2015 NBA Free Agents: Predictions for Greg Monroe and More Top Stars
Much of the NBA world is focused on the upcoming draft this Thursday night. But next week, arguably the focal point of the offseason gets underway.
That, of course, is a reference to the start of NBA free agency July 1. This summer, LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Kevin Love, DeAndre Jordan and Greg Monroe are a handful of the players set to hit unrestricted free agency.
Monroe, 25, is one a number of big men about to hit the open market. More importantly, signs point to Monroe leaving the Detroit Pistons.
According to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times, the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics are the two favorites to land the soon-to-be free agent.
The Celtics have been linked to a number of big men in the upcoming draft. Among them: Willie Cauley-Stein and Myles Turner.
Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com reported Boston is targeting Cauley-Stein. However, the team would have to trade up from the 16th overall pick in order to land the former Kentucky star.
Likewise, the Celtics have been connected to Turner. According to Andrew Perna of RealGM, the team is aggressively pursuing trades that would improve its draft position in order to land the former Texas big man.
If neither of those trades comes to fruition (and even if they do), Monroe could be in the mix for the Celtics. The team is in desperate need of rim protectors, and with four forwards—Brandon Bass, Jonas Jerebko, Luigi Datome and Jae Crowder—all set to hit free agency, adding a handful of big men makes sense.
As for the Knicks, they have long been connected to Monroe based on president Phil Jackson’s admiration for the center.
In April, Marc Berman of the New York Post reported Jackson planned to meet with Monroe at the start of free agency.
New York lacks any sort of a marquee frontcourt player and needs to upgrade at center badly. Jackson said as much to Scott Cacciola of the New York Times:
"Yeah, we have no big men. So we’re seeing what can we add to our team that will move us along and make us a better team, and we’ll have to fill out that big possibility with some free agents if we end up going smaller with wings and guards in the draft.
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According to Ian Begley of ESPN, the Knicks are projected to have $25 million to spend this summer, which allows them to offer Monroe a max contract.
Prediction: There has to be a reason why Jackson is so enamored with Monroe, and perhaps the big man helps the Knicks to better run the triangle offense. The Celtics seemingly have their sights set on drafting a young big man, while the Knicks keep being mentioned with Monroe. He lands in New York with a rich new contract.
Draymond Green
Coming off of an NBA Finals victory, the Golden State Warriors forward is in a position to capitalize on a career year with the champions. But will he?
Draymond Green is a restricted free agent who could command a lot of interest on the open market. However, he has made it clear he would like to remain with Golden State, and the front office feels the same.
When asked about his plans this summer, Green told Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News, “I'll be here. I love this group of guys.”
The Warriors apparently feel the same, as Marc Stein of ESPN reported the Warriors are dangling forward David Lee in order to create some extra cap space to dish out a deal to Green and eventually Harrison Barnes.
Green was rumored to be a free-agent target of the Detroit Pistons, who seemingly had an edge considering it’s close to where the forward grew up and played his collegiate basketball.
However, according to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press, the Pistons have soured on pursuing Green because there’s a general consensus the Warriors will match any deal he receives in free agency:
"But the Free Press has reported that the Pistons' front office views signing Green as unrealistic because the Warriors will match any offer sheet he signs. The Warriors have signaled their intent all season, and general manager Bob Myers told reporters Tuesday what to expect when the free agency period begins July 1.
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Green averaged career-high marks in points per game (11.7), rebounds (8.2) and assists (3.7). His size, versatility and defensive prowess were vital to the Warriors’ success in the regular season, and his emergence down the stretch of the 2015 NBA Finals helped secure a title.
Prediction: At 25 years old, Green is in a position to sign a contract this offseason and another one a few years down the line. Given the Warriors’ style of play and young core of talent, his best chance of winning more NBA championships is staying put. It is clear Golden State’s front office has no plans to let him go either. Green remains with the Warriors.
Marc Gasol
Perhaps the top free agent of the 2015 class is center Marc Gasol. And while it is expected nearly every NBA team will be trying to make their pitch to the 7'1" center, it has long appeared as if one team remains the favorite.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, Memphis is expected to retain Gasol:
"The Grizzlies will have a full training camp to incorporate Green into their system, with the franchise’s full attention turning to the re-signing of first-team All-NBA center Marc Gasol in July free agency. Gasol is expected to stay with the Grizzlies, but no final decision has been made, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
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Such has been a trend when trying to figure out what Gasol might do July 1 when he is eligible to sign with any team he pleases.
In May, Sam Amick of USA Today reported there’s confidence in the Memphis locker room that Gasol will remain with the team that just advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals.
Additionally, Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace stated he also believes Gasol won’t be leaving town.
The Knicks were expected to make a play for Gasol, but Shlomo Sprung of Sheridan Hoops reported the 30-year-old center is too familiar with Memphis to leave.
Consider the San Antonio Spurs as perhaps Memphis’ biggest competition for Gasol in free agency. Last month, Gasol expressed admiration for the Spurs franchise to Abraham Romero of Spanish daily Diario AS, via the San Antonio Express-News.
"San Antonio is a model franchise and I’ve always admired Tim Duncan,” he told the site, via the San Antonio Express-News. “We’ll see what happens this summer.”
Former Knicks player and teammate to Gasol on the Grizzlies Beno Udrih told Jared Zwerling of Bleacher Report that New York isn’t a fit for the center.
Prediction: If it’s the big bright lights he aims to avoid, then consider San Antonio and Memphis as the two favorites. More specifically, though, the Grizzlies have to be considered front-runners to retain Gasol, who seems comfortable with the life he has built and the career he has established right there in Memphis. He’ll have plenty of offers to mull over this summer, and perhaps the Spurs’ will make him think, but ultimately all signs point to Gasol re-upping with the Grizzlies.
