Just noting the top, most likely available free agents this summer, now that the league is past the trade deadline, and where I think it would be best to see the players sign. For example of what I mean by ‘most likely available’, I’m not going to include LeBron even though he is almost certainly going to opt out of his second year, since he is just as certain to resign with the Cavs.
Starting with the top guy, Kevin Durant.
Kevin Durant
If he moves to another team it will be the biggest player switch since the aforementioned LeBron moved home two years ago. Durant has said playing for a true contending team is his biggest focus for his next contract, and for that reason I would like to see him just stay with the Thunder. The only teams in the league where he would actually fit, and have a better chance at winning a title than OKC are the Warriors, and the Spurs. Thats it. Right now I would favor the Thunder over the Cavs in a 7 game series, so all it would take is an untimely injury to a key Warriors player and Durant gets a shot at a title.
The only caveat I would encourage Durant to demand from Sam Presti if he does resign, is to trade Enes Kanter and his stupid contract for either young talent, or picks. Kanter’s contract and lack of fit with this team is the issue that could lead the Thunder to never get any better than they are already.
Verdict: Stay with the Thunder
Dwight Howard
It isn’t a sure thing that Howard is the second best option this offseason (that isn’t a restricted FA), especially since he will likely seek a max deal that will be very close to $30 million a year. And that will be at age 30/31 for the first year of that massive contract. If I were an NBA gm, I would stay as far away from that situation as possible, but there are still going to be teams lining up to sign a “star” like Dwight.
Howard should seek to go to an eastern conference team where the pace of play is slower, and he can still be an effective player for a team with a player better than Dwight so his selfishness won’t be allowed. I think the best place would be Chicago, but salaries would likely not allow that to happen at all. Next would be the Celtics, but that may be too much spotlight for Dwight. Finally I come to the Pacers, where he could play the role Roy Hibbert played over the last few years, just better.
Overall, I don’t see Dwight Howard being a FA acquisition that any team in the league could sign to put them into contender status.
Verdict: Sign with the Pacers
DeMar DeRozen
The scoring 2 guard up in the great white north has proven his worth on the court, and is going to get offers from pretty much everybody this offseason. Which by the way, if teams offer him a max deal, will start out at roughly 27 million a year. These are the new crazy contracts in capspike NBA. If he goes to the right team however, he could be with it.
The Raptors aren’t going anywhere unless they make a blockbuster trade, or Drake can somehow convince Durant that Toronto is primed to be the next dynasty. Reflecting reality though, they aren’t going to be a true title threat how they are currently structured, and DeRozen should go somewhere else with a cleaner slate, and brighter future. As much as I would like to see him go home to LA and sign with the Lakers, the best future for him probable lies on the east coast with the Knicks.
New York has an aging star in Carmelo, who would be revitalized by another star coming to the team, and a rising star in Kristaps Porzingas, and is in dire need of a guard who can create offense for himself and others. Melo has shown himself to be less ball dominant this year, and the Knicks are the definition of a big market team that should get better moving forward.
I could see DeRozen taking over the role of the main guy as Melo continues to age, and be yet another great mentor for the Knicks young star. Also, since the Knicks do not have their first round pick this year, I think they will heavily be pursuing top free agents.
Verdict: Sign with the Knicks
Al Horford
Horford is a perfect example of a player who fits his team’s scheme perfectly, and still might need to be moved. The Hawks were heavily rumored to be seeking deals for nearly everyone on the roster not named Milsap at the trade deadline, and barring a wildly successful playoff run, it should be easy to see the team going into near full rebuild this offseason. Unlike Dwight, Hereford is the type of unselfish player that could actually help a team win, AND he won’t be nearly as expensive.
The curious scenario for me with Horford is him winding up with the Spurs if Duncan retires. If Duncan stays for one more year, then my favorite location for Horford is the Thunder. They would have to probably trade Kanter to make the cap space (if Durant does resign anyway), but as I’ve said, I’m already in favor of that move. Also, Ibaka is not the same player he was back when OKC went to the finals.
Horford would be and improvement over both of those players.
Verdict: If Duncan retires-Sign with the Spurs; otherwise, Sign/sign & trade with the Thunder
Pau Gasol
I don’t see Pau accepting his player option for next year when he can opt out and sign one last decently large contract before retiring. With him opting out of the deal with the Bulls, his best option to make another run at a title should come in Boston. The Celtics have a great young core of assets, but don’t have anything in the way of a veteran leader/mentor for those young players. Boston also already has a better record than the Bulls, and that is without what should be an extremely productive offseason for them.
Gasol to the Celtics seems like the easiest decision of these five players.
1836 