Franchise tag like the NFL?

Free agency isn't banned.

It's prevented from being used as an escape hatch for players wanting to create superteams.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Breaking: James Harden signs 4-year, $228 million contract extension with the Rockets through 2022-23 season. (via <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn">@wojespn</a>) <a href="https://t.co/3IL85IPQeq">pic.twitter.com/3IL85IPQeq</a></p>&mdash; SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/883784533476331521">July 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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I wonder why they didn't just trade him for Jeremy lamb and Kevin Martin?

That's a contract they will regret, IMO, but they didn't really have a choice. If they didn't pay him that, someone else would have.

I don't think Harden can maintain his current level of play for to much longer. He relys so much on initiating contact and getting to the ft line.

Pretty sure no one else COULD have paid him that...

Because he played poorly in an exhibition game? As a prospect, he looks great.

Cant blame OKC in that. He wasn't going to resign. I feel like GMs are just in a very disadvantageous spot when they are in a Paul George, Gordon Hayward or James Harden situation. You either dont resign them and look cheap or incompetent while getting NOTHING back. Or you trade them as a rental to someone for as much as the market allows and ppl think you are an idiot. Lose lose situation

Jamal Crawford to Minn after reports saving he was the Cavs to lose.

Bit of revisionist history on that one. OKC offered him below what they could and gave him a very limited time to accept and then traded him.

OKC seems to have somewhat recovered with their fleecing of the Magic last year and rolling it into a very interesting offseason this year.

He hasn't signed with anyone yet

He can't shoot.

As a Lakers fan, I hate the pick.

Technically right. Has a reported deal with Minn unless someone claims his bad contract.

His jumper looks more broken than I was expecting but he was the consensus #2 in the draft. The Lakers were starting to get a bit likable with their young guys but worst sports dad ever should help get everyone's hate going again.

42% from 3 in college while shooting 5.4 attempts per game. Dont think he'll ever be elite at shooting but he is an elite passer with good handles and size. Going to be real difficult for him to be a bust.