Part 12/13:
All these moves—massive one-year deals, strategic resignings, and high-profile players opting out—paint a complex picture. The looming possibility of a lockout in 2027 has many analysts and fans feeling unsettled. If salaries are frozen or teams become more cautious, the entire landscape of free agency could shift dramatically.
In the meantime, the sport continues to evolve, with teams making calculated risks and players navigating a cloud of uncertainty. Whether the current season’s stars will get their deserved multiyear contracts or be caught in the tightening grip of a labor dispute remains to be seen.