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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BOSTON – MAY 6: Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) reacts as the Milwaukee Bucks begin their victory celebration while time runs out in the fourth quarter. The Boston Celtics host the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals at TD Garden in Boston on May 6, 2019. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

2. Al Horford– Philadelphia 76ers

At first, I thought spending $109 million on Al Horford was a bit overkill by Elton Brand and the Philadelphia 76ers.

Then it marinated in me a little bit, and I came to realize that it was money well spent. Granted, the Sixers did virtually everything right in this year’s free agent bonanza. They smartly resigned Tobias Harris and was able to flip Jimmy Butler — who didn’t want to be in Philly anyway — for rising 3-and-D star Josh Richardson.

Those two moves alone, couple with Kawhi Leonard leaving for West, would have put Philadelphia in contention for the Eastern Conference crown. Signing Horford, though, made the 76ers a can’t-miss favorite to win the East.

Horford isn’t one of those players who will score 18 points a night, but he is a player who, like Kemba Walker, will make a huge impact in the locker room and give the Sixers even more of a defensive presence that should make them among the league’s best.

More than anything else, though, the locker room leadership that Horford will bring to the Sixers will be indispensable, which is why Brand made the move to offer him a contract he couldn’t refuse. I still think the Sixers overpaid him a bit, but if he can help finish the process and help bring a championship to Philadelphia, that money would be well worth it.

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