NBA Free Agency

Now that the NBA draft is complete and most of the marquee free agents have found their new destinations, I figure we should discuss the fallout from said events:

1 - The T-Wolves didn't really have a point guard last year, now they have too many. Interesting move by new GM David Kahn to take two point guards, one right after the other, at picks #5 and 6 in the draft. Not sure if the Minnesota brass think they can play together, or are just afraid Rubio won't come over. Speaking of Rubio, recently his camp told the Spanish press that the reason he hasn't come over already is due to his buyout, not his (lack of) desire to play in the frozen tundra of Minneapolis. There is a steep drop (steep is a relative term) in pay from the #3 pick (where he was projected to go) to #5 (his actual spot). One blog stated that ends up being $600k annually. When the buyout is in the $4-5M range, that could add up. Hopefully his Spanish team lets him go for $4M, and Ricky realizes how important pursuing his NBA dream is.
2 - Not sure if anyone noticed, but the Pacers took Tyler "Psycho T" Hansbrough from UNC. In the first round, NOT the second. When I first read this, I was on a slow-ass German hotel computer, typing on a keyboard with its z and y buttons keys switched, and I was livid. But the more I've let this marinate, the more comfortable I am with it. The biggest need the Pacers have is finding players who don't need to shoot to be effective - enter Hansbrough and Dahntay Jones, a defensive stopper who will allow Granger et al to focus on the offensive end of the floor. Between Jones and Hansbrough, the Blue and Gold now have a few pieces that are willing to get their noses dirty and allow others to shine. The other question is whether the new additions will be able to help the Pacers in their other very below-average category: rebounding.
3 - All the East contending teams seem to have upped the ante: Boston got Rasheed, Magic replaced Turkoglu with Vinsanity and added size down low, Cleveland got Shaq. However, there hasn't been as much talk about the Western conference upper-echelon squads. The Lakers acquired Artest, but what are they going to do about Odom? They are way less potent without their All-World 6th Man. And what about the Mavericks getting Shawn Marion? That's a great get by them, makes them much better defensively, and also gives J-Kidd someone to oop to on the break. However, they did lose Brandon Bass, who gave them an underrated low-post presence last year. And whats going to happen with Phoenix - now theres no Shaq, and they just bought out Ben Wallace - are they going small again, with an assortment of Amare, Channing Frye and Robin Lopez at center? And they haven't even signed up Nash again.

That's all for now - anyone want to bet the TWolves make the playoffs before the Pacers? I think the Pacers will get there this year, albeit in the 6th or 7th spot.