Post by somerandomguy on May 27, 2014 18:46:38 GMT
You can thank these guys for giving this free agent class the hype it received, just don't expect any of the three to ditch their current team for yours.
Atlanta Georgia 2012--- This free agent class was by far the most talented free agent class in recent history. Big names were all over the list of players looking for a new contract despite players being allowed to resign before hitting the free agent market. You had players such as LeBron, Wade, Melo, T-Mac, Yao, Amare, Dirk, Duncan etc etc in this free agent class who could have gone to any team (and some of those listed still can). A majority of teams who didn't have these players saved up the cap space to go after them and try to convince atleast one star to go to their team. This of course hurt the teams that saved a ton of cap space, offered a majority of the stars on the market a deal only to get turned down and forced to look at other less appealing options. We'll go more into detail about who those teams are. For now, let's look at the winners and losers of the first two days of free agency.
Winner: The teams breathing a sigh of relief
This might be obvious to the majority, but it is still worth mentioning. The Raptors, Spurs and Bulls all held their breath (sort of) while waiting to hear where their star player(s) were going to sign. All three of LeBron, Wade and Carmelo decided it was best to stay put and get that extra 5th year on their contract. Now all three teams can plan ahead knowing that their best player is locked up for the next 5 years. The three teams are all obviously locked into their players at the moment though maybe Chicago can get some wiggle room in a couple seasons depending on how they approach the Gilbert Arenas and Josh Smith situations. But for the most part, they all seem to be pretty stable franchises at the moment and that may have played apart in the 3 players decision to stay.
Losers: The "why did I save money again?" crew
There are three teams that completely struck out in free agency so far, the Cleveland Cavaliers, LA Lakers (surprisingly) and the Houston Rockets. All three teams salary cap ranges from 27 million to 45 million, yet these three teams didn't pay a cent in the first two days. Houston in particular could have cleared a little more salary to sign all three of LeBron, Wade and Melo while still keeping rookie Andre Drummond and John Wall. But Houston obviously didn't go that route nor should they have because they didn't even get one of the stars. The Lakers could have fit two max players as well to go along with Griffin and Lillard and unlike Houston they had a decent supporting young cast around there supposed big 4, surprisingly the stars didn't fall for Hollywood. The Cavs could have even brought back LeBron James and signed a good supporting cast around Kyrie/Klay/LeBron/Robinson. But in my opinion, the only way LeBron James will ever consider the Cavaliers is if they get back to back #1 overall picks. If that were to ever happen and LeBron just so happened to become a free agent right after the Cavs made their back-back picks, LeBron James would sign with the Cavs in a heartbeat, even if he had won the championship the year before. Hell his team could three-peat, and he would still sign with the Cavs if that did in fact happen.
Anyways, there's atleast two good things going for these teams, all three of the teams have a young big two that they could rely on now and going forward. All three of these teams suppose star players are 24 or younger. They're obviously in a great financial situation as all three are under the cap floor anyways, and there's still alot of free agency left to go.
Also as sort of a side note, the Seattle Supersonics had max cap space with Bosh and Durant and maybe hoped to form a big three of Bosh/Durant and someone else. But the difference between them and the other three teams. One of these teams has both Chris Bosh and Kevin Durant, the other three..... do not
Winner: Phoenix Suns
they obviously come out with the biggest steal in free agency, this was a team that went 51-31 last season by the way, so not only do the Suns get to keep Danilio Gallinari who got 1st all NBA and 1st defensive honors last season as well as Lenardo Barbosa, but they also managed to bring back Amare Stoudemire who they had for 3 seasons before trading him to Chicago. The Amare they let go back then is vastly different from the Amare they signed today. For one, while in Chicago Amare won the championship and finals MVP honors in 2008. At Amare's prime age of 29, he averaged 25 points 12 rebounds (5th in scoring, 3rd in rebounds) and a block last season with the Spurs, you can't help but get excited about this Suns team who were a game away from the conference finals. The Suns however still have some work they need to do, for one they need to bring Ricky Davis back they also need to find a replacement big for Andrea Bargnani who left the team for the Pistons. If they can do both then the Suns maybe the best team in the west and may even have a shot at a title this season.
