3 players who should reconsider where they signed
It was at this time last year when center DeAndre Jordan ripped the Dallas Mavericks' heart out, backing out of a verbal agreement to join the franchise and returning to the Los Angeles Clippers on a new deal.
As a result, the NBA instituted what's unofficially being called "The DeAndre Jordan Rule," which shortened the league's moratorium on free-agent signings by five days. New contracts can now be signed on July 7 at 12:01 a.m.
This will help eliminate scenarios similar to Jordan's, although there's still ample time for players to reconsider their decisions and renege on offers. Considering where some talent reportedly elected to go, that may not be the worst route to travel down.
Here are three players who would be wise to review their choices while they still have the luxury to do so.
Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
No team would ever turn their nose up at the opportunity to lock down someone of Durant's caliber, even after coming off a historic 73-win campaign and nearly capturing a second straight NBA championship. The rich got richer, the league got turned on its head, and the four-time scoring champion now has his best opportunity to date to take home the elusive title he so desperately covets.
Durant clearly didn't want to fall under the category of elite-level stars who failed in their quest to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy, including Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, and Reggie Miller. Despite coming within an eyelash of eliminating Golden State from the Western Conference finals as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Durant appears to have decided that the well had run dry in OKC, and that the safer bet lied in the Bay Area alongside Stephen Curry and Co.
By making the move, though, Durant will welcome critics and ill-wishers who will gladly tarnish his legacy by tossing the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" line in his face every chance they get. The Warriors didn't need the former league MVP to remain in the title picture, because they'd still be one of the favorites to win a second championship in three years without him.
Money evidently didn't factor in, as Durant could have made more by staying put because of the Thunder possessing his Bird rights. This was about winning, and cementing his place in the record books - both of which he could have done in a number of other scenarios.
No one can question Durant's character, but by arguably chasing rings with the Warriors, his reputation is likely going to be dragged through the mud.
He needs to mentally prepare himself for that.
Other potential destinations: Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat
Rajon Rondo, Chicago Bulls
Any point guard thrust into the Bulls' starting lineup who's not named Derrick Rose would find it easier said than done to fill the shoes of the hometown boy.
The Rose era in The Windy City has come to a crashing halt, and in his place comes a floor general in Rondo who parlayed impressive numbers in a wretched situation with the Sacramento Kings into a reported two-year, $28-million deal.
This is a "retooling period" for the Bulls, as general manager Gar Forman so eloquently put it. Adding Rondo is designed to help avert any sort of decline stemming from the loss of Rose, as well as key frontcourt members Pau Gasol (San Antonio Spurs) and Joakim Noah (New York Knicks).
Rose and Jimmy Butler had chemistry issues on the hardwood, leading to reported conflict between the two behind the scenes, although Butler claims that's not the case. It remains to be seen whether Rondo can avoid those same problems.
Also, head coach Fred Hoiberg has yet to demonstrate that he can fully contain his players' emotions when things get heated, and, considering Rondo's hotheadedness, it seems inevitable the two sides will clash. With the overall disarray the Bulls find themselves in, it may not be the best environment for him.
Other potential destinations: New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers
Luol Deng, Los Angeles Lakers
It's easy to see why the Lakers sought to bring aboard Luol Deng: He's a talented, versatile combo forward whose been a model of consistency throughout his 13-year career. The 31-year-old's veteran leadership will also be invaluable to a locker room with a core group of guys all younger than 24.
If Deng is content with playing a mentor role in a rebuilding situation with very little hope of even qualifying for the playoffs, then he's done right by himself by signing a reported four-year, $72-million contract. It's more money and more years than he was probably going to get elsewhere.
Winning is all he's really ever known in the NBA, though, having missed out on the postseason on just two occasions while with the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat. Los Angeles, by all accounts, will be a bottom-feeder in the West for a fourth year in a row, and by the time Deng's contract is up, the team may still be a ways away from contending.
One of the most storied organizations in all of professional sports has created an environment that very few high-profile players will even give a second look at. Never underestimate the power of the almighty dollar.
Other potential destinations: Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers