3 NBA teams who’ll be kicking themselves for not upgrading in free agency

NBA basketball historian Daryl Morey did his best to assure Philadelphia 76ers’ fans not to be worrisome about the current roster in the summer on local radio during free agency. He sensed the frustration of the faithful. The James Harden situation is knowingly becoming the second go-around of the Ben Simmons cinema since he picked up his player option and the two agreed on a breakup. Actually, it could get worse after the latest news.

Two significant reports came Saturday night from the Sixers via ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and the Athletics’ Sam Amick, with Woj stating that Philadelphia ended their trade talks with Harden. Once again, basically acknowledging his weak market value, this time on the trade front outside of brief talks with his desired Clippers but no traction. To expose previous news of Harden and Morey’s relationship being “fractured,” Woj mentioned how it could set up to be an uncomfortable training camp with him loudly wanting the move.

A couple hours later, the ultimate domino fell.

Amick stated in his piece in the report from a team source that it was unclear whether it would have the same dramatic extent that came with the Houston exit. There have been some whispers of the beard being prepared for another forceful war with the front office. After comments from his summer tour in China Monday morning, Harden asserted that, if not even more ugly, one of the greatest standoff schemes in the history of player empowerment is underway. It certainly showed Harden’s elite abilities at forcing his way out of a franchise.

"“Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of. Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.” James Harden to his audience of children via Shams Charania"

Charania also reported that Harden feels as if Morey betrayed him in negotiations or helping him reach his desires. With this outlook on who the obvious No. 1 team is, you can understand the ringing frustration within the fans. The championship window was wider than ever just over a year ago, with the acquisition of Harden creating an attractive one-two punch.

Following all of this, there was Joel Embiid. Silently removing the 76ers out of his bio on Twitter/X raising all of the eyeball emojis in the midst of a heavy thunderstorm surrounding the organization.

NBA Team #3: Philadelphia 76ers

Lost: George Niang, Shake Milton and Jalen McDaniels

Added: Patrick Beverley and Mo Bamba

It is definitely debatable that the only real and even inconsistent rotation piece that was lost was Georges Niang. Though, for a team that has been heavily on the radar in championship stakes, those transactions, along with the only multi-year agreement in retaining Paul Reed, make for an underwhelming offseason. It was imaginable that maybe, especially after seeing the displayed photos of the Sixers’ starters together at Michael Rubin’s party, Harden would leave the past baggage behind and approach training camp differently this time.

Harden is reportedly intending to be absent from Sixers’ camp in September, scheming together the movie we have seen before, but seemingly to a more destructive extent. The crack in he and Morey’s friendship began with the president refraining from offering Harden long-term security.

ESPN’s best in Zach Lowe, Tim Bontemps, and Bobby Marks have all signaled numerous times how everything is slowly collapsing for Philadelphia. They could predictably be on their way to hitting that same semifinal’s wall. Embiid has already slipped out some suspect statements publicly about his desire to win being wherever and however the job has to get done. The developing sequel of the co-star delaying the organization’s growth and destiny is setting up a ticking time bomb for the franchise as all eyes are glued to Embiid’s morale and remaining contract.

Morey has intended to generate cap space ahead of next summer, waiting to extend Tyrese Maxey and beyond, leaving options open for any current maneuver. Simultaneously, Morey understood the likely low-balling returns that read Norman Powell/Nic Batum Clipper packages. He had no choice but to cut off aimless discussions with teams around the league showing blaring disinterest.

Prior to Amick’s report, there was a slight optimism that Harden’s actions and public image had matured, mostly due to the Rubin Party link-up. Outsiders had assumed that Harden was open to getting to work, regardless of preference. As seen in 2022–23, some periodic All-NBA flashes and rumbles could lead to Morey working his typical magic ahead of February, getting Embiid that charming running mate. Think again. With the beard’s plans to nix camp next month, Philadelphia’s season could be set up for an awkward, major disaster.

More unfortunate hindrances are coming to fruition for Philadelphia after being just minutes away from their first conference finals since 2001 with the implode vs. Boston.

