How the Oklahoma City Thunder saved money – and whether they might have to save more
August 31st, 2018
The early days of NBA free agency saw the Oklahoma City Thunder go big early. In a move that was known to be happening long before it happened, they agreed to re-sign 2018 NBA All-Star Paul George to a four year maximum value contract, and within hours also agreed to re-sign key reserve forward Jerami Grant to a three year, $27.35 million deal.
This was both somewhat surprising and distinctly strong from a team that entered the offseason in …
With a deadline coming up, the Luol Deng situation could soon be resolved
August 29th, 2018
In the summer of 2016, the L.A. Lakers, armed with cap room, tried to make a free agency splash. They signed centre Timofey Mozgov from the Cleveland Cavaliers to a four year, $64 million contract, and followed it up with signing Luol Deng from the Miami Heat to a four year, $72 million deal.
They then almost immediately changed plans. Both players got out to slow starts and then never really sped up; in their first seasons, Mozgov averaged only …
Sorry guys, Carmelo Anthony did not get $62 million in advance
August 16th, 2014
(originally posted elsewhere)
For the most part, NBA players are paid on the first and fifteenth of every month, with a standard of 24 paydays per calendar year. Players earning more than the minimum can agree to 12 payments over six months or 36 payments over eighteen months, yet the norm is the norm.
There is room for some further deviation from these standards. Players can receive both advances on their salary, and receive loans from their teams.
There is …
How Chicago Can Get Carmelo
July 7th, 2014
(originally published elsewhere)
Pretend for a minute that Carmelo Anthony chooses the Bulls. It’s possible until it isn’t.
Pretend for a minute that he wants more than they can pay him in free agency. Considering that their best free agency offers would top out at a starting salary of $15 million barring a significant weakening of the roster elsewhere, and that other teams are offering an unconditional max, and this seems a reasonable belief. To join Chicago for an amount …
Apologies To The Denver Nuggets
January 28th, 2009
I hated the Marcus Camby trade. I hated it. I think everyone did, even Clippers fans. But I really hated it.
I think about trades a lot. I should really have better things to do, but I don’t. So I spend a lot of time thinking about trades that have happened, moves that have been made, who would fit on which team, players that certain teams needed, who’ll sign where and for what, etc. But at not point did I …
30 teams in 36 or so days: Denver Nuggets
September 27th, 2007
Players acquired via free agency or trade:
Chucky Atkins (three years, $9.72 million)
Steven Hunter (acquired from Philadelphia)
Bobby Jones (acquired from Philadelphia)
Players acquired via draft:
None
Players retained:
Anthony Carter (waived, then re-signed, saving about $800,000)
Eduardo Najera (opted in)
Players departed:
Reggie Evans (traded to Philadelphia)
Steve Blake (signed with Portland)
DerMarr Johnson (signed in Italy)
Jamal Samspon (signed with Dallas)
Words:
When you spend $162 million on only three players in one …
