With all of the previous free agent signings being officially hashed out on July 12, the remainder of the free agents try to find new homes. Notable free agents like Al Harrington, Bonzi Wells, Chris Wilcox, Jared Jeffries and Drew Gooden remain team-less, while others have found new teams or remained with their previous squads.

This past week was far less exciting than the week prior, but it must have been a rush for players like Mike James and John Salmons to make headlines and earn long-term money. Now James and Salmons, along with other free agents, will settle in with their new teams.

The Minnesota Timberwolves sign Mike James

Synopsis: With the Raptors turning over a new leaf and focusing on developing young talent, it was clear that James was a stopgap that enabled the team to unload Rafer Alston?s contract and bad attitude. James had a breakout season in Toronto and instantly became one of basketball?s hottest free agent commodities.

Analysis: The Timberwolves add a player who will allow the Timberwolves to push for playoff contention, but nothing more and nothing less. He will add roughly 20 points-per-game and will probably get along well with Kevin Garnett, since both players are driven towards creating a winning environment. James went to Minnesota because they were willing to provide a long-term commitment, which was his top priority when it came to signing a new contract.

Conclusion: The signing will help the Timberwolves immediately, but does not make them a significantly better team all-around. James will give them a better chance of making it to the playoffs, but barring some sort of miracle, this Timberwolves team will not compete for a championship.

The Toronto Raptors trade a second round selection for John Salmons, who signs a 5-year $23 million deal

Synopsis: Some speculate that this is Colangelo?s Boris Diaw-type acquisition for the offseason, others view it as a lucrative, long-term contract for an unestablished and inconsistent player.

Analysis: Any way that you slice it, Salmons will be the Raptors? first option off the bench behind T.J. Ford at the point guard position and either Anthony Parker or Morris Peterson at the shooting guard spot. Salmons will give the Raptors some much-needed versatility and even more upside. With the ability to play three positions, Salmons will likely get upwards of 20 minutes of action per game.

Conclusion: The Raptors had cap space to use and they make use of it to sign a player who will either be a high risk/low yield signing or a steal. The sands of time will tell the story.

The Orlando Magic sign Keith Bogans

Synopsis: With the Magic needing a backcourt defensive presence, they sign Bogans and let DeShawn Stevenson look for work elsewhere.

Analysis: Bogans is an energy player who can enter a game and give opposing players headaches on both ends of the floor. With minutes, Bogans will make Magic fans forget that Stevenson existed with his hard work and grit.

Conclusion: The Magic fill a need with some free agent money and will give Bogans some solid minutes off of the bench to prove himself.

The Houston Rockets acquire Kirk Snyder for future considerations

Synopsis: One of the most pressing issues for the Rockets last season was a lack of depth and in acquiring Snyder for basically peanuts, they help alleviate the problem by adding an athletic scoring guard who enters his third NBA season.

Analysis: Snyder showed flashes of brilliance last year, but seeing that this is Snyder?s second time being traded for very little, it shows that his coaches may have problems reaching him. Jeff Van Gundy will teach him the fundamentals and if he adapts to them, rather than playing in his own renegade fashion, he will be setup for excellence in Houston.

Conclusion: The worst-case scenario is that Snyder does not pan out and even then, the Rockets lose nothing in the process.

The Toronto Raptors sign Anthony Parker for $12 million over three years

Synopsis: Bryan Colangelo has always been the sort of General Manager to seek out international talents and this time around, he brings in a two-time Euroleague MVP in Anthony Parker to add a scoring punch and team-oriented style to a nearly brand new Raptors team.

Analysis: The Raptors biggest hole after acquiring T.J. Ford and Rasho Nesterovic was the starting small forward or shooting guard position. With Morris Peterson occupying either of the two spots, Colangelo went out and signed Parker to manage the other. Parker, at age 31, will have the starting spot for a season or two and then make way for either Chris Bosh or Andrea Bargnani to take over at the small forward spot unless one of the two of them can adapt to playing center.

Conclusion: For the price that they paid, the decision must have been an easy one. Parker?s agent Henry Thomas told the media how hard Colangelo pursued Parker and that the decision was an easy one for both sides. The starting spot is Parker?s to lose, but given his sterling track record, it?s expected that he will excel in the NBA.