"“Maybe the other shoe will drop in 12 months, and Daryl will do his victory lap, which he’s done many times, and I’ll say, ‘You’ve done it again, old boy!’ But I don’t see how I can call them; their situation being a winner right now.” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and The Hoop Collective on July 17"

The roster is weakened, and this is extremely jeopardizing for both parties. Neither side can afford a holdout with Embiid, and Harden, having voiced Achilles problems, turns 35 around his free agency next summer with the least leverage the former MVP has ever held. It will only pile on more to zero interest in teams’ willingness to offer an abundance of salary or years.

NBA Team #2: Minnesota Timberwolves

Entering year two of the questionable Rudy Gobert trilogy that began a summer ago, it has been pretty quiet improvement-wise for the Timberwolves. The double-big, all-length lineup still brings intrigue, but it is no secret that the development of Anthony Edwards is the Wolves’ embellishment. An entertaining, electric rising superstar for Team USA has brought promise and the upmost confidence to an organization that has been so accustomed to crumbling when the lights turn bright.

Despite an eerie slating next to Karl-Anthony Towns, the Gobert acquisition would have made more sense in the latter half of their continuity. Edwards still has blossoming to do through playoff reps and battle tests before he can drive the ship and will his team through postseason wars. Though he has proven to be box-office, one of the elite two-way talents in the league, there are still numerous All-NBA bosses and contenders in the way of the Wolves.

Retaining Naz Reid surely does not hurt, if you like the team’s format and style, that is. They inked subsidiary depth-fillers in Shake Milton and Troy Brown Jr. There were more leaders or vets on the market that could have brought more adulthood to the locker room or amplified the rotation. Minnesota did incorporate Mike Conley into the mix in February, igniting some previous chemistry that was built with him and Gobert in Utah, but they only finished with a .500 second half.

There is just not much of a ceiling for the Timberwolves with the current landscape of the league, let alone the west, as fans’ petitions have floated around directing Town’s future. Edwards’ first All-NBA campaign could be on the cusp, but is it as significant a leap that it boosts Minnesota that much beyond the premature playoff stages? There is a good chance the Timberwolves will not be a contender yet.

NBA Team #1: Sacramento Kings

What is not to love about the Sacramento Kings? They were the best story in basketball last season and unexpectedly sat with a top record in the league, ending the longest playoff drought in NBA history. De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis were one of two tandems in the league to make All-NBA teams.

When the summer began, during the NBA Draft, the Kings dumped Richaun Holmes. It created a sliver of cap space connecting them to the auctions of the upper echelon of July’s marketplace. Kyle Kuzma, Khris Middleton, and Jerami Grant. Even the intriguing rumor of a potential attempt to meet with Draymond Green surfaced prior to the abundance of forwards staying put.

None of those scenarios occurred, as Sacramento elected to bring back Harrison Barnes on a three-year, $54 million deal. A great locker room leader for the underdog story this year in its early stages, $18 million annually for Barnes is a hefty amount for the production the 31-year-old provides with the new CBA lingering.

The Kings added a likable fit in Chris Duarte, reigning Euro League MVP, and sniper Sasha Vezenkov. They also retained spark plug big man Trey Lyles. Sacramento will absolutely show plenty of growth and improvement in their continuity of development, led by Sabonis, Fox, and Coach of the Year Mike Brown. Brown further confirmed his guidance’s capabilities in crushing the ceiling off any sort of projection with his in-house motivational schemes for the team. Keegan Murray is a special sight to see entering his sophomore season, along with the maturity of Kevin Huerter.

Last season’s record-breaking modern NBA offense will remain one of the league’s best shows, with something to prove. The western conference has stayed loaded with upgrades beyond that, to a great degree, the forefront of contenders. The Kings will still be a powerhouse-type opponent and a challenger for every elite team to go with an even greater postseason threat now, but the book of the Cinderella story may be a lot longer than expected. All the pressure is off their backs now, ending the curse and nearly taking down the 2022 defending champion Warriors.

They could be semifinal bound at least, but Sacramento’s upward trend may be only marginal for this season given their minimal boosts within the market.