Free Agency
So, offseason Free Agency just wrapped up. No earthquaky moves likely to shift the foundation of the league like in ’10, ’14 or ’19, but still some decisions to breakdown. I’m not going to recite the laundry list of moves that can be found on Woj’s Twitter Feed. Instead, I have a few teams / players I think are worthy of airtime.
Lakers / Nets: The anticipated final of the teams who didn’t make it past the second round.
To be clear, LeBron is my favorite player / NBA entity, and there isn’t a close second. So, the Russell Westbrook trade? Oh my god…I was not excited when I got this ESPN Notification. No denying Westbrook is a future hall of famer, arguably the most athletic player to put on an NBA uniform, and an incredible basketball mind…but there is a reason why my brother, cousin and I have called him Rusty for the past 5 years. He can’t shoot and his decision-making makes me roll my eyes at least 10 times a game. I would’ve much preferred Buddy Hield. Although, I don’t think Hasan Minhaj and the other 25 Sacramento Kings fans are losing sleep over not getting Kyle Kuzma. Regardless, talent is talent and either way the Lakers are still likely to be playing in Staples in June…but Rusty? Seriously?
Anyway, the other half of the NBA’s most national TV games this season: The Brooklyn Nets. No question they are the clear favorites on a pure roster-basis. No super-splashy moves, but maybe one of favorites of this Free Agency Class: Patty Mills. An absolute steal and I would argue the most valuable available non-star. The ideal relief point guard with a great stroke and ability to mesh with anyone. He’s the prototypical Aussie, and ideal hype man who will help balance out all his non-smiling teammates in Brooklyn.
One more thing on the Nets: Kyrie Irving. Kyrie has been one of my favorite players since he came into the league; mesmerizing to watch. But is it just me or is he not that killer we saw in 2016 when his passion was unquestioned, and he just seemed happy? He doesn’t have that same feel anymore. Don’t get me wrong, his philanthropy and work off the court is admirable, but the basketball player Kyrie seems to have lost some life…and likes to take a lot of PTO.
Kawhi Leonard: The stone-cold fun guy.
Kawhi is easily a top-five talent in the league. He is also probably the most cyborg-like personality to ever enter the league. Let’s have a look at the facts: 1.) Subtly forces his way out of San Antonio after being absent from his team for over half the season 2.) Gets traded to an extremely talented team in Toronto and they go on to win the chip 3.) Opts to leave that same team to go to the most disrespected franchise in the history of professional sports (I know he’s an LA guy, but the Clippers? C’mon) 4.) Karma catches up to him for that move as, in classic Clippers fashion, his first two seasons there are busts. Continuing, the west is even more stacked now and the talent on his team is just not enough. I was thinking, and even hoping, he’d leave this year. And what a destination Miami would’ve been. Sure, it’s not LA…the weather is just nicer. Even more, he’d be playing for one of the most respected franchises in the game, who, like him, care only about basketball. Maybe he was afraid of passing their physical, but that team and their non-facial expression mentality seemed like the perfect fit. He could’ve joined Pat Riley, the Bobby Axelrod of the NBA. But instead of working at the league’s Axe Capital, he chose to stay as the star manager at the NBA’s off-brand grocery store in Los Angeles.
P.S: Bobby Axelrod and Axe Capital are Billions references. Please do yourself a favor and find an influencer’s Showtime promo code and go watch.
Portland Trail Blazers: The always reliable playoff exit.
As usual, not many major moves coming out of the Pacific Northwest. I guessed we retained Norman Powell on a value deal. Granted, Free Agency is never really a thing in Portland. But there didn’t even seem to be much chatter around trades being executed either. Sense of urgency really needs to pick up because every non-Blazer fan wants to see Dame request that trade. And Dame has been as vocal as ever that this team is just not enough, and making Norman Powell-like moves are not going to cut it. Bigger moves need to be made; all players not named Damian Lillard need to be on the market and a moving CJ-like deal is a must. For some reason Neil Olshey likes to just keep playing the pass line and is okay walking away even after countless hours at the craps table. But he really needs to throw some money on hard 8 and look for a couple big rolls. Otherwise, just do Dame a favor and give him a chance to truly compete at a high level; blow it all up and hope for another 6th overall pick in the near future.
Other Worthy Mentions
Chicago:
The Bulls made some “exciting” moves with getting a few headlinish names sure to land them a few more Thursday night TNT guarantees from Chuck. Still a likely first round out.
Phoenix:
Incredible playoff run from the Suns. I truly thought they were going to win it all after going up 2-0 on the Bucks in convincing fashion. Their only hole was depth at center, and they filled that with the always entertaining yet very valuable JaVale McGee. So long as Book and Ayton keep making their leaps, I expect them to be a top 3 seed in the west and compete for a chip.
Dennis Schroder:
I guess this is a steal for Boston, but I wanted to mention it because it’s more of a massive embarrassment for Schroder, at least in the short term. He turned down a max extension from the Lakers (that would’ve been tradable) and ultimately ended with just a mid-level exception on a mediocre team. Talk about not doubling down on 11 when the dealer is showing 16.
