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Eleazar Gonzales discusses some of the strangest decisions made during the NBA 2024 offseason.
The NBA offseason is when some of the magic happens in the league. For one, big names make big decisions. For another, we've seen strange things happen in the offseason such as questionable free agent signings.
The 2024 offseason is both quiet and strange. We've seen some of the league's big stars make moves -- whether to sign a new contract with their current team or start fresh with a new team. And yes, the 2024 offseason has its share of strange decisions. While a huge amount of cash is involved in some of these decisions, fans can't still help but ask the question: why?
Let's take a closer look at some of the strangest decisions made during the 2024 offseason.
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No Major Moves From the Lakers
Many expected the Los Angeles Lakers to be a busy team in the offseason to keep LeBron James happy. However, the Lakers have added one player in the 2024 offseason, backup center Christian Koloko on a two-way deal.
Yes, LeBron James and Max Christie re-signed with the purple and gold on separate multi-year deals, but that's it.
OFFICIAL: Lakers sign center Christian Koloko to a two-way contract. pic.twitter.com/VSISCe9JO0
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 16, 2024
This is a strange decision for the Lakers because they were expected to trade for several names to support LeBron and Anthony Davis. And yet, they were quiet.
JJ Redick's Hiring as LeBron's Coach
While this has been in the talks in the NBA community since Darwin Ham received the boot, many still think JJ Redick being hired as the new coach of the Lakers is a strange decision.
Why? Redick, despite playing 15 seasons in the NBA, doesn't have prior experience as a head coach in the NBA, not even as an assistant coach.
The Lakers could have hired a more experienced coach who helped LeBron and Anthony Davis win another ring or two, but instead, the Lakers will be coached by a former NBA player who recently served as an ESPN analyst.
Strange, right?
OFFICIAL: JJ Redick, Head Coach, Los Angeles Lakers. pic.twitter.com/uDKV6sJIct
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 24, 2024
Steph Curry's One-Year Extension
Steph Curry's decision to sign a one-year extension with the Golden State Warriors is strange for many reasons.
Before the deal, Curry's contract was up until the end of the 2024-2025 season. With the new agreement, Curry will remain in San Francisco until 2027.
Breaking: Warriors star Stephen Curry has agreed on a one-year, $62.6 million extension that’ll keep him under contract through the 2026-2027 season, his agent told @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/hGJSGfPpLc
— ESPN (@espn) August 29, 2024
This is strange because even though Curry is still playing at a high level, the two-time MVP is now 36 entering the upcoming 2024-2025 season. They could have played the wait-and-see game. They will have to wait and see if the new contract will earn them another championship.
If all else fails, the Warriors will waste 62.6 million dollars. Not to mention, the Warriors just waived Chris Paul after just one season together.
Philly's Busy Offseason
The Philadelphia 76ers failed to reach the second round of the 2024 playoffs after losing to the New York Knicks in the first round.
While there's a need to reinforce the roster led by Joel Embiid, the Sixers' current haul in the 2024 offseason is strange for some people. Four players re-signed with Philly, including Tyrese Maxey, who signed a five-year extension.
The Sixers added six new players, including Andre Drummond and Paul George, to their roster. Philly also landed Eric Gordon, Reggie Jackson, Caleb Martin, and Guerschon Yabusele.
Breaking: Tyrese Maxey has agreed in principle on a five-year, $204 million maximum contract extension with the 76ers, sources tell @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/Ubk3lk8uwA
— ESPN (@espn) July 1, 2024
While this could be a good problem for Head Coach Nick Nurse, it's interesting to see what mix Nurse will use in the upcoming season.
There's also the question of whether or not the Joel Embiid-Paul George duo could work as the PG-Kawhi Leonard duo in Los Angeles failed to produce a ring.
Westbrook Joining the Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets were a loaded squad before Russell Westbrook joined the party. Westbrook was traded by the Clippers to the Utah Jazz who later waived the one-time league MVP.
One of the reasons why this is a strange decision for Denver is the question of whether or not Westbrook will fit or not.
Jamal Murray just signed a four-year extension with the Nuggets and with Westbrook's arrival, fans are asking: will the Westbrook-Murray combo work together?
Also, will the Nikola Jokic-Westbrook tandem produce results or are we going to see both racing to get triple-doubles?
Russell Westbrook x Denver Nuggets 👀
Year 17 #whynot 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3vnJO4GSoG
— Beastbrook (@Beastbr00k0) September 4, 2024
The Bulls' Trading DeRozan and Caruso
The implosion of the Chicago Bulls has been talked about for years and yet, Chicago's decision to trade two of their main guys was strange considering the players they received in return.
Yes, the Bulls received Josh Giddey from the Alex Caruso trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. But, the Bulls also received Chris Duarte from the Sacramento Kings.
Welcome to Chicago, Chris Duarte 🤝 pic.twitter.com/u5CZajctt0
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) July 8, 2024
To explain why the DeMar DeRozan deal for Duarte is strange, Duarte averaged 3.9 points and 1.8 rebounds in 58 games for the Kings last season.
On the other hand, DeMar DeRozan averaged 24 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.3 rebounds last season for the Bulls. Alex Caruso was also a huge loss for Chicago, especially on the defensive end.
Golden State's Misses
While the Warriors retained Curry until 2027, they also missed on trading for Paul George, and Lauri Markkanen.
Yes, the Warriors added Buddy Hield off a sign-and-trade deal, while also adding Kyle Anderson though free agency.
But that was it. Unless the Warriors still have something up their sleeves until opening night, this will be a strange offseason for Golden State.
From the Bahamas to The Bay!
Welcome, Buddy Hield 👏 pic.twitter.com/7MilVu11bV
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) July 7, 2024
Chris Paul is a Spur
As strange as it may sound, Chris Paul is set to play alongside Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs -- his seventh team in his career.
This was a strange decision for the rest of the league who passed on the chance to land CP3's services.
For his career, Paul is averaging 17.5 points, 9.4 assists, and 36.9% three-point shooting in 1,272 regular-season games.
Last season, CP3 averaged 9.2 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in 18 starts and 58 games total for the Warriors.
Chris Paul (@CP3) will wear No. 3 for the #Spurs. Number last worn by Keldon Johnson in 2024. #NBA pic.twitter.com/pabfA5CSKr
— Etienne Catalan (@EtienneCatalan) September 4, 2024
Spencer Dinwiddle Returns to Dallas
The Dallas Mavericks traded Spencer Dinwiddle in a deal that landed them Kyrie Irving in 2023. Since, then, Dinwiddle has been bouncing from one team to the other -- including a stint with the Lakers to finish the 2023-2024 season.
Strangely, he returned to the Mavs after signing a one-year deal to play alongside Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson. He should be used in a reduced bench role this time around, but clearly Dallas likes something about his game.
The Dallas Mavericks have officially signed Spencer Dinwiddie.
Dinwiddie will wear #26. pic.twitter.com/imuouORRJd
— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) August 3, 2024
Dinwidle averaged 10.5 points and 4.7 assists last season for the Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets.
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