With the NBA Finals in the rear-view mirror, and the Boston Celtics winning their 18th championship, it’s now time to look ahead to the NBA’s off-season.
Teams can begin negotiating extensions with their own free agents immediately now, though the contracts can’t actually be signed until July.
A quick look at the Laker - Hurley fiasco. The Lakers offered money, glitz (storied franchise), Hollywood A-listers at court side and Anthony Davis. Lebron James - you say? Forty years old and not even a sure thing as a free agent. If some other team took a flier on son Broney, would LJ follow through on his desire to play with his son? Add to that, salary cap problems, no other players who look to step up, no point guard (Russell - please), no draft picks (55th second round if I remember correctly).
Hurley’s style as a college coach probably wouldn’t transfer well to a ego driven cabal of professional players (and their agents/hangers-on). He has a top five program at UCONN with a real shot at a third title. That’s a HOF level resume. His last two teams got even better as the season progressed (in all phases, especially defense). That’s a sign of good coaching and by-in by the players.
He was right to turn down the Lakers - basically a shell of a franchise with Denver, OKC, Minnesota, Dallas already ahead of them and other younger faster teams in the west about to pass them.
Pascal Siakam plans to sign for the max deal to remain with my Pacers.
The Bulls’ Alex Caruso has been traded to OKC for Josh Giddey.
The Bulls neverending front office mediocrity since forever is my punishment for all the Packers joy I’ve experienced. It evens the scales of fandom justice.
But seriously - the Bulls reportedly had an offer that included a top 10 pick before the trade deadline. Instead, we get play-in also-ran status. All these chuckles are making me almost miss Jerry Krause. And I’ll never miss Jerry Krause.
Knicks forward OG Anunoby has declined his player option for 2024-25 and will become an unrestricted free agent.
I hope he leaves. Screw the Knicks.
Speaking of the Knicks.
The Knicks better hope they’re still good in 2031. They gave up a metric SHIT-TON of draft capital for this guy. And he’s never even made the All-Star team.
The Pacers extended a qualifying offer to forward Obi Toppin, making him a restricted free agent.
I like Obi; he played very well for us in our conference finals run.
Two years in a row that the first pick in the draft is from France.
First four picks go pretty much just as expected by everyone.
Second and sixth picks are also from France.
Washington taking Sarr and Bub Carrington, and still another pick coming in the first round. Apparently got exactly the two players they wanted. Picked Coulibaly last year. Taking big swings. Gotta do something, they’ve been treading water in mediocre NBA purgatory for forever.
Mavs trade Tim Hardaway Jr and 3 2nd round picks to Detroit for Quentin Grimes, saving them about $12M (and getting significantly younger).
I only noticed because I didn’t know Tim Hardaway had a son in the league, and the sideline headline on ESPN just said “Hardaway” and I was thinking “No way Tim Hardaway is still in the league!”
Speaking of father son duos, Lebron and Bronny are officially the highest scoring father son duo in league history before Bronny even takes his first shot. Joe and Kobe Bryant are now second. I am not sure if they are the highest scoring family, that is probably the Barry’s.
The Hawks have traded Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans.
That seems like a steal. I think there are 28 teams fans right now thinking “we could have done better than that”.
The Clippers have released a statement that Paul George is not returning to the team. Reportedly he’s meeting with Philadelphia.
Chris Paul has signed a one-year deal with San Antonio.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has signed a three-year deal with the Orlando Magic.
Paul George has signed with Philadelphia. 4 years, $212 million maximum deal.
Great signings by Philly and Orlando. Not sure why Chris Paul wants to spend his twilight career years in SA, I thought he was 100% ring chasing.