Live Thread: NBA Free Agency Midnight Madness [Updated with Recap, Analysis and Grades]

Who watches the Watchmen Free Agents? Literally every team’s sleep deprived front office staff, every unrestricted, restricted or Free Agent-to-be, every source-laden information gathering basketball writer or blogger worth their salt, and most every fan of the increasingly ubiquitous National Basketball Association as the clock strikes 12(EST) and the calendar turns to July.

There’s a certain frenzied psychosis that accompanies the official start of the NBA Free Agency period that cannot be completely quantified nor explained. It’s like Black Friday for multi-millionaires. For some teams, “Everything Must Go!” in favor of precious cap space and future draft picks. For others, it’s “Stars Or Bust!” in the pursuit of a shot at relevance and possibly a ring, before the salary cap well and truly goes bananas next summer.

The Cavs find themselves in the slightly schizophrenic position of trying to keep all of their own Free Agents in the fold, while also shopping for some key bargains that could potentially bolster their bench rotation for next season. From all reports, they’re prepared to offer a five year max deal (worth somewhere in the $110M range) to Kevin Love when the witching hour arrives. Will they show up at the Peninsula Hotel pool (or wherever Kev is hanging out at the moment) with contract in hand like they did with Kyrie last year? How long will it take to get around to TT, Iman, J.R. and Delly? Will they try and lock them up quickly, or let other teams make offers to match? And how long until the King signs on the dotted line?

We’ll begin to find out shortly as the midnight madness kicks off Free Agency in earnest. Stay tuned for all of the breaking rumors, news and developments…

Here’s a brief recap of what we know so far:

The Brow Cashed In

The New Orleans Pelicans took a page out of the Cavs book from last year’s Free Agency gameplan and inked their franchise cornerstone to a mammoth five year $145M deal at roughly 12:01 EST. While not a huge surprise, it is a huge win for the Cans and their new coach, Alvin Gentry. Reportedly, Davis can opt out in 2020 (right about the time his hindsight is keenest). Grade: All Brow, No Brainer

Yahoo Sources: Anthony Davis, New Orleans agree to $145 million deal. http://t.co/kuzhR0lkcX

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2015

Kahwi Stuck with the Spurs

Shortly after the Brow report rolled in, word hit that Leonard was going to be a Spur for the foreseeable future. San Antonio and Kahwi agreed in principle to a Max extension that will pay Leonard roughly $90M over the next five years. Reportedly, the deal will be signed a little later into Free Agency to afford the Spurs the opportunity to still try and snag another marquis player like LaMarcus Aldridge. Again, this was pretty much a given. Grade: Kahwi Not?

Spurs do right thing, give Kawhi Leonard max extension (via @BenGolliver) http://t.co/PaenGZq5Wz pic.twitter.com/yeHOQXnFLL

— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) July 1, 2015

Paul Allen Went Crazy

A four year, $30M deal (roughly $7.5/per) for Al-Farouq Aminu seems like a bit of a steep price to pay for an offensively challenged, defensive specialist SF who plays about 20 mins per game. (Well, at least it seems like a steep price right now, and will likely be a bargain following the cap devastation to come.) This was a bit of a head scratcher as the first name (non-trade) to switch teams in Free Agency, as one could only assume that Paul Allen was attempting to replace already departed Nic Batum (and most likely about to depart LMA) with a less prolific scoring forward. Though Aminu stepped up his game to replace an injured Chandler Parsons in the playoffs, he did only average 5.6 points (on 41% shooting) during the regular season. The potentially bad news for Cavs fans is that this move may inflate the market for Iman Shumpert. Grade: Busting A Cap

Blazers & Al-Farouq Aminu agree to 4-year deal worth $30 million. (via @ramonashelburne & multiple reports) pic.twitter.com/P24KP4X1jU

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 1, 2015

LA to LA Got Off to a Very Slow Start

LaMarcus started his marathon series of meetings with… well, a marathon meeting with the Lakers. Reportedly, LA brought all of their big guns to this gabfest (including Genie), and probably all of their hardware as well. No word on whether or not they had Joel Silver create a sequel to the movie they made Melo watch last year… While no decision was reached, all signs from the Lakers’ end sound positive and hopeful. Grade: The L.A. Marathon

everything looks good so far. #LAtoLA @aldridge_12 pic.twitter.com/SzzMU1fkzs

— Nick Marquez (@NickMarquez23) July 1, 2015

Another fun update from the Lakers pitch to LaMarcus. Hear there was a killer Power Point ;)

