Frantic Free Agency - NBA 2012

The NBA 2012 Free Agency Marathon is underway. You have probably heard dozes of rumors, innuendo, and reversals of course. To bring you up to speed, the Hat Trick is giving you a rundown of the current state of the 2012 free agency class.

Steve Nash, PG, Los Angeles Lakers – 3 years, $27 million

Deron Williams…trades possibilities of Dwight Howard and Joe Johnson…yeah, yeah. Those are very important players with several years in front of them. That said, I think this move may have had the single greatest impact in the balance of power in the Western Conference.

Nash (13 PPG, 11 APG in 2012) will immediately give the Lakers a bona fine elite point guard. Much has been made of the 38 years on Nash’s biological odometer, but, in the words of the late singer Aaliyah, age ain’t nothin’ but a number. The future Hall of Famer and two-time MVP averaged a double-double per game for the eighth consecutive year. This was done with an aging and injured Phoenix team that was sorely lacking in defense and, since the departure of Amare Stoudemire to the Knicks, lacking an All-Star first passing option for Nash.

Still Father Time is undefeated. By any measure, Nash has been a bad mother… during the past two seasons in spite of having everything but the kitchen sink thrown at him (or, more fittingly, taken from him). But he will turn 39 next year and his minutes per game, free throw percentage, rebounds per game, assists, per game, and points per game all declined slightly in 2012 while his turnovers per game ticked up slightly. Some of that can be explained by his surroundings, but it would be naïve to completely factor Nash’s age out of the equation.

Hat Trick Grade: A

No commentary needed. 1

Jason Kidd, PG, New York Knicks – 3 years, $9 million

This was a smart move by the Knicks for a number of reasons. First, they are only paying $3 million per year for a future Hall of Fame point guard, an area in which they were deficient for much of last year. Second, their current point guard, Jeremy Lin (15 PPG, 6 APG in 2012), is a restricted free agent who is expected to sign a four year, approximately $40 million offer sheet with the Houston Rockets. The Knicks are strapped for cap space and while the popular opinion is that the Knicks will match the Rockets’ offer at any cost, acquiring Kidd (6 PPG, 6 APG, 4 RPG, 29 MPG in 2012) will ensure that they are not bankrupt at the point guard position in 2013. Finally, even with Lin on the roster, Kidd will be able to help mentor Lin into assuming the point guard duties full time.

Kidd is 39 years old, literally the last active NBA player who was active while I was in high school, for contrast. There will be no conflict between Kidd, who has signed the final contract of his career, and Lin, whose career is just getting started. There will be no competition for playing time. And this is hardly going to stress the Knicks’ salary cap.

Hat Trick Grade: B+

The last time Jason Kidd played in the East, his team won the East...twice. 2

Deron Williams, PG, Brooklyn Nets – 5 years, $98 million

This deal was a no-brainer for the Nets, who mortgaged their future to acquire Williams (21 PPG, 9 APG in 2012) in the 2011 season. Williams maintained that he would consider resigning with the Nets if they took steps to become more competitive. I am sure that the acquisition of Joe Johnson (19 PPG, 4 APG in 2012) via trade from the Atlanta Hawks and the possibility of picking up Dwight Howard (21 PPG, 15 RPG, 2 BlkPG in 2012) via trade from the Orlando Magic helped Williams’ perception of the Nets. Call me crazy, but I think the ability of the Nets to offer $20 million more than the next highest bidder may have tipped the scales in the Nets’ favor, too.

Hat Trick Grade: A+

The $100 million man 3

Chauncey Billups, G, Los Angeles Clippers – 1 year, $4 million

The re-signing of Billups (15 PPG, 4 APG in 2012) was key to the long-term interests of the Clippers for several reasons. First, Billups is a valuable player with championship experience and an unquestioned veteran leadership presence on the court. Second, All-Star point guard Chris Paul (20 PPG, 9 APG, 3 StlPG) has made his opinion about wanting to retain Billups clear. Paul is entering the final year of his contract. Last, the Clippers need another legitimate scoring threat in the backcourt with Paul.

