Dec 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan unveils the new Charlotte Hornets logo at halftime during the game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
THE TEAM TO OVERPAY FOR A FREE AGENT WILL BE…
MS — I’m going to say the Jazz. I feel like they’re going to overpay to keep Gordon Hayward, and possibly on another free agent. They’re going to have money to spend. I don’t think they’ll use it wisely.
GM — Someone that is one piece away from taking the next step such as Charlotte or Phoenix will overspend.
RW — The Dallas Mavericks have plenty of money to spend this offseason. We could all assume they are at least going to talk to Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and Carmelo Anthony. Will they actually sign one of them? My prediction is no. They will target someone like Trevor Ariza, who is coming off of a career year in a contract year. Once the Mavs miss out on the top guys, he seems like an option that could command a lot of money in the secondary market.
JA — Any team trying to get above .500. I could legitimately see New York or the Los Angeles Lakers pay big to get somebody they feel could give them a chance to win. Those are both big markets, with big money, that want to win big. Plus, one of those two teams I named might lose their star so there’ll be some big shoes to fill.
DA — the Toronto Raptors. Like I stated earlier, I can’t underestimate the importance of the contract year on Lowry’s unexpected productivity. It’s been a factor throughout NBA history and will continue to be so, but it’s a shame because the Raps seem poised to actually build something and Lowry has the talent to go next level. But getting paid big money (as I expect Toronto to do) and then living up to that contract doesn’t seem to be a priority for the talented guard.
BO — Dallas. They have the cap space and flexibility to overpay someone, and Mark Cuban wants to win. If there’s a guy out there the Mavs like, say Chandler Parsons, Lance Stephenson, or Greg Monroe for instance, Dallas is willing to overpay because they want to make another run with Dirk. That window is closing. It’s Cuban’s move.
AL — The Hornets. With the Bobcat era over and Josh McRoberts declaring his free agency, Front Office MJ will probably want to user in a big splash to start off the new (old) era.