Winner: The Chinese
You hear that America? We owe the Chinese another 39 million, fortunately for us Americans, the NBA is willing to pay for it. But why do we owe the Chinese more money you may ask? Well you may have heard of this freakishly tall Chinese guy named Yao Ming. Ya, the really tall guy, no way you could miss him. Well he just signed a 39 million dollar two year deal with the Hawks. Why is that such a huge deal you may ask? It actually isn't that big of a deal, I was just trying to get you to read those last few sentences (you can go ahead and stop reading now if you want). Anyways, Yao Ming signed a pretty large contract with the Hawks and although he averaged 25 points 11 rebounds and a block and a half a game he is 32 years old and his best days maybe behind him. However Yao could still play at an all star level for the Hawks and maybe help them push for the playoffs. It was a bit of a surprise to the league, the Hawks just came off an abysmal season and were expected to sit the season out while hoping for another loto pick. But instead they decided to sign Yao Ming who will obviously contribute to wins. It's rumored though that the Hawks have no interest in next years draft. So instead of sitting on their hands going for a loto pick that could bust, the Hawks instead decided that this could be the year they get back to the playoffs after two seasons of missing it. The nice thing about Yao's deal is that it's only 2 years, so the Hawks could make a push the next two years and then dive right back into free agency again, assuming they structure their salaries accordingly.
GM's seem to be weary of McGrady after a season slump with the Pistons
Loser: Tracy McGrady
T-Mac seems to have fallen out of the superstar club and the first two days of free agency proved it, McGrady could not sign a deal with any team in the first two days. It's likely because of his decline from once being a 30 point scorer. Not only has his points per game gone down to exactly 21 a game, but McGrady put up career lows in all three percentages that measures shooting. And at 33, it's very unlikely he'll ever get back to what he once was and may just keep getting worse. You would have to wonder if even the Pistons want him back next year as they may want to go younger after signing Nicolas Batum and Andrea Bargnani. For now, Mcgrady just has to hope that not only could he get a max contract (he might still get it) but that he could also get enough financial security to retire after a very expensive contract. I did mention some teams earlier with tons of cap space, so maybe one of them will sign McGrady, but if all 4 decide they want to stay young (or in Seattle's case, go with a different vet) then McGrady may have to settle for less. It is sad to see a player with so much scoring talent diminish, but that's just how the sport is, great players come and go all the time.
Winner: Darko Milicic
Darko finally inks a deal that isn't a 1 or 2 year deal. Milicic managed to sign a 38 million 3 year deal with the Wizards after years of signing shorter deals with previous teams. Darko has actually been on 5 different teams in 5 years being one of the more curious journey men in the league (3 other teams while on his rookie contract by the way). Now with the Wizards he can finally get some stability and not worry about his next deal. It's too bad they couldn't give him a fourth year after what he's gone through, but they might just go ahead and give him a 4 year deal when he's 30 if he proves to do well in Washington. The Wizards actually have a pretty nice team after a very bad season last year prior to winning 50 plus games the year before last years. Darko along with newly acquired Al Jefferson form the frontcourt with former MVP Caron Butler, Josh Childress and Goran Dragic playing on the perimeter. The Wizards will need to solidify their bench a little better, but as of right now, they look like they're in pretty good shape.
Loser: New Jersey Nets
How on earth do the Nets sign a point guard to an 44 million for 4 year contract when the point guard averaged 6.5 assist and 3 turnovers last season and only scored 16 a game last season? Surely the Nets could have done better then that, what's worse is the Nets already have two young point guards on the team in Jrue Holiday and Jeff Teague why did the team go out and spend so much on a point guard when they're real issue is their frontcourt? Atleast there is a chance the Clippers can match and they get the salary off the team. But even if this was a move in response to a possible expansion team next season, they could have thrown a long risky contract at someone else. They don't need Lawson very much, find a stop gap PG in free agency or through trade would suffice if they were really worried about the point guard spot. And that would have cost them way less then what they paid for Lawson. I'm not sure what the thinking was there.
Loser: Orlando Magic
wait, I can't talk about their trade with the Lakers in this article? Okay then moving along.
Winner: Any player that ever signs with the Utah Jazz
Now you maybe going "who would want to be in Utah"? Well let me stop you right there, the Jazz organization makes Utah look attractive by offering these large 1 year deals, players would just be idiotic to pass up, want an example? Look no further then this season when they resigned Kirk Snyder and Sasha Vujacic, now if not for the Jazz, I'm not sure these two could combine for 16 million in the next 4 years in salary earnings. But the Jazz have give Vujacic 7 million and Snyder 9 million for just a single year. The Jazz have been doing this for years and it's obvious why they are doing it to keep flexibility and maybe to use one of them as cap filler for a future trade and hey they did go to the finals last season so they're doing something right. But dam, why wouldn't you want to go to Utah if your being paid......... Your right, I think I should stop right there.
Loser: The Bobcats
Isn't Raymond Felton suppose to be in jail or something?
Loser: whoever decided to give Michael Beasley a 4 year deal
Seriously, don't you know what Beasley's going to be doing for the next 4 years with that kind of money? Your not going to see him at another game or practice ever again.
Anyways, that's our recap the first 2 days, there was alot of action from teams during those days, hopefully some of the losers can turn into winners in the near future despite whatever happened in this years strong free agent class that made them losers in this article. Hopefully this free agency will continue to be interesting as free agents such as Devin Harris, Tracy McGrady, Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki are still looking for teams.
