Less than 24 hours into NBA Free Agency, and it was already a free for all. Kyrie Irving was set to renounce his $37 million player option and head out the door to test the unrestricted waters. Given that his teammate Kevin Durant only came to the Nets because Kyrie was going there, it seemed obvious to all that he too would shortly be on the market. But Kyrie did not renounce and instead took his one year player option with the wackiest tweet of all time and so we expected that Kevin Durant would stay put. Then, in the strangest twist of fate yet, Kevin Durant asked for a trade!
As you can imagine, 29 GMs across the Association got out their rosters and telephones and tried to come up with a deal the Nets couldn’t refuse. 5 days later and still no movement, only rumours of deals that don’t pass the sniff test and a confirmation that Durant being on his way means that Irving is also, just with his tidy player option in hand.
What about the Raptors? I say no deal exists between the 2 teams that makes sense for both. The Nets are going to want Scottie Barnes and both Jim and I say no. As well, Durant will be 34 when this campaign starts, not the 27 that Kawhi Leonard was when Masai scooped him for DeMar DeRozan. And no offense to DeRozan, but he’s no Scottie Barnes.
Other big news is Rudy Gobert is on the move from Utah to Minnesota. It seems it was either he or Donovan Mitchell and apparently, Utah values Mitchell more. No idea why Mitchell didn’t want to have Gobert around any longer, but in exchange, he will have new teammates. Although there are those who suggest that Mitchell could be on the move as well.
Jalen Brunson’s playoff performance for the Mavs got him a $100 million plus deal for 4 years with the Knicks, which almost guarantees he’ll never be successful now given the jinx effect the Knicks seem to have. PJ Tucker left the Heat for the 76ers, the Warriors lost both Otto Porter Jr. to Toronto and Gary Payton II to Portland, Malik Monk bailed on the Lakers for the Kings, John Wall parachuted into the Clippers and many less meaningful moves we won’t cover here.
Who’s left
James Harden – Very unlikely he’s going to do anything except sign a long term deal in Philly, but technically, he’s available
Deandre Ayton – For whatever reason, the Suns aren’t interested enough to offer Ayton big money and so far, no one else has either but I suspect it’s got more to do with waiting on Durant to land than a lack of interested parties. Expect him to be snapped up quickly after that, if not before.
Collin Sexton – Cleveland has already spent big money this offseason on a guard, tying up Darius Garland for several seasons. So far no big offers have been tendered for the RFA but again, teams may be waiting on Durant and Irving.
Montrezl Harrell – Not a difference maker and facing drug charges. Will someone take the chance?
Carmelo Anthony – Not exactly an A-lister anymore, Melo nonetheless is looking for another home.
DeMarcus Cousins – Denver secured DeAndre Jordan on the first day of free Agency sending a message that Boogie is looking for a new home. No longer an impact player, expect a small market team looking for some name recognition to pick him up to help fill seats.
Caleb Martin – Likely to be re-signed by Miami but they are in the hunt for Durant and unlikely to pull the trigger on Martin until the dust settles.
Dennis Schroder – Fading, had a shot with Boston last year and didn’t make the trade deadline. Someone will give him another contract, but it won’t be big and it won’t be long.
Miles Bridges – (Jim Here) Arrested last week, it couldn’t be worse timing. Not that great a chance Charlotte resigns him and he could be on a wallet-depressing deal. Same thing as Ayton, though, not a lack of interested teams.
Let the Durant sweepstakes continue! I mean let free agency continue. Right after Durant signs…nevermind.