The NBA’s free agency period began just a few days ago, but the majority of the league’s offseason business has already been completed. However, two major issues remain. After asking trades from the Portland Trail Blazers and the Philadelphia 76ers, respectively, where will Damian Lillard and James Harden end up?
Some teams are waiting to see if they can pull a deal for Lillard or Harden, or if they can get involved as a third team, because of their probable availability. There are also a few major contract extension decisions that need to be made.
Offseason transactions: Kristaps Porzingis (trade), Dalano Banton (free agent), Jordan Walsh (draft) and Oshae Brissett (free agent)
Who to watch: Jaylen Brown, Grant Williams and Damian Lillard
After the All-Star break, Brown was one of seven players to average 27 points and shoot at least 50%. He was named All-NBA and is eligible for a five-year, $288 million supermax contract extension. The contract would be the most lucrative in NBA history.
Since the NBA implemented the designated veteran extension rule (supermax) in 2017, 11 of the 12 All-NBA candidates have signed the designated deal. In San Antonio, the lone exception was Kawhi Leonard. Teams are required to offer an extension for a total of six seasons (including what is remaining on the player’s present contract) under the supermax rules, although they are not compelled to give a first-year pay starting at 35% of the salary cap. Rudy Gobert signed a supermax agreement in 2020 that was $23 million less than Giannis Antetokounmpo’s.
Williams, a restricted free agent, is in limbo as the market for teams willing to present an offer sheet has decreased. Outside of the Spurs, who have $23 million in cap space, Williams may sign a four-year, $54 million offer sheet (the $12.4 million non-tax midlevel). If the Celtics matched, the predicted tax penalty would cost them an additional $40 million.
Over the past two seasons, Williams shot 44.5% on corner 3-pointers, ranking in the top ten among all players who attempted at least 200. Williams averaged a career-high 25.9 minutes per game this season, but was benched in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Lillard’s trade request might allow Boston to consider trade packages for the All-Star, especially given the vacancy at point guard left by the trade of Marcus Smart to Memphis. The question is if the Celtics can entice the All-NBA guard away from Portland without sacrificing Jaylen Brown.
The Celtics can include up to five first-round picks in a deal (they owe San Antonio a top-1 protected pick swap in 2028) and have the contracts of Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White, and Robert Williams III to use as matching compensation for Lillard.
Available exceptions: Veteran minimum and trade ($1.8 million)
Below the $182.5M second apron: $3.5 million
Projected tax penalty: $21.4 million
Players under contract: 13
Two-way players: 0
Extension eligible: Jayson Tatum (not supermax), Brown, White (as of Sept. 30), Brogdon (as of Oct. 1) and Payton Pritchard (rookie)
Free-agent status:
- Blake Griffin | Non-Bird
- Grant Williams | Restricted | Bird
- JD Davison | Restricted | Non-Bird
- Mfiondu Kabengele | Non-Bird
Leave a Reply