We’re not even 24 hours into NBA Free Agency, and the drama is at an all-time high. Kevin Durant dropped an atomic bomb on the NBA community by requesting a trade out of Brooklyn. The Knicks somehow signed Jalen Brunson a week ago. The Pacers traded Malcolm Brogdon to the Celtics for a bag of peanuts.
The NBA is more dramatic than the hallways of a high school. Here are my somewhat organized thoughts on NBA Free Agency so far what has transpired so far.
Kevin Durant Wants Out Of Brooklyn
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller describing the last two seasons for the Brooklyn Nets.
When things go from this…
to this…
in the span of two seasons, the word “roller coaster” does not do it any justice. Circus? Disappointment? The word I’ve settled on is failure. The Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving partnership failed. Both star players pushed for James Harden, and the Nets mortgaged their future to create a “big three.” On paper, it was a genius move. However, Harden wanted out after one season, and now both Kyrie and KD want out.
Is Kyrie the main reason behind both Harden and KD’s exits? Perhaps. Did getting swept by the Celtics make matters worse? I think so. Whatever the reason might be, Owner Joe Tsai and GM Sean Marks did everything in their power to accommodate KD, but now they’re left with their pants on the ground as one of the greatest players to ever play this game wants out with four years remaining on the contract. That, my friends, is not good!
So where does Durant end up? Phoenix is the logical answer because they could send Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, and a boatload of draft picks and pick swaps to Brooklyn. You can never count out Pat Riley and the Heat. The man who has been spot-on about every Nets rumor, Brian Windhorst, said teams need to watch out for the Utah Jazz.
Brian Windhorst just ran the First Take desk in circles. They were hanging on his every word for 2+ minutes
— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) July 1, 2022. Absolute masterclass. pic.twitter.com/Q1vn6mD9iz
I’m interested to see if the Nets move KD or Kyrie first, and then convince the remaining member to stay. This will be an interesting weekend, to say the least.
Jalen Brunson Becomes A Knick
It wouldn’t be a Dan Girolamo article (yes, I referred to myself in the third-person) if I failed to mention the New York Knicks. Jalen Brunson agreed to a 4 year, $104 million contract with the Knicks.
Jalen Brunson and the Knicks have reportedly agreed to a 4-year contract worth $104M.
— theScore (@theScore) July 1, 2022pic.twitter.com/z3jLE1kek5
To my Knicks fans, do not take out your frustration with the front office on Jalen Brunson. Make no mistake about it, Brunson is a good player. To save your mental health, I will not include the list of Knicks’ starting point guards over the last 15 years. It’s not good. Brunson will be the best option at point guard for the Knicks for well over a decade. For being only 6’1″, Brunson is very crafty in the lane while shooting over 37% from behind the arc. Now that he’s the true number one point guard, he should be able to average around 20 points and 6 assists.
Brunson is only a piece. The team-friendly deal puts the Knicks in a good situation for the future. They need to make more moves, but Brunson is a nice piece.
Good Moves
– Malcolm Brogdon to the Celtics – ROBBERY.
– Kyle Anderson to the Timberwolves – This league! The new rivalry between the Grizzlies and Wolves is getting spicy!
– Joker signs the supermax – Not enough money.
– Zach LaVine re-signs with the Bulls – Personal pick. I can’t quit Lavine.
– Bobby Portis re-signs with the Bucks – Good for morale.
– Victor Oladpio re-signs with the Heat – Take the flyer on the “bet on yourself” player.
Bad Moves
– Royce O’Neale to the Nets for a first-round pick – What the hell?
– PJ Tucker to the Sixers – Good for this year, but how about in two years?
– Mitchell Robinson re-signs with the Knicks – I love Mitch. He earned this deal. However, I’m not crazy about $60 million. Was $48 million not an option?
– Lonnie Walker IV to the Lakers – Your guess is as good as mine.
– Juancho waived by the Jazz – Fuck this.
To Be Determined
– Dejounte to the Hawks while the Spurs openly tank – Only time will tell.
Enjoy the best soap opera on television, the NBA offseason! I’ll leave you with this masterclass segment from Windy.
What is your biggest NBA Free Agency storyline? Leave your answers in the comments below.