SPENDING season starts Friday night (Saturday in Manila) in the NBA, but this summer free agency feels a bit more like a resale shop.
James Harden turns 34 in August and has played in 1,000 career games. He could leave Philadelphia for a return to Houston or another team with the cap space to lure him from the 76ers.
Kyrie Irving, 31, might be open to staying with the Dallas Mavericks. Moving to a fifth team can’t be ruled out given his history of relocation– and trade demands.
With a new collective bargaining agreement in effect Saturday, don’t be surprised if the usual frenzy is more brake than gas pedal when the light turns green this weekend. Among the challenges general managers and owners are dissecting are new luxury tax blockades likely to spell trouble for teams patrolling for a pairing of two or three All-Stars.
Pairing stars means multiplying contracts– hello, Los Angeles Clippers– and the new CBA will be extremely prohibitive and limiting to teams filling a roster behind multiple studs.
Then again, the All-NBA credentials of Harden and Irving, former Nets teammates, drive interest for teams ready to spend and turn the page on rebuilding such as the Rockets and San Antonio Spurs.
Houston has a league-high $64 million under the salary cap.
There are solid if unspectacular options on the second tier.
Negotiations with free agents can begin Friday at 6 p.m. ET and deals are official as of July 6.
Eschewing potential trade candidates such as Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard and Bulls guard Zach LaVine.
