5 NBA Free Agents-to-Be Auditioning for Other Teams in 2013-14
It's difficult to project the caliber of the 2014 free-agent class. While there's a host of talented restricted free agents out there, the majority of the unrestricted players are a bit underwhelming.
Of course, the quality of the class largely depends on a few big decisions to be made. Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Rudy Gay could make things very interesting if they decline their player options after this season.
Even a few older veterans like Ray Allen, Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce and Tim Duncan could throw a wrench in the game by taking big pay cuts to stay with their current teams or leaving altogether.
Because all restricted free agents are technically auditioning for their next team, we'll instead focus solely on unrestricted free agents who seem likely to hit the open market and not be retained by their current club.
For the following five players, the audition process for next year has already begun.
Pau Gasol, F, Los Angeles Lakers
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Kobe Bryant's surprise two-year, $48.5 million extension changed a lot of things for the Los Angeles Lakers, but no one's future was impacted quite like Pau Gasol's.
The Lakers were barely able to retain max cap space with Bryant's extension, but to be able to use that cap space, the Lakers will have to renounce all rights to Pau Gasol before free agency begins.
Because of that, the chances Gasol is back in a Lakers uniform next season are slim.
Gasol doesn't have to show off anything new to his potential suitors this offseason. Instead, he just has to prove he's maintained a good deal of his ability. Gasol is a basketball chameleon who can work in virtually any offensive system, next to any kind of player. Front offices around the league know this.
All Gasol has to do this year is stay healthy and stave off a big drop in production. As long as he can do that, he'll be one of the hottest names on the market for contending teams this offseason.
Kyle Lowry, G, Toronto Raptors
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There isn't a huge demand for starting point guards around the league, but Lowry is the best unrestricted floor general on the market.
Although he's had his ups and downs throughout his career, no one questions Lowry's talent. He's a rugged defender when engaged, and he's a natural scorer with great range.
Do you want him in a leadership role, though? Maybe not, and it's that stigma Lowry needs to shake this season. He's been pegged as a moody, inconsistent player, and that's something that won't be appealing to young teams with holes at point guard like the Boston Celtics or Milwaukee Bucks.
Lowry may be sought after as a sixth man in free agency, but this is his best chance yet to prove he's still worthy of a starting point guard spot and a healthy contract. He'll need to pry the ball out of DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay's hands first, but Lowry will have the chance to inflate his value on a team that should sneak into the playoffs.
Lowry could end up sticking around in Toronto, but it seems more likely that general manager Masai Ujiri will balk at any long-term commitment.
Marcin Gortat, C, Washington Wizards
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Marcin Gortat was granted a second life with the Washington Wizards, and now he should have a better stage to put up big numbers in a contract year.
While Gortat will probably never look like the player he was alongside Steve Nash in Phoenix, he's still a very competent big man who rebounds well and provides solid production elsewhere.
For teams in need of a true center, Gortat should be at the top of the list. The "Polish Hammer" is still only 29 years old and has enough in the tank to justify one more big contract.
When it comes to centers, being a little risk-averse is usually smart. Gortat isn't flashy, but he's consistent and dependable. So long as he continues down the same path he's been on for a while now, Gortat should be in line for a big deal this offseason. He's the best unrestricted center on the market, and Washington might not have the available cash to keep him around.
Luol Deng, F, Chicago Bulls
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Perhaps no one is in a more important contract year than Luol Deng. With Derrick Rose out for the season yet again, his future with the rest of the Chicago Bulls' core is up in the air.
It's hard to predict what kind of deal Deng will demand in free agency. Although he's just 28, Deng has a lot of miles on the odometer and hasn't exactly been the picture of health over the years.
Still, the opportunity to be Chicago's top scoring option in a contract year bodes well for his bank account. Deng is healthy at the right time, and there's a good chance Chicago won't be willing to fork over more luxury tax payments going forward.
Teams that need a solid baseline scorer and defender at the 3 will have Deng targeted right from day one of free agency.
Danny Granger, F, Indiana Pacers
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While the rest of the players auditioning for their next contracts are already pretty established, Danny Granger has to show potential suitors he's capable of staying on the floor for more than a few games at a time.
Granger's health is the chief concern, and while we can safely assume he'll receive nowhere near his current deal worth $14 million, getting back on the court and playing consistent minutes will go a long way in raising his value this offseason.
What seems most likely for Granger at this point is a deal similar to what Andrew Bynum signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason. Granger will certainly be offered less per year, but a non-guaranteed deal with no future commitments makes sense for any team taking on the risk.
Remember, if Brandon Roy can land a deal in free agency after all of his troubles, Granger can likely do the same. Some team out there will bet on his ability to regain some of his old form, but it's highly unlikely to be Indiana. Retaining Lance Stephenson will likely sap up all of the space below the luxury tax, leaving Granger to find a deal elsewhere.
Lower Profile Unrestricted Free Agents
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In addition to the older veterans and the higher profile unrestricted guys, there's a group of under-the-radar free agents out there who are auditioning for their next team this year.
Rodney Stuckey, G, Detroit Pistons: Stuckey has had a very nice start to the season, and it's been tough for Maurice Cheeks to keep him off the floor, even in spite of the spacing issues he presents offensively. Stuckey has been motivated defensively, and he's scoring at a career-high rate per 36 minutes. He'll get some love this offseason as a potential sixth man, and Detroit may look for a better shooter on the wing with the cap space his departure will create.
Spencer Hawes, C, Philadelphia 76ers: It's not hard to envision Hawes pulling down a sizable deal in free agency. So far this season, the 7'0" center is averaging a double-double per game, and he's also stroking the ball from behind the arc (49.1 percent). Teams should be wary of good stat guys on bad teams, but it's easy to talk yourself into Hawes being a nice supplementary piece. Philadelphia is rebuilding, so they'll have little need for him on a big deal.
Ramon Sessions, G, Charlotte Bobcats: Very quietly, Sessions has emerged as one of the best sixth men in all of basketball. He draws tons of fouls, he can play on or off the ball, and he's a great athlete who can really push the tempo. It's hard to imagine he'll get a starting point guard job again thanks to the depth of the position around the league, and that seems even more true once you consider how well he's performed in his current role off the bench. If Charlotte has bigger free-agency ambitions, perhaps Sessions can finally end up on a title contender.
Jordan Hill, F/C, Los Angeles Lakers: Not many players have raised their stock more than Hill has. He's brought a ton of energy to every game, and his work on the offensive glass has been extremely impressive. Even though he's quickly endeared himself to the Lakers faithful, it's hard to imagine he's in the team's future plans. There's probably too much interest elsewhere at this point for him to come back to Los Angeles on the cheap.
Trevor Ariza, F, Washington Wizards: Before he went down with an injury, Ariza was playing his tail off for the Wizards. After losing sight of what he did best for a few seasons, Ariza is back in the corner, where he's a much better three-point shooter. Although he gambles a bit too much defensively, Ariza is long and can really frustrate good wing scorers. With Otto Porter and Martell Webster on contract long-term, however, Ariza's days in Washington are likely numbered.
