Fansided

NBA free agency 2015: Top 5 signings in first week

By Matt Verderame

Oct 30, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) reacts against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena. New York won 95-90. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) reacts against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena. New York won 95-90. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Apr 24, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after a shot against the Los Angeles Clippers in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after a shot against the Los Angeles Clippers in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

There is not a better organization in professional sports than the San Antonio Spurs. For years, San Antonio has been one of the best teams in basketball, winning five NBA titles since 1999 with Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan leading the charge. In recent years, San Antonio has been able to find important players without having to use a ton of resources, such as Danny Green, Boris Diaw and Kawhi Leonard.

It is the product of great scouting and understanding fits. The Spurs also have decided to keep these men around, inking Green to a four-year deal before locking up Leonard on July 1 with a five-year, $90 million commitment. Leonard displayed his value for the world to see in the 2014 NBA Finals, giving LeBron James fits while winning his first title and Finals MVP award.

Last year, Leonard took home the NBA Defensive Player of the Year trophy, displaying why the Spurs want to build around him in the future. San Antonio is still pushing for another ring before the seemingly-ageless Duncan retires, hoping to also land LaMarcus Aldridge this week. San Antonio took a large step toward doing that by getting the Leonard deal done immediately, showing Aldridge all it can be with him.

Leonard also gives the Spurs someone to build around when the retirements of Manu Ginobili and Duncan finally come. Only 24 years old, Leonard is the type of player which has become extremely coveted in today’s game; a man who can both guard multiple positions and provide a scoring from ample spots in the floor. Think Scottie Pippen all day long.

Next: Dallas lands its big fish

Home/NBA Free Agency