NBA Free Agents 2015: Latest Rumors and Predictions for Market's Top Names
Welcome to the most entertaining part of the NBA calendar.
There's a matchup of two great teams in the NBA Finals, and front offices around the league continue to shuffle draft boards and eye the impending opening of the market, where will teams make the most headway toward contention next season—if things go according to plan.
Of course, the plan always steals the spotlight this time of year. It varies by organization, but the basics are simple: draft complements to the franchise centerpieces found on the market, and if the draft fails, find the complements there, too.
As is the case every year, the market hogs the headlines, with so many notables heading in different directions. Here's a look at the latest, as teams in the Association prepare for the flood.
Bucks Willing to Spend on Their Own
The Milwaukee Bucks remain one of the more interesting teams as free agency approaches, with one of the better young cores in place thanks to the presence of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker, not to mention a first-round pick on the way.
Just don't forget restricted free agent Khris Middleton.
He may be the smallest name of the developing Big Three, but it's clear the brass in Milwaukee view Middleton as a big part of the future. According to a source who spoke with ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the likelihood of the Bucks' keeping the free agent is a "10."
Stein added, "All signals emanating from Brewtown at this stage, as you'd expect, hold that the Bucks are determined to match any offer sheets Middleton attracts after his emergence this season as one of the league's rising defensive gems."
Prioritizing the 23-year-old forward makes sense after he averaged 13.4 points, 2.3 assists and 4.4 rebounds last year with 47 percent shooting from the field.
While it's just one year of surprising success, at the least Middleton represents what every team covets: talented depth capable of stepping in and carrying the load. Look for the two sides to work something out.
Prediction: Middleton stays in Milwaukee
Bucks Willing to Spend on Outsiders
Let's just stick with the Bucks, a team front and center when it comes to doing whatever it takes to help their aforementioned young core find success.
One thing not mentioned above, keen eyes will notice, is the center position. The roster features John Henson, Zaza Pachulia and Miles Plumlee, but it's become clear in recent days that the 5-spot is the main position the front office wants to upgrade.
Stein added the details: "League sources say the Bucks want a proven center in free agency if they can score one, and have pinpointed two kinds of former All-Stars—Dallas' Tyson Chandler and Brooklyn's Brook Lopez—as targets for the top of their wish list."
Lopez would be the obvious choice, should he decide to enter the market. He's 27 years old and just averaged 17.2 points and 7.4 boards per game.
Tyson Chandler seems more realistic, as Lopez might stay in Brooklyn or head to greener pastures out west. While 32 years old, the veteran has plenty to offer the young Bucks, including a defensive prowess not easy to find. He averaged 10.3 points, 11.5 boards and 1.2 blocks last season.
RealGM tweeted an interesting take on the prospect:
Chandler should also see plenty of offers, but the difference is that he's more in the Bucks' price range.
Even better, he touts the veteran leadership the young roster could use as it moves forward in development. Look for the front office to put on a full-court press to bring him to town.
Prediction: Bucks sign Chandler
The Greg Monroe Saga
It seems the Detroit Pistons closed the door on talented big man Greg Monroe recently, bringing in talent via trade to help with the rebuilding effort.
Monroe, 25, continues to be one of the most talked-about free agents, especially now that it seems like the Pistons have waved the white flag.
ESPN.com's Nick Silva offered the details: "While it's not official yet, most NBA executives believe it's now a lock that Monroe will be playing for a new team next season with news of the Ersan Ilyasova trade to the Pistons. The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks may be the top suitors for Monroe."
The sounds you hear are executives running around front offices, papers flying every which way.
Monroe averaged 15.9 points, 10.2 boards and 0.5 blocks last season with a player efficiency rating of 21.26, per ESPN.com. He's an obvious young talent with room to grow, so it makes sense if contenders want a shot at him.
The New York Knicks seem a good destination, the caveat being the team holds a high pick in the upcoming draft and may use it to upgrade in a cheaper manner. Perhaps more realistic is the Boston Celtics, a team in need of an upgrade there and willing to spend the cash.
Even better, Monroe could grow with a budding core alongside Marcus Smart, and the team could avoid sacrificing one of its two first-round picks so it can draft a high-profile forward.
It seems a great fit from every angle, so the odds look strong that something will get done.
Prediction: Celtics sign Monroe
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
