When it comes to the NBA preseason, the general population turns its focus to the relationship between coach and player. Not enough attention goes to what transpires between players and their respective front offices.
With the 2014-15 regular season nearing, a number of players approaching the end of their rookie deals are working to put an end to the potential speculation.
Restricted free agency isn’t the most popular process, as rising stars Eric Bledsoe of the Phoenix Suns and Greg Monroe of the Detroit Pistons can attest to. Both were expected to receive max contracts within weeks of free agency beginning, but instead remained unsigned into September.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, a number of different players are looking to avoid that same fate by entering in negotiations for a new deal before the season can begin.
League sources say that the following players are all in the midst of active extension negotiations with their respective teams as the end of the window — and restricted free agency for those who aren’t extended — draws ever closer:
San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard, Golden State’s Klay Thompson, Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio, Charlotte’s Kemba Walker, Chicago’s Jimmy Butler, Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson, Oklahoma City’s Reggie Jackson, Milwaukee’s Brandon Knight and Orlando teammates Nikola Vucevic and Tobias Harris.
Just to name 10.
(You could also throw in the Utah duo of Enes Kanter and Alec Burks, as well as New York’s Iman Shumpert and Miami’s Norris Cole, if you need a few more names actively pursuing new deals.)
That’s a lot to take in.
Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs, Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors and Nikola Vucevic of the Orlando Magic are expected to be re-signed without estation. Something similar can be said for Tobias Harris of the Magic and Kemba Walker with the Charlotte Hornets.
Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls, Reggie Jackson of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Brandon Knight of the Milwaukee Bucks, Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Tristan Thompson of the Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t sure things.
Butler is expected to return to Chicago as its defensive perimeter ace, but the Bulls are a notoriously frugal organization. Should he be pushed out of their price range, it’s not entirely unthinkable for the franchise to let him walk.
It seems unlikely, but so was letting two-time All-Star Luol Deng go in his prime. As was signing Pau Gasol for less than $8 million per season.
While anything is possible, it’s hard to imagine Chicago, as financially conservative they may be, letting Butler walk.
Thompson is expected to return Cleveland, but he could be seeking more money than the Cavaliers are willing to pay. Jason Lloyd of The Akron Beacon Journal reports that Thompson is after a contract in the range of $40 million.
With max contract players Kyrie Irving, LeBron James and Kevin Love on the roster, that may not be an attainable goal.
Jackson is, perhaps, the most interesting case of any pending restricted free agent. He, much like Kevin Martin and James Harden before him, could end up leaving Oklahoma City for financial reasons.
The organization has a history of refusing to pay its tertiary scoring option as their talent-level suggests. Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman reported in mid-August that, if a deal cannot be struck by October 31, Jackson will enter restricted free agency.
From there, it’s complete uncertainty.
The final big name listed is Rubio, who is one of the most well-rounded point guards in the league. He also has one major weakness: horrendous shooting.
Seriously, though.
For all of his shortcomings as a scorer, Rubio ranked in the Top 5 at his position in assists, rebounds and steals per game in 2013-14. He’s a creative playmaker who, with the development of a jump shot, would become one of the best point guards in the NBA.
Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN reports that Rubio is seeking a five-year max contract. Minnesota may reward him with it if he properly gels with Andrew Wiggins and company, but that’s a big if.
If the Timberwolves won’t do it, Rubio will enter restricted free agency. It’s possible that he’ll receive a max contract, but not if he’s unable to improve what ranks as one of the worst jumpers in basketball.
One way or another, a number of high-profile young players are going to receive new contracts. How big they end up being is still up in the air.
Kobe Laughs Off ESPN Ranking
With every new season comes a new opportunity to evaluate the teams and players of the NBA. Every major and small-time media outlet does it, and ESPN is no exception.
That doesn’t mean everyone has to agree.
In what can only be described as a controversial decision, ESPN ranked Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant as the No. 40 player in the NBA. This comes after Bryant played in only six games due to injury in 2013-14.
Did Bryant’s response really surprise anyone?
Kobe on ESPN ranking him 40th best player: “I’ve known for a long time that they’re a bunch of idiots.”
— Bill Oram (@bill_oram) October 17, 2014
If you can dish it, you can take it.
Lakers fans and Bryant supporters have taken to social media to tell ESPN how they disapprove of this ranking. The general consensus is that it’s blasphemous to believe there are 39 players who are presently better than the 16-time All-Star.
It’s not the most popular ranking, but that doesn’t make it entirely unjustified.
Over the course of the past two seasons, Bryant has suffered a torn achilles tendon and a fractured knee. At 36 years old, those are the type of injuries that not only damage a career, but end it.
Without doing much research, I can unequivocally guarantee that there are at least 39 active players who aren’t 36 years old with a torn achilles tendon and a fractured knee in their recent medical history.
Bryant has been the unbreakable superstar throughout his career, but even the most well-conditioned athletes encounter father time. This isn’t to say that he’ll struggle in 2014-15, nor is it to predict that the injuries will slow him down.
Instead, it’s stating the obvious: it’s not irrational to believe that Bryant has an uphill battle.
Just do yourself a favor: don’t put any money on his failure.
I would say be VERY careful to doubt a player with the drive and work ethic that @kobebryant has….. #YouveBeenWarned — George Karl (@CoachKarl22) October 16, 2014
George Karl knows what he’s talking about. Bryant eliminated his Denver Nuggets from the playoffs on three separate occasions between 2008 and 2012.
Time and time again, The Black Mamba has defied the odds. This may be his toughest task yet, but that doesn’t guarantee failure in the slightest.
Season 19 will be an interesting one for Bryant in Los Angeles. There’s no telling what will transpire, but one thing is guaranteed: Bryant’s fans will remain loyal until the sweet or bitter end.
Around The League
- Top high school prospect and former SMU Mustangs commit Emmanuel Mudiay made his debut in the Chinese Basketball Association. He finished with 21 points, five assists, two rebounds, two steals and a block in a preseason game. At season’s end, Mudiay is expected to be high on draft boards for the 2015 NBA Draft.
- Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports reports that the Dallas Mavericks are targeting a trade to free up a roster spot. The two players Dallas has in mind are center Bernard James and guard Gal Mekel. James, 29, and Mekel, 26, are low on the depth chart. James is a shot-blocker and Mekel a playmaker, however, which could yield some interest. There’s no telling if the Mavs would get anything more than cash to suit their needs.