NBA Free Agent Rumors: Latest Buzz on Tim Duncan, Kevin Love and More
The NBA draft may be behind us, but the excitement is only beginning. On July 1, the NBA calendar year will reset with the start of free agency, and there are plenty of big names in the mix this summer.
From LeBron James to Paul Pierce, plenty of star power could be available on this year's free-agent market. Realistically, however, many big-name stars will likely choose to remain with their current teams if offered the right combination of money and ability to win. The influx of young stars from the draft helps with the latter.
There are many players who could be part of a league shake-up come July. Let's take a look at three of them: Tim Duncan, Kevin Love and Marc Gasol.
Tim Duncan to Return to San Antonio Spurs at Team-Friendly Salary
Power forward Tim Duncan, 39, isn't done yet, and he's still a strong player for the Spurs' talent core—at the right price.
With San Antonio also looking to lock down star small forward Kawhi Leonard, who turns 24 on Monday, Duncan's new contract would have to be team-friendly in order for him to remain, something ESPN's Marc Stein reports Duncan is on board with. Per Stein:
"The San Antonio Spurs are operating under the premise that Tim Duncan will return in 2015-16 for a 19th NBA season, according to league sources. Although Duncan and fellow Spurs mainstay Manu Ginobili have yet to make formal declarations about their plans for next season, sources said that the Spurs are optimistic about re-signing both at salaries that will allow the team to re-sign prized restricted free agent Kawhi Leonard this summer and to pursue top-tier free agent LaMarcus Aldridge.
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In spite of his age, Duncan continues to throw down on the court. In 2014-15, Duncan averaged 13.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. The vet has played his entire career in San Antonio, and it would be extremely difficult for another team to lure him away.
Given that Duncan is interested in taking a smaller deal to help his team retain key young talent, it would take more than money to convince Duncan to jump ship. Loyalty cannot be bought.
Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News had more information on what a potential deal for Duncan could look like: "A two-year contract that begins between $6 million and $7 million, with a partial guarantee and a player option the second season."
This kind of "wink-wink deal" stretches over two years what effectively could be a one-year salary. If Duncan doesn't exercise the player option, he could still receive 50 percent of the second year salary per Monroe—effectively giving him a $10 million salary in 2015-16.
That helps the Spurs retain young talent and possibly chase Aldridge, which helps Duncan put in another attempt at a championship in what could be his final season.
Kevin Love Indicates to Cleveland Cavaliers He Plans to Return
Dispelling rumors that he would look to take his talents elsewhere, Kevin Love recently told the Cavs he'll be back, reports Sam Amico of Fox Sports:
Reports of suitors for Love in free agency have been frequent and were only fed by Love opting out of his contract. Teams reportedly interested in Love, aside from the Cavs, include the Boston Celtics and the Houston Rockets, per Stein.
It wasn't crazy to think that Love might entertain offers to leave Cleveland this summer. Though his team reached the finals and could do the same in 2015-16, he was forced to watch from the bench after a shoulder injury suffered against Boston required season-ending surgery.
There's also the belief held by some that Love was ill-used by Cleveland.
"We know that under coach David Blatt, who likely isn't going anywhere, Love was badly used," opined CBSSports' Matt Moore. "There's just no way around it. He was essentially relegated to decoy status for most of the season [and] was removed from key close fourth quarters..."
Still, which is a more ideal situation: playing more minutes for a team with little chance of making the finals, or being used less with a team that's potentially bound for a title?
If Love told the Cavs he'll be back, the thought of that championship is clearly too enticing for him to walk away from.
Marc Gasol Has No Interest in Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers will be looking for a center this summer, and Memphis' Marc Gasol leads the pack of free agents.
However, Gasol reportedly has no desire to be courted by the Lakers, reports Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.
Per Bresnahan: "Marc Gasol has no interest in the Lakers because of the uneasy last few years his brother spent with them, according to numerous people familiar with the situation."
Remember that Marc's brother Pau Gasol took less money to join the Chicago Bulls when he hit free agency after years of the Lakers not using him to his full potential. Add in that Los Angeles is no longer the perennial contender it used to be, and it's no wonder why Marc Gasol has soured on the idea of the Lakers.
There's also the fact that Gasol went to high school in Memphis and has spent his entire professional career there, which—similar to Tim Duncan—makes him a hard player to lure away. Memphis also has a desirable cap situation and can offer Gasol what he wants to be paid.
If there's any team that could be successful at pilfering Marc Gasol, it might be the San Antonio Spurs. "San Antonio can offer him the four-year max and a legitimate chance at a title, which is likely better than what Memphis can provide," writes Moore.
While it's still possible Marc Gasol could be playing somewhere other than Memphis this season, it seems clear it will not be in Los Angeles.