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 1, 2015

DeAndre Got Wined and Dined by the Mavs

Though not quite Hack-A-DJ, the Mavs wouldn’t leave the Clips’ FA alone tonight, squiring him away to a nearly three hour dinner in Los Angeles. Chandler Parsons, in particular, seems to have formed a real attachment to the (possibly former) Lob-ster. Grade: Creepy Stalkers

Some details on the Mavs' dinners with DeAndre Jordan and Wes Matthews: http://t.co/Hj40s57vDg

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 1, 2015

I believe this is the fifth straight night that Chandler Parsons dined with DeAndre Jordan.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 1, 2015

Mavs' contingent is still with DeAndre Jordan, I'm told. Then again, Chandler Parsons might have to be surgically removed from DJ's hip.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 1, 2015

Kevin Will Show the Lakers Some Love

Probably not what the Cavs or Cavs fans want to hear, but it appears that Kevin Love will at least give the Lakers a shot to try and talk him into coming home. According to most media reports, it’s still doubtful that Love decides to leave the Cavs, and the Lakers do seem to be focusing most of their efforts on LMA and DeAndre Jordan. Still, until Kev scratches his name on some type of contract with the Cavs, it will be tough for them to relax. No word on whether the Cavs made their Max offer to Love (5 years/$110M), although it was widely thought that they would do so. Grade: Annoying Trip Home

Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Love set for free-agency meeting, sources say http://t.co/TI796KfFXX

— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) July 1, 2015

The Nets Gave Big Money to Their Big Men

Reportedly, the Brooklyn Nets will spend more than $100M over the next 3-4 years to tie up their two big men, Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young. These moves likely take the Nets out of the running on other big name free agents (barring sign and trades), and given their already non-existent cap space, they will no doubt continue to shop anchors like Joe Johnson, Jarrett Jack, Alan Anderson and Deron Williams like crazy. Grade: Russian ATM Reopens for Biz

Says at least one source close to talks on expected 3/60M deal for Brook Lopez and 4/50M deal for Thad Young: "Consider them done deals"

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2015

Somebody Actually Claimed to Want Rajon Rondo

At this point, it just seems like Vivek Ranadive and Vlade Divac are finding new ways to brutally troll George Karl… Can you imagine both Boogie Cousins AND Rajon Rondo on the same team? Karl probably can… it’s what he likely imagines the scenario to be if he winds up in Hell after he dies… perpetually trying to coach these two knuckleheads. Odds are that ol’ George will be back behind a desk giving analysis before the season starts, however, so this reality show waiting to happen will likely be some other poor sucker’s (or two or three, given how the Kings burn through coaches) problem. Grade: If You Quit, We Don’t Have To Pay You…

The Kings, as expected, wasted no time in reaching out to free agent point guard Rajon Rondo. Already being aggressive, I'm told.

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 1, 2015

https://twitter.com/netw3rk/status/616111799876726784

The Cavs Kicked the Tires on Some Vets

While Mike Dunleavy was already a known Cavalier target from earlier in the day (thanks to an endorsement from LBJ), two new candidates joined the mix after midnight. Both Tayshaun Prince and Patrick Beverly were bandied about as possible future Cavs. Count me intrigued with the Beverly idea, as the Cavs could use another tough-nosed PG who can handle the ball. Count me less intrigued with Prince (even though his three-point numbers were up last year). He seems like a Matrix replacement, but there’s a real question about how much gas is left in the tank. Dunleavy seems like a better target, although he may be tougher to pry away from the Bulls. Grade: Oh, There Will Be No Money, But on Your Deathbed… You’ll Receive Total Consciousness…

https://twitter.com/cavscentral216/status/616120317577162752

REPORT: The Cavs have reportedly reached out to FA Tayshaun Prince!

Interested, Cavs Nation? pic.twitter.com/NkAXHOd2yC

— Cavs Nation (@CavsNationCP) July 1, 2015

#Cavs, Wizards pursue Mike Dunleavy Jr., but #Bulls still the favorites, per @ShamsCharania: http://t.co/fZdPdJatvj pic.twitter.com/VmBTicrIph

— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) July 1, 2015

The next few days should bring a lot more rumors, moves, and (hopefully) re-signings of their own FAs for the Cavs. Stay tuned with C:tB for your Free Agency fix.