LeBron’s signing has sent the 2014 free-agency period into a frenzy.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Whether you read LeBron’s letter to SI or not, three words were all it took —“I’m coming home” — for him to turn the basketball world upside down.
While I’d been suggesting that the Cavs trade Andrew Wiggins for Kevin Love in order to entice LeBron into returning, reading James’ letter to SI makes it clear that he’s ready, willing, and able to be a patient mentor for a team that he realizes may be a long-shot to win the championship in their first year together.
If the Cavs did opt to trade Wiggins for Love, there’s no doubt they’d be more of an immediate threat to win the championship. However, in a league that lacks considerable depth when it comes to elite two-way shooting guards, I can certainly see the argument for Wiggins being untouchable at this point.
Now that LeBron, Kyrie Irving and Wiggins seem set to be Cavs for the foreseeable future, they’ll be able to attract quality veterans via free agency for years to come.
It’s going to be a joy watching LeBron teach and push his teammates; seeing him reunite with Anderson Varejao, watching him lead the young players (Irving, Wiggins, Thompson, Dion Waiters, Anthony Bennett) and attempt to carry his professional-sports-championship-starved hometown-state to the promised land.
NEW YORK KNICKS
Carmelo Anthony took his time after making his rounds to the Rockets, Mavericks, Lakers, and Bulls, and he waited patiently for LeBron to make his decision. Ultimately, he agreed to stay in New York on a five-year, $120 million plus deal.
While the Knicks are in line for another rough season in 2014-15, if there’s anyone who can build a winner in the Big Apple, it’s Phil Jackson. It’s hard to argue for spending to keep Melo despite the fact that he’s already 30, as it’s certainly possible the Zen Master could begin to build something starting next summer (when Andrea Bargnani and Amar’e Stoudemire’s contracts expire).
PHOENIX SUNS
Phoenix watched Orlando steal Channing Frye, but they managed to swing a sign-and-trade deal for Isaiah Thomas while keeping restricted free agent P.J. Tucker, who I raved about in my Most Underrated Player On Each Lottery Team column.
Thomas will move into a backup role spelling Eric Bledsoe (so long as they’re able to retain their restricted free agent) and Goran Dragic. Whether you think Thomas is worth the four-year, $27 million for which he signed, he’s easily in the conversation for best backup point guard in the NBA along with Reggie Jackson entering the 2014-15 season.
Meanwhile, Frye bolting definitely hurts, but the fact that they were able to bring back Tucker on a three-year, $16.5 million deal was outstanding. Coach Jeff Hornacek has given endless praise to Tucker’s work ethic, and rightfully so. He’s developed into a Bruce Bowen-esque force, bringing veteran leadership, defensive toughness, and a knockdown corner 3-ball.
UTAH JAZZ
In the article Gordon Hayward’s Restricted Free Agency: Going Somewhere?, I broke down all of the factors involved in his restricted free agency, and as I suggested might happen, Michael Jordan made a strong push to pair Hayward with former Jazz teammate Al Jefferson. However, the Jazz ultimately did what they said they would do all along and matched the four-year, $63 million offer sheet. Utah could have had him for a few million per year less had they elected to extend his contract back in October, but now he’ll make more than $15 million per year.
Sure, they’re overpaying for Hayward, and this deal does leave the Jazz with minimal money to mine for more immediate help, but overall, I believe re-signing Hayward was a necessary move. Though they’re cash-strapped, they also don’t have a high likelihood of making the playoffs this year, and I can’t imagine them climbing into the top 10 in the West. As far as Western teams that I can realistically see the Jazz winning more games than, there’s the Lakers, Kings and Wolves (if they trade Love). This means they’ll likely have an early pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, enabling them to add another inexpensive prospect to their core of Trey Burke, Dante Exum, Hayward, and Derrick Favors.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
After acquiring Jeremy Lin and a first-round pick from the Rockets with Daryl Morey rushing to shed salary in their pursuit of Chris Bosh, the Lakers turned their attention towards signing a couple of their own free agents in Jordan Hill (two years, $18 million) and Nick Young (four years, $21.5 million).
I recently chose Hill as my most underrated Laker, but given his recent raise, he appears doomed to follow in the footsteps of Kris Humphries and make a seamless transition from underappreciated to overpaid.
Hill seems destined to earn a sufficient boost in playing time under…whoever the Lakers eventually decide to hire to coach the team (cough Kobe should be player-coach), if only for the purpose of sheer entertainment (which appears to be the only thing the Lakers will be good for in 2014-15 anyways…sorry Lakers faithful).
I have to say it makes me chuckle to think about Bryant being informed of these two signings — oh, the rage that must have ensued. I can’t blame Kobe for cashing in on his last paycheck, but that has played a part in the Lakers’ inability to build a competitive roster. Following a promising start to the offseason (drafting Kentucky’s Julius Randle), I have no clue what the Lakers are doing anymore.
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