Two Years In The Making
Donnie Walsh was hired by the New York Knicks to be their new president on April 2, 2008. That’s over two years ago, and that’s when the anticipation for tomorrow began.
Walsh began his reign by firing head coach Isiah Thomas and bringing in offensive mastermind Mike D’Antoni. He followed it up by dumping large salaries and building a young foundation with one single thought in mind: July 1st, 2010.
Tonight at midnight marks the beginning of free agency. Players can officially opt out of their contracts, and then next week the league will officially announce its salary cap for next season. Then on July 8th, free agents will be able to sign where they so choose.
While the Knicks have cleared enough room to sign two maximum contracts, they are not the only team working hard. New York got an early start to the arms race, and had been the early favorite for pretty much the past two years.
But teams like Chicago and Miami are cleaning house as well, making a huge push for the biggest and most influential free agent class in the history of sports. Unlike any other summer we’ve seen, this one could change the future of the NBA for the next decade.
What started as a play to get the coveted LeBron James, most teams especially NY have created plans B to Z, just in case. And once James has found his home, expect the rest of the LeBrominoes to fall into place.
Do I know what will happen? No.
But does anyone really?
Experts and fans alike have spent the past two years speculating about the end destinations of the free agents to-be. But that’s all it’s been: speculation. Until tomorrow (or likely next week), we will have no idea where anyone is going.
At midnight tonight, everything will change. For better or worse, it’s out of our control.
