NBA free agency isn’t the monumental event it used to be on the league’s calendar. The biggest superstars in basketball no longer hit the open market like they once did and the balance of power tends to shift on the trade market rather than during the free agency period. Overall, teams have also gotten way smarter about which players they spend big money on. This offseason proved teams are more cognizant than ever of how long they’re willing to spend big money on those players, too, with numerous free agents signing contracts that are only guaranteed through the first year or so.
In fewer words, long gone are the days of GMs throwing around money like candy as they try to build out their roster in free agency. We just don’t see $50 million forked over to a Tyler Johnson anymore, or $75 million to an Allen Crabbe. Front offices are more risk-averse and far less willing to bet piles of money on potential when it comes to free agents.
