Darrell Arthur: The Steal of Free Agency, Thus Far
By Drew Albee
Comparing DA’s contract to other Friday signings
Arthur’s three-year, $23 million contract appears as even more of a steal when compared to many deals that other free agents signed on Friday.
Free agency opened with Timofey Mozgov signing a ludicrous four-year, $64 million deal with the L.A. Lakers. Mozgov barely made his way off of Cleveland’s bench during the NBA Finals, scoring only seven points in the series. What could have spurred the Lakers to throw so much cash at the lumbering Russian? Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed Mozzy’s time here in Denver, I just can’t believe he is set to make more than double what Darrell Arthur is going to over the next three seasons.
DeMar DeRozan re-signed with the Raptors, but he did not give them the same home team discount that Arthur seemingly gave the Nuggets. DeRozan gouged the Raptors front office by signing for $139 million over five years. That’s a whopping $27.8 million per year. Arthur’s more team-friendly deal allows Denver more financial flexibility down the road, because DeRozan’s deal could hamstring the Eastern Conference contenders for years to come.
Mike Conley, who has never been an All-Star, signed the most lucrative deal in NBA history, a ludicrous five-year, $153 million contract.
Jeremy Lin signed for $12 million a year over three years; Nic Batum stayed in Charlotte for five years and $120 million; Bradley Beal re-upped with the Wiz for a five-year max; for whatever reason the Grizzlies tossed a four-year max deal at Chandler Parsons and his balky knees; Evan Turner went to Portland for $17.5 million per year over four seasons; Solomon Hill is due to make nearly double what Arthur will per season and got an extra season on his new deal Friday; Kent Bazemore got $70 million over four years… You get the point.
All of these deals look bad and some look down right asinine when compared to the excellent value the Nuggets got on Arthur’s deal.
Denver brought back a high quality backup on an incredibly team-friendly and deal under market value.
These are the reasons why I think the Nuggets re-signing DA is the steal of free agency thus far. Others seem to agree:
Denver got the best deal of the day with Darrell Arthur. Argue with your tailor.
— Justin Faudree (@SmoothsHoops) July 2, 2016
Overall this deal for D.A. was an absolute steal.
Nuggets fans everywhere will enjoy watching Arthur compete next season, and now that Denver has DA, who is our next target?
Dwyane Wade?