The 5 Best Value Signings in NBA Free Agency

Danny Green

Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford are seriously wizards. They cleared the cap space necessary to sign Aldridge to a max deal and convinced David West to take the veteran's minimum after opting out of $12 million with the Pacers -- not to mention the massive hometown discount Tim Duncan is reportedly giving the team -- and in between they signed Green to an absolute steal of a deal.

Green is the consummate 3-and-D guard for the Spurs; he's shooting better than 43 percent from deep over the last four years since San Antonio snatched him off the scrap heap, and he's finished in the team's top-four in defensive win shares in each of those seasons as well. He's a vital part of the pristine spacing that helps San Antonio's offense keep humming, and his defensive contributions go well beyond helping to lock down opposing perimeter scorers, as Green is considered one of the best transition defenders in the league.

When you compare Green's deal to those of other 3-and-D players, you realize that the Spurs made out like bandits. Khris Middleton, who rose from relatively obscurity to become an advanced stats darling last season, resigned with the Bucks for five years and $70 million. DeMarre Carroll, a fellow former D-Leaguer who had made about $8 million over his six-year career, is now the Raptors' highest-paid player after agreeing to four year contract that will pay him $60 million. Green lapped both of them in nERD last season, finishing 18th in the league at 4.29. Middleton (2.37) and Carroll (0.71) ranked 42nd and 59th, respectively.