Once the NBA Finals is concluded and a championship team hoists the trophy, it’s one of the drabbest times of year in terms of American sports – that is until August rolls around and College Football reigns supreme.
You have the summer days of MLB, Wimbledon, the Tour de France and that’s really about it until almost September. It’s a boring couple of months. However, this year marked one of the most bizarre and exhilarating NBA free agencies.
Here are three takeaways from the NBA Free Agency that exploded on June 30th proving the sports media has no clue what they’re talking about.
NBA Free Agency launched on June 30th at 6pm ET, but even before the hour hand clicked over, there were already commitments from players who were ready to sign with their respective team.
But it’s the sports media who is just flat-out laughable.
People like Stephen A. Smith and Chris Broussard bloviate about what they’re anonymous sources are telling them about what each respective free agent will do, but it’s clear they’re either lying or being conned into putting out information so these players can use it as a leveraging tactic to negotiate with the team they actually want to play for.
Here are those three takeaways:
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving Join the Brooklyn Nets in Free Agency
It was by far the biggest move of the night; or two biggest moves of the night if you want to be technical about it. Everybody knew Kyrie Irving was leaving the Celtics because the relationship clearly soured up there in Boston. But it was Kevin Durant who was the wild card in the sense he could have very well resigned with the Warriors. Why wouldn’t he?
But the narrative for the last month or so was that Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were teaming up to join the New York Knicks. Then they were going to team up with in Los Angeles to play for the Clippers. Then Kyrie Irving wanted to join LeBron James and Anthony Davis at the Lakers. Then Durant wanted to stay at Golden State.
This was the speculation perpetuated by different sports media hounds. Stephen A. Smith was clearly the worst perpetuator in this scenario.
The New York Knicks Struck Out
At first it was a done deal that the New York Knicks would land the number one pick at the NBA draft so they could get Duke University savant Zion Williamson.
The Knicks also created two max slots for free agent players.
And do you know how they say “if you build it they will come,” in “Field of Dreams?”
Well, that isn’t always the case obviously. The Knicks were supposed to be back this year much to the dismay of fans everywhere.
Do you know who promised this nonsense? None other than Stephen A. Smith again.
Kawhi Leonard Still Undecided
At the time this article was written – nobody has any clue what Kawhi Leonard will do and anybody who is telling you otherwise is lying to you.
Leonard might be the most coveted free agent since Kevin Durant four years ago – yes, even over LeBron James just a year ago.
He’s a two-time Finals MVP in two different conferences – the first to ever do that – and he’s just coming off winning a championship. Also, he’s almost inarguably the best two-way player in the game. One could make a case for Klay Thompson.
Leonard’s supposed options are staying with the Toronto Raptors, signing with the Los Angeles Clippers, or teaming up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis at the Los Angeles Lakers. Toronto loves him but he’s also a homegrown Los Angeles native.
Chris Broussard tweeted on Sunday Leonard was the Lakers to lose because they were his top choice; despite the fact the Raptors All-star has repeatedly claimed he didn’t want to play with LeBron James. The point is; don’t buy what Broussard is selling.