The Biggest Moves in NBA Free Agency (So Far)
Introduction
I will be honest and say that NBA free agency this year has been disappointing to say the least. Moves have been made across the league, but the main storyline revolving around the Brooklyn Nets has come to a screeching halt. Still, I decided today was a good day to get back to some basketball content and talk about the biggest moves made in free agency, so far at least.
The Minnesota Timberwolves
Rudy Gobert needed to leave the Utah Jazz without question. What I do question is his decision to go to the Timberwolves. I’ll start with the positives first. A team with DLO, Anthony Edwards, KAT, and Rudy Gobert in the starting lineup is insane. You have two guards with potential to be elite (unfortunately DLO is still loading), and two dominant bigs who can stifle almost any big in the league. You have great size with this lineup, and Karl-Anthony Towns gets a chance to play the stretch big who can shoot instead of a dominant paint presence like Gobert. From the looks of things, the Wolves got much better than they were last year. However, the Gobert trade came at a cost. That cost being their entire bench and future. Beasley, Beverly, Kessler, Vanderbilt, and Bolmaro (a non factor) are gone as well as four first round picks. Yes, the T-Wolves have a much better starting lineup now, but their entire bench is depleted. I would not be so hard on this if they still had money to spend for role players, but I doubt that since they are giving 420 plus million to KAT and Gobert. On top of that, the team has no draft future once their current stars age and possibly leave the organization. This was certainly the biggest move made so far, and ironically this was the move that killed Kevin Durant’s chances at getting a trade.
The Hawks
Atlanta is cooking something now that they have a big three. A big three of Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, and John Collins along with Capela and Bogdan could very well be a team that can make a deep run in the Eastern Conference. I am still annoyed that the Hawks did not fully utilize Cam Reddish, but that is neither here nor there. Atlanta also has a great coach in Nate McMillain, and a decent enough bench to make a statement like they did in the 2021 playoffs. On top of that, Murray only cost them Gallinari (which might haunt them) and a few first round picks. Atlanta got an elite guard duo in Trae and Murray, and possibly a ring in the future for the city of Atlanta.
The Celtics
As a Boston Celtics fan, I am more than pleased with the moves we made this free agency. They got the ball handler they desperately needed in Malcolm Brogdon and that extra bit of depth they needed in Danilo Gallinari. The problems I said they had with playmaking in the clutch throughout the post season should be eradicated with Malcolm Brogdon, and Danilo is a major upgrade from Daniel Theis. If they somehow pull off that Kevin Durant trade, I will be heartbroken that Brown is leaving, but let’s be honest, they get Kevin Durant. Still, I would rather see this squad stay together and try and run it back again. I for one think Boston could win it all next year.
The Warriors
Losing Gary Payton II and Otto Porter really hurt the Warriors this off season. Fortunately in the span of a week they got Donte DiVincenzo and Jamychal Green in return, which is arguably better than what they had. They also retained Hakeem “Kevin Looney” Olajuwon, and are expected to extend Wiggins, Klay, and Poole as long as the finances work out. James Wiseman also looked great in the summer league along with Moody and Kuminga, so next season their rookies will also be much more experienced than they were this title run. I point to game 4 of the WCF to show how good that young core of the Warriors can become. Turning a 30 point deficit into a single digit deficit (and would have swept the Mavericks had Kerr not subbed in the starters) is something that would be a challenge for any NBA team. Golden State also drafted more snipers in the draft this year, which was very on brand.
Joe Tsai
Joe Tsai saw how much Rudy Gobert cost the Timberwolves and decided to become the most nonnegotiable GM in the league. In his mind if Gobert was worth an entire bench, four first rounders, and a pick swap, then Kevin Durant must be worth at least 8 first rounders and two superstars. So far he shut down the Ayton trade, the Jaylen Brown trade, the Ingram trade, and in Kyrie’s case is shutting down the Westbrook and THT trade. What is shocking about this is that Joe Tsai is asking for the most insane (yet fair) trade packages for his stars that they will have no choice to stay. Instead of relenting and giving them what they want, he is holding Kevin and Kyrie accountable to finish what they never even started in Brooklyn. Yes, this team was one injury away from an easy NBA Finals trip, but after one sweep this year against Boston, they both decided to call it quits. Joe Tsai is not settling for anything less than an entire roster for Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving, and I think he knows that he is not going to get it. He knows that no team will trade away their entire future for Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and their two stars will be forced to stay on the ship they built and finish the journey. If that really is the case, then Joe Tsai is playing chess, not checkers.
Final Thoughts
As I mentioned before, free agency this year has been quite dry mainly due to the main storyline not being resolved. What I will say though is that these five teams among others have made moves that put them right where they need to be. The Bucks also retained everyone successfully, and the 76ers picked up P.J Tucker, which is major for both teams. That will do it for me today though, and I will “see” you guys in the next one.
