falling below replacement level in 2016-17. While Brooks will only be 31 at that point, undersized point guards like him have aged poorly as they have lost quickness.
What's next: Chicago has a decision to make on fifth guard E'Twaun Moore, whose contract is non-guaranteed through July 25. If the Bulls keep Moore and second-year forward Cameron Bairstow (partially guaranteed), their roster may already be finished.
Alan Anderson
Team: Washington Wizards
Contract: One year, $4 million
What it means: With David West passing on their offer to sign with the San Antonio Spurs, the Wizards had their non-taxpayer mid-level exception free, and they used it to bring in Anderson on a one-year contract. He gives Washington another wing option off the bench to help replace the departed Paul Pierce, and makes it more probable the Wizards use Jared Dudley regularly at power forward in small lineups. Assuming his 2-point shooting regresses from last year's career-best 53.0 percent (he's a career 45.8 percent shooter inside the arc), Anderson will probably be a tad overpaid. But there were few other good wing options on the market, so Washington is unlikely to regret this deal.
What's next: The Wizards now have 14 guaranteed contracts on their roster, leaving just one spot free. They'll probably use it to bring back Drew Gooden, a key rotation player during the postseason whom Washington can re-sign using early Bird rights.
Charlie Villanueva
Team: Dallas Mavericks (re-signed)
Contract: One year, $1.5 million
What it means: The Mavericks continued filling out their bench by bringing back Villanueva at the veteran's minimum. He had useful moments as a reserve in Dallas last season, shooting 37.6 percent while spacing the floor for the Mavericks' pick-and-roll offense. Alas, Villanueva still isn't a particularly efficient scorer in large part because he's a surprisingly poor foul shooter (57.1 percent). And Villanueva gives up the benefit he provides on offense and more at the other end, where he's always been a liability. So if Villanueva plays much more than last year's 10.6 minutes per game, it's a bad sign for Dallas.
What's next: The Mavericks continue to work to solidify their point guard position and add depth elsewhere using minimum salaries.
Jason Smith
Team: Orlando Magic
Contract: One year, $4.5 million
What it means: This signing continues Orlando's trend of overpaying veteran reserves on one-year contracts, which began last year with Ben Gordon and Luke Ridnour. Smith is reliable and a favorite of coaches, but he's not an efficient scorer because he specializes in midrange jumpers and isn't much of a defensive presence. ESPN's real plus-minus rated Smith one of the league's 25 worst players last season (-4.8 points per 100 possessions). While there's only so much downside to a one-year contract, adding Smith doesn't figure to help the Magic on the court as they attempt to speed up the rebuilding process and return to the playoffs this season.
What's next: Having added veterans Smith and Watson to the bench, Orlando could still spend about $9 million before officially re-signing restricted free agent Tobias Harris and going over the cap. With 12 players under guaranteed contract and two more non-guaranteed players that might be keepers, the Magic are running out of roster space.