More NBA free agent thoughts

[IrishHand]

Consider this not unlikely scenario:

-Kidd resigns in Jersey for the max allowable, realizing that he's got a great chance of the Finals year-in-year out with that young, athletic and talented squad. He's got a better chance of winning a ring coming from a 3-star team in the East than he does as a member of one of three or more 4-star teams in the West.

-Jermaine O'Neal resigns in Indiana for the max. It'll be his team for years to come, and this is a big factor in many star's decisions (see Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady, Stephon Marbury, et al).

-Elton Brand takes the $60M/6yr deal the Clips are offering him. Sure, it sucks being a Clip - but that's a lot of green and it is LA after all. If he doesn't the team'll just match whatever offer another team makes anyway.

-Mourning signs in Dallas for the $4.9M exception, believing he can bring the intensity and defense the team lacks to win a championship (won't happen, but that's another matter).

My point? San Antonio fans should be very scared. They were praised and revered in the weeks leading up to the draft for their stellar financial planning - they had all this cap room to add to an already championship roster. Of course, Robinson is gone, as are most other veterans on the squad (Willis, Ferry, Smith). If they don't get Kidd, O'Neal or Brand, they're left with someone else's sloppy seconds. Does anyone seriously think that Brad Miuller or Olowakandi will propel them past the giants of the West in coming years? Cap room is great - if you can find someone that wants to take it off your hands.