NBA Offseason: SCIC Roundtable – Part 1
Apr 9, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) carries the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Which contract, above $10 million a year, was the steal of the summer?
Michael Saenz: I’ll use the cop-out and just say LeBron James. He’s going to be everything for the Cleveland Cavaliers next season and as long as he wants — on and off the court. He’s going to give Cleveland hope and an opportunity at a championship for a very long time. Every year. He’s going to help the Cavs land free agents, something that they haven’t even had the chance to do since LeBron was last with the club. I also love the Raptors keeping their paws on Kyle Lowry for about $12 million per year.
Raptors vs Cavs, Eastern Conference Finals? We’ll settle it then.
John Armstrong: Dirk Nowitzki, no doubt. He’s been a max caliber player since … well, forever, and his game is one that ages well, so he’s got plenty left in the tank. He took a Duncan-esque pay cut to help build a contender, and while I don’t think they’re top three in the West, they could definitely turn some heads this coming season.
Morten Jensen: LeBron is the obvious pick here, so let’s ignore him entirely and head north to Toronto instead, where Kyle Lowry signed for $48 million over four years. Let’s be honest for a minute, he could have gotten more elsewhere. He should have been an All-Star last season, and Toronto locked him up for $12 million a year during what will be his prime years. That’s a freaking steal.
George Middleton: LeBron James. But since any deal for James, seems like a steal, I will go with Kyle Lowry. Lowry received a well-deserved four years $48 million deal. While it wasn’t as if Lowry got underpaid, the deal is a steal because many believed Lowry would go to the Lakers or Heat potentially. Lowry was top 10 among point guards in points, assists, rebounds, steals, and three point makes. Pretty impressive.
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Bryce Olin: The answer is LeBron James, but that’s too easy… I’m tempted to say Chandler Parsons because he’s going to be fantastic with Dallas. I’m going to go with Kyle Lowry, though. His four-year, $48 million deal to re-sign with Toronto was well-deserved and crucial. Lowry gives the Raptors some stability to build around for the future. In the wide-open East, Lowry could lead the Raptors deep into the playoffs, if he had a little help.
Brandon Osborne: LeBron James. I know 2 years and 42 million doesn’t sound like a steal but LeBron is the best player in the league and he didn’t take the max offer. No matter what kind of offer LeBron signed, he was always going to be a steal considering you’re getting one of the best players in NBA history.
David Ramil: Easy. LeBron James. So far, James has served Cleveland as their best PR man, general manager and, on the floor, will serve as a coach and best player. All that for 20-plus million isn’t a steal, it’s grand larceny. We all know that James, even at the max, is worth far more than his contract. But, in addition to generating tons of money in terms of ticket sales and merchandise, his greatest gift to the Cavaliers is simply making them relevant again.
HoopDon: LeBron James, and whatever he signs for, will usually be the steal of the summer.
Stefan Abramian: I have to say Jodie Meeks. Even tough he got tremendously over paid, I feel like he can develop more with the Pistons. I saw Meeks go from only shooting 3’s till last season where he drove in more often.