NBA free agency 2023 – Every team’s most impactful signing since 2010

When LeBron James made the decision to sign with the Miami Heat in the summer of 2010, it quickly became one of the biggest moments in sports history. Since then, NBA free agency has become a more important avenue for teams and players, as other marquee superstars like Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard have used it to drastically change the trajectory of their careers.

But not every big signing since then has resulted in championships or even consistent success. While James’ decisions resulted in at least one championship for every team he signed with, some teams have handed out massive contracts that never quite lived up to their expectations. Meanwhile, other deals that lacked the fanfare of bigger names have delivered surprising success.

Our NBA insiders made their picks for every team’s most impactful free agent signing since James’ league-shattering move to Miami in 2010 — and the legacy each deal left behind.

More: NBA free agency | Trade grades | Signing reaction

Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

Paul Millsap, 2013
Two years, $19 million

The Hawks acquired Millsap in the summer of 2013 on a two-year deal worth $19 million. Millsap flourished in his new surroundings and was named to his first All-Star team that season. The following year, Millsap was a key cog in the surprising Hawks squad that won 60 games for then-head coach Mike Budenholzer. — Andrew Lopez

Al Horford, 2016
Four years, $113 million

It’s easy to forget now, but in 2016 after Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors, Horford was down to two choices to sign as a free agent: with the Washington Wizards, or the Celtics. His decision to sign with Boston helped tip the balance of power in the East for years to come, as he has become a fixture of Boston’s many deep playoff runs since then, while the Wizards…