NBA Free Agency 2019: Most impactful signings of the summer

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket against the Golden State Warriors during Game Six of the NBA Finals on June 13, 2019 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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DALLAS, TX – APRIL 09: Kristaps Porzingis of Dallas Mavericks warms up prior the game between Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on April 9, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images) /

4. Kristaps Porzingis — Dallas Mavericks

There really wasn’t any doubt that Kristaps Porzingis would put his signature on a free agent deal with the Dallas Mavericks.

To Mark Cuban, he can team up with Luka Doncic to bring the Mavericks back to the top of the pack in the Western Conference, and there’s a great reason as to why Cuban would think like that. Before Porzingis got hurt, he was considered among the league’s best players, and with Dallas, there’s the huge potential that Porzingis can pull off a Kawhi Leonard-type of year and show everyone why Kevin Durant nicknamed him “The Unicorn.”

Standing at 7-foot-3, Porzingis’ game is wide-ranging. He can play in the post, take it off the dribble, and hit the outside shot. Porzings has also shown a tenacity on the boards and is a better defender than some folks give him credit to be. Before he got injured, Porzingis was blocking 2.4 shots a game.

With a top-tier player already on their roster, the Mavericks didn’t really need to go fishing in this year’s free agent talent lake. All they needed was to retain Porzingis, and retain him they did, to the tune of $158 million. This could turn out to be money very well spent.

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