The Brooklyn Nets actually appeared to do something very smart when they threw out a couple of significant contract offers to restricted free agents in an effort to add some young, talented pieces to their core this offseason. The moves didn’t work as both players they tried to land ended up getting those offers matched by their clubs but it’s interesting to see the road the Nets took and whether or not they go in that direction again to try to sign some other restricted free agents in the future. Here is some of the important NBA news and notes from around the this week.
Heat Match Nets Bid For Johnson
The Miami Heat made NBA news when they took a step towards moving past the Dwyane Wade era when they matched the Nets’ four-year, $50 million offer sheet for guard Tyler Johnson. Miami will have to pay Johnson $20 million in each of the final two years of the deal, which seems outrageous for a player that has barely contributed at all, but that’s the reality of free agency this offseason. Johnson still opted not to let him get away to the Nets. The Heat will move forward with a young core that includes Johnson, Hassan Whiteside and 2015 draft picks Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson. The deal doesn’t look awful for Miami right now but it will be interesting to see if it works out for them down the road.
Trail Blazers Sign Crabbe
The Portland Trail Blazers also spoiled a Nets’ bid when they matched Brooklyn’s four-year, $75 million offer sheet for free agent guard Allen Crabbe. The 6’6’’, 210-pound guard was acquired by Portland in a 2013 draft-day trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers and should continue to fit in nicely behind the Blazers’ starting backcourt tandem of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. Although most people are surprised by the contract, Crabbe is a well-known name in fantasy circles as a solid contributor.
The decision comes on the heels of a trade to acquire Shabazz Napier in a trade with Orlando and the free agent signing of center Festus Ezeli. Portland turned a lot of heads by making the playoffs a year ago and there is every reason to believe they will continue their ascent in the Western Conference after locking up some key depth pieces.
Rockets Give Harden Extension
The Houston Rockets made NBA news when they missed out on a number of key free agents this offseason but did sign Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon, while locking up one of their own long term in James Harden. The Rockets signed Harden to a $118.1 million extension that will pay him $63.1 million in base salaries over the last two years of the deal. Some people feel that is slightly excessive – especially when you consider that Harden doesn’t play much defense. However, the way the salary cap – and salaries – are going, this is a deal that’s likely to look much more palatable in a few years. When Timofey Mozgov is earning more than $16 a year, Harden deserves this type of payday.
Harden is coming off a year in which he averaged a career-high 29.0 points and 7.5 assists while leading the NBA in minutes played and it’s clear Houston will not want him to go anywhere anytime soon.
Clippers Retain Crawford
The Los Angeles Clippers signed Jamal Crawford to a three-year, $42 million deal while also locking up Austin Rivers, Luc Mbah a Moute and Wesley Johnson. The three-time Sixth Man of the Year award winner Crawford averaged 14.2 points and 2.3 assists last season and many felt that he would sign elsewhere for bigger money. While he is already 36, he’s an excellent source of points off the bench and with the type of money that was thrown around in free agency, he could have received more. However, he was comfortable with the Clippers in a familiar situation. Los Angeles dealt with several obstacles both on and off the floor this season and it will be very interesting to see if this core group they have put together can finally deliver in 2016-17. Keeping Crawford was a very important piece of NBA news.
