NBA Free Agency: Latest Buzz Surrounding the Top Players
The list of superstars who are not under contract at the moment is a lengthy one, setting up the annual madness that is NBA free agency.
LeBron James and Dwayne Wade opted out of their contracts with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, respectively, adding them to a crop of unrestricted free agents on the market that includes—among others—DeAndre Jordan, LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol and Kevin Love.
Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard, Draymond Green and Goran Dragic headline an impressive group of restricted free agents.
But don't get your hopes up at the prospect of your favorite team signing one of these guys just yet.
Of the most coveted free agents, Jordan and Aldridge appear most likely to find new homes in the coming days.
According to USA Today's Sam Amick, Jordan is scheduled to meet with the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, as well as the Los Angeles Clippers.
Sources told Tim McMahon of ESPN that Dallas has the best chance of landing the NBA's leading rebounder and member of the All-Defensive First Team.
Chandler Parsons is doing his best to recruit the big man and sway him to the Mavericks:
The Portland Trail Blazers may lose a low-post player of their own in Aldridge, who is meeting with the Lakers, Mavericks, Knicks, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
He will first meet with the Lakers and Rockets at the outset of free agency, which begins at 12:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
NESN is reporting that Aldridge likes Los Angeles, but Carmelo Anthony is trying to convince him to go to New York.
A source told Shelburne that it's "very unlikely" Aldridge re-signs with Portland, but Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders is hearing that's not exactly a sure bet:
While Love also opted out of his deal with Cleveland, there's still a good chance he stays with the Eastern Conference champions.
Sam Amico of Fox Sports tweeted that Love wants to remain with the Eastern Conference champions, and Shelburne is being told the same:
The Memphis Grizzlies have to like their chances of holding on to their prized center considering no other team will even get to bid on him.
ESPN's Marc Stein is reporting that Gasol is meeting with the Grizzlies and no other teams.
This should only increase the demand for the likes of Aldridge and Jordan.
The sense out of Cleveland is that James is staying put. By opting out, he's simply keeping his options open, while paving the way for a bigger pay check.
Dave McMenamin of ESPN notes that by opting out, James can make more money than he would have under his previous deal, while Brian Windhorst adds that James plans on staying put:
As far as Wade goes, it doesn't appear as if teams are lining up for his services.
According to ESPN's Chris Broussard, teams have their hesitations due to his age and injury history:
Miami came into the offseason with uncertainty about the futures of three key pieces—Wade, Dragic and Luol Deng.
Deng opted in, so he'll join Chris Bosh and Hassan Whiteside in a starting five that will look pretty impressive if the Heat can retain the two backcourt members.
Pat Riley said Dragic wants to remain with the organization, according to Jason Lieser, Heat beat writer for the Palm Beach Post. Stein tweeted on Monday that he believes Dragic is all put certain to re-sign and that Wade's fate is less clear, though he was a bit off about Deng:
Like Dragic, the other top restricted free agents look like they're not going anywhere either.
Broussard is reporting that the Chicago Bulls have offered Butler a five-year, $90 million contract, a maximum deal.
According to Broussard, Butler has postponed meetings with several other teams as he considers Chicago's proposal.
Green is scheduled to meet with the Golden State Warriors at midnight, per NBC Sports.
Shelburne says there's a good chance he remains with the NBA champions if things go as planned:
There hasn't been much news circling from Leonard's camp, but Ken Berger of CBS Sports wrote that the Spurs are determined to bring back the former NBA Finals MVP:
"While the Spurs await official word that Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili are coming back, their first order of business will be swift and simple: re-signing defensive player of the year Kawhi Leonard to a five-year max deal, league sources told CBSSports.com. Don't expect any big recruitment meetings, songs or dances when the negotiating floodgates open just after midnight ET Wednesday—just a simple, quietly executed agreement that will keep Leonard in San Antonio well into his prime.
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Leonard shouldn't lose any sleep waiting to hear from his coach, however:
It's free agency, so reports and rumors have to be taken for what they are—reports and rumors. There's no telling who's going to come out of nowhere and make a big offer for one of these top players.
That being said, it would be shocking at this point if Gasol were to wind up anywhere but back in Memphis.
Despite what's coming out, it's hard to believe Love is so eager to return to the Cavaliers. The assumption on this end is that he ultimately bolts.
Furthermore, Aldridge would be the force down low the Lakers need, to go along with the backcourt of Kobe Bryant and D'Angelo Russell.
While Aldridge brings his game to the Staples Center, Jordan will take his over to Dallas, where he will be without the alley-oop lobs from Chris Paul.
