Thoughts running through my head I refresh ESPN.com...
After a month and two extensions, the NBA moratorium has finally been lifted. Starting
on July 1, teams were able to talk with free agents and explore various trades. Until the
collective bargaining agreement was officially signed, however, free agents could only make
verbal agreements and trades could only be agreed upon in principle. But all of that's changed
now that the papers have been signed, and over the past two weeks, teams have been calling press
conferences left and right.
So which signing and trades have had the most impact? Here's a look at some of the
offseason trades and free agent signings.
Ray Allen – Re-signed with Sonics Anyone get the feeling that Allen is kicking himself for committing to a contract so soon?
Big Ray decided to commit to a max deal with the Sonics without knowing who his head coach would
be, and which of his teammates would return. Now he's stuck in Seattle without Nate McMillan
and without Antonio Daniels. Then again, they did sign Rick Brunson (that's a joke, by the way).
The Sonics still have a pretty good team, but I wouldn't expect them to contend for home court
advantage next season.
(Then again, I wrote them off before last season and we all know how that turned out, so
I guess anything's possible.)
Michael Redd – Re-signed with Bucks After entertaining the thought of joining the next Michael Jordan in Cleveland, Redd
ultimately decided that being in the cold and eating cheese for the rest of his life was more
important. I can't fault Redd for this move though; no one knows if Lebron James is going to
stick around after his rookie contract, and no amount of money would entice me to want to be
stuck in Cleveland with guys like
Drew Gooden for the next 5 years.
Instead, he gets to watch Andrew Bogut become a bust over the next 10, so I guess there's a
trade off.
Bobby Simmons – Signed with Bucks (via LAC) Simmons won the Most Improved Player award and got himself a big contract to boot. Not bad
for a career journeyman who couldn't get minutes until last season. He should work well with the
Bucks alongside Desmond Mason and Redd. If T.J. Ford can come back and provide a little
consistency at the point, the Bucks just might get back to the playoffs.
Jerome James – Signed with Knicks (via SEA) You have to hand it to Jerome James. He had one solid playoffs series against an injured
Brad Miller and he turns it into a five-year, $30 million contract from Isiah Thomas. What are
the Vegas odds on him signing his big contract and going back to being the real Jerome James?
You've got to love Thomas though. Can't believe Larry Brown wants to coach the Knicks and their
34 guards and 47 forwards. Oh well, at least Larry got his ring!
Cuttino Mobley – Signed with Clippers (via SAC) You're telling me the Magic sacrificed giving
Cuttino Mobley a five year deal worth
$42 million for a headache and cancer they can't even move? This was a huge mistake on the
Magic's part from day one, but whatever (I've already made my case). Mobley could contend for
an all-star spot in the West next season because he's going to get all the shots he wants in LA.
(By the way, Elton Brand,
Corey Maggette, and Mobley are a
pretty good nucleus to build around. Even in the West. If Shaun Livingston can prove to be a
consistent point guard after an injury plagued rookie season, the Clippers could surprise a lot
of teams next season. Then again, Chris Kaman plays center, so maybe not.)
Kwame Brown – Traded to Lakers (via WAS) So let me get this straight. Kwame Brown wasn't mentally tough enough to handle Doug Collins
and an old Michael Jordan constantly in his ear, but he's willing to go to the Lakers where
Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant (who's in his prime) are going to run him down for the next three
years? On top of that, Brown went virtually unscathed by the Washington media. How's he going to
handle being in LA? Trust me, this is going to end badly. Very badly.
Donyell Marshall – Signed with Cavs (via TOR) This was actually a very good signing by the Cavs. They desperately needed outside shooting
and Marshall does just that. Marshall's career was headed nowhere before he had that brief stink
with the Jazz. Now he's rejuvenated and should take a lot of pressure off of Lebron. This move
also makes
Drew Gooden expendable, and that's
always a good thing. If the Cavs don't make the playoffs next season, James is guaranteed to
leave.
Dan Gadzuric – Re-signed with Bucks Six-year, $36 million. That's six-years, $36 million. By the way, he averaged 5 points and
5 rebounds last season.
(Shaking head in disappointment)
Shareef Abdur-Rahim – Signed with Nets (via POR) Another good Eastern Conference signing. The Magic were actually interested in Rahim, but
couldn't promise him a starting spot so he opted to play with Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and
Richard Jefferson. Smart move on his part, actually. Of course, if his knee doesn't hold up, his
signing will be a disaster. But if he can play, the Nets could pose one of the strongest
starting lineups in the East (at least on paper).
Stromile Swift – Signed with Rockets (via MEM) One of the most underrated signings of the offseason. Swift has been itching at a chance to
prove he's a consistent player in this league and now he gets to play with
Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. Along with
McGrady, the Rockets are going to cause a whole lot of problems for teams. Houston is going to
be the one team out West that no one wants to play.
Damon Stoudamire – Signed with Memphis (via POR) Rumored to sign with the Rockets for weeks, big Dame decided to push Jason Williams out of
Memphis. This deal, coupled with the acquisition of Bobby Jackson, and the Grizz have quietly
had a pretty good offseason. They get rid of a cancer (Bonzi Wells) and gain a lot of depth at
point. Eddie Jones brings defense and leadership, and a rotation of Stoudamire, Jones, Battier,
Gasol, and
Mike Miller should be a very athletic,
fun team to watch.
Bonzi Wells – Traded to Kings (via MEM) Speaking of Wells, the Kings never seem to skip a beat. They gladly parted with Mobley,
acquired Bonzi Wells, and got rid of an awful contract (who signed Greg Ostertag to that big
deal anyway?) Sacramento's championship window has been bolted shut, but the Kings will continue
to compete for a playoff spot.
James Posey, Jason Williams, and Antoine Walker – Traded to Heat (via MEM and BOS) Talk about the rich getting richer. After coming within one game and one major injury (to
Dwayne Wade) away from advancing to the NBA finals, the
Miami Heat have decided to put all of their eggs
into one basket, and go for the gold. Why else would they stack their team full of talent? I
honestly think this was a pretty good deal for the Heat. They get Posey, Williams, and Walker,
and only have to part with an aging Eddie Jones and filler. The big question is whether or not
Heat head coach Ron Jeremy (sorry, Stan Van Gundy) can get Williams and Walker to sacrifice
shots for defense. If he can get through to them, the Heat have to be the favorite to...nah, I
still like the Pacers in the East.
Keyon Dooling – Signed with Magic (via MIA) I've been told by the masses here that I have to decrease my pessimistic attitude toward the
Magic, so in fairness to them and the Magic, I will not comment on this move. I just have one
question: Would you want two
Steve Francis' (erratic, ball hogging,
emotional player) on your team? At $10 million over three seasons?