Hat Trick Grade: B+

Paul, left, and Billups, right. 4

With the rampant speculation about dozens of transaction possibilities, I could write a novel about who could go where and what impact that could have. The Hat Trick will revisit this topic next week, likely with names like “Howard”, “Allen”, “Gordon”, and “Lin” appearing in the piece. Stay tuned for more free agency drama! 

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Word on the Tweet - March 2, 2011

George Karl, after Carmelo Anthony's defensive effort against LeBron James on Sunday:

@carmeloanthony Where the hell was THAT the last 8 years!?!? #SandBagging

1

Chauncey Billups, after draining the go-ahead jumper heading into the final minute of Sunday's game against the Heat:

@Amare1 Gee, ya think I deserve some of that action, now??? RT @carmeloanthony Don't forget you and I have the shoot for the new promotional poster on Monday. #GiveMeSomeEFFingCredit

Amare Stoudemire:
@ChaunceyDangerfield Fo sho! I'll make a few calls. RT @Amare1 Gee, ya think I deserve some of that action, now??? #WeCanHaveABig3Too

"Now we have a big three. Nyah!" 2

Mike Bibby, after securing a buyout from the Washington Wizards, at a possible cost to him of up to $6.1 million:

@KingJames Free at last! Free at last! Thank God almighty! I'm free at last!!! #TakingMyTalentsToSouthBeach #TakingRingMeasurements #NoMoreWizards

Gilbert Arenas:

@LightChocolate Smart move. The gun laws are more reasonable in Florida, too. RT @KingJames Free at last! Free at last! ... #StillOnProbation

I'm sure the NRA was ready to race to Agent Zero's defense. 3

NFL Owners, in response to an offer from the Players Union:

@NFLPA Don't call us, we'll call you. #PaulieFromGoodFellas #GotBills? #Hardball #BillionairesDontSweat

Union Rep:
@WeWhoHaveTheGoldMakeTheRules We have options. #UFL #CFL #AFL #NoGamesNoGain #PayTheBills RT @NFLPA Don't call us, we'll call you. ...

CBS Sports Representative:
@WeWhoHaveTheGoldMakeTheRules Get your s__t together, guys!  #PlayingWithMyMoneyIsLikePlayingWithMyEmotions


Kendrick Perkins, after learning he was traded from the defending Eastern Conference Boston Celtics to the Oklahoma City Thunder:

@BigPerkFans This feels like the worst day of my life. Thanks for your support. #DontJump

After signing a $36 million contract extension with the Thunder a few days later:

@BigPerkFans THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!!! #ImRiiichBitch

Perkins has 36 million new friends in OKC. 4

Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett, after being hit in the head with a ball during batting practice and suffering mild concussion-like symptoms:

@TitoJunior SKIPPER! WHY am I pitching in batting practice? This is #PRACTICE! We're talkin' about PRACTICE! #WTF #AllenIverson #WhyIDontPlayFootball

Red Sox GM Theo Epstein:

@TitoJunior SKIPPER! WHY is he pitching in batting practice? This is #PRACTICE! We're talkin' about PRACTICE! #SixteenMillionReasonsNotTo

Former NFL QB Brett Favre:

@LordBeckett Welcome to my world. #HeadTrauma

At least Favre only had so much at risk up here to begin with. 5

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The Big THREE in N.Y.C.

“The Big Three”: This label became a requisite element of NBA-speak in the 2007 offseason when the (then) last place Boston Celtics traded for Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to play with Paul Pierce. The Celtics went from worst to first, beating the Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals and winning the Celtics’ first NBA Championship since 1986.

The Big Three 1

“The Big Three” label grew legs this past summer when LeBron James of the Cavaliers took his talents to South Beach to join forces with newly acquired Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat. Subsequent promotional appearances including simulated smoke filled stages and speculation about the 2011 Heat breaking the 1996 Chicago Bulls’ record of 72 regular season wins followed. Many thought that “The Big Three” in Boston and “The Big Three” in Miami were on a collision course in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

The Big Three 2

Last week, the New York Knicks completed a blockbuster trade to acquire All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony and other Denver Nuggets players. Anthony teamed up with Amare Stoudemire, whom the Knicks acquired in free agency from the Phoenix Suns this past summer. The sports media has been abuzz with talk of how the team of Melo and Amare would shift the balance of power in the Eastern Conference. There has been constant talk of how this tandem has brought the spotlight back to New York. I have heard talk about how the Knicks might match up against one of the teams with a “Big Three” in the playoffs (the Celtics or Heat).

