Free Agency Could Be Lackluster
After all the hype of free agency, some of the NBA’s top players being unrestricted and teams like the Knicks, Clippers and Lakers trying to strike it big and get some pieces to help them rebuild and get a ring. But after some injuries, trades and rings, this free agency could be lackluster and have nearly no moves at all.
The Warriors: The Warriors have 3 big free agents this summer, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and Demarcus Cousins both being unrestricted free agents. Klay Thompson playing lights out through the first 5 games of the NBA Finals, and having 30 points through 3 quarters in Game 6. Then he landed awkwardly and tore his left ACL. This could keep Thompson out for the rest of next year meaning that no team would want to pay him lots of money not to play and he could just settle for whatever the Warriors offer. Kevin Durant, who injured his calf in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Houston Rockets. He was out until Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors. KD was playing well, 11 points on 3/3 from the 3 point line. Then, trying to crossover to the middle, planted his right leg and came up hobbling. The Raptors fans started to cheer at Durant’s injury, which was pretty cruel, but they were emotional and in the moment and I don’t blame them too much. Durant tore his Right Achilles, a injury that will most likely keep him out for next season. So, he could just opt in to the contract extension that the Warriors offer him, canceling any plans of going to New York and teaming up with Kyrie Irving and whoever the Knicks choose at pick #3. Demarucs Cousins might be fed up of not getting money and playing time and could take his talents to places like the Lakers who are in desperate need of a center, or Atlanta, who looks to build around Trae Young and John Collins.
Kyrie Irving: Speaking of Uncle Drew, this All-Star point guard was also due for a max deal this summer. After losing to Giannis and the Bucks in 5 games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Kyrie now had time to focus in free agency. Kyrie has been rumored to go 3 teams, The Knicks, the Nets and the Lakers. The Knicks had the most rumors circulating around it with him and KD both going there to team up. Now that KD is hurt and might stay with Golden State, Kyrie may not want to go to New York on his own. With the Nets, they have lots of good role players, with D’Angelo Russell leading them, but with the experience of Kyrie Irving leading them, they could be a force in the east. The Nets made a trade a about 10 days ago, trading Allen Crabbe, the 17th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and a lottery protected 2020 first round pick to Atlanta for Taurean Prince and a 2021 second round pick. This move by the Nets clears up $18 Million dollar in cap, giving them $46 Million dollars to work with in free agency, enough for a max deal. The downside of them signing Kyrie, would be less money for D’Angelo Russell, who is also an unrestricted free agent. Russell could take one for the team and play for less money, or go somewhere else where there is more money.
Kawhi Leonard: After winning his 2nd ring and Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard may not want to move away from Toronto and back home to Los Angeles to play for either the Clippers or Lakers. The Clippers have been the team that has been out for Kawhi, but after a ring under his belt, Kawhi may be hungry for more.
