Post by Los Angeles Lakers on Nov 22, 2006 23:02:07 GMT -5
Free Agency Days 1 and 2 Recap
Shaquille O'Neal - 80,500,000 deal over 4 years with the Indiana Pacers
Shaq was the second largest free agent on the market. He bolted Memphis to go with a deal with the Indiana Pacers. The allure of playing with young point guard Jameer Nelson and the 8th overall pick of this year's past draft, Gerald Wallace, played a role in Shaq's decision. Shaq was quoted as saying, "I'm gonna make this team better. Jameer and Gerald will benefit from my presence and I'll make them both some of the game's best." That's a lot of talk for a guy who hasn ever won a championship during his long tenure in the league. However this could be the year that Shaq that we have been waiting for from this man. With the Hawks going young and the Rockets in a youth movement - the Pacers might be a force to be reckoned with in the east.
Yao Ming - 120,312,500 deal over 7 years with the Washington Wizards
Was there really any doubt that Yao Ming would leave the Wizards and their maximum offer? I don't think so. Yao used his leverage to test the free agent waters to get the biggest buck possible and he did that. Yao however will have some much needed help this year with the Wizards acquiring Ray Allen from the Houston Rockets. With the decline in talent of the two best teams in the league (Houston and Atlanta), the duo of Yao and Ray might be something to watch out for come playoff team.
Joe Johnson - 120,312,500 deal over 7 years with the Denver Nuggets
Joe Johnson for some reason is getting paid as much as Yao Ming. It's an absurd idea that this guy is worth max money but the Nuggets, in fear of losing him, gave him the big dollars. I highly doubt that they get anything worth his talent if they decide to move him in the future. Maybe Joe will be inspired to play better now that he's getting paid. Or maybe he'll just enjoy his new lifestyle as being rich and not really famous.
Richard Jefferson - 93,750,000 deal over 6 years. with the New Jersey Nets
Richard Jefferson was probably another guy who did not deserve a maximum contract but strangely - the New Jersey Nets gave it to him. This guy was one of the most talented players to come into the league during his draft year of 2001 but since then, he's been a major flop. For a shooting guard - he's a terrible shooter and not a very good inside scorer as well. Defensively, he's average but nothing special. I don't see how anyone in their right mind could offer this guy this much money but hey - at least the Nets have cap to spare. If his defense improves in training camp, I'd say thats a victory.
Jason Kidd - 78,897,000 deal over 4 years with the Portland Trailblazers
Kidd played extremely well in his contract year. He had trouble early on in the season but Joe Smith gave him a veteran option to go to who could score. The fact that Kidd took the Blazers to the finals made this contract worthwhile for them but will he be able to do it again? Signs point to it being a possibility with the Hawks and Rockets being on the decline but they lost Joe Smith in free agency to the Los Angeles Lakers. His success next year will hinge upon the youngsters - Eddy Curry, Carmelo Anthony, and Rafael Araujo. If he can make those guys even better - watch out for Portland again.
Joe Smith - 32,897,310 deal over 3 years with the Los Angeles Lakers
Joe Smith had to be the steal out of all the veteran free agent guys. He took a smaller deal as compared to Shaq, Kidd, and Rasheed. The Lakers got their big free agent acquisition and can now re-sign Glenn Robinson, Jeff McInnis, and James Posey. The Lakers could be a team that makes a huge improvement next year. They just need to find a way to sure up their point guard position - something that they've hard a hard time trying to fill since trading Jason Kidd.
Rasheed Wallace - 41,417,578 over 3 years with the Indiana Pacers
Rasheed rounds out a frontline of Shaq and Gerald Wallace. The veteran presence of Rasheed Wallace and Shaquille O'Neal should allow Gerald Wallace a bit of room for error as a rookie. It will remain to be seen if Rasheed will do better than the 16 PPG average he had last year. However, the Pacers look like they are one piece away from completing a very solid lineup. Jameer Nelson, Gerald Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, and Shaquille O'Neal could be a force to be reckoned with next year in the Eastern Conference.
