Free agency is the most awaited time during offseasons in the NBA. All teams are eyeing to improve and fill the needs of their teams by signing free agent players. As one source reported, when signing goes down in the offseason, all we can do is analyze it and predict how we think it will be play out. No matter how great something can look on the surface until we see it done on the court, there's still a chance that it could not work out. With contracts being guaranteed in the NBA there's very little room for error. One bad contract can spell disaster for a franchise for many years to come.
This first quarter of the 2008-2009 season, here are the four major free agent signings that able team owners to scratch their heads of.
Monta Ellis, six-year $66 million deal (GSW)
Just in his third season, he became one of the NBA’s efficient scorers last season averaging 20 points per game. At first, it was a good signing that the Warriors needed. When Baron Davis left the Warriors for the Clippers, they decided to hold on to Ellis and extending his contract.
However, before the training camp started this season, Monta injured his ankle in a moped accident, a violation to his newly signed contract. The Warriors could have voided his contract and take back the $66 million contract extension. Instead of voiding it, they suspended him for 30 games realizing that he could get back where he left last season when he returned from injury. Now with Jamal Crawford is in town, after acquiring him from the Knicks for Harrington, the need for Ellis is now diminished compared what many expected from him this off-season. One contract signing the Warriors are regretting this summer.
Correy Maggette, five-year $55 million deal (GSW)
After Baron Davis shocked the NBA world in opting-out from his contract to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Warriors had enough amounts to pry a coveted free agent. They courted Gilbert Arenas to play again for the Warriors, but the Wizards were able to offer Arenas the amount he wants. So they signed Maggette to a five-year deal.
At first, he was courted by the Boston Celtics, to fill the void of James Posey, and by the San Antonio Spurs to be the difference maker at the 3 position. While the money the Warriors were offering was too high to match by other teams, Corey pulled the trigger and signed with the Warriors. As of now, Maggette is down with an injury and has not been a major factor for the Warriors at 9-22 (win-loss). Now, not only the Warriors are thinking if they did the right decision this summer, also Maggette. He could have now playing his best season on a winning team and even on a championship-caliber team.
Gilbert Arenas, six-year $111 million deal (WAS)
Arenas accepted a less than maximum deal to remain a Wizard and giving the franchise a little breathing room and flexibility to re-sign Antawn Jamison. This off-season, everyone is excited that the Wizards can compete again for the Southeast Division title and go deeper into the playoffs now that their big three of Butler, Jamison and Arenas are back and healthy. But even their quest has not yet started, Arenas was forced to get his third surgery in two years at his left knee.
He targeted December 1 as a possible comeback date and even expected to be in uniform during a game at Cleveland this Christmas but remains on the shelf. Other sources are saying that Arenas and the team are seriously pondering whether to bring him back at all this season. Now the Washington Wizards are off to their worst start in their franchise history at 4-23. Their quest for this season is almost done and trying to regroup for the next season. Besides, they could end up drafting a promising rookie and help the big three to resurrect their winning ways.
Elton Brand, five-year $82 million deal (PHI)
The Los Angeles Clippers were hoping they will be a contending team by signing Baron Davis to pair with Elton Brand. Brand opts-out from his contract to get a max deal and almost agreed to remain a Clipper. Shockingly, he ended with the Sixers and signed a max deal for five years.
The Sixers were viewed to be the winner in this summer of free agency, able to land the piece they have wanted since Chris Webber was in uniform. They made the most impressive moves in order to compete with the best team in the east with the likes of Boston, Orlando and Cleveland. When the season started, the Sixers were slowly losing their identity they had built last season that got them to the playoffs – their up tempo style of play. With Brand, they become a half court basketball team that led to a 12-17 start. Brand is now out with a dislocated shoulder and could miss many games. Now the Sixers are wondering how Josh Smith could have been fit better with their type of play than Brand.
Next time, the trades that made teams regret this season.
This first quarter of the 2008-2009 season, here are the four major free agent signings that able team owners to scratch their heads of.
Monta Ellis, six-year $66 million deal (GSW)
Just in his third season, he became one of the NBA’s efficient scorers last season averaging 20 points per game. At first, it was a good signing that the Warriors needed. When Baron Davis left the Warriors for the Clippers, they decided to hold on to Ellis and extending his contract.However, before the training camp started this season, Monta injured his ankle in a moped accident, a violation to his newly signed contract. The Warriors could have voided his contract and take back the $66 million contract extension. Instead of voiding it, they suspended him for 30 games realizing that he could get back where he left last season when he returned from injury. Now with Jamal Crawford is in town, after acquiring him from the Knicks for Harrington, the need for Ellis is now diminished compared what many expected from him this off-season. One contract signing the Warriors are regretting this summer.
Correy Maggette, five-year $55 million deal (GSW)
After Baron Davis shocked the NBA world in opting-out from his contract to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Warriors had enough amounts to pry a coveted free agent. They courted Gilbert Arenas to play again for the Warriors, but the Wizards were able to offer Arenas the amount he wants. So they signed Maggette to a five-year deal.At first, he was courted by the Boston Celtics, to fill the void of James Posey, and by the San Antonio Spurs to be the difference maker at the 3 position. While the money the Warriors were offering was too high to match by other teams, Corey pulled the trigger and signed with the Warriors. As of now, Maggette is down with an injury and has not been a major factor for the Warriors at 9-22 (win-loss). Now, not only the Warriors are thinking if they did the right decision this summer, also Maggette. He could have now playing his best season on a winning team and even on a championship-caliber team.
Gilbert Arenas, six-year $111 million deal (WAS)
Arenas accepted a less than maximum deal to remain a Wizard and giving the franchise a little breathing room and flexibility to re-sign Antawn Jamison. This off-season, everyone is excited that the Wizards can compete again for the Southeast Division title and go deeper into the playoffs now that their big three of Butler, Jamison and Arenas are back and healthy. But even their quest has not yet started, Arenas was forced to get his third surgery in two years at his left knee.He targeted December 1 as a possible comeback date and even expected to be in uniform during a game at Cleveland this Christmas but remains on the shelf. Other sources are saying that Arenas and the team are seriously pondering whether to bring him back at all this season. Now the Washington Wizards are off to their worst start in their franchise history at 4-23. Their quest for this season is almost done and trying to regroup for the next season. Besides, they could end up drafting a promising rookie and help the big three to resurrect their winning ways.
Elton Brand, five-year $82 million deal (PHI)
The Los Angeles Clippers were hoping they will be a contending team by signing Baron Davis to pair with Elton Brand. Brand opts-out from his contract to get a max deal and almost agreed to remain a Clipper. Shockingly, he ended with the Sixers and signed a max deal for five years.The Sixers were viewed to be the winner in this summer of free agency, able to land the piece they have wanted since Chris Webber was in uniform. They made the most impressive moves in order to compete with the best team in the east with the likes of Boston, Orlando and Cleveland. When the season started, the Sixers were slowly losing their identity they had built last season that got them to the playoffs – their up tempo style of play. With Brand, they become a half court basketball team that led to a 12-17 start. Brand is now out with a dislocated shoulder and could miss many games. Now the Sixers are wondering how Josh Smith could have been fit better with their type of play than Brand.
Next time, the trades that made teams regret this season.
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