Well I’m a die hard fan of my home state New Jersey Devils and am truly devastated by the departure of our star Ilya Kovalchuck and now I can’t say I’m too excited for the 2013-2014 hockey season. We are a team without a star, an aging star goalie, and seriously depleted of any offensive talent. Of course Devils fans have expressed any displeasure and over the off season we’ve acquired some nice pieces such as goalie Cory Schneider. Now the latest news is that we have signed Jaroimir Jagr…
Jagr spent his last season with the Boston Bruins
Jaromir Jagr is 41 years old, has played with 7 NHL teams over the course of his career, and we just gave him a one year contract where he can earn $2-4 million. I’m not a Jagr fan as he seems to play for the money over the love of the game, but this signing makes complete sense for the Devils. While Jaromir Jagr may not be on the same level as Ilya Kovalchuck at this stage of his career, he is a savy and experienced veteran winger with the occasional sparks of his brilliant play. I’m not expecting Jagr to make a huge impact on the Devils as we are a team in serious transition this year. All I can do is brace myself for a rough season ahead.
…next year that is. Yes, the 2013-2014 NBA season for the Los Angeles Lakers seems more like a throw away season. The Lakers have lost their “next in line” player in Dwight Howard, have an aging Gasol, Kobe, and Nash, and have no cap space to sign any big name player this free agency. Heck, looking at the Lakers roster right now any person would laugh at it. This of course is all part of the Lakers plan for the 2014 free agency period.
Probably the Lakers biggest free agent signing, Center Chris Kaman
After this coming season, the Lakers will have around $40 million in cap space and only two players under contract, Steve Nash ($9.7 million) and Robert Sacre ($915,243). The Lakers can even waive Nash since he’ll be in his final season and stretch his money owed and only take a $3.2 million dollar salary cap hit in 2014-2015. Kobe Bryant will be the only big question mark considering he seems to want to play another three to four seasons, so let’s just pencil him in for around $10-15 million.
Lebron can become a free agent after 2014 and the Lakers are gearing up for a run at him
Let me read off some big names who will be free agents in 2014: Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Danny Granger, Loul Deng, Dirk Nowitzki and Dwayne Wade. The list continues if you want to add in the Restricted Free Agents which focus around up and coming stars like Kyrie Irving, John Wall, Eric Beldsoe, and Paul George; all of them though aren’t leaving their respected teams no matter what. The 2014 free agent class is massive in terms of star power to say the least and a team like the Lakers plan to take full advantage of it.
Teammates? It’s not as far fetched as you’d think
Let’s get this out of the way, Lebron James will not be taking his talents to L.A, that’s a total pipe dream. The same can be said for any of the young restricted free agents, especially Kyrie and Paul George. The only possible star the Lakers can land would be Carmelo Anthony. In his current tenure in New York, Melo hasn’t had incredible playoff success and coming to a town like L.A where he will be the man and be paired up with another super star is an intriguing offer to say the least. Plus, the Lakers can offer Melo a huge contract of four years and around $100 million dollars. It shall be a very interesting off season to say the least and the 2015 free agent class promises to be the same with players like Kevin Love, Rajon Rondo, and LeMarcus Aldridge becoming free agents. God I love the NBA.
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