July first, an ominous tone cries out as the clock strikes midnight and a deafening silence softly falls upon the anxious. Who wants who and with what priority? Just as the pressure cooker that is free agency begins it’ slow boil, the telephone rings, calling out and offering the promise of brighter horizons. What interloper beckons, likely presenting prepared persuasion, promising premier possibilities. Is the investigator friend or foe? The only certainty is that the landscape has begun it’s unstoppable shift. Free agency is under way and, alas, we have only just begun.
Much unlike recent off seasons, where a small handful of players have held the league hostage as they selected their preferred destination, the 2015 free agency window has opened with a bang. Deals have been made, extensions have been signed and boy have salaries raised. Let’s break down the key signings thus far, their implications and the big movers and shakers still on the board. (In no particular order of course, we keep it loose here at Off Court Issues.)
Lamarcus Aldridge: The top of the heap of the 2015 free agent class. A terrific low post scorer, rebounder and perimeter shooter, all wrapped up in a 6’11 frame, ready to help your franchise compete for a championship. Every team with cap space would love a meeting with the Dallas native and many have actually achieved confirmation. Don’t hold your breath. Despite meeting with the Lakers first out of the gate, there is little chance that Lamarcus will not be taking his talents to the Alamo city. Once the Spurs traded Tiago Splitter to the Hawks, Aldridge’s signing was all but assured. Get ready San Antonio, you’re competing for another championship starting now.
Kawhi Leaonard: The Spurs wasted no time in resigning their best player to a five year $90 million deal. Clearly, the parties involved were mutually interested and there was little to discuss. Good for Kawhi, remaining the centerpiece of the best organization in the league.
Danny Green: The Spurs were also able to retain three and “d” specialist Danny Green on a four year, $45 million dollar deal. The Spurs were able to sign Green for below market value. With the best coach in the NBA, the Spurs can offer stability and greater potential success, than all of their contemporaries.
Tim Duncan: Nope, nothing breaking here, he hasn’t signed yet. However, with the retention of Leonard and Green, the blatant, welcomed courtship of Aldridge and Duncan’s existence as the absolute rock solid face of the franchise, he ain’t goin’ anywhere. Despite his recent financial issues, look for Timmy to take a team friendly deal. The arguable best power forward ever, just wants another ring and to go out a champion.
Jimmy Butler: The Chicago Bulls forced Butler’s hand by extended him a max deal early on, giving him little to no leverage in the open market. The Chicago shooting guard agreed to a five $95 million deal, that is good for both sides. Butler is a superstar in the making and Chicago will be fortunate to have him. It’s important to note that Butler rejected an extension to begin the season, betting on himself. A bet that absolutely paid worthwhile dividends.
Kevin Love: The Cleveland Cavaliers were able to retain the 6’10 UCLA product for five years and $100 million. Cleveland would have been crazy to not offer Love the max. What’s surprising is that the power forward was willing to remain on a team with such a crowded front court and play third fiddle to Lebron and Kyrie. It was widely speculated that Love would opt to sync his contract with Lebron’s, not wanting to remain in Cleveland longer than the all time great. Love will have to wait and see if he has chosen wisely, or if he will be left stranded in one of the least desirable NBA markets.
Tristan Thompson: The marquis player in the aforementioned crowded Cleveland front court. Rumors are circulating that Tristan will be resigning with the Cavs, no surprise since he is a favorite and client of de facto gm Lebron James. Thompson had a stellar finals, leaving fans nationwide questioning the difficulty of offensive rebounding, Cleveland would be foolish to lose him.
Iman Shumpert: Whoooh, Dan Gilbert is spending that Quicken Loans cash! Shumpert signed a four year $40 million deal to keep the shooting guard in Cleveland. On it’s face, this looks like a drastic overpay, but with the looming salary cap raise, it’s difficult to differentiate a good deal from a terrible one. For a team that will easily be over the cap, this is the type of deal Cleveland is better off making, rather than risking losing the player completely. (Look for the Cavs to overpay J.R. Smith as well.)
Lebron James: Maybe you’ve hear of this guy, he’s decent at basketball. Lebron falls so far down on the list of relevance for one reason alone. We all know he’s staying in Cleveland. His brand would never survive the catastrophic assault brought about by abandoning his home state for a second time. Lebron will sign a short term deal, ensuring that he gets the most money possible when the escalated cap takes effect. Once the cap raises, whatever Lebron earns, it isn’t enough. Mr. James has this business of basketball thing pretty much figured out.
