NBA’s free agent interval formally started Sunday, the primary time groups may formally make new signings. Whereas it was comparatively sluggish in comparison with different years, we have now already seen All-Stars and NBA champions altering groups within the first few hours. Listed below are 5 takeaways from the primary day of NBA free company.
1. Groups are being cautious with long-term offers for veterans
One development operating via free company to date is that gamers have settled for short-term offers. James Harden, 34, bought $35M per yr from the LA Clippers, however just for two years. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, 31, bought $66M from the Orlando Magic, however just for three years. Jonas Valanciunas, 32, bought three years and $30M from the Washington Wizards. It additionally seems that Paul George and Klay Thompson determined to go away their outdated groups partly as a result of they weren’t supplied sufficient years — Thompson turned down a two-year extension final summer time.
Maybe that is an impact of groups deciding older gamers are an excessive amount of of a danger, or of groups being unwilling to reward their very own declining gamers for previous accomplishments, as a substitute of future potential. However throughout the league, groups appear inclined to supply extra money per yr, for fewer years.
2. Daryl Morey’s long-range plan could also be paying off
Philadelphia 76ers workforce president Daryl Morey has been very cautious with the workforce’s cap house for this summer time, filling the roster with gamers with expiring contracts to create as a lot cash as potential to reload the workforce. Which may be paying off, because the Sixers added high quality depth items in veterans Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon on Sunday. In addition they could also be one of many few remaining groups who may give George a max contract.
The Clippers weren’t in a position, or probably unwilling to maneuver George earlier than he opted out of his contract for subsequent season. That limits his market to groups who’ve the wage cap house to signal him, and that market is dwindling with the Clippers giving up on him and the Magic utilizing house so as to add Caldwell-Pope. The Sixers may not have been George’s dream vacation spot, however they would be the solely workforce left who could have max cash for him.
Morey deserves credit score for refusing to commerce James Harden for months, finally getting two first-round picks and a choose swap from the Clippers, whereas getting off P.J. Tucker’s wage. The tip end result could also be that their haul from the Clippers will even embody a freshly-signed George.
3. The Clippers made one other problematic signing
Final yr, the Clippers signed Joshua Primo, a former lottery choose launched by the San Antonio Spurs after Primo repeatedly exposed himself to a team psychiatrist. Primo ended up showing in simply two video games for the Clippers, however the workforce confirmed a scarcity of care about his misbehavior. Now they’ve signed Kevin Porter Jr., who’s one other guard with an unsightly previous.