Scouts and front office executives around the league have been surprised by some of the moves made in this free agency period. Among them, the Phoenix Suns' signing of point guard Ricky Rubio tied the New York Knicks' entire offseason as the most puzzling move of the summer.
“They paid him a lot of money, and he isn't very good,” an Eastern Conference scout told ESPN's Tim Bontemps. “Maybe it was the best they could do to finally get a point guard, but you're designed for less than mediocrity.”
Rubio, who saw himself quickly run out of favor with the Utah Jazz upon the trade for veteran point man Mike Conley, was consequently signed to the Suns on a three-year, $51 million deal — a choice and a number that shocked many familiar with Rubio's value as a lower-end option at the position, given his recent numbers and declining foot speed.
“I thought that was a huge overpay without enough short term to justify it,” one Eastern Conference executive said. “I think that's going to be a disaster to be a bottom-end team and throw that money around. I don't see how that's going to work out.”
The Suns needed a point guard that could run the offense and take some of the weight off Devin Booker's shoulders, but instead, they got their franchise player an aging veteran who is an inconsistent jump-shooter and a declining defensive presence — giving him $17 million per year.
Phoenix however, netted six votes in the survey, tied with the Knicks, who signed four power forwards in free agency after striking out on potentially acquiring Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, while whiffing on a chance to pitch Kawhi Leonard into joining after canceling the meeting.
“Some people were like they did a good job keeping their powder dry, but I don't even like [Julius] Randle, so I don't get what they did,” an Eastern Conference executive said. “I guess it was better than spending $80 million on two free agents. But that's like saying you're eating healthier because you didn't go to McDonald's for lunch and Burger King for dinner.
“Yes, you're eating healthier — but only because you couldn't eat worse.”
An Eastern Conference assistant coach was equally puzzled by how the signings of Randle, Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis, Marcus Morris, and Mitchell Robinson would work out under coach David Fizdale.
“The Knicks' five-big attack is confusing to me,” he said.
While plenty of front offices wound up as big winners by wheeling and dealing for quality free agents that can accelerate their vision, these two franchises took a step back for the time being, seemingly with no palpable vision as to how to dig their respective franchises out of the NBA's cellar.
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