The first big NBA free agency signings of 2014 are happening.
First with the Miami Heat who made the most news Monday following the holiday weekend by signing Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts.
According to reports, Granger agreed to a two-year deal worth $4.2 million while McRoberts signed a four-year contract worth $23 million.
Granger is nothing but a bit-role player this late in his career, and while one could say the same about McRoberts, he is a younger forward (27) who averaged better numbers last year (8.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg) with Charlotte. Both of these players won’t replace Chris Bosh, but it’s a small step forward for the Heat in preparation in the event they do lose their All-Star forward.
Which brings us to the Rockets, who have reportedly made Bosh a deal worth gobs of money — a max contract to be exact, worth $96 million over four years. That’s a lot, let me repeat, A LOT, more money Bosh would get by staying with the Heat if LeBron James were to stay, receiving a max deal himself, which he reportedly wants.
Miami Heat GM Pat Riley and LeBron were supposed to meet Monday to discuss a possible deal.
Related: 2014 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs’ Top 5 Finals Moments
What this means for the Rockets
IF Bosh agrees to this deal, Houston is once again over-paying for a star player past his prime. Sure, Bosh might have one or two good years left, but they’ll probably have to eat his salary the remaining two years of his deal, years in which he will be 33 and 34 years old. They’ve overpaid for Dwight Howard, Jeremy Lin and Tracy McGrady in recent years with zero Finals appearances. The result with this signing will be the same unless they get LeBron to join them, which isn’t likely.
What this means for the Heat
They get a good role player in McRoberts but still no comfort that the team is now more appealing to LeBron, who they’re desperately trying to keep. From 1-10 on the panic scale, the Heat just went from a 10 to a 9.9.
Each day that goes by means it’s more likely the Heat’s ‘Big Three’ are breaking up.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports.
Photo Credit: Getty
