NBA Free Agency Explosion

The NBA free agent season did not take long to explode. Within minutes of announcements being permitted, we knew that Paul George had resigned with The Oklahoma City Thunder. This was a bit of a surprise as the Thunder’s attempt to forge a super team with George, Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony had yielded somewhat disappointing results. There was a lot of speculation that George would head to Los Angeles to pair up with LeBron James and make a run at a title. The initial speculation was that George’s unwillingness to return to his native Los Angeles indicated that the Lakers had failed to land LeBron, thus submarining George’s interest. However, it was only hours later that the LeBron announced that he would be taking his talents to Hollywood. James will join the procession of all-time greats to come through LA: Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Magic, Kareem, Shaq and Kobe as well as other players who might be the greatest player in the history of lesser teams. The Lakers have assembled a fair collection of peripheral players around James. Rajon Rondo, a former star with something left in the tank and a high basketball IQ, plus JaVale McGee and Lance Stephenson. They already had a young core, though they let Julius Randle go. It seems like the Lakers are taking a very wise course. It looks like LA’s strategy is to assemble a team that will last for one year and have a longshot at the title, with LBJ, the young players and some crafty veterans. Then, next season, with the young guys a little older and more seasoned, they can pursue Kawhi Leonard and other elite free agents and try for a truly elite team. This is because the NBA Champion, Golden State Warriors have signed big man, Demarcus Cousins, who has taken a massive pay cut to join a team almost assured of winning a championship, at least to the degree that such an assurance is possible. The Warriors were already a championship team. Then they added the second best player in the league, in Kevin Durant. Now with Cousins, they resemble an Olympic team. However, they will have several key players, including Cousins, hit the open market next season. This is when the Lakers, and the rest of the league, can strike. Just forget about 2018-19. The Warriors could have any player injured, and almost any two, and still be the favorite for the title. If healthy, they will turn the season into a joke. The rest of the NBA can only plan for two years into the future and hope that some of the Golden State stars leave for bigger paydays. If you really think a Warriors triumph is inevitable, you can lay 3/5 on it at Unibet.