Free Agent signings can be an asset or a liability. An asset can take your team over the top and a liability can make your team worse.
The 2020-2021 NBA Season is underway. What free-agent signings are most impactful this season? I selected a few players who signed with new teams and are all making their presence felt.
Let’s talk about it.
Gordon Hayward (Charlotte Hornets)
NBA Season | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
2019-2020 | 17.5 ppg | 6.7 rpg | 4.1 apg |
2020-2021 (current) | 24.1 ppg | 5.4 rpg | 3.6 apg |
Gordon Hayward dealt with a myriad of injuries during his time in Boston. The emergence of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown during this time put Hayward in a weird spot. Signing with the Hornets gives Hayward the chance to play basketball like he did in Utah. The Hornets are a young team, and Hayward delivers veteran leadership.

Christian Wood (Houston Rockets)
NBA Season | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
2019-2020 | 13.1 ppg | 6.3 rpg | 1.0 apg |
2020-2021 (current) | 23.5 ppg | 10.8 rpg | 1.4 apg |
Wood is having a sensational season in his 1st year with the Houston Rockets. With all the drama surrounding James Harden behind them, expect Wood to continue playing at a high level. The Houston Rockets are currently in a rebuild, so don’t expect them to make too much noise in the Western Conference.

Montrezl Harrell (Los Angeles Lakers)
NBA Season | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
2019-2020 | 18.6 ppg | 7.1 rpg | 1.7 apg |
2020-2021 | 13.7 ppg | 7.1 rpg | 1.1 apg |
Harrell’s numbers are slightly down vs. last season, but that’s a given due to the Los Angeles Lakers’ offensive firepower. The Lakers are favorites to repeat as NBA Champions, and Harrell will be a crucial part of the team’s quest. Harrell could have signed for more money with another team, but the chance to win a Championship was too much to resist for the reigning sixth man of the year.

Jerami Grant (Detroit Pistons)
NBA Season | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
2019-2020 | 12.0 ppg | 3.5 rpg | 1.2 apg |
2020-2021 | 24.3 ppg | 6.5 rpg | 2.8 apg |
Grants numbers this season are all career highs in his 1st year in Detroit. Grant plays about 36 minutes per game, up ten minutes from last season. Grant has taken full advantage of the increase in playing time. Detroit is rebuilding this year but, Grant’s is a bright spot moving forward.
