This is the part of the summer when we wait … and when waiting can be divided into short waits, long waits and really long waits.
In Category One, it’ll be a short wait before the Kevin Durant-to-Washington speculation takes on a life of its own. KD will be in Team USA training camp beginning Sunday, and he’ll be bombarded with questions about what he plans to do when he becomes a free agent in 23 months. The Wizards are a logical destination if Durant wants to follow LeBron James’ lead and return to his hometown.
In Category Two, it’ll likely be a long wait until Greg Monroe and Eric Bledsoe have some sense of resolution. Both have $12 million per year offers on the table, both are trying to get more lucrative contracts, and both are restrained by the restricted free agency system that works for some (Gordan Hayward, Chandler Parsons, Roy Hibbert, Eric Gordon, Jeremy Lin, Omer Asik) and doesn’t quite work so well for others.
Category Three brings us back to Durant, whose future will dominate the rumors pages on the Internet once we all reach the stagnation state with all the Kevin Love rumors.
In fact, the Durant-to-Washington angle is already gaining traction. In Tuesday’s Washington Post, Dan Steinberg delved deep into the topic: ”
“Over the next few months, and possibly years, you will hear and read lots of speculation about what will happen with Kevin Durant’s NBA future, some of it grounded in fact, some of it based on gut feelings, and some of it just reflecting random stream-of-consciousness blather. Which is fine! Embrace it! The more you’re thinking about whether Kevin Durant could theoretically play for the Wizards one day, the less you’re thinking about the fact that you virtually never clean your stove-top, even that brown greasy blob part that is probably spreading a bit and now seems to be slightly three-dimensional. So why not read about what Gary Williams thinks about the Durant question? “One interesting thing on this LeBron going back to Cleveland, Durant’s watching that very close,” Williams said on ESPN 980 last week. “He’s seeing the adulation pouring out for LeBron James for coming home. And Durant loves this area. He does. He’s back every summer. He plays at Montrose [Christian] against their high school kids sometimes; he’s out there taking charges. He just loves to play basketball. He’s been over at Maryland, he plays with the players over there. He just wants to play. And these are where his ties are. I know one thing, when his career’s over, I’d be shocked if he didn’t live in this area.” … “I think you go in steps,” Williams later said. “I don’t think [Paul] Pierce comes here unless the Wizards did what they did in the playoffs this year. So now take that a step further. If they do make another really strong playoff run this coming year; now all of a sudden there’s somebody that good that’s out there, they have to look at the Wizards. Because I think all those guys – Durant included – are looking at if I go here, will they be good enough to win a championship? So if the Wizards can show that maybe they’re just missing a Durant to win a championship, I think they have a good chance, I really do.”
(RELATED: Wizards will be sneaky good in 2014-15)
Since basketball journalism is now all about breathless speculation of what will happen in Julys to come, this story has a tremendous amount of legs.
A year from now, Kevin Love may or may not be a free agent. Depends on whether the Wolves trade him, and you can be damn well sure that the Cavs are willing to trade Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and at least one future No. 1 pick to acquire Miami sports radio host Orlando Alzugaray’s least favorite player.
I reported Wednesday that the Bulls have offered Taj Gibson, Nikola Mirotic and Doug McDermott. Such a trade could not take place until 30 have have passed from the time (Tuesday) when Mirotic and McDermott signed their deals. Wiggins signed his deal Thursday, starting his 30-day no-trade clock.
The Warriors’ reluctance to part with Klay Thompson is killing their chances. It is unclear if Boston has the goods to outbid other teams.
But back to the longer wait.
A year from now, Marc Gasol may or may not be the No. 1 free agent on the market. The Knicks and the Lakers are hoping he will be, because they will have the cap space to make a max offer to the Memphis Grizzlies’ center. In the meantime, of course, both teams will be treading water — a reality I discussed in this podcast on AM570 radio in El Lay with Petros and Money.
Oh, and another thing.
LeBron James can become a free agent next July, too. Heck, he can become a free agent every July for the rest of his career if he continues to demand two-year contracts with opt-outs after Year One. Yes, it is good to be the King.
So let’s set the reset button as we boldly plunge into the final nine days of July.
