NBA’s nascent free-agency market will be dictated by decisions of few elite players
NBA free agency is the real Midnight Madness. And when it tips off in the wee hours Saturday night into Sunday morning, LeBron James — who opted out of his deal in Cleveland — will be the puppet master running the show.
Like the Machiavellian mastermind Ford on “Westworld,” King James will have the entire NBA world under his command.
As one former Knick said on the red carpet for the “Uncle Drew” premiere: “He just needs to get it over with so the rest of us can get back to real life.”
James had until midnight Friday to decline his $35.6 million player option and did exactly that Friday afternoon. But James — as meticulous and prepared as any player in the league — had been maneuvering chess pieces long before that.
The Cleveland star reportedly texted Kevin Durant about joining him with the Lakers, and his reticence in deciding on that club heaped pressure on team president Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka to pull off a trade for San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard.
After being rebuffed, the Lakers reengaged Wednesday, and ESPN said both the Lakers and Spurs expect any trade would lead to James heading to Los Angeles. James opting out essentially eliminated Houston as a landing spot and likely narrowed his choices to the Lakers, 76ers or staying put with the Cavaliers, either on a five-year contract or a one-plusone deal that puts us right back here next summer.
Based on the current projection of a $101 million salary cap, the Cavaliers can offer James a fiveyear, $207.4 million deal. Other teams are limited to four years and $152.3 million.
But whatever James decides will determine the NBA’s direction. He’ll exude control both seen and unseen, like Ford running his robots.
Whom do the Lakers land?
They’re in the middle of everything, with the cap space to land two max players. James is the top prize, with the Thunder’s Paul George also a target. But they may have to get Leonard first to pave the way for King James. It hasn’t been easy.
As much as Leonard wants out of San Antonio, the Spurs aren’t about building somebody else’s superteam. If Gregg Popovich — national treasure that he is — can be short with the media, one can only imagine his reaction when the Lakers first called about Leonard.
According to ESPN, Los Angeles was willing to include Brandon Ingram and a first-round pick, but the Spurs demanded a “far more complete haul” of picks and young players. Kyle Kuzma? Lonzo Ball? Who knows.
With James wanting to decide early in free agency, the Lakers are on a clock, even if San Antonio isn’t. Would he go to L.A. on his own, King James with no knights — at least until Leonard
could join him as a free agent next summer?
Will George, who has seemed headed home to Hollywood for two years, stay in Oklahoma City? He told the Thunder he was opting out but still could ink a fiveyear, $176 million extension or a one-plus-one and go back on the market in 2019.
And if the Lakers land just one — or none — would they punt and re-sign restricted free agent Julius Randle, who conceivably could get an offer from Brooklyn if the Nets clear cap space? Or would L.A. be patient enough to wait until 2019? After all, Johnson vowed to quit if he can’t bring in stars by next summer.
Ainge’s assets and Philly’s Process
Boston general manager Danny Ainge could probably flip a cup of coffee and a half-used MetroCard for an unprotected first-rounder. But with Trader Danny still holding a treasure trove of assets, will he finally cash them in? After the Lakers got rebuffed for Leonard, would the Celtics go all-in to land a top-five player?
The Celtics are engaged with the Spurs, but they haven’t discussed giving up Jaylen Brown, according to the Boston Globe, and are tenta- tive due to Leonard’s health and unwillingness to commit to staying in Boston more than a single season.
Philadelphia has nearly as many assets and even more cap space, enough to sign James outright. If the Sixers stand pat, they’ll have to make decisions on Marco Belinelli, Ersan Ilyasova and former Nets target J.J. Redick. If they end up not getting James or any other elite free agent, one can’t help but wonder how much ex-GM Bryan Colangelo’s Twitter scandal cost them.
Bad luck for Boogie?
There was a time DeMarcus Cousins was a lock to get a five- year, $188 million max deal, then came a devastating torn Achilles tendon that brings up questions about his fitness for next season. Now the worry isn’t just how explosive his temper is (he feuded with coach George Karl, fought with teammate Donte Greene and unfollowed his own team’s Instagram), but about how explosive his body will be.
ESPN cap expert Bobby Marks speculates Cousins could have to settle for a two-year make-good contract. Considering his presumed landing spot in Dallas could get taken by DeAndre Jordan, who will it be from?
Darkhorse Dallas
Give the Mavericks this much: They’re out of tank mode.
After trading away a 2019 firstrounder to move up and get Euro wunderkind Luka Doncic on draft night, they still have a hole at the 4/5 spot, which f igures they would go the freeagent route (Cousins, Randle, Derrick Favors). But now according to multiple reports, they’re looking into the Clippers’ Jordan, who opted out of his deal Friday.
Guess they talked over that 2015 fiasco and hugged it out.