As fireworks continue lighting up across the United States in honor of Independence Day, the NBA has witnessed its share of them. Since last Thursday, the 2022 NBA free agency has kept fans, media, and even players glued to their phones in great anticipation of what could be next.
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What Have We Learned From NBA Free Agency So Far?
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Sparked by the evolving nature of player movement, the known and unknown worked together in creating the madness we experienced during free agency's opening stretch. While fans knew of the likelihood that Jalen Brunson would sign with the New York Knicks, we were thrown a curveball upon the news of Rudy Gobert getting traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Even the broad daylight robbery of a trade done by the Boston Celtics with the Indiana Pacers threw us in for a loop.
As free agency's opening week concludes in two days and the shift turns to the second wave of signings-- while we'll also wonder who gets traded first: Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant?-- now is the perfect time to examine what has happened so far.
Here are our five biggest takeaways from the opening weekend of NBA free agency.
Why leave home when there's a super-max deal?
Even with the combined desire by fans and media to see players leave their home teams, it's becoming less of a reality given the introduction of super-max contracts. Fueled by incentives including All-Star and All-NBA selections, players are quickly putting pen to sheets near the end of their rookie or latest deal.
Within the first 48 hours of free agency, six super-max contracts were signed that totaled over one-point-two billion dollars (Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Nikola Jokic, Ja Morant, Darius Garland, and Zion Williamson).
Put some respect on Brian Windhorst's name
The long-time ESPN Insider was arguably the MVP this past weekend, given his memorable explanation behind the Utah Jazz's way of thinking before they moved All-Star center Rudy Gobert.
All meme-worthy moments aside, Windhorst's connecting of the dots between the Jazz suddenly moving Royce O'Neale and current team CEO Danny Ainge's willingness to start from scratch painted a great picture of what would happen in Salt Lake City.
Productive veterans will always be paid
Even for a league that is getting younger, they will always pay productive veterans-- even if it's expensive. The Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks, two legitimate Eastern Conference competitors, both signed or resigned productive veterans, PJ Tucker and Bobby Portis, at a combined cost and commitment of $79 million over seven years.
You never know when the trade market will be active
Minus an on and off busy night from the Draft, there wasn't much happening in the trade market before Kevin Durant's sudden trade request last Thursday. But you still have to remember this: Even with a busy rumor mill, it doesn't mean trades will happen right now.
In the case of KD, the Nets can let his situation play out longer due to four years remaining on his contract. Regarding a potential Kyrie Irving for Russell Westbrook trade, the hold-up can be over one thing. And if you're the Jazz, you must be 100% certain you want to let go of All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell.
Who you got: Woj or Shams?
I'm more of a Woj guy but Shams is nice too *shrugs.
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