Teams sitting on cap space include the 76ers ($35 million), the Suns ($16.5 million), the Hawks ($11.6 million), the Magic ($10.1 million) and the Bucks ($9 million). And since the Suns have a dearth of big men, it would seem they are the team most likely to make a play for Monroe. But that assumes they like Monroe and deem him worthy of a max deal. If not, young Mr. Monroe is going to find himself taking a qualifying offer, or signing for less than what his agent believes he is worth.
RELATED: EVERY TEAM’S SALARY CAP PICTURE, UPDATED WITH OFFSEASON MOVES
Sean Deveney of The Sporting News makes a great point in a column looking at the recent history of restricted free agents: “Last year, Gerald Henderson’s restricted free agency in Charlotte was not settled until he got a three-year deal on July 27. The sign-and-trade that divorced Brandon Jennings from the Bucks did not come about until July 30. Nikola Pekovic did not agree to terms with the Timberwolves until August 14. That’s cold comfort for Bledsoe and Monroe. They don’t have many choices on hand, and their current employers gain leverage with patience, allowing salary-cap space to dry up and chipping away at market value. All they can do is wait.”
That is the big picture as we move into the dog days. Below is our latest Top 10 list, and there is some good talent on it. Even the “Next 10” list has some guys who can be solid rotation players, so the news will keep trickling in as teams use up their remaining room and/or exceptions.
(RELATED: SHERIDAN HOOPS STAFF ASSESS OFFSEASON IN EASTERN CONFERENCE)
(RELATED: SHERIDAN HOOPS STAFF ASSESS OFFSEASON IN WESTERN CONFERENCE)
In our original list of the Top 25 free agents, only five names did not get crossed off the list through July 14. Players with a (R) next to their name are restricted free agents, meaning their teams have the right to match any offer they receive:
1. Greg Monroe, F, Detroit Pistons (R)
I have always said he is going to get a max contract, because there just aren’t that many 24-years-olds standing 6-11 who can be obtained this summer. Also, his agent is David Falk, and if there is one thing that Falk knows how to do (aside from staying on Michael Jordan’s good side), it is getting his clients the most possible money. JULY 15 UPDATE: Offer on the table said to be in the $12 million per year range. Stan Van Gundy said he is “not sweating it.” JULY 17 UPDATE: Zach Lowe of Grantland reports Monroe will only sign his qualifying offer if the Pistons fail to trade Josh Smith. JULY 20 UPDATE: Huffington Post reports the Suns are considering an offer.
2. Eric Bledsoe, G, Phoenix Suns (R)
When he wasn’t injured, Bledsoe showed exactly why teams were lining up to try to acquire him before he was eventually dealt by the Clippers to the Phoenix Suns. The NBA is a point guard-driven league, and this guy is the one great player left out there at that position. We know this about the Suns: It appears they are trying to set up some kind of sign-and-trade, having signed Isaiah Thomas away from the Kings and drafted Tyler Ennis. Bledsoe could return on a $3.7 million qualifying offer and be an unrestricted free agent next summer. JULY 15 UPDATE: Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic throws out Philadelphia (double point guard backcourt with Michael-Carter Williams?) and Milwaukee (sign-and-trade?) as two possible destinations. JULY 17 UPDATE: Chris Broussard of ESPN throws out Houston, Milwaukee and Sacramento as possible destinations. UPDATE II: Broussard says Suns offering $48 million for four years while Bledsoe wants max $80 million for five. JULY 22 UPDATE: Suns president Lon Babby tells the Arizona Republic the team “continues to hope and expect” that Bledsoe will remain a member of the Suns. JULY 23: At a news conference to introduce Isiah Thomas and Anthony Tolliver, unnamed team officials told the Arizona Republic that Bledsoe remains part of their long-range plans and will match a max offer of $63 million over four years if Bledsoe signs such an offer sheet.
3. Shawn Marion, F, Dallas Mavericks
Chandler Parsons took his money. No other way to put it. That $14.7 million salary will make Parsons the highest-paid member of the team, although the Mavs can exceed the cap to re-sign Marion. They are $13 million below the luxury tax level. So it becomes a question of how much Dallas is willing to pay, and whether The Matrix can get more money than that on the open market. He remains one of the league’s most versatile players and a lockdown defender. JULY 15 UPDATE: In an interview with KESN-FM, general manager Don Nelson said: “His value in the marketplace is much higher than what we have right now, and so I would categorize that as a long long long long long shot.” JULY 16 UPDATE: The Mavericks have reached agreement with Rashard Lewis on a one-year contract, likely ending any hopes that Marion would return. JULY 20 UPDATE: Tyler Conway Of Bleacher Report makes a strong case that Marion is far from washed up, especially when shooting from in close. UPDATE II: Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram posts a tweet loaded with Marion speculation: If Marion can’t get the $5.3 mil MLE (mid-level exception) from the #Spurs or #Rockets, he may take the $2.73 mil room exception from the #Mavs, Chi, LAL or Cha.
