NBA Players Who Will Leave Their Teams This Offseason

The NBA playoffs are only days away, but that won't stop some players from looking ahead to an offseason with plenty of opportunities. That's because this year's free-agent class is fairly talented, and there's no doubt that the potential for a big payday can be a little distracting. 

From reserves who are having big years to fringe All-Stars, a lot of players are going to be on the move, but who exactly should you be on the lookout for? 

Monta Ellis

Despite being one half of a young, high-scoring backcourt with Brandon Jennings, it appears that Monta Ellis won't be wearing a Milwaukee Bucks uniform next season. That's because a recent report courtesy of the Journal Times claims Ellis's associates heard him intimate that he intends to leave the Bucks for the big bucks.

Although Ellis would earn a guaranteed $11 million next season in Milwaukee, his contract has a special clause (called the Early Termination Option) that allows him to opt out no later than the June 30 deadline.

Should Ellis choose to follow through with his opt out, he becomes an unrestricted free agent. He is essentially gambling that another team will give him a bigger contract, and considering his age and abilities, there's definitely a team out there that will take a risk on him.

Ellis is just 27 years old and is among the top 15 scorers in the league and despite his 42 percent field-goal percentage, there's a lot of teams that would be willing to pay up for 19 points per game. Ellis and the rest of the Bucks have a first-round matchup with the Miami Heat, but you can bet he will do his best to put on a good show before he hits free agency. 

Al Jefferson

One of the most underrated prospects in the 2013 free-agency group, Al Jefferson would be a great piece for any team needing scoring in the paint. Although word is mum from his camp as far as his prospects for next season, there's no doubt he could command a nice chunk of change considering his scoring prowess.

Although he could arguably play either the 4 or 5 spot, Jefferson is the third-highest scoring center in the NBA with 17 points per game.

The best part about his game is that he can create offense for himself, and in an era where true low-post scorers is a rarity, Jefferson could be a highly coveted asset. Jefferson is currently the primary scoring option on a Utah Jazz team that is likely to barely miss the playoffs, but he certainly shouldn't be down about it . 

Jefferson modestly proclaimed back in the day (per ESPN), "I would've been a fool to go up there and ask [the Minnesota Timberwolves] for [a max contract]." Now that he's played in Utah and Minnesota since his rookie days as a Boston Celtic, it's time for Big Al to finally get that big market money.

With two young prospects in Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors, it wouldn't make sense for Utah to pursue Jefferson for a big contract this year. In all likelihood, a mutual parting of ways will occur as Jefferson is a an unrestricted free agent, and the Jazz are a very mediocre squad that desperately needs to break up their cluttered frontcourt.

Jefferson will definitely seek a bigger payday and a bigger market in the offseason. 

Andrew Bynum

In a nightmarishly mediocre season for the Philadelphia 76ers, Andrew Bynum was the mascot for their mediocrity. Plagued by knee troubles all season, the ultra-talented big man's prospects for the future look uncertain after recently opting for surgery. 

Bynum will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and while Philly could technically sign him if they wanted to, there's no way he's coming back after what transpired this season. Now finding themselves out of playoffs, the Sixers cannot afford to make another gamble players coming off injuries, and that means a new contract for Bynum has to be a no-go.

Even the great Julius Irving, an NBA legend and face of the franchise for the Sixers, thinks Philadelphia can't risk another year of Bynum (per SLAMONLINE). Irving is currently employed as a Strategic Advisor for the Sixers, and if he says, "No," then there's no way Bynum is returning in a Sixers uniform if the great Dr. J says so.

Opinions of NBA legends aside, it just doesn't make sense for Philly to risk another meaningless year on someone who will be looking to make max money despite suspect durability. When healthy, Bynum is arguably the league's best big man, but at this point in his career he's too risk of an investment.

Look for a desperate team with cap space to shoot a max contract offer Bynum's way in the offseason, but there's no way it will be the Sixers. 

Jarrett Jack

Jarrett Jack has been a flat-out steal for the Golden State Warriors all season. Despite only earning just under $6 million, Jack has catapulted into semi-stardom as the leading scorer off the bench for a dynamic Warriors squad heading into the playoffs. 

It's been a great story all season for the Warriors, but the ugly fact remains that salary cap issues are going to be an issue coming into the next season. Stephen Curry's extension will incur exponential growth in his salary over the next few seasons, and players like Andris Biedrins and Richard Jefferson can both exercise player options that let them stay under contract.

So what does this all mean? Well, Jack might be the odd man out in the eyes of Golden State if he asks for too much money come the offseason, which he probably will. 

Jack has been playing lights out, and when you play lights out, you want more money. Problem is, the Warriors might think otherwise.

Jack is no stranger to playing on other squads—heck, the Warriors are the fifth different team he's played on in the pros, so he tends to choose money over everything. 

Look for Jack to chase a big payday with another squad. His value is as high as it's been in a long time, and there's no question suitors with deeper pockets (aka more cap relief) will come a-knocking. 

Josh Smith

Arguably the biggest name who's most likely to leave his team in 2013 happens to be Josh Smith. After the subject of trade rumors dominated Atlanta Hawks headlines, nothing ever happened. Smith ended up staying put for the rest of this season, but don't think for a second that means he's staying long term.

There have been rumblings for a while that he wants to be traded, but his refusal to sign a contract extension earlier this season seemed to intensify that sentiment in the minds of those playing close attention to the situation. However, him refusing that extension doesn't mean anything.

It could be argued that he rejected it because he wants to wait until the offseason and get two more years on his max contract as an unrestricted free agent, rather than the three he'd get from an extension. Either way, it doesn't seem like Smith will be sticking around in the ATL.

The Hawks have been one-and-done playoff competitors the past few years, and they seem to be stuck in NBA purgatory as far as staying mediocre and never getting past the first round. Smith will likely pursue different prospects and the chance to be the man. Smith is also looking to get max money, and that means he's going to be overpaid by whoever signs him.

He's talented, he's young, but his mental lapses and stubborness are not deserving of the max, but some might argue his upside is worth it. The Hawks would be wise to let him walk rather than fork over that much cash, and he might very well refuse their contract no matter what.

Some team out there will likely pay him more than he's worth, but he is certainly a great complementary piece on a team needing another guy to run the floor and play defense. 

Expect Josh Smith to settle for 20 foot jumpshots while wearing another jersey next season.