Why You Care: In any other summer, a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade would be the story of the offseason, dominating headlines and shifting the balance of power in the league. Heck, LaMelo Ball moving teams is a big deal in its own right. Now? Old news!
Even before free agency officially opened, the spotlight was shifting. The biggest story, of course, revolves around LeBron James informing the Los Angeles Lakers that he is ready to bolt for another team. I'm sure the Lakers front office is thrilled they drafted his son and let his contract guarantee before LeBron shared the joyous news.
Kawhi Leonard a Raptor? What is this, 2018? But that appears to be where we are headed, with the Clippers in serious discussions to send Leonard back to the team he led to an NBA title. I don't blame Toronto for seeing the third-seeded Knicks conquer the Eastern Conference and think it's time to get back in contention. But it's also funny that Leonard, who was previously traded to the Raptors, won it all, and still couldn't be convinced to stay, all of a sudden is desperate to get out of LA for the Great White North again. Almost like if he flees, the NBA will forget all about the Aspiration kerfuffle because Canada isn't in its jurisdiction. Hey, maybe it'll work.
Jaylen Brown of the Celtics has been involved in so many trade talks that Boston will now have to trade their second star because of how much they've talked about trading him. Surprise surprise, teams aren't quite lining up to deliver a haul in exchange for Brown, probably because it's so well-known he's availableβ¦which is why he's now available! It's a vicious cycle.
Will Anthony Davis find his way back to LeBron's side? The Washington Wizards, his current employer, say no. I know this sounds oxymoronic, but please be smart Washington β Davis will turn 34 next season and has played 70 games in a season just three times in 14 tries. If LeBron makes his new team trade for The Brow, take what you can get for him and move on.
Draymond Green declined a player option for next season in what appears to be a willingness to take a pay cut in order to free up space on the Warriors' cap balance. What will Golden State do with those freed up dollars? Some have gone to Kristaps PorziΕΔ£is, and some are surely earmarked for LeBron if they can lure him north.
I can't help but recall the New York Knicks, who employ a few stars but no true superstars. All this jostling over the sport's biggest names is, in one way or another, teams trying to hunt down the champs. Meanwhile, the Knicks finally stopped chasing headlines and got rewarded with rings. Go figure. |