Notable NBA Free Agents 2019 Part 3 of 3

Notable NBA Free Agents 2019 Part 3 of 3

NBA

 

 

 

 

 

Similarly to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Philadelphia 76ers made in early exit in the 2019 Playoffs also losing to the Toronto Raptors in a pivotal game 7. That being said, the 76ers made an extensive amount of trades that currently fill out this roster. From big names such as Jimmy Butler and quite literally “big names” like Boban Marjanovic, the 76ers had a roster that seemed suited for a deep playoff run. However, at this time, many of the big names acquired throughout the course of the season find themselves wondering where they will end up in 2020. Marjanovic, Butler, and Tobias Harris are only a few out of the twelve players on the 76ers roster that are listed as Unrestricted Free Agents this offseason. Marjanovic is one of the few that seeks to stay with Philadelphia, while Butler and Harris may be projected to explore their options this offseason. Lakers’ Guard Josh Hart stated that it’d be “cool” if the Lakers developed a superteam, with Butler and Irving joining the team. There were initial reports of Butler potentially heading to Dallas, but realized there would be some form of difficulty between Butler and face of the new face of the organization Luka Doncic. Tobias Harris has little rumors flying around the media compared to Butler, but reports have shown that the Brooklyn Nets have showed interest in Harris, as they were also a team removed from the playoffs in the first round against the 76ers.

The San Antonio Spurs were the other half of the Kawhi Leonard trade, receiving Raptors SG Demar DeRozan. They made an early exit in the Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets in a 7-game series. Out of the entire Spurs roster, 6 players are becoming Free Agents, but perhaps the biggest name out of that group is Rudy Gay. Gay has always been known as a solid wing player throughout his career ever since he came into the league with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2006 after being traded from the Houston Rockets. There have been multiple reports from the Spurs organization that they do in fact want Rudy back in a Spurs uniform, stating that he played a key role this past season. There is a large chance that Gay stays with the Spurs, but it is unclear of what his intentions are this offseason.

At the time of this article being written, the Raptors are up against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals 3-1. If the Raptors manage to pull off a win at home, they will win the NBA Championship for the first time all at the same time it being their first time in the Finals at all. Win or lose this NBA Finals, this team must be considered one of the best teams in the league this year. The trade between the Spurs and the Raptors had a lot of fans wondering who got the better end of that deal, but a this point that is left for another discussion. What is up for discussion, however, is the big names in Toronto that will be Free Agents, NBA Champions or not. Recently acquire Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, and Marc Gasol were all players that were all acquired within the past year. But it is also true that these contracts will be up at the end of this season. Despite his experience and veteran presence on a team, Green has no real rumors going around in terms of Free Agency, which makes sense since all eyes around the series they are in rather than where he will be in months to come. This can also be said for Marc Gasol, minus the amount of Playoff experience he has in comparison to teammate Danny Green. However, the same cannot be said for starting SF for the Raptors, Kawhi Leonard. Teams around the league, both players and staff are watching the NBA Finals to of course see who wins the championship, but to also watch one of the biggest Free Agents this offseason next to Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. Leonard is referred to as a priority to several other teams around the league, the Clippers, Lakers, and Knicks to name a few. If the Raptors do win the championship this year, it is less likely to see Leonard exploring his options this offseason. At this point, only time may tell where we may see Kawhi in 2020.

 

Jun 21, 2019 No Comments
Notable NBA Free Agents 2019 Part 2 of 3

Notable NBA Free Agents 2019 Part 2 of 3

NBA

Miami in recent years have been trying to figure themselves out as a team, with the bittersweet taste of Dwayne Wade’s retirement left in their mouths. Unfortunately enough for the organization as well, two of the more notable players on the Miami Heat are up for Free Agency this offseason. Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic have both spent 5 years of their careers in Miami since the 2014 season and are both up for Free Agency this offseason. Dragic and Whiteside have both been putting up career numbers in PPG with the Heat. Dragic hasn’t had much chatter regarding where he may land, but Pat Riley has expressed his interest in Memphis Grizzlies PG Mike Conley. So this may or may not affect Dragic’s place on the roster, although he has expressed that he enjoys playing for the Heat. According to the Miami Herald, the organization has expressed that Whiteside will be explored in terms of trades.  No clear team comes to mind in terms of his destination, but it is clear that a team that requires rebounding and a defensive anchor will want to acquire Whiteside this offseason.

Milwaukee had quite an unfortunate ending to their season in a 4-2 loss against the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals. Although Giannis Antetokounmpo has expressed that he wants the organization to keep the roster together, it cannot be said for sure that every player will be wearing a Bucks jersey next season. Notable players, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon, and Nikola Mirotic are all Free Agents, with the exception of recently verbal committed PG Eric Bledsoe. These players all had quality years, and teams around the league took notice. However, in recent sources, these players have all expressed their interest in coming back to play for the Bucks. The only real exception would be Khris Middleton stating that he will do what’s best for him and his family coming this offseason, so we are left to see what happens in the coming weeks.

