NBA Free Agency: One move every team needs to make
By Tom West
2016 NBA free agency is here and the madness is about to begin. With Kevin Durant talk and so much spending to consider, here’s a look at one move every team should make.
It’s hours away. 2016 NBA free agency is practically upon us, the madness can begin, the wild Kevin Durant speculation is about to intensify, max contracts will be handed out to non-max players, and tons of guys on the market are about to get paid. Most teams have plenty to spend and won’t hold back when it comes to snatching up free agents and keeping them from the reach of other hungry franchises, which only encourages the spending even further.
Durant has his meetings set, although it still seems most likely that he’ll disappoint all the NBA fans waiting for something crazy to happen and re-sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder on a one-year deal with a player option for 2017-18. Nevertheless, even if Durant stays put, there are plenty of possibilities for other major moves.
Mike Conley, Hassan Whiteside and Al Horford are just a few of the highly coveted free agents, and let’s not dare think about the gaudy contracts that will be going to so many players ready to make the most of the $94 million salary cap jump.
We may even see a few trades, too. Anything can happen in the NBA, and extra cap space allows more movement than ever.
Not every urgent move is about adding a new player or desperately pursuing a hopeful pitch to Durant, though. Instead, sometimes re-signing one of your key players who’s being heavily pursued on the market is more important for some teams.
So, rather than simply saying every team should sign Durant, let’s get started.
Next: Philadelphia 76ers