Anthony Davis: Not a free agent, but the announcement of his five year $145 million extension comes as a surprise to no one. Be thankful Pelicans fans, you have the soon to be best player in the NBA on your roster. Davis is the patriot missile of basketball weapons and will dominate the pro basketball landscape for years to come.
Goran Dragic: Miami signed Dragic to a five year $90 million deal, a fair payout for the widely underrated point guard from Slovenia. Pat Riley rarely makes poor decisions and he has continued that trend with this signing.
Dwyane Wade: Ahhh, good old Dwyane. He wants to stay in Miami. Miami wants him to stay. Both of you stop wasting our time and get a deal done. Neither of you are stepping away from each other. To play arbiter, Miami: you have vastly underpaid Mr. Wade for his career, as he has enabled you to sign players beyond your reach; Mr. Wade: Miami would like to pay you for future contributions, not past, You are frequently injured and, while you remain a sensational player, your consistency of injury leaves us at least slightly concerned. Meet in the middle, we all know it’s what’s happening anyways.
Marc Gasol: The Spaniard isn’t taking meetings. He has literally relegated his free agency to negotiations with one team. The Memphis Grizzlies, his current team. Applause is in order, they fit each other perfectly, therefore, no more need be said.
Deandre Jordan: See above. No, not as in you the reader; see above, as in Deandre, see above. That is how you should handle your business. The Clippers fit you, you fit them and they appreciate you and your shortcomings. We all know Chris Paul can be annoying and he gets under your skin, trust me, elsewhere, the grass is not greener. The Clippers will absolutely be competitive this season and you will only enhance the process and success.
Paul Pierce: The truth just walked in the door! Paully Sizzle is heading home and repping the Clippers under the leadership of his old friend Doc Rivers (Look here Deandre, these are reasons why shoud stay in LA.) Pierce fits the Clippers like that comfy old glove that reminds you of your carefree childhood, providing you with a bold, unwavering sense of security. Old man Pierce is for real and his presence off the Bench for LA’s better team makes the Clips a real force out West.
Draymond Green: Speaking of the West… (Turns attention to the current NBA champions…) Sign the man! We all know Draymond isn’t leaving, he wants to stay, the Warriors want to keep him. Cut to the press conference.
Demarre Carroll: The former Atlanta small forward cashed in. The Toronto Raptors, a hard sell franchise in free agency, opened the check book and got a solid player. Carroll signed a four year $60 million deal. Steep numbers and a clear overpay, seems to be the name of the game for free agency from here on out. Toronto is clearly upgrading it’s roster, but to invest that kind of money in a player with only one real standout year, could end as a cautionary tale.
Paul Millsap: The Magic tried to lure him away, but the Hawks reeled him back in. Millsap will forever go down as an unsung hero of the NBA, a valuable player, always lacking fan recognition and appreciation. This, however, does not prevent the power forward from being a positive contributor. This seems like an overpay by the Hawks, but more so a risk by Millsap, foregoing the extra years in place of future availability in exploding cap space free agency.
Brandon Knight: The Suns locked up their point guard to a five year $70 million contract. Knight is a good player, though concerns linger about his sustained productivity, Phoenix targeted him when they traded Goran Dragic away this past season, a trade they woefully lost. They must see something in the point guard worth investing heavily in. Brandon Knight is a solid, contributing player, hopefully this will not be a regrettable decision.
Khris Middleton: The Bucks retained their 23 year old forward on a five year $70 million deal. With an extraordinarily strong, youthful core, the Bucks made the wise decision to continue on, looking to develop and be exceptional for years to come.
Tobias Harris: It’s special shoutout time! Not because Harris is that desirable of a player, he’s short of a surefire superstar looking for the ideal, nurtured scenario to grow and learn. Rather because he is the only real available free agent this off season. Immense speculation surrounded this free agency window, their was much belief in the fluctuation of power in the NBA. Thus far it has culminated in a meager burst of smoke, seeing most players stay put and others moving to lesser basketball scenarios, for greater financial reward. This is it Tobias, you are the one. Numerous teams now want you that 48 hours ago did not. Take your pick and leave fan bases convinced you are the difference maker. Is this what free agency has become?
