Jul
4
2007 NBA Free Agency Sputters into Gear
Filed Under Analysis, NBA, Commentary
RASHARD LEWIS PACKING HIS BAGS FOR THE ORLANDO MAGIC WHILE CHAUNCEY BILLUPS WILL REMAIN WITH THE DETROIT PISTONS
In what is undoubtedly one of the weakest NBA free agent classes in a long time, two of the bigger names have signed. Talented forward Rashard Lewis is leaving the Seattle SuperSonics to head to the Orlando Magic while point guard Chauncey Billups will remain with the Detroit Pistons. In other news, the Toronto Raptors have reached a verbal agreement with three-point shooter Jason Kapono in what’s rumored to be a 4-year deal worth $24 million (Yikes! Kapono is going to make six million dollars next year; talk about overpaying for a one-dimensional player). P.J. Carlesimo is also expected to be named the new head coach of the young and exciting SuperSonics. Carlesimo has been an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs and last coached in the NBA at Golden State, where he was infamously choked by Latrell Sprewell.
Rashard Lewis Heading to Orlando
In signing Rashard Lewis, the Orlando Magic are officially saying goodbye to the injury-plagued Grant Hill era and giving stud forward Dwight Howard the scoring help he needs. Lewis is a versatile player who can shoot the three and get to the hole effectively. He has been a number-two guy in Seattle behind Ray Allen and should have no problem playing alongside Howard. Lewis was really drawn to Orlando for this opportunity to play with Howard, but should be as excited to being play for an outstanding coach in Stan Van Gundy. The Lewis deal is rumored to be around $75 million for five seasons (approximately $15 million per season).This move could boost the Magic to a four or five seed next season in the East. It also seems to signify the end of Darko Milicic in Orlando. It will be interesting to see whether a team like the Chicago Bulls will explore Milicic. I hope not.
Chauncey Billups Returning to the Pistons
While the Detroit Pistons’ championship window seems to have closed, Joe Dumars is bringing back Billups at a very reasonable price for today’s standards. Billups will receive $12 million for each of the next five seasons. In resigning Billups, who was rumored to Orlando, Dumars was able to avoid losing another key starter from its 2004 NBA Finals winner. Dumars offered Ben Wallace $12 million per season last off-season but ultimately lost out to a Chicago Bulls’ team that had more money to spend. It will be interesting to see whether Billups and the Pistons have anything left in the tank. While still one of the more talented teams in the East, Detroit’s complacency and turn-it-on-when-we-feel-like-it attitude on the court has grown old like the Pistons. Detroit should reach the second round of the playoffs next year but will have its string of five-straight appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals snapped.
Toronto Overpays for Kapono
Don’t like this move at all. While wanting to surround stud forward Chris Bosh with shooters, the Raptors have overpaid for Kapono, who is a ninth or tenth man off the bench of a good team. Kapono does play hard but is limited on defense and offense. He was able to start for the Heat because veteran Antoine Walker was so awful from beyond the arc. Kapono led the NBA in three-point shooting last season and can stretch the defense, but is not worth the money he’ll be getting. Are shooters that hard to come buy in today’s NBA? Yes, sir.
P.J. Carlesimo Heading to the Sonics
The former Seton Hall and Trailblazers coach is unfortunately remembered for the Sprewell incident. With that said, Carlesimo has been a top assistant for the Spurs during the last five seasons. It will be interesting to see how Carlesimo blends in with the Sonics’ new young talent in Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. Carlesimo has a reputation of being a taskmaster. Durant and Green are coachable, hardworking and overall good kids so it shouldn’t be a big deal. However, Carlesimo will need to patient with a young team that is going to lose a lot of games next year with Lewis and Ray Allen gone.
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