The season may not yet be over, but the offseason in the NBA is a year round circus. As we enter June, and the June 30th deadline is around the corner, the rumors are flying. For the Sixers, where almost the entire roster is a free agent, the rumors can feed more than a seniors trip to Old Country Buffet.
The Sparknotes version of the rumors seem to be this:
•Jimmy Butler will he offered the max, he will be back
• Tobias Harris will not
Before you crucify me for using 97.5 as a source, I’d like to defend myself and say I don’t actually get my news from Anthony Gargano. The tweet just fit the bill of the general consensus of Twitter reporters who may or may not know things.
It had already been reported by Brian Windhorst that the Sixers were prepared to offer a max deal (5 years, $190 million) to Jimmy Butler. A Vegas gambling account who called the Bryce Harper signing says that Butler and the Sixers are close on a deal (gonna tread lightly with the credibility on that one). So, it has been the opinion of many that Jimmy will get his max deal here. Quite honestly, part of me hopes he does just for the sake of that UPS delivery man being right in stating Butler bought a house in Ambler. It would be my favorite free agency story since the Clippers locked Deandre Jordan in a house and held him hostage when he tried to sign with the Mavericks.
Speaking of the Mavericks…put them on the list of Tobias Harris. It’s a long list of suitors which is the ultimate issue for the Sixers. Multiple Jazz reporters have stated there is mutual interest between Utah and Tobias. Ian Begley, an insider for the Nets says Brooklyn will be willing to pay Tobi as well.
A lot of lessor opponents willing to overpay. It will be the bane of a lot of teams existence this summer. Including the Sixers and it will likely lead to them losing out on Tobias (and effectively Landry Shamet).
Here’s the thing about NBA Free Agency, the rumors don’t matter until after the Finals end. Especially in a year like this where Klay, KD, and Kawhi are all free agents to be. Their departures or re-signings could cause seismic shifts in the league and teams free agency plans. Until the Finals play out, we don’t know how the stars decision making will play out. If the Heat beat the Spurs in the 2014 Finals, does Lebron stay in Miami? If Golden State doesn’t blow a 3-1 lead to Lebron in the Finals once he did leave Miami, is KD ever a Warrior? The rumors are all fun and games, but they’re useless until one team is on a parade float.
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