NBA free agency: Al Jefferson, Bobcats agree to 3-year contract

Early indications are that the Bobcats might’ve overpaid for Jefferson’s three-year deal worth nearly $14 million per season, but at least the contract of Thomas won’t continue to hamper their salary cap. Charlotte will have to pay Thomas the remainder of the contract, though those costs can be offset a bit by Thomas’s next NBA contract.

Jefferson’s deal won’t turn out that bad considering it’s for just three years, but he’ll have to perform quite well to make sure he lives up to his end of the contract.

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Jefferson was productive for the Jazz last year, averaging 17.8 points and 9.2 rebounds. Jefferson has consistently provided low-post scoring and solid rebounding over the course of his career, but his problem lies on defense. For all the points that Jefferson scores, he often gives them right back on the other end.

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The 2009-2010 Rookie of the Year still hasn’t had a season like his first in the league, recording career-lows in minutes as well as average points, rebounds and assists this past season. He’s still an eminently-talented scorer with the capability to create for other, though, and has a rare skillset for a player of his size.

Redick is the more dependable player, stroking the ball at a high rate while developing ball-handling and passing skills with Orlando before a disappointing half-season in Milwaukee. Budinger’s three-point percentage dropped precipitously from 40.5 percent in his final year in Houston to a career-low 32.1 percent last year, his first in Minnesota, but he’s still hypothetically a nice offensive bench option.