NBA Free Agents 2015: Latest Rumors on Notable Stars Hitting Open Market
NBA free agency opens Wednesday, and there are rumors bubbling to the surface to suggest which teams certain players might meet with—and squads some have ruled out entirely.
Headlining the latest buzz are two prominent big men in Marc Gasol and DeAndre Jordan. Both are dynamic defenders who could very well have new NBA homes before the 2015-16 season tips off.
Then there's the possibility of a tantalizing reunion that could inject some life into a franchise that needs excitement at the moment. Below is a breakdown of the chatter going down ahead of the open market start date.
Marc Gasol Not Interested in Joining Lakers
Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times reports the last few years Pau Gasol spent with the Los Angeles Lakers have soured his younger brother Marc from playing there.
Marc Gasol was the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year in Memphis in 2013 and would be a big addition to a Lakers defense that badly needs help on the inside. The problem is he may not even want to hear L.A.'s pitch—even with the recent draft addition of D'Angelo Russell.
The Grizzlies seem to be the leaders in the clubhouse to retain Gasol, according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, who also emphasized no decision has been made. ESPN.com's Marc Stein mentions the San Antonio Spurs as potential suitors, so Gasol almost has to listen to them.
There's so much uncertainty with the Spurs right now due to the uncertain futures of franchise cornerstones Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. At least they're likely to win, though, and the same can't be said for the Lakers.
Drafting Russell revealed L.A.'s strategy to target a big man in free agency. Gasol doesn't seem to be a viable option, so the Lakers may have to look elsewhere with familial ties at play in a prospective courtship.
Breaking up such a physical frontcourt alongside Zach Randolph doesn't seem wise for Gasol, who will be hard-pressed to find a more promising situation outside of Memphis if all its pieces remain in place and the perimeter rotation gets even a modest upgrade.
DeAndre Jordan Has Numerous Meetings Lined Up
The Lakers appear to be out of the running for a second Gasol. At least they're in the hunt for Jordan, according to USA Today's Sam Amick. The problem is, so are at least three other teams.
Amick names the Lakers, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Jordan's incumbent team, the Los Angeles Clippers, as the quartet he'll initially meet with to decide his future.
Back in March, Jordan seemed pleased to stay a Clipper but acknowledged the lure of being a free agent, per Amick:
"I want to experience it, to see what it's like, because before (in 2011) I was (a) restricted (free agent) so I just kind of had to wait it out. But I definitely want to experience it. I'm happy being a Clipper, I love it here. I've been here seven years, so this is definitely what I'm used to.
"
Stealing Jordan from the crosstown rival Clippers would be a massive gain for the Lake Show. The Lakers have a dynamic backcourt with Russell and Jordan Clarkson but could use a paint presence, rebounding machine and shot-altering force like Jordan down low.
It remains to be seen how Russell translates to the NBA, yet he's proven capable of executing pick-and-roll plays, something CBSSports.com's Matt Moore considers vital to Jordan's future:
Jordan would ease the burden on Kobe Bryant to play defense at this late stage in his career and allow last year's lottery pick, Julius Randle, to focus on his diverse offensive arsenal.
The Mavs are a bad fit in terms of having a point guard who can create, which may discourage Jordan. Dallas is thought to be deciding between Jordan and LaMarcus Aldridge, both of whom are from the Lone Star State.
A return to the Clippers figures to give Jordan the best chance to win now, while New York is a guaranteed starting spot with the potential to put up massive numbers. It's just hard to see Jordan fitting in the triangle offense sans a strong post game and passing ability.
"Linsanity" Returning to the Big Apple?
"DeAndre Jordan needs to seriously reconsider signing anywhere that does not have a great pick and roll point guard.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) June 29, 2015"
If there's disappointment in the Knicks' draft pick of Kristaps Porzingis at No. 4 overall, perhaps fans clinging to the brief Jeremy Lin glory days will be excited to hear about the possibility of a second act.
Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy has the details:
Lin went from the Big Apple to the nation's two biggest states for the past three seasons. Overshadowed by James Harden's ascent and high usage rate in Houston and stuck on a downtrodden Lakers squad last season, the breakout stardom Lin experienced in New York hasn't carried on.
This could be the fresh start Lin needs to regain confidence and operate in a triangle offense, where he's proven to be at his best as the catalyst. He'd compete for minutes with Jose Calderon, Shane Larkin and perhaps rookie Jerian Grant, depending on how combo guard Langston Galloway is used.
It's pretty clear Lin can't be counted on to carry a team. That's why the Knicks would be a suitable fit. Carmelo Anthony will carry that burden, and New York's system will help Melo out of numerous isolation situations, provided it has a capable floor general to run the show.
Since the start of the season is still so far out, one can't say for sure who will be in the starting five as point guard. The interest in Lin makes sense in that context, and the Knicks are wise to at least kick the tires on him.
