Top 10 deals in Friday’s frenzy

Free agency began with a flurry on Friday, and most of the deals were players re-signing with their teams. The biggest defection was Fred VanVleet leaving Toronto for a three-year, $130 million deal with the Rockets, but there were several notable contracts as more than a billion dollars in new deals were handed out.

Here are the most significant contracts that were signed Friday and how they affect teams such as the Celtics:

■ VanVleet to Houston. The Rockets had been saving their cap space for years, presumably to reunite with

James Harden, but when Harden opted into his contract with the 76ers to initiate a trade, the Rockets shifted to VanVleet, who was the best free agent point guard on the market. VanVleet will provide stability and maturity for a club looking to take the next step with a youthful core. New Rockets coach Ime Udoka now has his floor leader. The Rockets had been looking to spend their free agent money and bring in a player of significance, and they accomplished both. Grade: B

■ Kyrie Irving returns to Dallas for $126 million. The Mavericks really didn’t have a choice here, right? They committed so much to bringing in Irving at the trade deadline, and to lose him for nothing would have set the franchise back years. But the question is whether the Mavericks bid against themselves for Irving. Dallas could have played hardball with Irving, forced him to seek offers from other clubs, but instead signed him right away for nearmax money. Does Irving deserve such as sum? Likely not, but it’s likely the last lucrative contract of his career and the pressure will be on Irving to consistently play, avoid being an off-court distraction, and help the Mavericks become a contender in the Western Conference. Grade: C

■ Jeremi Grant comes back to Portland for $160 million. The Trail Blazers are in the difficult position of having so many young prospects, but also an aging veteran in Damian Lillard who wants to compete for a championship now and reportedly has asked for a trade. Grant would have been a free agent, and keeping him was thought to help influence Lillard toward staying. But $160 million for Grant, especially for a smaller-marker team, doesn’t seem like a great investment. But it does show Lillard that the Blazers want to compete for a playoff spot next season. Grade: C

■ Kyle Kuzma stays in Washington for $102 million. It appeared the rebuilding Wizards would allow Kuzma to walk in free agency and continue the dismantling of their roster. Yet days after acquiring Jordan Poole for Chris Paul, the Wizards brought back Kuzma on a four-year contract. The Wizards hope Kuzma and Poole will form a new dynamic duo and their supporting cast of previous lottery picks will provide depth. Kuzma is an emerging player who has flourished at times and management had to show the fan base they weren’t tanking. Grade: B

■ Khris Middleton back to Milwaukee for $102 million. There was initial concern when Middleton opted out of the final year of his contact at $40 million that he would perhaps seek a more lucrative deal on the open market. Instead, Middleton agreed to a teamfriendly extension for three seasons, meaning he will be back as Giannis Antetokounmpo’s frontcourt mate. Middleton has dealt with injuries the past few years, but the Bucks are hoping that at age 32, he has high-level basketball left. The contract also ensured the Bucks are going to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference and not take a step back under new coach Adrian Griffin. Grade: B+

■ Bruce Brown to Indiana for $45 million. Brown, a Dorchester native, is the definition of betting on yourself. He believed he would receive a lucrative contract last summer but instead signed a two-year, $13 million deal with the Nuggets with a player option. He helped the Nuggets win the title and then cashed in on a shocking two-year deal with the Pacers, who had plenty of money to spend. Brown will become the Pacers’ starting shooting guard and play a major role after emerging as a reliable defender and shooter in Brooklyn and Denver. Brown, a former secondround pick, gets a 300 percent raise for his patience. Grade: B

■ Cam Johnson remains in Brooklyn for $108 million. The Nets wanted to ensure that their return on Kevin Durant would stay in Brooklyn long term. Johnson teams with Mikal Bridges to offer the Nets major hope after the franchise gave up on its star-chasing ways. Johnson is a strong defender, reliable 3point shooter, and is still relatively young. There was talk the Pistons considered Johnson their main free agent priority, but the Nets struck first and are moving toward putting together a quality roster for the long term. The stars may have bailed on the Nets, but they have enough talent to become a factor in the Eastern Conference.

Grade: B+

■ Lakers get Gabe Vincent for $33 million. The Heat knew they would likely lose Vincent and Max Strus in free agency, and Vincent joined the Lakers for their mid-level exception. Vincent was an effective shooter and floor leader during the Heat’s improbable run to the Finals, and it became apparent the Heat couldn’t afford to sign him to a long-term deal. Vincent becomes the Lakers’ starting point guard, replacing Dennis Schröder, who signed a two-year contract with the Raptors to replace VanVleet. The Lakers also brought back Rui Hachimura with a three-year, $51 million contract. Grade:

■ Draymond Green remains in Golden State for $100 million. There had been speculation that Green would consider signing with the Lakers or even the Kings. But coach Steve Kerr saying weeks ago that it was essential for the Warriors to bring Green back was an indication that Green would never leave. He opted out of the final year of his contract for the express purpose of signing a long-term extension that will cover the remainder of his career. It also indicates the Warriors have every intention of making one or even two more runs at another championship. Grade: A

■ Mavericks bring back Seth Curry on a two-year deal. The Mavericks are trying to build a quality core around Irving and Luka Doncic, and adding Curry helps. He had some productive years in Brooklyn but seemed out of place in Philadelphia. Now he will be one of the first guards off the bench in Dallas and provide quality shooting. The Mavericks are trying to take steps toward respectability after essentially tanking the final two games to avoid the playoffs and improve their chances of keeping their first-round pick. Curry is a solid pickup for the biannual exception and gives Jason Kidd another option off the bench. Grade: A