Shaquille O'Neal - 80,500,000 deal over 4 years with the Indiana Pacers
Shaq was the second largest free agent on the market. He bolted Memphis to go with a deal with the Indiana Pacers. The allure of playing with young point guard Jameer Nelson and the 8th overall pick of this year's past draft, Gerald Wallace, played a role in Shaq's decision. Shaq was quoted as saying, "I'm gonna make this team better. Jameer and Gerald will benefit from my presence and I'll make them both some of the game's best." That's a lot of talk for a guy who hasn ever won a championship during his long tenure in the league. However this could be the year that Shaq that we have been waiting for from this man. With the Hawks going young and the Rockets in a youth movement - the Pacers might be a force to be reckoned with in the east.
Yao Ming - 120,312,500 deal over 7 years with the Washington Wizards
Was there really any doubt that Yao Ming would leave the Wizards and their maximum offer? I don't think so. Yao used his leverage to test the free agent waters to get the biggest buck possible and he did that. Yao however will have some much needed help this year with the Wizards acquiring Ray Allen from the Houston Rockets. With the decline in talent of the two best teams in the league (Houston and Atlanta), the duo of Yao and Ray might be something to watch out for come playoff team.
Joe Johnson - 120,312,500 deal over 7 years with the Denver Nuggets
Joe Johnson for some reason is getting paid as much as Yao Ming. It's an absurd idea that this guy is worth max money but the Nuggets, in fear of losing him, gave him the big dollars. I highly doubt that they get anything worth his talent if they decide to move him in the future. Maybe Joe will be inspired to play better now that he's getting paid. Or maybe he'll just enjoy his new lifestyle as being rich and not really famous.
Richard Jefferson - 93,750,000 deal over 6 years. with the New Jersey Nets
Richard Jefferson was probably another guy who did not deserve a maximum contract but strangely - the New Jersey Nets gave it to him. This guy was one of the most talented players to come into the league during his draft year of 2001 but since then, he's been a major flop. For a shooting guard - he's a terrible shooter and not a very good inside scorer as well. Defensively, he's average but nothing special. I don't see how anyone in their right mind could offer this guy this much money but hey - at least the Nets have cap to spare. If his defense improves in training camp, I'd say thats a victory.
Jason Kidd - 78,897,000 deal over 4 years with the Portland Trailblazers
Kidd played extremely well in his contract year. He had trouble early on in the season but Joe Smith gave him a veteran option to go to who could score. The fact that Kidd took the Blazers to the finals made this contract worthwhile for them but will he be able to do it again? Signs point to it being a possibility with the Hawks and Rockets being on the decline but they lost Joe Smith in free agency to the Los Angeles Lakers. His success next year will hinge upon the youngsters - Eddy Curry, Carmelo Anthony, and Rafael Araujo. If he can make those guys even better - watch out for Portland again.
Joe Smith - 32,897,310 deal over 3 years with the Los Angeles Lakers
Joe Smith had to be the steal out of all the veteran free agent guys. He took a smaller deal as compared to Shaq, Kidd, and Rasheed. The Lakers got their big free agent acquisition and can now re-sign Glenn Robinson, Jeff McInnis, and James Posey. The Lakers could be a team that makes a huge improvement next year. They just need to find a way to sure up their point guard position - something that they've hard a hard time trying to fill since trading Jason Kidd.
Rasheed Wallace - 41,417,578 over 3 years with the Indiana Pacers
Rasheed rounds out a frontline of Shaq and Gerald Wallace. The veteran presence of Rasheed Wallace and Shaquille O'Neal should allow Gerald Wallace a bit of room for error as a rookie. It will remain to be seen if Rasheed will do better than the 16 PPG average he had last year. However, the Pacers look like they are one piece away from completing a very solid lineup. Jameer Nelson, Gerald Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, and Shaquille O'Neal could be a force to be reckoned with next year in the Eastern Conference.