Who is that guy on the right and why is he in the picture with Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire? 3

HELLOOOOOOOO! Was I the ONLY person who noticed one of the “other” players that came with Melo to the Big Apple? I know that I am a sports fanatic and guys like me tend to notice the activities of more obscure players, role players, and anonymous athletes who chip in their contributions to their teams by toiling in anonymity. So perhaps I am placing too much stock into one of those “other” guys who hitched his wagon to Carmelo Anthony’s star by ceremoniously moving the ball up and down the court to hand it off to one of the two big dogs.

Was Chauncey Billups not one of the pieces that the Knicks also demanded in exchange for being fleeced of draft picks and four of its starters? I thought I had been misinformed about Billups being part of the deal. Certainly, had Billups been included in this heavily covered trade, there would be talk of “The Big Three” in New York! Certainly, Billups would be one of three critical pieces upon which the Knicks would hinge their short term success if he were a part of the deal.

Nope! I must have heard all wrong. Billups must still be in Denver. Perhaps he has an undisclosed injury and just hasn’t been seen at the Pepsi Center. After all, the catchy “Big Three” label would be applied immediately to a point guard averaging 17 points per night. The acquisition of the 2004 NBA Finals MVP, a five time All-Star, joining Anthony and Stoudemire would trigger “Big Three” ink over every sports page in the country if it happened.

Melo said that last night was not just about the big stars. Look at him supporting one of the little people on the team. 4

I suppose the Knicks, one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA at the time of the trade, were able to hold the Heat Index (Miami’s “Big Three”) to under 90 points in the Heat’s own building on national television because Melo lifted the defense onto his shoulders and vicariously forced the Heat’s backcourt to turn the ball over nine times (side note: kudos to Melo for stepping his D UP last night against The King). The Knicks must have had a “#4 – Billups” jersey sitting around that some stunt double wore and sunk the go-ahead basket heading into the final minute of the game.

That’s only something I would expect to see from a member of a “Big Three”. If the Knicks did have a “Big Three”, the top seeded teams in the East might be on notice, heading into the playoffs. If the Knicks had a “Big Three”, the New York area might have some cause for optimism THIS year.

I am sure Doc Rivers, Eric Spoelstra, Tom Thibodeau, and Stan Van Gundy are all sleeping soundly in spite of the possibility of facing the Knicks in the playoffs…unless, of course, the Knicks have a “Big Three”.


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The Transition of Transactions

The month of February has been VERY interesting in the world of sports. More moves, affecting the long term landscape of professional sports happened in this short month than have occurred in any single month in recent memory. Football, basketball, and baseball all had transactions that made headlines. Of course, the biggest news happened in the NBA, which, of course, we will look at today. However, the big NBA moves (Carmelo…cough…Deron Williams) should not completely overshadow the other power impacting moves in other sports.

NFL

Mike Vick – The Philadelphia Eagles placed the franchise tag on quarterback Michael Vick, ensuring that he will be in Philadelphia in 2011 (if there is a 2011 season) and receive a big, fat payday. In all probability, the Eagles and Vick will work out a long term agreement, rendering the one year assurances of the franchise tag moot. This has several impacts on the Eagles and the league.

Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb, the starter at the beginning of the 2010 season, is placed in a challenging career limbo. The Eagles have the option of retaining Kolb, who will earn about $2 million in base salary in 2011.* Given Vick’s aggressive running style of play, placing Vick at a heightened risk for injury, a backup, capable of starting in the NFL (which are few in number in today’s NFL), is of greater value to the Eagles than to many other teams.

