LOS ANGELES — A title contender signed a veteran from the buyout market Tuesday, causing basketball fans to declare the league officially ruined for approximately 36 hours.
“This is completely unfair,” wrote one fan about a player averaging 7.4 points who had cleared waivers after being traded twice in eight months.
The signing was immediately framed as proof that contenders can simply collect unlimited talent, though the player’s previous team had recently struggled to find him consistent minutes.
Supporters of the contender described the move as smart front-office work, while rival fans insisted the same veteran had somehow become an All-Star the moment he signed the contract.
Analysts projected a modest bench role, but social media graphics placed him directly beside the team’s stars under captions reading “HOW DO YOU STOP THIS?”
The outrage began to fade after his debut, when he scored five points in 14 minutes and committed three fouls.
By the weekend, the league was considered competitive again.
