Boston Celtics: Ranking Dennis Schroder’s deal among top 5 biggest FA steals

#2 free agency steal: Paul Millsap joins loaded Brooklyn Nets for minimum

You have to go back to George Bush’s presidency to find the last time Paul Millsap made less than $5 million when factoring in his signing bonus. The 15-year veteran made $10 million a season ago, but a regression in his 3-point shot (43% in 2019-20, 34% in 2020-21) likely had to do with him taking a sizable reduction in salary.

Being that he started 36 games last season, an MLE offer didn’t seem that far-fetched for Millsap. Instead, winning appears to be his primary goal now in joining the #ScaryHours trio in Brooklyn for the veteran’s minimum to get his first ring.

#1 free agency steal: The Boston Celtics steal Dennis Schroder for $5.9 million

You can thank Anthony Davis and his unhappiness with Dennis Schroder for why the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t attempt to bring him back. After turning down an extension worth an excess of $80 million, Schroder bet on himself and came away Las Vegas style: down big.

Schroder signing on for the taxpayer’s MLE is a victory for the Boston Celtics, though. Brad Stevens and Ime Udoka convinced him to join with no assurances of starting. That fact alone makes this the biggest free agency steal, as it seems Schroder is taking less and aiming to assimilate.