NBA Free-Agent Rumors: Latest Buzz on Top Targets and Signings
It's sit-down season across the NBA, which means it's time for franchises to break out their best Powerpoint presentations and recruitment tools in hopes of landing some of this summer's biggest free-agent prizes.
And with high-profile targets taking meetings and exploring their options, new rumors are cropping up by the minute.
So as teams jockey to establish prime negotiating position for rim-protecting centers, volume-scoring shooting guards and hot veteran commodities, it's time to run down the latest rumblings from across the Association.
Robin Lopez Has Plenty of Suitors
Robin Lopez isn't being mentioned in the same breath as free-agent bigs LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre Jordan, but he should be.
While Lopez hasn't padded his resume with All-Star appearances and accolades, he has the kind of two-way talent necessary to be considered one of the hottest players available this summer.
And according to RealGM's Shams Charania, his offerings have been recognized by a few savvy suitors:
"The New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks are so far among the interested suitors for Portland Trail Blazers free agent Robin Lopez, league sources told RealGM.
Beyond Portland, Lopez is expected to have a list of suitors on July 1, and his connection to Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry has been clear around the NBA. Gentry coached Lopez during the seven-foot center’s first four seasons with the Phoenix Suns.
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New Orleans is an intriguing destination for Lopez. Since the Pelicans are looking to turn Anthony Davis into an even more versatile threat by expanding his jump-shooting range, according to Pelicans.com's Jim Eichenhofer, a low-post bruiser such as Lopez could be the perfect complement for the 22-year-old.
Last season, Lopez posted a net rating of plus-4.7 points per 100 possessions during his 1,638 minutes on the floor with the Portland Trail Blazers, according to NBA.com. Lopez was also among the league's most intimidating rim protectors, holding opponents to 54.7 percent shooting inside of six feet, per SportVU player-tracking data. That mark graded out 5.1 percent better than the league average.
The Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks shouldn't be overlooked, though. New York has roughly $34 million in available cap space, according to Spotrac, while the Bucks have upward of $16 million to spend. That said, Milwaukee is rumored to be the front-runner to re-sign restricted free agent Khris Middleton, according to the Journal Times' Gery Woelfel. If the Bucks emerge victorious in their pursuit of the swingman, their available cash flow should dwindle considerably.
Finally, don't count out the Blazers, who have come into serious cap room following the team's trades of Nicolas Batum and Steve Blake. With Wesley Matthews and LaMarcus Aldridge also unrestricted free agents, Portland "will assuredly pursue re-signing Lopez," per Charania.
At present, the Blazers have the league's most available cap space at $40.4 million, according Spotrac. However, with Mason Plumlee recently acquired in a draft-day trade with the Brooklyn Nets and Meyers Leonard emerging as a versatile offensive threat capable of stretching the floor, the Blazers could opt to save their cash for more pressing long-term needs.
Monta Set to Have It All?
Last week, ESPN.com's Chris Broussard reported Monta Ellis was set to receive interest from the Indiana Pacers after he opted out of the final year of his deal that would have paid him $8.7 million.
And now, Broussard and Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix are reporting a new team has entered the mix:
But the fun isn't stopping there.
According to Charania, "Ellis plans to discuss a long-term contract with the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat in free agency after opting out of the final year of his contract."
Evidently, Ellis isn't short on suitors.
While the 29-year-old microwave scorer can frustrate when he tries shooting himself out of slumps, he could hold extra value to a team such as the Pacers, who finished last season ranked 23rd in offensive efficiency, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
"Indiana needs a scorer, and that's what Ellis is," CBSSports.com's Matt Moore wrote. "He fits perfectly there, and George Hill and Paul George could cover for his defensive shortcomings. His overall lack of efficiency isn't a drag there because his inefficient volume scoring is still superior to their pitiful scoring."
Miami remains a fun option for Ellis to toy with, but one would imagine there won't be clarity on that front until the Heat receive a firm answer on Dwyane Wade's return.
Then there's Sacramento.
The Kings have entered the picture in a hurry and don't appear too concerned with further clogging the picture at shooting guard. With youngsters Ben McLeMore and Nik Stauskas already in the fold, Sacramento would risk stunting the development of two promising young prospects for the potential win-now rewards Ellis could offer.
That's quite the potential logjam—one Sacramento needs to be wary of as it eyes its first playoff berth since 2006.
Pierce Headed Back to Washington?
Going on 38 years old, Paul Pierce has been coveted like few players his age typically are.
Not only do the Washington Wizards want Pierce to return after he officially opted out of his deal, but the Los Angeles Clippers are in the thick of the chase for his services.
"The expectation among many around the league remains Pierce will wind up in L.A. with the Clippers," NBA.com's David Aldridge wrote on June 23.
However, ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported Washington may have leapfrogged the Clippers for front-running status:
Both the Wizards and Clippers are fine options for the ageless wonder, but the swingman is best off waiting to see what unfolds during the early stages of free agency before making a decision.
Since DeAndre Jordan is reportedly weighing his options, according to Broussard, L.A. could fall further down the title-contending standings should the big man depart. Plus, the Eastern Conference is much friendlier to rapid growth, which the Wizards are familiar with after reaching the Eastern Conference semifinals in back-to-back seasons.
Following the team's second-round exit to the Atlanta Hawks, Pierce reflected on his first year in the nation's capital, according to the Washington Post's Jorge Castillo:
"Whether I’m here next year or I’m not, I’ve left something here with these young guys that they can carry on the rest of their career – understanding what it’s like to be a pro, understanding what it’s going to take to take your game and your career to the next level. Hopefully that’s something I’ve given them, and they understand it and move forward with it.
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An L.A. native, Pierce could opt to close his career in comfortable fashion back in Hollywood. But with the Wizards on the verge of competing for a championship thanks to a core comprised of John Wall and Bradley Beal, Washington should remain an enticing option as both clubs prep to chase The Truth.
