I fail to see the logic behind signing Reggie Jackson to a 5 year - $80 million deal. Gaining trust with your own RFA's is important, but this isn't Anthony Davis or Kawhi Leonard. It's Reggie Jackon, a guy who has averaged just about a 13-5 the past two seasons. And while he upped this to 18-9 with the Pistons, he did so in just 27 games. Are they really prepared to give him roughly the same contract as John Wall? Regardless of how much the cap is set to rise, this is still an absurd deal. I can't believe any other team was close to $16 million per year. The Pistons are looking to move into a new-era of Josh Smith free basketball, and lock up their young players. I can't argue with the logic, but paying Reggie Jackson like a foundational player isn't the way to do it.

Memphis Maintaining Status Quo

Even if the Grit-n-Grind era never results in a championship, the Grizzlies' front office must be applauded for hitting on nearly every small deal they've made. This offseason was no different, as they acquired Matt Barnes for nothing, and upgraded their frontcourt while somehow saving money. Somehow getting Brandan Wright for 3 years - $18 million when Koufos got 4 years - $33 million is highway robbery. And with Marc Gasol re-upping for another 5 years, the Grizzlies can run it back for another year of contention.

The Outlook of 2016 Free Agency

Outside of Kevin Durant, the upcoming crop of free agents is thin at the top. It is highlighted by Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Mike Conley, and possibly Dwight Howard (player option for 2016-2017). None of those guys are franchise-changers, and it doesn't get better beyond that. We could see teams hand out huge deals to the likes of Jeff Green, DeMar DeRozan and Wilson Chandler. The class lost out on serious star power when Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge opted for longer deals, and when Davis and Lillard inked their mega-extensions. For restricted free agents, the class is headlined by (possibly) Andre Drummond, if he is not extended by the October 31st deadline. For teams looking to rebuild through free agency, it's going to be Durant or bust. There's just no other superstar-level max guys.

The Lakers' Reality Check

As a depressed Clippers fan who still hasn't come to terms with DeAndre's departure (betrayal), I need to take my small pleasures. And seeing the Lakers have an even worse summer than their crosstown rival is certainly one of them. The team is delusional to think they can make the playoffs in the Western Conference, don't own their 2016 first rounder (top-3 protected), and humiliated themselves during a meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge. They couldn't even retain Ed Davis, a valuable backup who is still just 26. Their marquee signings were Louis Williams and Brandon Bass, who while valuable are still a far cry from their mystique of years past. They also acquired Roy Hibbert, who will provide solid rim protection without disrupting their cap space in the coming years. The Lakers are just waiting for Kobe's extension to expire, and for their young players to develop. Even if they're terrible this season (spoiler alert: they will be), top free agents will still meet with them. But in the meantime, Lakers fans can enjoy another season of awful basketball, only this time it won't even probably won't even pay off with a top first round pick.