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Free NBA Agency is the true madness of midnight. And when he gets away in the wee hours of Saturday night to Sunday morning, LeBron James – who has retired from his contract in Cleveland – will be the master puppet at the head of the show.
Like Ford's Machiavellian brains on "Westworld," King James will have everyone in the NBA under his command.
As one former Knick said on the red carpet for the premiere of "Uncle Drew": "He just needs to finish with us so we can come back to reality." "
James had until midnight on Friday to refuse his $ 35.6 million option and did exactly that Friday afternoon. But James – as meticulous and prepared as any player in the league – had maneuvered chess pieces well before that.
The Cleveland star reportedly sent a text message to Kevin Durant to join him with the Lakers and his reluctance to decide After being rebuffed, the Lakers reengaged on Wednesday, and ESPN said the Lakers and Spurs were not the same. were waiting for any exchange to bring James to the scene. Los Angeles. James essentially eliminated Houston as a landing point and probably reduced his picks to the Lakers, 76ers or stay with the Cavaliers, either on a five-year contract or a one-plus-one contract that puts us back here. Next Summer
According to the current projection of a $ 101 million salary cap, the Cavaliers can offer James a $ 207.4 million five-year deal. Other teams are limited to four years and $ 152.3 million.
But all that James decides will determine the direction of the NBA. It will exude control both seen and invisible, like Ford who runs his robots.
Who are the Lakers landing?
They are in the middle of everything, with the ceiling space to land two players max. James is the first prize, with the Thunder's Paul George also a target. But they may have to convince Leonard to open the way to King James. It was not easy.
As much as Leonard wants out of San Antonio, the Spurs are not meant to build someone else's superteam. If Gregg Popovich – national treasure that he is – may be short with the media, one can only imagine his reaction when the Lakers first called Leonard.
According to ESPN, Los Angeles was willing to include Brandon Ingram and a first-choice round, but the Spurs required a "much more comprehensive trait" of choices and younger players. Kyle Kuzma? Lonzo Ball? Who knows …
With James wanting to decide early in the free agency, the Lakers are on a clock, even though San Antonio is not. Was he going to Los Angeles alone, King James without knights – at least until Leonard could join him as a free agent next summer?
Will George, who seemed to return to Hollywood for two years, stay in Oklahoma City? He told the Thunder that he was opting but he could still extend five years, $ 176 million or a plus one and return to the market in 2019.
And if the Lakers land just one – or none – Would they be able to clear and re-sign restricted free agent Julius Randle, who could possibly get a Brooklyn offer if the Nets clear the ceiling space? Or would L.A be patient enough to wait for 2019? After all, Johnson has vowed to give up when he can not bring stars by the summer of next year.
Assets of Ainge and Philly's Process
Boston general manager Danny Ainge could possibly spill a cup of coffee. MetroCard half used for unprotected first round. But with the trader Danny still holding a treasure of assets, will he finally cash them? After the Lakers were pushed back for Leonard, did the Celtics go all-in to rank among the top five?
The Celtics are engaged with the Spurs, but they have not considered giving up Jaylen Brown, according to the Boston Globe. and are reluctant to want to stay in Boston more than a season.
Philadelphia has almost as much assets and even more space to capitalize, enough to definitely sign James. If the Sixers stick to the paw, they will have to make decisions on Marco Belinelli, Ersan Ilyasova and the former Nets target J.J. Redick. If they end up not having James or any other free elite agent, one can not help wondering how much Bryan Colangelo's Twitter scandal is costing them dearly . There was a time when DeMarcus Cousins was a lock to get a maximum contract of $ 188 million over five years, then came a torn and devastating Achilles tendon that raises questions about his suitability for the upcoming season. Now, the worry is not just how explosive his temper is (he's quarreled with coach George Karl, he's beaten up with teammate Donte Greene and did not follow the Instagram of his own team), but about the explosiveness of his body. Cousins speculation might have to settle for a two-year catch-up contract. Considering that his alleged landing spot in Dallas could be taken by DeAndre Jordan, who will he be?
The Boys Buyout?
If George pulls OKC, it seems inconceivable that the Thunder will not do it then buy Carmelo Anthony. And the Nets should enter into a buyout deal with Dwight Howard, who will then join the central pool. A veteran who can not play as he used to, and another who can not play well with others.
Darkhorse Dallas
Give as much to the Mavericks: they are out of the tank
After exchanging a first-round player from 2019 to climb on Luka Doncic, the prodigy child from the Euro, they still have a 4/5 hole, which means that they would go on the free road (Cousins, Randle, Derrick Favors). But now, according to multiple reports, they are looking into Jordan's Clippers, who pulled out his contract Friday.
Guess, they talked about this 2015 fiasco and hugged it.
The (Not So) Restricted
Not only do high-end restricted free agents rarely move, but they rarely produce dramas. This summer could be different.
No, teams do not need to hang their beads in fear that GM Nets Sean Marks will come to Germany with a huge supply leaf: Brooklyn has not big thing to spend and risk of spawning low until 2019. But at Clint Capela, Aaron Gordon, Zach LaVine, Parker Jabari, Randle and Marcus Smart, at least one of them is sure to To get a big enough tender sheet to make their team white.
Gordon is waiting to get a maximum bid and wants to stay in Orlando, but could get a great Indiana offer sheet. Parker's situation coming back from another torn ACL could have some intrigue. Randle's waiting game – and any potential interest of the Nets – has been discussed. This is only one of the countless moving parts manipulated by King James.
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