The NBA free agency is off to a chaotic start causing an extreme shift on many team’s rosters and for the first time in many years the championship race is wide open.
Headlining this year’s frenzy is the Brooklyn Nets acquiring Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. They both took less money so that they could also sign DeAndre Jordan. The Knicks were on KD’s list, but they made the choice to not give him the max contract, so they missed their opportunity on the future Hall of Famer. Although he is going to be out for a while with injury, Durant will still be an impact on whatever team he is on.
Next is the Lakers striking a deal with New Orleans to get Anthony Davis in trade. They are expected to offer him a max contract to play along with LeBron James. After carefully waiting to make his decision Kawhi Leonard chose the Clippers as his destination. He recruited Paul George to come with him. This then caused the Lakers to sign Demarcus Cousins and Danny Green after their failed attempt at getting Leonard.
The Nets and Warriors made an exchange after they got DeAngelo Russell in a trade. Klay Thompson is going to miss some of the season with his ACL tear in the finals, but Russell will be there to help out Curry after he had an All-Star season. The Warriors also made a wave in the league by trading Andre Iguodala to the Grizzlies for future draft picks.
Kemba Walker chose to leave the Hornets are sign a deal worth $141 million with Boston sending Terry Rozier to Charlotte. This is a slippery slope after Kyrie’s decision to leave.
Philadelphia also made some big moves this week by resigning Tobias Harris to a very large deal worth $180 million and also getting Al Horford from the Celtics. The 76ers have a very large team to go alongside Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid and they hope to rejoin the Eastern Conference race next season. Jimmy Butler is leaving their squad for Miami and JJ Redick has joined the Pelicans.
Portland quietly made a power move by acquiring Hassan Whiteside. He is an elite shot blocker and will go nicely with the CJ McCollum/Damian Lillard combination. Portland dished out Meyers Leonard and Maurice Harkless to complete the deal. Lillard also got a max contract extension worth $196 million which is the largest contract in NBA history.
For the first time in years the NBA does not have a clear cut championship favorite. There has been a very large shift in talent in the league. The Nets, Lakers and Clippers built a team this offseason that has launched them into this conversation. The Bucks, Warriors, 76ers, Celtics, Trailblazers, Nuggets, Rockets and Celtics remain as title contenders. The 2020 NBA season shall be interesting to watch and see which trades and signings will pay off.
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