It's difficult to navigate the shell-shocked territory of another NBA player-acquisition period without thinking about Jon Koncak, the patron saint of free agents.
Koncak, a 7-foot center riding the reward-worthy crest of a season that featured robust averages of 5 points and 6 rebounds, was granted his big deal to remain employed by the Atlanta Hawks. The damage was $13 million spread across six seasons.
That would be considered roughin' it by today's standards. But Koncak's bonanza arrived in 1989, putting his per-year take in a neighborhood similar to what the Chicago Bulls were paying Michael Jordan. Lakers superstar Magic Johnson was in the midst of a 25-year contract that would surrender a total of 25 million Jerry Buss dollars.
Fortunately for MJ and Magic, endorsement opportunities provided a more cozy lifestyle than the Hawks had given Koncak.
But let's check back in with today's NBA. This week's biggest news is being created by the Brooklyn Nets, who are attempting to create a massive roster to coincide with their relocation.
But the Nets are not alone. Restricted free agents are being wooed through deals that will require their existing teams to bite the bullet and match, or look to steal a comparable replacement from another team.
Steve Nash, who entered this summer's free-agent market at 38 years old, has been associated with a reported offer by the Toronto Raptors that would pay him $36 million over three seasons. Eric Gordon, a Team USA-level talent with injury issues, has been linked to max-contract territory. Roy Hibbert, an All-Star center who didn't have enough pull to force his Indiana Pacers teammates to give him the ball enough against the Miami Heat, reportedly is getting max interest from the Portland (Check Our History With Centers) Trail Blazers.
Blazers forward Nic Batum, a talented prospect still attempting to add to his on-court portfolio, reportedly is mulling a monster offer from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
And all of this largesse is occurring under the shadow of a truly nasty upgrade to the luxury-tax barrier.
It seems that despite achieving a presumed measure of victory during the last labor stalemate, NBA owners really can't be saved from themselves.
"Hey, not everybody can lose enough to get high draft picks and turn into Oklahoma City," one Western Conference personnel executive said, referencing the young-and-loaded Thunder in his explanation as to why big spending will continue. "And even OKC will have to pay through the nose to keep that together next year. In some sports, having some depth, having a lot of pretty good players can work. In this league you can win during the regular season that way. But getting the trophy usually means you have to have two or three superstar-type players.
"If you have the money — and guys like (Nets owner Mikhail) Prokhorov certainly do — and you're willing to take the tax hit, the thing that matters is who you spend it on ... not how much."
This way of team building owes a debt of historical gratitude to the Summer of 2010, also referred to as the Summer of LeBron.
The Summer of LeBron was approached with tremendous optimism by several NBA teams that gutted their rosters (and payrolls) for a shot at having King James schedule a please-sign-with-us meeting. A few teams that did their cap-clearing diligence didn't even get that far.
After spending a year or two explaining to constituents that dumping salary would be worth it when LeBron James came to town, teams assumed they had to spend the loot on someone (anyone).
With the cap space burning a hole in their pockets, the Chicago Bulls hired Carlos Boozer for $80 million over five seasons. Now, they'd have a tough time giving him away. The Golden State Warriors brought in the productive David Lee, but his sign-and-trade arrival from the New York Knicks put them on the hook for $80 million for six years.
The Summer of LeBron provided the New York Knicks with a need to show their fans something, so Amar'e Stoudemire was given a fat contract they were unable to insure. Actually, this move didn't look so dramatically crummy until the Knicks traded away Stoudemire's supporting cast for the thrill of giving more money to Carmelo Anthony.
In Phoenix, where Amar'e had just helped the Suns fight their way to the Western Conference finals, the loss of their top scorer (and top two front-office employees) resulted in three pricey, reflex additions: Hedo Turkoglu, Josh Childress and Hakim Warrick.
It should be noted that one reported Nets maneuver this week is a trade for Joe Johnson, who has four years and $91 million remaining on a deal agreed to — without firearm intervention — by the Hawks in 2010.
The Nets were hoping for a big score in 2010, too, but settled for giving $35 million over five years to future amnesty recipient Travis Outlaw. The Summer of LeBron carnage also included the Milwaukee Bucks (Drew Gooden, five for $35 million), San Antonio Spurs (Richard Jefferson, four for $39 million) and Memphis Grizzlies (five for $80 million to keep talented Rudy Gay).
A year later, even with the lockout and a brand new luxury-tax threat fresh in their minds, NBA teams were able to inflict further damage upon themselves during the quick FA spree of December 2011. Included was a five-year, $67 million deal bestowed upon Nene by the Denver Nuggets ... who were able to get rid of him the same season.
And when the Golden State Warriors rewarded restricted free agent center DeAndre Jordan with $10 million per year for his double-single average, the L.A. Clippers felt obliged to match.
Is this lack of thrift anything new? Heck, no. NBA teams have been writing crazy checks for years.
Indiana presented a six-year, $60 million to 33-year-old forward Antonio Davis in 2001. A year earlier, the Bucks thought enough of Tim Thomas to cough up $67 million over six years. Based on injury, selfish play and a plain nutty disposition, the six-year, $111 million the Wizards gave Gilbert Arenas in 2008 seemed pretty risky.
Even good organizations with smart owners have joined in. Eight years ago, Mark Cuban agreed to give Erick Dampier $10 million per year for seven seasons. He made the same deal with the great Raef LaFrentz.
And who can forget the New York Knicks with Eddy Curry (six years, $60 million), Allan Houston (six years, $100 million) and Jerome James, who parlayed career averages of 4.9 points and 3.5 rebounds into a contract worth $30 million over five years.
We apologize for skipping mention of other contracts that have inspired anyone to curse their favorite team and boycott its arena for a year or two.
But please don't underestimate your franchise's potential to make another crucial financial blunder.
It's only a matter of time. When it happens, we'll give 'em credit.
