The quaint early days of NBA free agency
In this episode of Over & Back, Jason Mann and Rich Kraetsch look at the quaint early days of NBA free agency.
NBA free agency is an industry all to itself these days but that wasn’t always the case.
In fact, free agency didn’t exist until 1977!
In this episode of Over & Back, we’ll discuss the basic history of NBA free agency, key free-agency situations before 1977 then do a deep dive into the 1977-1980 offseasons with major signings, crazy compensations, and deals that would have historical ramifications.
How did NBA free agency get started?
Topics discussed include:
- The Oscar Robertson rule
- The history of the reserve clause
- Early NBA free agency rules
- Key free-agent situations before 1977 including Cazzie Russell and Gail Goodrich
- Jamaal Wilkes signing with the Los Angeles Lakers
- The New Orleans Jazz bringing Truck Robinson to town
- Bob Dandridge joining the Washington Bullets
- Walt Frazier going to the Cavaliers as compensation
- Gus Williams helping the Seattle SuperSonics become champions
- Alex English‘s brief Indiana Pacers run
- Rick Barry leaving the Golden State Warriors
- Bill Walton comes home to play for the San Diego Clippers
- Bob McAdoo leaves the Celtics for the Detroit Pistons
- Larry Kenon tries to help the Chicago Bulls get over the hump
and so much more!
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