Free Agent Frenzy

The Los Angeles Lakers landed one of the top point guards this offseason, Steve Nash. Nash was formally the rival Phoenix Suns, who is from Canada considered playing for the Toronto Raptors. This will be the first time in the Kobe Bryant era that the Lakers have a true star point guard facilitating the ball and commanding the offense. With the arrival of Nash, Bynum and Gasol will receive the rock in the post more often and Kobe will not have all the pressure on him to be the point guard and shooting guard this season. With the acquisition of Nash, will the Lakers be a viable title contender for the next three seasons? Will the Lakers pursue options to trade one of their big men, Gasol or Bynum?


The blockbuster trade so far this offseason was Atlanta Hawks trading star shooting guard, Joe Johnson to the Brooklyn Nets. To get the All-Star shooting guard, the Nets gave up five role players and a first-round draft in 2014. Johnson agreed to be traded to the Nets well before All-Star free agent point guard Deron Williams decided his future. Williams, who is a Dallas native had to choose between his hometown team and returning to the Nets. After the Nets showed an aggressive pursuit this offseason to acquire better talent, Williams decided to re-sign with the team. The future of the Nets looks promising and a contending team in the Eastern Conference. The bar is set high for the Nets this season with two All-Star guards on the roster. The Nets were in discussion of try to acquire Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, the process took too long for the Nets and it fell through. The Nets ended trade talks with the Magic and decided to re-sign center Brook Lopez. Will they live up to expectations? Will they be able to keep up with powerhouse teams in the Eastern Conference such as Boston Celtics and defending NBA Champion Miami Heat?

Breakthrough player of the year, Jeremy Lin being was offered a contract from the Houston Rockets, the New York Knicks seemed to look elsewhere and pursue Dallas Mavericks free agent point guard Jason Kidd. The Knicks signed Kidd for veteran leadership both on and off the court. The Knicks according to sources are going to match the Rockets offer to retain Lin. Lin will be the starting point guard, while Kidd will be the mentor. Lin had a breakout year last season but needs guidance and a accomplished backup to help him improve. Will the veteran leadership of Kidd have an impact on the teams performance and how they operate their offense? Will Jeremy Lin succeed or crumble this season?


Free agent, Ray Allen had a tough decision to make this offseason, re-sign with the Celtics or pursue the last few years of his career elsewhere. The Celtics offered him a two-year contract worth $12 million, while the Miami Heat offered him $3 million a year.  Prior to Allen's decision, the Celtics  still look to entice the Mavericks into a sign-and-trade deal to land shooting guard Jason Terry. This may have been a sign to Allen that the Celtics were moving on without him. Allen decided to take the Heat's offer because he thought it would be his best opportunity to win another title. Going to a rival team, will Allen be looked at as a trader to Celtics fans? Is signing Allen the key to back-to-back championships? Will Jason Terry be able to fill the shoes of all the success and admiration that Ray Allen received from the Celtics fans?

The Dwightmare continues as the Rockets and Lakers try to acquire the All-Star center.
         
         

NBA Draft Recap

First Round Selections

1. Anthony Davis - New Orleans Hornets

2. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - Charlotte Bobcats

3. Bradley Beal - Washington Wizards

4. Dion Waiters - Cleveland Cavaliers

5. Thomas Robinson - Sacramento Kings

6. Damian Lillard - Portland Trail Blazers (from Brooklyn Nets)

7. Harrison Barnes - Golden State Warriors

8. Terrence Ross - Toronto Raptors

9. Andre Drummond - Detroit Pistons

10. Austin Rivers - New Orleans Hornets (from Minnesota Timberwolves)

11. Meyers Leonard - Portland Trail Blazers

12. Jeremy Lamb - Houston Rockets (from Milwaukee Bucks)

13. Kendall Marshall - Phoenix Suns

14. John Henson - Milwaukee Bucks (from Houston Rockets)

15. Maurice Harkless - Philadelphia 76ers

16. Royce White - Houston Rockets (from New York Knicks)

17. Tyler Zeller - Dallas Mavericks (traded to Cleveland)

18. Terrence Jones - Houston Rockets (from Minnesota Timberwolves)

19. Andrew Nicholson - Orlando Magic

20. Evan Fournier - Denver Nuggets

21. Jared Sullinger - Boston Celtics

22. Fab Melo - Boston Celtics (from LA Clippers)

23. John Jenkins - Atlanta Hawks

24. Jared Cunningham - Cleveland Cavaliers (from LA Lakers) (traded to Mavericks)

25. Tony Wroten Jr. - Memphis Grizzlies

26. Miles Plumlee - Indiana Pacers

27. Arnett Moultrie - Miami Heat (traded to 76ers)

28. Perry Jones III - Oklahoma City Thunder

29. Marquis Teague - Chicago Bulls

30. Festus Ezeli - Golden State Warriors (from San Antonio Spurs)

Notable Second Round Selections

35. Draymond Green - Golden State Warriors

37. Quincy Acy - Toronto Raptors

41. Tyshawn Taylor - Portland Trail Blazers

42. Doron Lamb - Milwaukee Bucks

44. Kim English - Detroit Pistons

The 2012 NBA Draft was history making, it was the first time in the common draft era that the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks were from the same college (University of Kentucky Wildcats). The Wildcats tied an all-time high with six players being drafting. University of North Carolina had the second most players drafted in the 2012 draft with a total of four Tar Heels selected.

Which was the biggest surprise of the draft for you? Dion Waiters
a projected pick to the Toronto Raptors at No. 8, going to the Cleveland Cavaliers with the No. 4 overall pick? Perry Jones III dropping to No. 28 overall? Miles Plumlee being drafted in the first round? Did the Celtic's take a huge risk by selecting injured (back issues) Jared Sullinger at No. 21?


This was one of the deepest drafts and consisted of a lot of talented players. The Houston Rockets had three great selections and look to rebuild their franchise, they will emerge into a great young team. The Cleveland Cavaliers were another team that had a great draft, Dion Waiters and Kyrie Irving playing on the floor together could be devastating for opponents. The 2012-13 NBA season looks to have less parity and more contending teams. Hope you all are anticipating the start of the season to see this new rookie class shine on the court.


Stay tuned for the chaos that is NBA free agency, which officially began today!