BALLSTON SPA, NY – Did you know that NBA teams spent over $2.8 billion this weekend on their newly… well, future/newly-signed free agents? However, it’s not all that bad in the grand scheme of things and this week, I’ve decided to dedicate my Hot Takes to one timely topic for today’s One Big Thing – NBA Free Agency.
While I understand some of the deals that have been agreed upon this weekend are pretty insane and jaw-dropping, especially Timofey Mozgov’s four-year, $64 million contract, you have to take the NBA in as a whole.
Yes, guys like Mike Conley, Kent Bazemore and Mozgov are getting deals they probably don’t deserve, but this is the state of the NBA. Teams only have to roster 15 people, unlike the NFL which rosters 53 men. So people who have gripes with some of these new deals and how it relates to the NFL are just comparing apples to oranges.
Another point I’d like to bring up is Kevin Durant.
As of midnight, the superstar hasn’t decided on his next team yet. To me the decision is easy. Choose Oklahoma City.
Yes, Golden State is the easy road to a championship, but the NBA these days is about legacy, and Durant will play second fiddle to Steph Curry.
Durant had Golden State beat in the Western Conference finals, and there’s no reason why he couldn’t do it again. Not to mention guys like Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston and Andrew Bogut are all getting older, not to mention all are unrestricted free agents in 2017. Plus, it’s possible Harrison Barnes isn’t back this year.
Not much of a fan of Durant choosing Boston, either. Maybe I’m salty that Al Horford choose them over Atlanta, but they have the worst of the trio. Their starting lineup doesn’t intrigue me. I like Isaiah Thomas and I’ll always have a soft spot for Big Al, but come on, Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder? Please. This current Celtics roster is no better than this past year’s Atlanta Hawks team.
Also, I find it funny how the entire NBA family now considers Horford a star. In 2015 when the Atlanta Hawks blew the NBA world away, they were the team that didn’t have any “stars.” Now, Al Horford is a “star”? Are you kidding me? I always saw the star in Al Horford, but why is the NBA just catching on now? Come on now.
As far as Oklahoma City goes, the Thunder stole from Orlando in the Serge Ibaka trade, pulling in some great young talent. It’s a comfortable, and very appealing, option. Why not give this one last run with Russ Westbrook?
That’s all for now. Check back next week for my set of blood-pressure-raising Hot Takes!