Philly also has the option of trading Kolb. Kolb, in my opinion, is at the level of an average starting NFL quarterback. That statement may not be sensational, eye-popping, or sound particularly complimentary, but the NFL has A LOT of BAD quarterbacks. The NFL has a lot of BAD quarterbacks who are starting, making good teams bad and bad teams worse. Kolb is NOT a bad quarterback. Philadelphia has two QBs that are not bad. Barring something catastrophic happening with Vick, the Eagles can garner considerable value for Kolb.

Kolb’s recent contract extension included an $11 million signing bonus.* If the Eagles already paid and will likely not retain Kolb after 2011, oatmeal is better than no meal. The Panthers, Cardinals, Vikings, Redskins (assuming Donovan McNabb leaves), Titans, Raiders, Browns, and Bengals (assuming Carson Palmer leaves), among other teams, would all become better overnight by adding Kolb to the roster. None of those teams were in the playoffs last season, meaning that they will have more valuable draft assets than other teams.

I do not have a read, one way or the other, on what the Eagles will do. The expiration of the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement makes the future even more uncertain. Regardless, the decision (or indecision) on Kolb will impact the power structure of the NFL in 2011 and possibly the long-term.

Kevin Kolb (left) and Mike Vick (right). This town isn't big enough for the both of them. Or IS it??? 1

Peyton Manning – the Indianapolis Colts placed the franchise tag on quarterback Peyton Manning. I also think that the Colts and Manning will agree to a long term deal as soon as they are able to, making the franchise tag no more than an insurance policy. Peyton Manning wants to be the highest paid player in the league, topping the $18 million per season being earned by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Assuming this comes to fruition, and all indicators are that it will, Manning, along with Brady and Vick, will set the ceiling and the standard for pay of elite, veteran NFL quarterbacks.

"Damn it's good to be us!" 2

MLB

Albert Pujols - The proverb, “Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish,” exists for a reason. Albert Pujols is the best hitter in the game. He may be the best first baseman in the history of the 141 year old game by the time his career is over. He has the best hitting numbers of any player over the past 10 seasons (on a National League team, no less), including Alex Rodriguez. He is showing no signs of slowing down. The Cardinals always have a chance to win any close game with Pujols in the lineup.

PAY THE MAN! The equation is very simple. If you want someone’s services, you need to pay what those services are worth to receive them. The market decides the value and the market has already dictated, through Alex Rodriguez's current 10 year, $275 million deal, that Pujols is worth more than that.

Making matters worse, the Cardinals did not contribute to any goodwill by lowballing the man. Pujols set a deadline of the day after the start of spring training to conclude negotiations to focus on preparing for the upcoming season. Pujols wants $300 million over 10 years. A-Rod is earning $275 million over 10. WHAT made the St. Louis Cardinals think Pujols would accept the last minute, 8 year, $200 million offer put forth on the final night before the deadline?

A reporter actually asked Pujols why he thought contract negotiations during the season could be a distraction. REALLY? Does it look like Albert could just coast from his car to batting practice? Perhaps it would be excusable if the question was from a special, blind reporter, but it was an ESPN guy. 4

I understand that nearly everyone reading this is earning less than seven figures of income annually and some of these numbers may prompt the average person to say, “How could he be so greedy? Just TAKE IT!” It is not “greed” to ask for what you are WORTH. Worth is dictated by what others will pay. The Cubs, Angels, Mets, Marlins, and Red Sox, among others, will likely offer Pujols exactly what he wants if he tests the free agency market in 2012. The Cardinals would have been better served working on a more creative solution to resigning Prince Albert. With the loss of ace pitcher Adam Wainwright for the 2011 season to Tommy John surgery and the possible loss of Pujols after the season, the Gateway to the West may have some lean baseball years ahead.

After that lowball by the Cardinals, Cubs fans have cause to get a little excited about next year. Some would practically tear their clothes off to get Phat Albert to the north side of Chicago. 3

NBA

I cannot recall any other week leading up to the NBA trading deadline that resulted in the movement of as much talent as was moved in this past week. These moves are going to have both an immediate and long term impact on the power structure of the NBA.

