NBA Rumors: Latest Rumblings on Jimmy Butler, Free Agency and More
Jimmy Butler and other potential big-name free agents are free to seize the attention of the globe with the NBA Finals in the books.
Of course, a few names from the epic Cleveland Cavaliers-Golden State Warriors series, such as Kevin Love, could remain in the spotlight by taking their talents to the open market.
For the most part, though, the focus now shifts to names deserving of major attention, players who, up until a few days ago, just waded in the background, waiting for the Finals to end. Whether it's a major name like Butler or a key depth piece, there are plenty of nuggets to catch up on ahead of free agency and the draft.
Let's take a look at some of the more interesting recent developments on a rumor mill sure to turn it up a notch soon.
Carlos Boozer's Next Home
The Finals showed what depth means for championship hopefuls.
While the Cavaliers had to hope for explosions from players such as Matthew Dellavedova and Timofey Mozgov, the Warriors leaned on an MVP performance from Andre Iguodala.
With depth as important as ever, it would be wise to keep in mind veteran Carlos Boozer remains on the open market among the number of names looking for a home. Now 33 years old, Boozer posted 11.8 points and 6.8 boards on average as a role player with the Los Angeles Lakers last season.
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Boozer might want to take his talents to South Beach this offseason: "As associate of veteran power forward Carlos Boozer said Boozer wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up with the Heat next season (almost assuredly at the minimum)."
It's an interesting revelation, to say the least, considering power forward is one of the deeper positions the Miami Heat feature thanks to Josh McRoberts and Udonis Haslem behind Chris Bosh.
Still, it would be unwise for the Heat to ignore the potential interest. Boozer's a role player now with something to offer off the bench, and depth remains a critical element of a title run.
Champs Unloading Talent?
Anyway, the talk can't veer from the Finals participants for too long.
This seems to happen every year—team wins title, starts to bleed talent. This year, it seems the Warriors will look to deal away forward David Lee, who played just 38 minutes over the six-game series against the Cavaliers.
ESPN.com's Marc Stein says Lee "has likely played his last game for the team," per sources.
"Sources said the Warriors have privately acknowledged to Lee and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, that it would be unfair to the former All-Star to ask him to continue to serve in a limited role next season after Lee accepted his diminished minutes without complaint all season," wrote Stein.
Lee averaged 7.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game on an average of 18.4 minutes this year. To put it into perspective, he averaged 18.2 points and 9.3 rebounds on 33.2 minutes the year prior.
Now 32 years old, plenty of teams will come calling about Lee's availability. He's still a strong player who just wound up not fitting with new coach Steve Kerr's desire to run the court quicker—an approach that helped the Warriors to blow away the Cavaliers over the last three games of the Finals.
Look for Lee, the Warriors and a third party to figure something out in the coming weeks if the organization is dead set on receiving an immediate return.
Jimmy Butler's Curveball
As one of the biggest potential free agents this offseason, Butler must be driving the brass in the Windy City mad.
Along with the rest of the Association.
Conventional wisdom suggested just days ago Butler would pursue the longest offer available to him so he can have security and as much money as possible. Such wisdom tends to go out the window, though, when the league has a new television deal on the way and a significant cap bump along with it.
Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski provides the scoop on the situation with Butler: "Chicago Bulls restricted free-agent guard Jimmy Butler has plans to pursue shorter-term offer sheets this summer, resisting the Bulls’ initial plans to offer him a five-year, maximum contract extension, league sources told Yahoo Sports."
It's an interesting revelation, if not a smart one on Butler's end. Signing a shorter offer means he gets a good chunk of cash in the short term but can go all-in on the idea of a max long-term offer with more cap room floating around in future years.
Just 25 years old coming off a season in which he posted career-high averages of 20.0 points, 3.3 assists and 5.8 boards per game, it might be easier to list the teams not interested in giving Butler what he wants.
Call it an interesting snag in what is a typical, boring process most years—teams offer max deals, player's team matches, the end. This one might unfold in a different manner thanks to Butler's foresight, so keep a close eye on the budding situation.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
