On Friday, the sports world was reminded that the NFL is the king of the jungle, but NBA players have the highest perch overlooking the kingdom. Yes, free agency began at 6 PM ET, and contract agreements were in place almost immediately. An interesting footnote that came to mind is just how much better NBA players wages are better when compared to their gridiron counterparts. Desmond Bane, for instance signed a 5-year 207-million-dollar extension which will make him more than 41 million dollars per year. Bane deserves the credit for getting better every year, and this past season averaged 21.5 points, five rebounds, and 4.4 assists as the third-best player on the Memphis Grizzlies. By comparison, Travis Kelce, a 2-time Superbowl Champion and 8-time Pro Bowler is playing on a 4-year deal worth $57.25M contract including $22.75M guaranteed, and an average annual salary of over $14M annually. Kelce deserves more money, but NBA rewards player get better pay given a 15-man compared to a 53-man roster in the NFL. It will sting top-tier non-quarterback NFL players when they see big paydays for the second or third-best players on an NBA team. Anyway, in the words of Jayson Tatum’s tweet, we “love seeing guys getting paid.” However, let us discuss three deals that I liked and hated from a wild free agency.
3 Deals I Loved
1. Draymond Returns-the Warriors faced an uncertain future following their elimination to the Lakers in the Western Conference Semifinals. At the top of the organization, Bob Myers decided it was time to resign as General Manager, and Mike Dunleavy was named his replacement. However, one of the big uncertainties for the team was whether Draymond Green would resign with the franchise. The trade of Jordan Poole gave early indications of a move that Green would approve based on the mistrust between the two players following their training camp altercation. Another indication that Green was staying on board the ship is the full support he gave Steph Curry and Klay Thompson during the televised golf event, the Match. The next day, Draymond signed a 4-year 100-million-dollar deal at the start of free agency. Draymond averaged 8.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in the 2022-23 season, but will likely make the Hall of Fame not based on the box score. It was good to see Draymond sign a fair deal based on market value, and now the trio gets to accomplish what rarely happens in the modern NBA by spending an entire career with one team and completing the dynasty with another ring or two.
2. Russell Westbrook-Westbrook is one of the most polarizing athletes in America among fans. Some fans love his ultra-aggressive and leave-it-all on the court basketball style. However, some fans feel that he stat pads for his triple doubles in the past, commits bad turnovers and overrated. Westbrook took flack for his unsuccessful stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, who failed to contend with Lebron James and Anthony Davis. However, Westbrook silenced the doubters by signing with the Clippers, and it felt as if the old Russell had returned by averaging 23.6 points, 7.4 assists, and 7.6 rebounds against the Phoenix Suns. With the Clippers having very little cap room this off-season, Westbrook agreed to return to the franchise on a two-year deal worth 8 million dollars. Of course, Westbrook could have gotten more money with teams like Charlotte Hornets or the Orlando Magic, but instead chose to remain with the Clippers. If this team can stay healthy for a postseason run, they are certainly contenders for the Larry Obrien trophy.
3. Austin Reaves and Derrick Rose Signings-the story of Austin Reaves was one of the many positives from the 2022-23 season. The undrafted Sooner skyrocketed from being a free agent, signing with the Lakers, filling a bench role to becoming a contributor as a starter during their deep run in the playoffs. Despite rumors of possibly getting a 4-year, 100-million-dollar deal, Reaves settled for a team-friendly-deal for 56 million dollars, and at that price, Austin is good value for money. It allowed the team to spend more on filling out one of the deepest rosters in the league and reward the former Sooner for his hard work. I also like the signing of Derrick Rose for the Memphis Grizzlies on a two-year deal. Rose is a former MVP and will be a solid backup point guard to Marcus Smart during the suspension of superstar Ja Morant. Rose will bring veteran leadership alongside Smart to a team that desperately needs it, and the Grizzlies will be bigger contenders because of the new duo.
3 Deals I Hated
1. Fred VanVleet overpaid- Fred VanVleet is one of the greatest NBA stories of a player undersized, undrafted whose hard work and dedication made it to the mountaintop. VanVleet became an All-Star and even an NBA Champion with the Toronto Raptors. However, at the start of free agency, few will disagree that a 3-year deal worth 130 million dollars is a massive overpay for the player. The Rockets had over $60 million in cap space, and decided to use two-thirds of it to VanVleet is a ridiculous overpay. Based on the new CBA, teams must use 90% of their cap space, but this deal was an exorbitant price, along with the next item below.
2. Dillon Brooks overpaid- Brooks had a reputation for being one of the best defensive players entering this season. However, by the end of it, his reputation had been sullied by antics, flagrant disrespect to Lebron James, and horrendous offensive performances. The Memphis Grizzlies felt his actions were so egregious that they put out in the media their clear intentions “to not resign the player under any circumstances.” Fans were mocking the player on social media that he would now be forced to play in China due to his shocking playoff performance. However, I think Brooks is a solid player who lost his way, but at the same time, he did not deserve a 4-year deal worth 80 million dollars from the Houston Rockets. I would have preferred it if they redirected the money towards signing Brooke Lopez which would have made them a playoff contender along with their wing players. The price tag puts a target on his back for him to prove he is worth the dollars and cents.
3. Jerami Grant-the Damion Lillard saga affected how the Portland Trailblazers approached free agency. One of his reported requests was that the team should sign Draymond Green and Jerami Grant in free agency. As mentioned, Green resigned with the Dubs, but Portland seemed to acquiesce to Lillard’s wishes by committing a 5-year deal worth 160 million dollars to Grant. Jerami is a good player averaging 20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in Portland last season. However, he is not worth a max extension, and the Trailblazers were duped into the move in their attempts to retain Dame, who has since issued a trade request. If Lillard had made the request before free agency, would the Trailblazers have looked to spend their money in another direction? I believe that would have been the likely outcome.