4. Mo Williams, G, Portland Trail Blazers
Every year, one guy gets squeezed. Is this the winner of the Squeeze Award for 2014? Williams had a nice season with the Portland Trail Blazers as their sixth man, averaging 9.7 points and 4.3 assists in 25 minutes per game. But his shooting (.417 overall, .369 from 3-point range) left something to be desired, and the Blazers used their cap room to sign Chris Kaman and Steve Blake. Williams opted out of a $2.77 million contract. JULY 15 UPDATE: There is mutual interest between Williams and the Mavs, ESPN reports, but there is a logjam at point guard with Devin Harris and Ray Felton on the team. JULY 23 UPDATE: ESPN’s Tim MacMahon says Williams has offers worth more than the $2.7 the Mavs can offer.
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Im surprised Chris Douglas Roberts didn’t crack the next ten. I didn’t actually watch any Bobcats games, but he looked great when I saw the high lights. The Dante Exum-effect.
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The Cavs are stupid, so they’ll probably trade Wigs. STUPID.
Lance probably wants to continue to improve his value and get a new contract with the new CBA. He probably knows his talent and is pretty confident he can get a raise
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Knicks should sign Andre Blatche or Greg Oden we need a big man . I don’t know why Jameer Nelson is not getting a lot of attention he is a very solid starting point guard I would love the knicks to sign him for back up
Morey and Hinkie both insist on treating players purely as assets. Doesn’t that REALLY alienate young men who want to be treated as human beings? It seems like this could’ve factored heavily into Bosh’s decision to stay in Miami, where Riles and company treat him like a human instead of a piece of property.
1. I guess that’s why lebron stayed in miami too. Oh wait he didn’t? Odd.
2. I love that when carmelo stays with knicks it is all about the money but bosh staying with miami is a personal decision. Stop being hypocrites. It’s always about the money.
Don’t players treat teams the same way? In general, players want to maximize their earning power and will leave teams rather than remain loyal. It cuts both ways.
Except for Lebron James, I have NOT heard Cleveland getting some valuable addition via free agency… All the people knows is Cleveland Cavaliers are composed of James, Irving, Bennette, Wiggins & Diaw.., then whats next? Any updates on them or did the Cavs run out of money to add players? They did lose few good players in free agency. They were obssessed in signing James which they did but what about the supporting cast? Will they have a deep bench? Its a big question mark as the Cavs is still not finding any add ons via free agency. People are clueless on the Cavs final roster. They should act fast before its too late. Just my observation. TY
lol they don’t have diaw they have dion waiters. and don’t worry they will fill their roster out nicely
I would not worry to much about the Cavs roster. They have a lot of talented young depth. They could use a few vets on the cheap to help mentor them like a Ray Allen and Mike Miller and also a center would be helpful, I like Andray Blatche. Lebron will do wonders to help them mature. Look at there current lineup:
PG: Kyrie Irving, Matthew Dellavedova
SG: Dion Waiters, Joe Harris, (Ray Allen?-currently talking to)
SF: Lebron James, Andrew Wiggins, (Mike Miller?-currently talking to)
PF: Tristan Thompson, Anthony Bennett, Dwight Powell
C: Anderson Varejao, Brendan Haywood (a supporting vet?)
Also there are talks of Kevin Love to the Cavs. Still talks but interesting thought of having him on board for the right price without gutting the team.
Kevin Love won’t be free. you will have to gut into the team and future to get him.
Cavs won’t need to gut the team. Wiggins, Bennett and a couple picks/swap options should do the trick. Now they just have to wait for Flip to abandon his idea of trying get Love to stay which probably won’t happen until near the trade deadline. Until then we’ll just have to wade through more of these stories from NBA league (I.e T-wolves front office) sources.