Boringest Free Agent Class Ever

Chad Ford's preview of the 2008 free agent class is subscriber-only, but there's no need to read it since the only part that matters is here: "But given current projections, only one team -- the Philadelphia 76ers -- will have enough money under the cap to spend on them. Even the Sixers won't have max room if (a) they have a large cap hold for a high first-round pick and (b) they decide to give Iguodala and Louis Williams, both restricted free agents, big deals this summer."

So, basically, nothing's going to happen. There are a bunch of stars who could opt out of contracts and sign elsewhere, but nobody can pay them, so they'll all get contract extensions instead.

Comments

"Free agent class" refers to the supply, not the demand.

There could be zero demand whatsoever, and still be a scintillating free agent class.

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Now that the rhetorical point has been made, Ford's point is on target.

Antawn's gonna be lucky to get the MLE. And he's a helluva scorer.

And Ford is also correct that Ben Gordon and Emeka Okefor have insane advisors.

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Is Nene back yet? No? How 'bout now?

Posted by Petey | November 28, 2007 8:45 AM

"Chad Ford's preview of the 2008 free agent class is subscriber-only"

Incorrect. It's open under a free preview.

Posted by Petey | November 28, 2007 8:47 AM

And as I imagine I'm not the first person to note, Bron-Bron has really elevated his game this season.

Given the lameness of his runningmates, I still think a decent team will be able to trap him out of existence during the playoffs.

But what he's doing so far this year really is impressive. When the double comes, he's immediately recognizing where the ball should go, which wasn't true in previous seasons.

And the nail-biting is finally starting to freak me out.

Posted by Petey | November 28, 2007 8:50 AM

So, basically, nothing's going to happen. There are a bunch of stars who could opt out of contracts and sign elsewhere, but nobody can pay them,

And yet, somehow, Kobe's opt-out clause, no-trade clause, and magic penis allow him to dictate terms to the Lakers. You've just got to believe, apparently, and the money appears.

Posted by SomeCallMeTim | November 28, 2007 9:28 AM

Sign and trade?

I guess given the luxury tax situation, even that is unlikely - hey, just look at the Anderson Verajao situation. Nobody wants a young, athletic, likeable, defensive-minded big man? Yikes.

That said, the idea that Jamison will have trouble getting the MLE, as Petey asserted above, is crazy.

Posted by Al | November 28, 2007 10:33 AM

My desparate hope is that the Lakers just find a way to keep the cap room available to sign an extremely disgruntled but incredibly awesome James when he becomes a free agent. Maybe Bynum will even be a legitimate force by then.

Posted by mpowell | November 28, 2007 12:19 PM

Boring?? Isn't this excellent news from a DC perspective, given that Agent Zero is going to be a free agent after this season?

Posted by Tom | November 28, 2007 1:11 PM

Don't call it boring until we actually get there Yglesias! Lot's of teams (like Seattle for one) could make some moves and get under the cap if they really wanted to. Not saying this will happen, but if you attach value to dead weight contracts, I'm sure Minnesota (Theo Ratliff) or the Lakers (Kwame) or a number of other teams would be willing to listen to offers...

Posted by dan k | November 28, 2007 1:59 PM

Actually, I think the offseason is going to be anything but boring. Look at what's happening to Varrajao in Cleveland. Now imagine it occurring league wide. The NBA's collective bargaining agreement will really hurt this crop of free agents. Right now, only the sixers are under the cap and will be able to offer more than the MLE. They will add on free agent, and what happens to the rest. Take Ben Gordon for example who just passed up $50 mil for 5 years. No team will be able to offer him more than the MLE or $5 mil a year. Why then would the Bulls offer $10 mil per year which is twice what any other team can offer? The Bulls can just lowball him and offer $6 mil. Then, if Gorden is insulted and signs elsewhere for the MLE with another team, because he's a restricted free agent the Bulls keep him anyway. This will be happening league wide and it will be ugly.

Posted by Bum | November 29, 2007 1:53 PM