NBA Free Agents 2017: Latest Rumors and Predictions for Market's Buzzing Names
NBA free agency isn't going to take much of a break for the holidays.
The opening salvos have been fun, with major names settling into agreements with teams and reshaping the league. But it's only the beginning—one peek at the remaining free-agency board reveals eye-popping names like Kevin Durant, Gordon Hayward and many more.
Granted, someone like Durant isn't expected to make a move. But otherwise, an offseason with interesting angles such as Chris Paul, Jimmy Butler and Paul George finding new teams doesn't feel like it has done anything but save its best for last.
Below, let's take a look at the most notable rumblings from the mill and nail down predictions for each scenario.
The Danilo Gallinari Sweepstakes
Danilo Gallinari is one of the bigger names left on the open market.
Gallinari, 28, put on one of the best years of his career last year with the Denver Nuggets while playing the 4 next to breakout star Nikola Jokic. After reeling in averages of 18.2 points and 5.2 rebounds, he has the attention of teams looking for more of a modern 4 who can shoot.
This would explain why the Los Angeles Clippers have an interest, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski:
This would create quite the interesting fit in the Los Angeles frontcourt, which already has DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin, whereas the backcourt needs work after losing Paul.
Still, an impression is an impression even if fans will rarely hear bad news after a meet between a player and a team.
Sam Amick of USA Today added further context while eliminating the Sacramento Kings:
This situation feels all about momentum at this point. Gallinari's Nuggets just landed Paul Millsap, according to the Associated Press, which would seem to push things in favor of the Clippers.
After watching his team seek out an upgrade while trying to build for the future, look for Gallinari to seek out the Clippers.
Prediction: Gallinari signs with the Clippers
Vince Carter's Market
It's 2017, and Vince Carter remains a notable name in free agency.
It's incredible, really. Carter is 40 years old coming off a solid season with the Memphis Grizzlies in which he averaged 8.0 points and 3.1 rebounds on 24.7 minutes over 73 games while acting as key depth.
Viewed as a piece who can help along a young roster and play key minutes, it makes sense to hear the Kings have a reported interest, according to Chris Haynes of ESPN:
Carter still making the rounds, at least, isn't much of a surprise after a recent April interview in which he revealed he still might have a few years left.
"I said to myself 'I want to play 15 years'. I don't know where I got that from. And then I got to 15 years and I kept going. I never capped it, but at the same time I've had a lot of players remind me of things I've said," Carter said, according to RealGM.
Carter still playing will come down to teams wanting him—which the Kings do. The front office clearly wouldn't mind a mentor presence to bring along the De'Aaron Fox-Buddy Hield-Justin Jackson-Willie Cauley-Stein core.
For Carter, it's a chance to keep playing the game he loves. Stalling on the market in the hopes of drumming up a bigger price doesn't seem his style and might backfire for a player his age.
Look for Vinsanity to take his talents to Sacramento.
Prediction: Carter signs with the Kings
All Things Hayward
The Hayward circus presents interesting tidbits at each stop.
Hayward first met with the Miami Heat, where a hometown welcome and players involved in the recruiting pitch had the franchise seeming like the favorites to land the star forward.
Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer provided the report:
Hayward then took his tour to Boston for a meeting with the Celtics, which went for quite a long time, stretching into the evening. It was almost 7 p.m. ET when Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe reported it had concluded.
Hayward, of course, will wrap things up by meeting with his Utah Jazz, where he turned into a breakout star alongside George Hill and Rudy Gobert. There's an interesting new wrinkle with Ricky Rubio in town as well after a trade reported by ESPN's Marc Stein.
There are some interesting layers to Hayward's decision here, and trying to get into the mind of a big-name free agent isn't easy. But look at it this way—money is equal because he doesn't qualify for a supermax.
Hayward, then, has to decide if he wants to stay home in the system tailored around his offensive skill set, or go join Boston, where Isaiah Thomas will take some of the production. In Miami, at least, he'll be the main scorer while teaming with a big man like Hassan Whiteside.
At the end of the day, it's not hard to see Hayward fleeing a smaller-market team like the Jazz in the hopes Pat Riley can go all-in around him while building a title contender. LeBron has to age sometime in the Eastern Conference, and when he does, Hayward running the offense and Riley building around him looks like the best long-term outlook.
Prediction: Hayward signs with the Heat
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
