Free Agency Part II: What the Hell is Going On?
I feel this should have been the warm-up video for Free Agent Season:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3CLc0IGstk
It feels like we are on the edge of a free agent explosion. Outside of Kyle letting the Raptor nation breathe easy, nothing has really happened yet and the pieces look like they are just lining up for craziness. Lebron wants a max contract and he is talking to other teams. Miami might be imploding and Phil's plan might be starting to make sense in New York. In the end, the second half of July might just be epic! Since I have been overloading myself on free agent rumors, here are a few of my insights and silly thoughts.
1. Lebron will not be with the Heat next year. (2014-2015)
I know Vegas does not accept bets like this but I feel it is a statement. I believe he is searching for a maximum contract and the NBAPA is on Miami's case for shaming him into taking less. Many people are afraid of this as it would mean a complete shift of power in the league. It would also mean the Miami fans that were leaving the playoff games early will just not show up to the games at all. If he does leave, look for Riley to pack his bags soon after.... maybe to become the President of the Lakers?
2. Anthony will resign with the Knicks and he will bring Gasol with him.
Pau has a great history with Phil and Fisher. I believe part of Melo's reason for making a trip to L.A. was to recruit Pau to the Knicks. I believe Gasol has his ring desires filled and would enjoy being part of the mega rebuilding process in New York. Marc Gasol is a free agent in 2015 and the two brothers have always wanted to play together. The Knicks goal this season is to re-establish respectability. If they can play hard and begin to use the triangle, it might get special in New York.
3. Chris Bosh is going home.
Not to Toronto silly! Look for Bosh to land in Dallas or Houston where he will be told to become the Bosh of old. No more floating around the three point line looking for his average shot; attack the hole and make it to the line. If he is with the Rockets, he won't need to carry the offensive load as much but Dallas will expect him to be a 20-10 guy. No more minuscule rebound numbers for RuPaul.
4. If the Cavs sign Hayward, they will regret it.
Don't waste your money on this guy! He is a modern age Tony Campbell. Someone has to score on a bad team but that won't translate into scoring on a good team. When you were bad, you saw your good players leave but do very little in their new landing spot; so don't fall for it! Just say no!
5. Avoid the Lance.
Learn from the Pistons signing of Josh Smith or the Knicks signing of J.R. Smith and avoid these knucklehead types. I am not sure what the Legend sees in him but he can do better elsewhere. If they have 10 million a year to waste on Lance, some type of Mike Miller/ Sean Marion/ Ray Allen combo might work. Get a couple of character role players and avoid the headache.
The difference between regular season action and free agent action is the timing. The regular season good stuff happens on the court but the off season stuff can happen anywhere. Sort of like the old WWE Hardcore Championship where the falls count anywhere.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNXvCAwwhhY
