Black Friday is the craziest shopping day of the calendar year. Shoppers, brave cold temperatures, and camp outside department stores to be the first in line when the doors are open. The shoppers do their research beforehand on the items they want to buy, where they are located in the store, and allow them to snag them first. On Friday, June 30, 2023, 30 NBA franchises will embark on a shopping frenzy during free agency. Teams have spent the past few months doing an audit on what they need, researching the market on which players fill those needs, and now they are ready to pounce by signing deals at 6 pm ET. In this article, we answer the top 5 questions ahead of Free Agency.
5. Who are the teams that could blow it up or go for it?
The NBA has achieved unprecedented parity when compared to its past generation. It’s not a coincidence that there have been no repeat champions in the past five years. The parity will move some to ponder whether to sell or to make some moves and go all in. One of those teams facing that conundrum is the Toronto Raptors, who have a few players teams would crave including OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam. Masai Ujiri has a notorious reputation for being a hard bargain, and he will expect to make a killing for one of his prized possessions. If the Raptors decide to keep their stars, then, they will attempt to keep Fred Van Vleet and Jakob Poeltl. Another team that could fit in this category are the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls failed to make the playoffs last season, but I would be shocked if they decided to rebuild despite the disappointment. A team boasting Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan cannot just decide to give up, and so the early indications are that this will look to contend. Another indicator that this team is serious about contending was the 3-year, 60-million-dollar extension given to Nikola Vucevic on Wednesday. The Brooklyn Nets have a core of Cam Thomas, and Mikhail Bridges look like a team who are a veteran star piece away from contending in the more wide-open Eastern Conference.
4. Will Draymond Green Stay in the Bay?
Draymond Green is one of the most polarizing players in the league. Fans are divided on his contributions to the Golden State Warriors championship dynasty. I see Green as the heart of this Warrior team because he anchors the defense, sprays the ball to the open player, and makes winning plays. Also, he functions as the enforcer for the team, by getting into the head of the other team and taking the pressure off the Splash Brothers. However, Green enters the off-season as an unrestricted free agent, and some other teams in the league may feel he brings the leadership, intangibles, and playmaking that their team needs. Among those teams are the Sacramento Kings with the available cap space and a max player slot. Green could find the team appealing because former assistant coach, Mike Brown, is the guy on the bench. Another reported team interested are the Portland Trailblazers, who want to appease Damian Lillard and build a quality team around him. Yet, it is hard to imagine Green skipping town at this point since the team traded Jordan Poole after their altercation in last year’s training camp. I think Draymond will stay with the Warriors.
3. Where will Kyrie land?
Kyrie Irving is a top-tier talent in this league. However, his reputation has taken a hit due to his unavailability for games and support for a racist film. The Dallas Mavericks decided to shake up last season by acquiring Irvin. It seemed a dream scenario to pair Irving and Luka Doncic, but it became a disaster. The Mavericks went 5-11 when both superstars were in the lineup, and the team eventually failed to make the playoffs. Despite the downturn, Kyrie averaged 26.9 points, 6.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds with the Mavericks. Kyrie appears to be limited in off-season destinations, and the two logical spots are the Lakers or a return to the Mavericks. At this point, the reports indicate that the Lakers will be looking to resign their players, making the Mavericks the best spot for him to return. I think Kyrie will return to Texas for at least another season.
2. What will James Harden do?,
James Harden failed once again to propel his team to the title by falling flat in a Game 7 loss to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Sixers decided to fire Doc Rivers after this horrendous playoff loss. Harden will face a big decision this offseason whether to resign with the Sixers or to return home to the Houston Rockets. Both teams have the necessary cap space to sign the Bearded One, but the Sixers would represent Harden’s best chance to win this year. The Rockets are a young team, but adding Harden would not make them championship contenders. I think Harden will choose to return to Philadelphia to team up with Embiid and new Head Coach Nick Nurse.
1. Will Dame Time Run Out in the Rose City?
It is the storyline that is discussed the most heading into free agency whether Damion Lillard will get traded. Lillard would love to win a championship in Portland, but the franchise has failed to build a championship squad around the superstar. Lillard has given his franchise this offseason to prove whether they will live up to their promise. The dream scenario reportedly for Dame is the team resigning Jeremy Grant and acquiring Draymond Green. I think Grant will sign a bigger deal elsewhere, which means he is likely gone. Also, it is hard to imagine Draymond in a Blazers uniform which could jeopardize the retirement of his jersey in the Bay. Ultimately, I see Dame cutting a trade with the Miami Heat, forming a quality trio with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Lillard may regret not making a move sooner if he ends his career without a ring.