NSL Free Agency 2023: The Hits

Who were the biggest Free Agency prizes on the day and what impact does their signing have, on their new team, or the team that they have left. Caveat - none of the players have resigning bonuses (except for one).


D�Angelo Russell - Left the Indiana Pacers, signed with the Toronto Raptors

The biggest catch of the day, even without the superb narrative around why D�Angelo isn�t playing for the Indiana Pacers this season. Russell is a great scorer and playmaker, something that is coveted in modern day basketball. His defensive play is poor, but that makes his fit on Toronto even better, and why his pairing with Holiday was a perfect match for the Pacers team.

As we watch the Pacer�s team spiral as early as Week 2 of the season, the catalyst-event might very well be losing Russell for nothing, and the Indiana Front Office gaining only an incredible hangover. I can�t see a way Indiana replace the value or impact of Russell, and this makes the heist even more impressive for the Raptors, who can�t put a foot wrong with their recent transactions.

Bol Bol - Left the Phoenix Suns, signed with the San Antonio Spurs

The tallest catch of the day, going to the tallest team, who happened to win the title; this cannot be good news for the rest of the mortal teams of the NSL. Nelso, for whatever fortunes might fall his way, is one of the greatest GMs in the NSL and will probably go down that way in the annals of history. �Surely someone bids big on Bol�, he told himself, as did everyone else. The psychology of gambling on full display, he ends up going to Spurs for no GMs. We are doomed.

Cody Zeller - Signed with the Brooklyn Nets

The �GM-point Dumpster�, as he will now be affectionately referred to, is a wonderful nickname and adequately captures Zeller�s workmanlike game and effort. Hanging around the league, he has taken a bench role and provides the size, rebounding and effort that best suit a bench big. The Nets had their best Free Agency of all, and the Zeller win, going further than the other multiple teams that bid GMs, appears to be positive symbolism of the maturation and aspirations of this Nets team.

Dennis Schroder - Signed with the Boston Celtics

One of the best players on the market, the Celtics made no mistake in getting their man, using the full MLE and a maximum points bid to bring Dennis to town. He could end up being the most impactful player from Free Agency, based on how the engine loves his archetype and the big role he will play for Boston.

Russell Westbrook - Left the Sacramento Kings, signed with the Philadelphia 76ers

What a sizzling, saucy surprise this turn was, with the Kings power bill being cut (maybe the same company as Josh�s provider) at the time he was trying to bid on his guy. Ben smelled blood, ditched the Donte route (more below) and went after Klemm�s guy, 2k Hall-Of-Famer Russell Westbrook. Westbrook will back up Fox for Nenjabin, and he has to be one of the best back ups in the league. Also, this adds to the rivalry of Klemm and Nenjabin, one of the most subtly spicy rivalries we have between managers. Rowwww.

Christian Wood - Signed with the Phoenix Suns

Hey, at the very least, he looks good on paper. Many teams kicked the tyres on Christian Wood, and it showed - a heap of bids, two maximum bids, and the Phoenix Suns walking out victorious and with a starting power forward. Wood has great tools and versatility, he just needs to consistently find a way to impact the game.

Donte Divincenzo - Left the Philadelphia 76ers, signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves

This could prove to be the signing of Free Agency, with Donte going straight into the starting role for the Wolves and the team has gone gangbusters. Why did Philadelphia want Westbrook over this guy? On four years, he may have saved the Wolves in Free Agency, as a shallow team gets a great starter, shuffling the rest of the depth down into roles that are more appropriate. Despite the 76ers attempting to scare the Wolves off Donte�s scent, Ethan took the risk and was handsomely rewarded. They are currently undefeated.

Kelly Oubre - Signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers

How did he hurt himself? The conjecture remains, but the Cavaliers don�t care one bit, as they nabbed themselves one of the better free agents for very little cost. They can thank the lack of information regarding Oubre�s �significant injuries�, and he will play a key role off the bench as a good scorer or as a capable starter, if injuries occurred.

Josh Richardson - Re-signed with the Portland Trailblazers

Richardson was great for Portland as their point guard last season, but due to position restrictions, he was moved to strictly the wing positions. According to sources, he wasn�t even in Portland�s Free Agency plans, as they focused on forwards or big men. However, Richardson�s agent was able to convince the team to bring him back, and now, he�s playing great basketball as the starting shooting guard.

Javale McGee, Reggie Jackson - Re-signed with the San Antonio Spurs

The name of the game is retention, and the Spurs do it better than anyone, being one of the Free Agency winners. All the key members of the title team, sans the most overachieving players from last season in WCS and James Johnson, have returned. Nelso values this above second round picks and brings back the talent over security of having a pick.