These Boys are talking about Money! Go and get your Money boys. That is right, it is NBA Free Agency time, and we all know what that means! It's time to collect. Some major players in the NBA such as Corey Maggette, Baron Davis, Gilbert Arenas, and Elton Brand have decided to opt out of their contracts. They are ready to go and get some more cash, maybe with the same team or maybe with another.
There is one big problem, THERE IS NO MONEY! Of course I am being over dramatic, because the NBA soft cap allows teams to go over the cap to resign free agents from their team. The NBA also supplies each team with veteran exceptions and one mid level exception (which is the NBA average salary around 5.5 million).
Baron Davis surprised everyone including the Warriors by leaving 17.8 million dollars while people like Shawn Marion and Ron Artest know that sticking around for one more year may make a bigger pay day next year. Maybe these guys aren't about money then, maybe they just want to win? Well lets talk about some major free agents and where they have gone, could go, or who is interested.
Elton Brand and Baron Davis: There is alot of talk in the West now because Golden State and the LA Clippers could actually have money. With Maggette gone and Brand opting out, the Clipps could actually sign Baron Davis first, then sign Brand after. Both would take a lower salary this year, but in the end would be making alot of money with raises each year.
Davis could go back to Golden State, but do they want him back? Maybe not. Brand will get attention from Philadelphia, who may not have enough money to pull Josh Smith from Atlanta. He could be that power post up player they are looking for. The latest word while this article was being written is that the LA Times is saying that the Clippers were on the phone all day and could be getting close to a deal. The years seem to be the hold up.
James Posey: The second most popular free agent? He may be, everyone wants a bench defender who can shoot. Posey may have made his case in the NBA finals this year by his stellar play and hustle. Is he a starter? Maybe, but not for the whole season, he is best played off the bench and in crunch time.
Who is interested? Well the Lakers were a James Posey away from winning the championship. They only have a mid-level exception to offer though, will 3 years 20 million be enough? It may be a little larger than that. (Note that teams over the cap can use that mid-level and extend a long term deal using yearly increases that would be about a million dollar a year raise each year.)
Josh Smith:
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6 months ago
Article Updated July 6
6 months ago
Good stuff man
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