Make sure that your cell phone is charged, your laptop has an Internet connection and you ate a hearty breakfast because the NBA Free Agency Period is here. During this time you will see NBA organizations scrambling to build their teams with a newcomer who will take them over the top. So roll out the red carpet and prepare to kiss some serious you know what!Now everyone knows about Shaquille O'Neal leaving the desert of Phoenix to join LeBron James in Cleveland, but there have been other shakeups around the NBA that will have a huge impact on the 2009-2010 NBA season.
WELCOME HOME CARTER
After seeing the Los Angeles Lakers win their 15th NBA Championship this past June, organizations realized that inorder to compete with the guys from Hollywood, they need to beef up their rosters. That's why the Orlando Magic (NBA Finals underachievers) headed north to New Jersey to snag on again-off again star Vince Carter. Carter hails from Daytona Beach, FL and will look to aid the Magic in their quest to avenge an embarrassing showing on national television. Carter will begin his 12th NBA career with his third team since leaving the Carolina Blue back in Chapel Hill.
Carter led the Toronto Raptors against the Allen Iverson led Sixers in the Eastern Conference Finals back in 2001, but came up short. In his career, Vinsanity averages 23.5 ppg and brings an ego that needs to be fed.
With the signing of Carter, the Michael Jordan of Turkey (Hedo Turkoglu) may be looking to purchase a new home in another U.S. city, most likely Portland. Turkoglu is a free agent this summer and Orlando does not have the cash to support Carter's huge contract and Hedo's at the same time. But does acquiring Vince Carter take Orlando a step forward or a step backwards? Turkoglu enjoyed a great 07-08 season where he captured the league's Most Improved Player, but just had a decent 08-09 season. During the 2009 NBA Playoffs, he emerged as one of the driving forces for the Orlando Magic.
So to answer that question I raised a few lines up, the Orlando Magic took a STEP BACKWARDS. Carter will not re-emerge as the player that once flew high in Toronto and people wonder if he can accept being the second, maybe even third option. The Magic also gave up solid rookie Courtney Lee and veteran point guard Rafer Alston.
Backup center Marcin Gortat may be on the move as well. The Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks are looking to woo the 6'10 Poland away from Disney World.
To simply put it, Orlando general manager Otis Smith has his hands full.
A HUSKIE REUNION
Former University of Connecticut teammates Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva roads have met once again. The former Huskies agreed to join the Detroit Pistons and try to bring prominence back to Motown. Gordon played a magical first-round series against the Boston Celtics last year. Even though Chicago lost Game 7 to the Celtics, Gordon showcased his shooting arsenal and toughness after partially tearing his hamstring in Game 6. That shooting arsenal is something NBA teams have been accustomed to seeing when facing Gordon, though at times he can be a gunslinger, Gordon elevated his stock since entering the league back in 2004.
Bulls GM Gar Forman expressed interest in re-signing the 6'2 guard after the Bulls first round loss to Boston. Forman sweet talked the city of Chicago into thinking that Gordon would return. During an interview on ESPN 1000's "Waddle & Silvy" show, the former Chicago Bulls spoke about the contract negotiations with the Bulls front office. Gordon said "They didn't even make an offer, so it was pretty much a one-man race".
The history of contract negotiations between Gordon and the Bulls front office aren't pleasant. Gordon turned down a $50 million contract offer by the Bulls the past two off-seasons.
The Pistons will give Gordon between $55 and $60 million for five years. Gorodon will move to a familiar sixth-man position for Detroit since the Pistons Richard Hamilton holds the starting shooting guard spot. Joe Dumars feels that Gordon will have an impact like his former teammate Vinny "The Microwave Johnson". Johnson was the Pistons sixth-man and earned his nickname from his instantly hot shooting.
The former Milwaukee Buck forward Charlie Villanueva agreed to a five year $40 million dollar deal. Villanueva was made an unrestricted free agent by the Bucks front office and considered joining the Cleveland Cavaliers before speaking with the Pistons. If free agent Rasheed Wallace returns to Detroit, Villanueva could bring stability to the power forward and small forward position in a backup role for the Pistons. The Milwaukee Bucks refused to match any offer by another NBA team due to the NBA luxury tax.
ZACH ATTACK MOVING SOUTH
8 year NBA veteran Zach Randolph is packing his bags once again. The Los Angeles Clippers shipped the southpaw to Memphis inorder to make room for number 1 overall pick Blake Griffin. Randolph was brought to Los Angeles to help fill the hole that Elton Brand left when he went to Philadelphia. Randolph had a forgettable NBA season in which injury shortened his play. Randolph averaged 20.9 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 39 games for the Clippers, but never looked comfortable with his teammates.
In exchange for Randolph, the Clippers brought back familiar face Quentin Richardson. Richardson began his career with the Clippers back in 2000 when L.A. chose him in the first round of the 2000 NBA draft. Richardson's play and shooting has dropped off since his days of teaming with Steve Nash, but the Chicago native looks to revive a 9 year career in L.A.
On the surface, it seems that the Clippers got the better end of the deal by trading away Zach Randolph, but something tells me that Memphis will emerge as the winner. Randolph joins an already talented Grizzles squad that features highlight film Rudy Gay.
Low post scoring has been a problem for Memphis, but with the addition of Randolph, the Grizzles will boast a more stronger front line. Add in 2nd overall pick Hasheem Thabeet and Memphis gets tougher inside the paint.
The summer is starting to sizzle already as NBA teams look to better the roster before Halloween night. Be on the lookout for other surprising free agency moves.
Here's a list of some of the top free agents in no particular order (as of 7/2/2009):
- Hedo Turkoglu
- Rasheed Wallace
- Trevor Ariza
- Mike Bibby
- Jason Kidd
- Lamar Odom
- David Lee
**Two hours after the story "Changing Places" was posted on "The Smith Report", Ron Artest verbally agreed to a 3 year $18 million deal to join the Los Angeles Lakers. ESPN.com writer Marc Stein reported that Artest, who's known for his tough defensive skills, sent a text message to ESPN.com saying "I am happy to say I am goin' to LA." Since Artest will join the Lakers next season, L.A. forward Trevor Ariza will probably be joining another NBA team.
Be Peaceful,
