Report: NBA’s loss in revenue could lead free agents to stay put, seek shorter deals
NBA free agency this offseason may end up being a dud, in large part due to the adverse financial situation created by the coronavirus pandemic.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst reported Thursday that the NBA is facing up to $1 billion in losses and that the uncertainty could lead many free agents to either seek short-term deals or pick up their player options. They also say there will likely be “far less movement” thanks also to the small number of cap-space teams and the relative weakness of this year’s class.
The most notable free agent this offseason will be Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis, who is already expected to return to the team. Other potential free agents include DeMar DeRozan, Danilo Gallinari, and Montrezl Harrell.
As for the time being with the season suspended, players will receive their full paychecks as scheduled on April 15, but anything beyond that is unclear. We already heard that the pandemic would likely cause a drop in next year’s salary cap, so the negative impact on free agency goes in the same vein.
