The free agent period of the NBA begins at midnight ET tonight, and there is plenty of buzz as different star players may be making franchise altering decisions in the next few days. PFs LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Love are the top two players available, and both seem to be on the move. C Marc Gasol, G Goran Dragic and restricted free agents G Jimmy Butler and F Draymond Green are just a few of the key, impact players available. Former NBA Champions and aging veterans are on the market, such as G Dwayne Wade and C Tyson Chandler, who are each looking to capitalize on one last big contract in the twilight of their careers.
Free Agency may be bigger now than it has ever been, especially in the NBA. It’s going to be exciting to watch the flurry of action that shall unfold in the next few days. For now, here is my take on where some of the key free agents will be suiting up next season:
PF LaMarcus Aldridge – San Antonio Spurs
Surprised, huh? You shouldn’t be, especially after Aldridge just finished a nine-year stint in Portland, which isn’t a huge market itself. In fact, Aldridge just spent almost an entire decade getting stranded in the Western Conference by the likes of teams like these Spurs. It is said that Aldridge has called PF Tim Duncan one of his heroes, so it would be fitting to play with Duncan in what could be his final season, having the chance to play for a championship and then continue to carry the torch for the team in the coming seasons. A future core can be built around Aldridge and SF Kawhi Leonard, which would be enticing enough to lure a free agent play-maker in the future once the contracts of PG Tony Parker, G Manu Ginobili, and the formentioned Duncan are off the books.
PF Kevin Love – Los Angeles Lakers
This is another move that I think is a no-brainer. Love obviously isn’t returning to Cleveland, after sending mixed signals about wanting to play with F LeBron James all season long. Now that the Lakers have the cap room to offer Love a max-deal, he will gladly take his ticket home. Love, of course, is a former UCLA Bruin, and it has been long rumored that he had been interested in playing for the Lakers. The chance to play with G Kobe Bryant, along with the young talents of F Julius Randle and G D’Angelo Russell bode well for the team’s short and long term future.
C Marc Gasol – New York Knicks
The Knicks HAVE to make a splash, especially after making a questionable call and landing F Kristaps Porzingis with the fourth overall pick in the draft. Not only would signing Gasol get the fans and NBA world back on the Knicks’ side, it would really improve their basketball team as well. As many know, president Phil Jackson is pushing the triangle offense, and Gasol’s skill set is that of the ideal big man to operate successfully in the triangle. Teaming up with F Carmelo Anthony would probably be the best shot that Gasol would have at an NBA Championship at this point in his career, and I’m sure that his brother, F Pau Gasol, is telling him to trust what Phil Jackson says in delivering wins.
F Greg Monroe – Boston Celtics
This is my big free agent surprise. It is believed that Monroe is no longer wanted by Pistons’ president Stan Van Gundy, so Monroe has the ability to seek out the max-deal he seeks elsewhere. While I don’t believe he will find that kind of money on the open market, I do believe the Celtics could ante up and make a move on a big man that they desperately need while trying to take their team to the next level. Monroe would instantly become the No. 1 option on offense for Boston, and would be its highest paid player. Not bad for a guy like Monroe.
The easier predictions:
Gs Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic stay in Miami
G Jimmy Butler returns to Chicago
Oh…. and,
F LeBron James remains a Cleveland Cavalier
Enjoy the the rest of the NBA off season, and be sure to keep up with our coverage of everything NBA and sports!
