Every free agency period is different, as sometimes superstars make shocking decisions to switch teams and other times we wait and wonder while key decisions are left until the dog days of July — or later. This time around, there’s one crucial name that everyone is waiting to see move (psst, it rhymes with Devin Kurant), and once that happens it’s sure to set off a chain reaction that will shape the league for the 2022-23 season. For now, though, let’s take a step back and look at six things we learned from the first weekend of 2022 NBA free agency.
1. It pays to be a superstar
Within hours of the official start of 2022 free agency on Thursday, NBA teams had already committed a total of more than $1 billion to five players. Yes, five players: Shortly thereafter, New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson agreed to a five-year extension that could reach $231 million with incentives. Reminder: Played 85 games (including no playoff appearances) over three seasons. All-Star guard Darius Garland, who has yet to reach the 70-game plateau in a single season, has agreed to a nearly identical deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The lesson is simple, however trivial it may have become. The NBA is a superstar league and it’s almost impossible to win without one. Steph Curry. John Antetokounmpo. LeBron James. Kawhi Leonard. Kevin Durant. These are just the last five winners of the title. To find a team that last won a title without a player you could consider a superstar, you have to go back to the 2004 Detroit Pistons. NBA teams know this, which is why we’ve seen such impressive numbers signed to players who could potentially be the best player on a title team. Get used to it, because those numbers will continue to grow. Jokic is set to make $61 million in 2027-28, the final year of the recently agreed upon extension. When the NBA negotiates its new rights deal after the 2024-25 season, it might be realistic to expect the league’s best players to take home more than $100 million a season by the final years of their contracts. Just crazy.
2. Trading is the new free office
Close your eyes and think back to the summer of 2017. It was a simpler time when NBA fans around the world were glued to their phones, laptops and televisions waiting to find out where the coveted free agent would take his talents. Gordon Hayward. First, it was revealed that he was signing with the Boston Celtics. This report was then denied. Then finally, on July 4, exactly five years ago, Hayward revealed in a Player’s Tribune essay that he was, in fact, headed to Boston. What an exciting ride. A year earlier, Kevin Durant made the free-agency decision that rocked the NBA universe and spawned a spontaneous meme that’s as relevant today as it was then. In recent years, however, free agency has lost most of its sizzle. Fixed player extensions and contracts (colloquially known as supermaxes) were designed to give teams an advantage in retaining their own superstars. The advantage has become so great, however, that it makes no financial sense for the player to sign elsewhere. Take Beal, for example. Had he opted to switch teams this offseason and decline Washington’s five-year, $251 million offer, his contract with another team could “only” reach the four-year, $185 million mark. You’d have to be disgusted with your city and absolutely hate your teammates to leave nearly $70 million in guaranteed money on the table. It makes much more sense to secure the financial windfall and then, if things don’t go well down the road, just demand a trade (because hello again, Mr. Durant!). That’s why there’s been so little credible buzz about any of this year’s top potential free agents — Beal, Zach LaVine, James Harden — actually leaving their teams. Until something changes in the CBA, you can expect most players to continue to re-sign and/or extend with their current teams and figure it out later, significantly deflating the frenzied free agent period. In its place, however, we have trade demands and blockbuster deals that rival, and perhaps exceed, the excitement that free agency brought. So we’re not exactly complaining.
3. The DC may never be satisfied
Unless you’re one of the seven people left in the world who haven’t seen “Hamilton,” you’re probably familiar with one of the production’s most impressive and revelatory numbers. As her sister is about to marry the protagonist, Alexander Hamilton, a wary Angelica Schuyler realizes that both she and Hamilton have a constant longing they can’t seem to satisfy. “And I know she’ll be happy as his bride,” Schuyler concludes. “And I know, he will never be satisfied. I will never be satisfied.” One of the themes of the musical is that the very drive and determination that allowed Hamilton to rise from humble beginnings to one of the most prominent figures in American history are also what prevented him from being satisfied with the accomplishments and accolades that has won. It’s easy to think that when you look at Durant, who requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets after signing a four-year, $198 million extension with the franchise less than a year ago. Murmurs of Durant’s displeasure reached a fever pitch when contract talks between Brooklyn and Kyrie Irving briefly stalled, but most expected Irving opting out of the final year of his deal to keep Durant in Brooklyn along with his good friend and partner of choice for three summers. before. Instead, Durant asked out, with the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat reportedly at the top of his list of preferred destinations. The irony is almost too obvious. Durant has continually fended off criticism for his decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the 73-win Golden State Warriors. He’s also pushed back against those who say his two Golden State titles have been diminished by their loaded roster. Joining the Nets alongside Irving — and later James Harden — gave Durant a chance to be the undisputed alpha on a potential title team, but that quickly went south due to injuries and an eventual demand from Harden. Durant didn’t seem satisfied after winning back-to-back titles and Finals MVPs as part of a superteam. Now he doesn’t seem content to try to go it alone and wants to join one of last season’s No. 1 seeds to withstand criticism again? It’s all confusing on the outside, and maybe it should be. We like to think we understand what goes on in the minds of NBA players, but we really have no idea. Durant is entitled to seek any situation he believes will bring him happiness. But as he prepares to leave a franchise for the third time in his career, it’s fair to question whether Durant is looking for satisfaction that he simply will never find.
4. The Lakers will be Lakers
Last offseason, the Lakers were criticized for surrounding LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook with old players who couldn’t shoot, which ultimately led to a disastrous season in which they missed the playoffs. So this offseason, Rob Pelinka and the front office decided to pivot. They chose to sign young players … who also can’t shoot: As you can see, Walker is the only high-volume 3-point shooter of the bunch, and his 3-point percentage has steadily declined over his four years in the NBA, down to a career-low 31% last season on five attempts . per game. Toscano-Anderson, despite being a smart, game-winning piece on a championship team, also shot a career-low 32% from deep last season. It was wise for the Lakers to bring in some youth and defensive help (maybe?), but they seem to be repeating their mistakes by ignoring one of the most important skills in the game today. In true Laker fashion, however, there’s a semi-possible deus ex machina waiting to solve all his problems! With Durant asking for a trade, the consensus is that Kyrie Irving will be next, and the Lakers and Nets have reportedly made preliminary contact about a possible Irving-Westbrook trade. That would obviously go a long way toward solving the Lakers’ shooting problems, especially if Brooklyn throws in Joe Harris or Seth Curry (although they wouldn’t do much for the Lakers’ defensive issues). The market for Irving doesn’t appear to be strong, so the Nets may have fun with Westbrook’s massive expiring contract if the Lakers are willing to part with one or both of their available future first-round picks to create an Irving-James . reunion in Los Angeles. Whether it happens or not, man, it must be exhausting being a Lakers fan. There’s always some mythical move in the works that will bring the franchise back to the promised land, but whether it will actually happen is anyone’s guess. When he does (Shaquille O’Neal, Pau Gasol, LeBron James, Anthony Davis), it tends to work out pretty well. But if that doesn’t materialize, it’s hard to find a path to contention for a franchise perpetually in championship or bust mode.
5. The Wolves wanted Rudy Gobert A LOT
Imagine if someone told you that an All-NBA core was traded for four first-round picks (three nakedly unprotected), three promising young prospects and two veteran players. “Oh, Kevin Durant got traded?” you ask innocently, ignoring the jolt of confusion you’re about to receive. “Nah. Rudy Gobert went to the Timberwolves.” We can debate whether the trade was worth it until it’s midnight, but this is undeniably a huge amount, a…
