The NBA’s moratorium ends in a couple of days and there's plenty of business left to be done, especially in Boston. Here are some thoughts on what’s done and not done in Boston and around the league.
JAYLEN BROWN’S EXTENSION
I have zero concern over this. It will get done.
I still think both sides will have some incentive to make this something other than the full five-year max so Brown can take advantage of the 10% raises in the cap vs. the 8% raises in his contract, but I can also understand if neither side wants to play games and just get the deal done.
Either way, there's nothing to read into here.
GRANT WILLIAMS RUNNING OUT OF OPTIONS
This is the issue with restricted free agency. All of the money Williams could have gotten went to similarly talented unrestricted free agents.
The Utah Jazz can throw an offer at him if they want. San Antonio can still clear enough space to offer Williams a deal starting around $18 million. After that, there's nothing but mid-level deals out there, which Boston will very willingly match.
All it takes is one team, but the Jazz might decide to use their cap space as a salary dump spot. They're the only team left that can help facilitate expensive deals and the Damian Lillard trade still needs to be finalized, so Danny Ainge can’t risk a signing like Grant Williams costing him future assets.
It’s starting to feel like Willliams will be returning. The question is how his deal would be structured. Is he going to demand long-term security, or will he get a shorter, more tradeable deal with the understanding that the team will find him a new home next summer?
I don't think Boston can afford to keep him beyond this season, so there's some wiggle room with how the deal would get done.
WELCOME DALANO BANTON
Banton is a minor signing for Boston, but another one with some potential behind it.
Banton is a tall point guard at 6’7”, and he’s spent most of his first two seasons bouncing between the end of Toronto’s bench and their G League affiliate.
He hasn’t been able to hit much from deep over two seasons (27-102, 27.5%) so he’ll have to figure that out. He can maybe make an impact on the defensive end, but chances are he’s going to watch more than he plays.
DAMIAN LILLARD WATCH
He reportedly only wants to play in Miami. Portland reportedly hates Miami’s offer. This could be a bit of posturing from the Blazers, but because Lillard doesn’t have a no-trade clause, the Blazers aren’t bound by anything but a perceived obligation to their longtime star.
Wherever he goes, it looks like all of his destinations are in the East, making wherever he lands instant competition for Boston. Milwaukee is bringing almost everyone back and Boston has really only swapped Marcus Smart for Kristaps Porzingis, so both teams should be back on top of the conference next season.
Miami, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia are all possibilities for Lillard, and landing him could make all three stiff competition at the top of the conference.
The real question is how long Lillard can make a team that much better. Last season was his most efficient, but 6’2” point guards tend to drop off suddenly and noticeably.
For the record, Boston does not appear to be in the mix for Lillard.
JAMES HARDEN’S SAGA
He’s probably done in Philadelphia, which means he can go half-ass his way to ruining some other team’s postseason.
I don’t know why anyone would want Harden at this point. There are reports of him being pissed at Philly for not coming through with a big contract after he gave money back last summer, but what exactly did he do in the playoffs to make them believe he was worth paying?
There is no real quid pro quo payoff in the league unless both sides see an advantage. Harden disappeared too often against the Celtics, costing Philly maybe their best chance at a title. If I were running that front office, I’d balk at coming through with a major deal, too.
No one is lining up to pay Harden a long-term deal. He’ll be 34 to start the season and aside from a couple of big games against the Celtics, he’s been a playoff liability throughout his career. Who is going to give him a ton of long-term money?
A desperate team like the Clippers might, but that's about it. There is no real market for Harden. No one is lining up for him.