Under the Radar: Impactful NBA Free Agent Signing in the EC
The NBA offseason has been a hectic chain of signings and trades between hopeful teams looking to improve for the next season. The big moves have been discussed enough but soon the small signings and smart trades are the ones who end up crowning champions as roster building is more important than ever in the NBA.
Let’s analyze three moves that haven’t been discussed enough and that might have a true impact on NBA Lines in the future:
The Pistons acquired Monte Morris from the Wizards
With promising young talents such as Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, James Wiseman, Jalen Duren, and Isaiah Stewart, the Detroit Pistons possess undeniable potential throughout their roster. However, it comes as no surprise that the team faced numerous turnovers during the past season, ultimately securing the league’s lowest win total of only 17 victories.
While internal growth is anticipated given the team’s youthful makeup, it was also necessary to seek external reinforcements to bring stability to the Pistons’ offense, which struggled with turnovers. In this regard, the acquisition of Morris, requiring the surrender of a pair of second-round picks, proves to be an astute move. Morris’s skill set perfectly aligns with the Pistons’ needs, as he has consistently showcased exceptional floor generalship in terms of assist-to-turnover ratio since his drafting by the Nuggets in 2017.
During his tenure with the Wizards in the previous season, Morris showcased his versatility, averaging 10.3 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in 27.3 minutes per game.
Impressively, he maintained a shooting efficiency of 48% from the field and connected on 38.2% of his three-point attempts. It’s worth noting that this is a slight dip from his 39.5% mark in the 2021-22 season with the Denver Nuggets, who traded him to Washington on July 6, 2022. Throughout his career, Morris has established himself as a reliable three-point shooter, boasting a solid 39.2% success rate, which will undoubtedly provide the Pistons with an additional dimension of floor spacing and better NBA Odds.
Pacers acquire Obi Toppin from the Knicks
Adding Toppin to their roster will significantly bolster the Pacers’ depth, particularly at the power forward position where it is much needed. With the selection of Jarace Walker from Houston as the No. 8 overall pick in the draft, the Pacers initially addressed the power forward spot, but Toppin’s inclusion would allow Walker to transition smoothly into the NBA.
Toppin himself was chosen as the No. 8 pick in the 2020 draft after an outstanding collegiate career at Dayton, where he earned the title of consensus National Player of the Year. However, with the Knicks, he found himself behind All-Star Julius Randle at the power forward position, limiting his playing time to a maximum of 17.1 minutes per game in any given season.
Standing at 6-9 and weighing 220 pounds, Toppin has showcased exceptional athleticism and a more than satisfactory shooting range in his limited opportunities off the bench. As the reigning champion of the 2022 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, he has impressively converted 63.2% of his career 2-pointers and an impressive 72.4% of shots within 3 feet of the basket. Notably, his thunderous dunks account for nearly 20% of his total field goal attempts, with a career tally of 188. Toppin’s shooting from beyond the arc has also demonstrated improvement, as he connected on a career-high 34.4% of his 3-point attempts this season, hitting 85 shots out of 247 attempts.
Bulls acquire Jevon Carter from the Bucks and sign Torrey Craig to a two-year deal
The Bulls’ focus on embracing modern basketball is evident in their recent moves. By acquiring Carter and Craig, the team aims to address their need for improved floor spacing, as both players possess exceptional shooting abilities from beyond the arc. Carter, in particular, stands out for his quick release and accuracy, converting an impressive 42 percent of his three-point attempts on 4.2 shots per game in his 81 appearances for the Milwaukee Bucks last season.
Craig brings additional value to the team as a versatile forward who excels in shooting from deep while maintaining a strong defensive presence. He achieved a career-high 39 percent success rate from beyond the arc last season, averaging 3.2 attempts per game.
Arturas Karnisovas, the team’s vice president, has been transparent about his desire to elevate the Bulls’ shooting prowess during the offseason, and it seems that these recent acquisitions align with his vision. With Carter and Craig’s arrival, the Bulls are positioning themselves to enhance their offensive capabilities and fully embrace the modern style of NBA basketball.