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The NBA does a good job with free agency. In fact, the NBA has done a good job with off-season stuff being captivating enough to be the only other league aside from the NFL that gets any really notable run for any of its events nationally when not in-season. In part, it’s compelling because one guy can change a franchise. In other parts, it’s compelling because even though the draft is the best place to find that sort of thing, free agency is like another version of the draft … only with money.
And then you have NBA front offices, which treat free agency like one of those scenes from “Clueless” where Alicia Silverstone is shopping with basically a blank check whether any of the purchases are necessary or not. So with the fortunes of franchises changing in a matter of days, everything gets over-analyzed and made to be more important than not.
For free, here are five of them, but first, one rule: don’t use the “it’s good value considering how contract money will go up with the new television deal.” Some folks act like it’s impossible to over spend on non valuable things when you’re coming into a windfall of money. That’s incorrect. After all, people buy high chairs for their freaking pets. That’s the definition of terrible spending no matter how much you have.
Also, overblown doesn’t mean “overrated” in this case, only that more was made of the signings than their value or eventual fit or impact indicates.
5. Rajon Rondo, Sacramento Kings, 1 year, $10 million
This time last year, Rondo was a lock for a max deal with any team in the league he wanted. Rondo is a supremely unique player, but it says a lot when your own team that boots you votes to keep your playoff share from you because you were being such a slug at trying hard like everyone else. This is a one-year career-rehab deal for Rondo with a team not ready to compete in the stacked West. It’s sort of too bad, because Rondo, when he’s right and what not, is so immensely talented that he’s a game changer on an upper crust team. Check back next off season.
4. Cory Joseph, Toronto Raptors, 4 years, $30 million
Considering Lou Williams seemed to want back in, plus opted for fewer years and less money elsewhere with the Lakers, this is one of those where you have a bee in your winter hat and figure it out halfway through the grocery store and start itching like a son of a gun. Hypothetically, and all. Numbers suck at showing full value, but $30 million for a guy who’s never averaged 7 points, 2 rebounds, or 2 assists per game over the course of his career seems a bit pricey. Seems like they paid for the Spurs logo that’s always been on the front of his jersey, which is one of those things that happens in every sport. Good for Cory.
3. Thaddeus Young, Brooklyn Nets, 4 years, $50 million
Granted, Young played only 28 games last year. But he only played 48 the year prior, and his averages have dipped in scoring the last three seasons all while playing for teams not even close to contending for anything noteworthy. So to rehash, Young is a guy playing on bad teams declining statistically that are not really improving, plus you have the unfortunate injury stuff. Seems like a steep investment considering all current things.
2. David West, San Antonio Spurs, 1 year, $1.4 million
I know this is sacrilege considering the national narrative, and it’s nothing against West personally for caring that much about winning to give that kind of money up, but this isn’t the thunderous signing it’s being made out to be. West is good for a limited amount of minutes and you don’t need to worry about off-court stuff with him. But he was noticeably sagging behind too often the last two years with the Pacers and sometimes gets wrapped up in calls. He’s not as perfectly fit for the Spurs fast-paced style as it’s being made out to be, but if you can get 10-20 hard minutes a night from him, it’s a win.
1. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat, 1 year, $20 million
There are worse things to be exposed to almost annually, like any movies with Kevin James in them, but let’s hope this dance between Wade and the Heat isn’t a yearly thing where Wade wants more money and fake acrimony leaks out and there’s this gasp that Miami basketball’s favorite son might actually leave over Pat Riley hard-balling him. Wade isn’t going anywhere and they’ll build a statue of him in Miami when he calls it quits. Riley will do everything he can to win one more with Wade on the roster before bowing out. And well, since it’s a 1-year deal … looks like we’re back here next year at least.