Carmelo Anthony & Chauncey Billups to the New York Knicks – This trade was the big one. Will the Knicks win the NBA Championship in 2011? Not likely. Can they create problems and potentially eliminate and upset an opponent in the first round? It is possible. The fact that this is even possible places the Knicks LIGHT YEARS ahead of where they have been over the past several years, in which a playoff appearance of any kind was a pipe dream. The Knicks have a foundation, with Billups, Anthony, and Amare Stoudemire, to build upon to rise to the top of the Eastern Conference very quickly following this season.

New York basketball is back! 5

Deron Williams to the New Jersey Nets – I never saw this coming. Apparently, Williams did not either. ESPN reported that Williams, himself, learned of his trade out east while watching television in the Jazz training room. While it is unclear whether or not the recent, sudden resignation of 17 year tenured Head Coach Jerry Sloan played a role in the unexpected trade, it is clear that there may be a new trend among smaller market teams with star players whose eyes appear to be on the bright lights of big cities.

I can't help but notice that Williams was surrounded by Nets coach Avery Johnson and General Manager Billy King when he was introduced as a Net to the media. Was it to make sure he didn't bolt for the exit? I've seen more genuine smiles at a dentist's office before a root canal. 6

Williams had the option to opt out of his contract with the Jazz after the 2012 season, leaving the club holding his contract with no further compensation. After witnessing the Cleveland Cavaliers receive very little value for LeBron James and the Denver Nuggets having their season mired in drama and distractions, the Jazz got on top of the free agency steamroller, instead of in front of it or under it. Utah traded Williams to New Jersey for considerable future value, including two first round draft picks, both possibly lottery picks considering that they are draft picks belonging to the Nets in 2011 (almost certainly a lottery pick) and perennial playoff spectator Golden State in 2012.

The long term impact of this deal depends almost entirely upon Williams. If he likes where he sees the Nets going and signs an extension after the 2012 season, the Nets will become a playoff contender and probably a contender in the East within a few years. If not, and Nets owner Mikhail Prokorhov should be able to gauge Williams' intentions before next year’s trade deadline, the Nets should be able to recover significant value, deal Williams to his eventual destination, and continue moving forward to build a contending team.


Carl Landry to the Hornets – I find it curious that the Hornets took on an additional $2 million in salary (trading shooting guard Marcus Thornton to Sacramento). I also found it curious that the Hornets took on such expense to acquire a power forward when they already have All-Star power forward David West. Landry is talented, tough, and a valuable defender. Could the Hornets plan on running a bigger unit by rotating Landry in and out with West, center Emeka Okafor (when he returns from injury), and forward Trevor Ariza? Is he (much needed) insurance, a player who can start and be productive, in case of an injury in the Hornets’ starting front court? Marcus Thornton was a popular sharpshooter, earning less than $1 million per season**, with two more seasons remaining on his contract after this season. Landry’s $3 million contract** is expiring, so the Hornets are neither weighed down by the cost of nor certain to benefit from Landry’s services in the long run. This move will give the Hornets an added push down low and improve their long odds of advancing in the Western Conference playoffs.


Mo Williams to the Los Angeles Clippers – Could not have happened to a better guy. Williams is a hustling, hard working player who had the rug pulled from under him when LeBron James took his talents to South Beach. While the Clippers are going nowhere this year, they are going places soon with super-rookie Blake Griffin. The tone in the Staples Center is much more optimistic than in years past when the Clippers are playing.

Baron Davis to the Cleveland Cavaliers (traded from the Clippers for Mo Williams) – Could not have happened to a better guy. This man whined his way out of New Orleans, leading to a 2005 season in which the Hornets were bankrupt of backcourt talent and only had the draft lottery to look forward to, after signing a max contract with the Hornets. I should probably thank Davis as his trade-demanding antics made the Hornets so bad that they were able to draft Chris Paul in 2005, bringing more positively charged excitement to the team than Davis ever did and eventually bringing a Southwest Division championship to New Orleans in 2008. I am thrilled to see this malcontent out of L.A. (Clippers), with emerging stars in Blake Griffin and Eric Bledsoe and into the NBA’s hell hole of Cleveland.

I think the towel is part of the uniform in Cleveland. 7

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*Source: NFL Fanhouse
**Source: ESPN
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