NBA: Next Year

The Finals are finally over. The Kobes beat the horribly outgunned Magic (should it have been LeBron? We can all dream of that matchup in our sleep). Now, though, thoughts for the other teams, from top (Lakers) to bottom (Sacramento), get to discuss next year, free agency, and the draft.



I was surfing yesterday and found an interesting article on the free agents in 2009. It predicted the destination of free agents, including restricted free agents and those with early termination options. Here are a few of the big names, and the ones that involve the Rockets. Some of those moves make sense to me, but some seem a little far-fetched.

• Jason Kidd to Lakers: This move seems viable, considering how well Kidd played down the stretch. Fisher showed that he is inconsistent now, and Jordan Farmar is best suited coming off the bench. The only concern would be that money might go to resign Odom, although allowing him to walk now, with a healthy Bynum, Gasol, and Ariza would not be the end of the world.


• Ben Gordon to Utah: While on paper, his offense would boost the Jazz into Finals contender, his defense and attitude might not fly in Utah. Jerry Sloan gets guys he wants, and I am not sure he is a fit with the coach. If it did work, moving Brewer to the bench and bringing him in would give them a sorely needed scorer with a lockdown defender on the bench.


• Allen Iverson to Dallas: Interesting situation because Iverson has shown he cannot play at a high level. Detroit made one of the worst trades in recent memory by giving up Billups for Iverson. Billups might not be "Mr. Big Shot" anymore, but he brought that team together and to the conference finals. Dallas might take a flyer on AI if they lose Kidd, if for nothing else than the added publicity that Cuban craves.


• Ron Artest to Toronto: I think this is a possibility, but a remote one at best. Ron is getting old enough that he is ready to win something. Therefore, I expect him signing a lower money deal (mid-level exception) to play for a contender. I can actually see him resigning in Houston after the way they played in the postseason.


• Lamar Odom to Detroit: This is a risk for Detroit because Odom has shown a propensity NOT to be a huge player when counted on. Look at his time in Miami or the other LA jersey when he could not take charge and carry the team. Odom is best as a third option, creating matchup problems for opponents. In Detroit, he would fill Rasheed's shoes, playing as a small PF. But outside of Hamilton, he would have to score points. A bad combo. If he is smart, he resigns with LA or a similar contender, perhaps even a trip back to South Beach...


• Andre Miller to Portland: If this happens, the Blazers get a boost in experience a play from probably the only position they were considered weak at. Steve Blake is solid, but he is not Andre Miller. With Roy, Aldridge, Oden, and the other great young guys they have, this signing could bring it together. That said, I don't see the Blazers scrapping the rebuild they have started. Decisions such as this have plagued them in the past. Look for them to spend wisely, waiting to see how the talent develops one more year before jumping into the free agent deep end.


• Shawn Marion to Chicago: Another intriguing option, but I don't see it materializing. The Bulls are known to be slashing some payroll, but I don't think a reduced-price Marion will fit the bill. His athletic ability would be a better fit elsewhere, where the pace is up tempo. Perhaps a reunion in New York with his old boss is in order, especially since the Knicks are looking at a bleak shot at getting LeBron and keeping any players around him.