Now although Timberwolves PG Derrick Rose at this point in his career isn’t referred to as a top tier player, but Rose did in fact have a breakout year since his injuries and jumping around teams, dropping his career-high 50 points this season against the Utah Jazz. Although there have been no reports regarding whether or not Minnesota wants to keep Rose, but sources have said that the Detroit Pistons is targeting Derrick Rose this offseason, so it remains to be seen where we’ll see him play next season.

One of the biggest names in Free Agency this season, as well as one of the most controversial player coming into Free Agency this season is none other than Anthony Davis. Davis has made it clear that he wants out of New Orleans, and the organization and the fans aren’t quite happy with him. Teams around the league have been working tirelessly making room in hopes of landing Davis. The Lakers, Clippers, Celtics, Knicks, and the Nets have all been reported contending for the Pelicans PF/C. It is very unclear as to where Davis may end up next year, but it is almost certain that he will not be in a Pelicans uniform next season.

Jun 9, 2019 No Comments
Notable NBA Free Agents 2019 Part 1 of 3

Notable NBA Free Agents 2019 Part 1 of 3

Featured

While the 2019 NBA season is drawing near to the end, three things are on NBA fans’ minds worldwide: Who’ll come out on top in the NBA Finals, the NBA Draft, and of course, Free Agency. The list of free agents this year has a wide range of key players and superstars for their respective teams, so we’ll be looking at each team with notable free agents and potentially where these players will end up in the season to come.

The Boston Celtics’ roster this season had much more depth in comparison to the other teams around the league.  This can however, lead to issues with minute distribution, which happened to be the case for Celtic guards Kyrie Irving and Terry Rozier.  It also just so happens that both players are Free Agents this coming offseason, Irving under a Player Option and Rozier listed as Restricted.  Looking at the situation there are a couple of different scenarios that can possibly play out, that being where one leaves and the other stays, or both players leave in search of a better fit.  It has been reported that Rozier felt that he “took a backseat” this season with Irving coming back into the starting line-up and with Marcus Smart becoming the next man up in front of him. So although it is unclear to say where we will see Terry Rozier next season, it is almost certain it will no longer be in a Celtic uniform.  On the other hand, rumors have already circulated that Kyrie has been looking to either the Brooklyn Nets or the Los Angeles Lakers for next season. This decision, if reports are true, will be entirely based on whether or not Irving wants to try his hand at being the leader of a team again or reunite with LeBron James in the City of Angels.

While still on the topic of guard free agents, the Charlotte Hornets have recently stated that they are exploring their options in terms of trading Kemba Walker.  Kemba Walker has spent his entire career with the Hornets once the Bobcats, and has gained the admiration of the entire city as well as many others. If Walker were to be traded away, it would be a team in need of a veteran point guard with a leadership presence.  There a plethora of teams that can use a guard of Kemba’s caliber, from the Phoenix Suns to even the Miami Heat.

 

 

 

 

Whether or not the Golden State Warriors win a championship this season, their toughest battle will occur during the offseason with a multitude of contracts coming to their close.  Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and DeMarcus Cousins will all become Free Agents at the end of this season, and teams around the league, the Warriors organization included, are hoping to gain interest from any of these players.  Durant rumors have been spreading since near the All Star break when seen speaking to other Free Agent Kyrie Irving, where people worldwide were expecting the two to team up somewhere once the season was over. Although Kyrie rumors have expanded to other teams, Durant’s initial speculation was that he was to go to the New York Knicks.  However recent reports have been saying that Durant may be electing to stay with the Warriors after Nike had released a KD Trey shirt listing cities and teams he has played for, with one of the cities being “San Francisco” rather than “Oakland”. People have begun to think that since the Warriors will be relocating to San Francisco, Durant will extend his contract and stay with Steve Kerr and Steph Curry.  Klay Thompson has received little exposure in terms of his Free Agency compared to Durant, but reports have stated that if the Warriors do not offer Thompson a max deal this offseason, he is likely to be playing for the Clippers next season. There were also reports of Thompson feeling unhappy about his situation with the Warriors during the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets. Now although no one knows that the statements are true, organizations and players have the idea of Klay Thompson on their minds.  Wrapping up the Golden State trio of Free Agents, DeMarcus Cousins signed a one-year deal to the Warriors after a very short stint in New Orleans a season prior. Cousins hasn’t received as many rumors, if any in the media as of recently. There were statements being made during the earlier half of the season saying that DeMarcus, if not hoping to re-sign with the Warriors, could be a high caliber player that the Lakers can sign to play with LeBron James, especially since that Anthony Davis has eyes from virtually every team around the league.  There were also rumors that Cousins could make his return to Sacramento and play with team he spent the majority of his career with.

And on that note be on the lookout in the next couple of days for more Free Agent talk about the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the New Orleans Pelicans.

Jun 5, 2019 No Comments