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Were the Knicks right to sit on the sidelines during free agency?

By Ken Tavarez

Sep 19, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward (20) reacts during the first half of game three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward (20) reacts during the first half of game three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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LeBron James responds to questions at his press conference on the Los Angeles Lakers’ Media Day in Los Angeles, California, September 24, 2018. – The Lakers open their 2018 NBA season in Portland on October 18th. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
LeBron James responds to questions at his press conference on the Los Angeles Lakers’ Media Day in Los Angeles, California, September 24, 2018. – The Lakers open their 2018 NBA season in Portland on October 18th. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) /

2018 Free Agency

The effects of the summer of 2016 could still be felt in 2018 as only two of the free agents that changed teams signed for more than $10 million per season. Both signings have worked out: LeBron James to the Lakers and Zach LaVine to the Bulls.

  1. LeBron James signs with Lakers – 4 yrs/$153MM – Great
  2. Zach LaVine signs with Bulls – 4 yr/$78MM – Good

However, let’s not forget that LeBron James signing didn’t work out right away for the Lakers; it took some time before they were able to trade for his friend and fellow Klutch Sports client, Anthony Davis, to turn their roster into a championship team.

As for LaVine, it’s not so much that his signing was great, but more that it wasn’t bad. While he has been productive, there aren’t teams knocking down the Bulls’ door to acquire him.

new york knicks
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 27: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets speaks to media during Brooklyn Nets Media Day at HSS Training Center on September 27, 2019 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /

2019 Free Agency

After several seasons of modest activity in the free agent market, the NBA experienced a seismic wave of movement in one summer. We saw some of the game’s biggest stars change teams: Kevin Durant went to the Nets; Kawhi Leonard signed with the Clippers; and Jimmy Butler with the Heat.

While it’s too earlier to tell how most of these deals will turn out, we already know of one that was horrible, the Al Horford signing with the Sixers. Philadelphia had to compensate the Thunder in order to get his contract off their books.

As for the others: the success of the Nets signings will depend largely on how the next three seasons go now that both players are healthy; for the Clippers, the Kawhi signing has to be viewed as a success despite the disappointing end to the season. He played great and the team was doing well before the pandemic interrupted the season. The Butler signing is also a success as the team made the Finals. That alone will justified the signing even if he is not as production in the last two years of his contract.

  1. Kevin Durant signs with Nets – 4 yrs/$164MM – TBD
  2. Kemba Walker signs with Celtics – 4 yrs/$141MM – Not looking good
  3. Jimmy Butler signs with Heat – 4 yrs/$141MM – Good
  4. Kawhi Leonard signs with Clippers – 3 yrs/$103MM – Great
  5. Kyrie Irving signs with Nets – 4 yrs/$136MM – TBD
  6. D’Angelo Russell signs with Warriors – 4 yrs/$117MM – TBD
  7. Al Horford signs with 76ers – 4 yrs/$109MM – Horrible
  8. Malcolm Brogdon signs with Pacers – 4 yrs/$85MM – Good
  9. Julius Randle signs with Knicks – 3 yrs/$62MM – Bad
  10. Terry Rozier signs with Hornets – 3 yrs/$57MM – Not looking good
  11. Bojan Bogdanovic signs with Pacers – 4 yrs/$85MM – Good
  12. Ricky Rubio signs with Suns – 3 yrs/$51MM – Good