NBA Free Agents 2015: Early Signings, Rumors and Latest Predictions
With the 2015 NBA draft in the rearview, owners and general managers across the Association began assessing their updated rosters and cap situations in an effort to decipher their immediate needs and which free agents could potentially fill those voids. It didn't take long for deals to come to fruition.
Here's a look at some of the most notable signings early in the free-agency period:
| Kawhi Leonard | SF | Spurs | 5 yr./$90 million |
| Thaddeus Young | PF | Nets | 4 yr./$50 million |
| Luol Deng | SF | Heat | 1 yr./$10.1 million |
| Al-Farouq Aminu | SF | Blazers | 4 yr./$30 million |
| Brook Lopez | C | Nets | 3 yr./$60 million |
| Roy Hibbert | C | Pacers | 1 yr./$15.5 million |
| Al Jefferson | C | Hornets | 1 yr./$13.5 million |
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There's plenty of talent—and quite a few big names—remaining on the open market, and we should expect an eventful summer. So, as we anticipate more moves around the NBA, let's take a look at some of the top rumors floating around the Web and predict their outcomes.
Kevin Love
Another offseason, and another summer with Kevin Love-filled headlines. The Cleveland Cavaliers advanced to the NBA Finals despite the absence of Love, causing some to question how badly the team needed the power forward's services.
Well, Brian Windhorst of ESPN certainly thinks Cleveland would love to have him back in the fold, as ESPN Cleveland tweeted the analyst's hunch of potential contract numbers:
Windhorst also reported Cleveland's confidence in getting a deal done with Love, writing, "The Cavs are confident they will be able to re-sign Love and have been since they traded for him in August."
Although, ESPN's Chris Broussard threw a wrench into the matter with this tweet:
The Los Angeles Lakers' affinity for Love is well-known, and the fact that the forward is willing to meet with the team despite reports of a big contract offer coming from Cleveland is interesting. Still, with LeBron James likely to re-sign with the Cavaliers, Love knows his chances of winning a title will increase in Cleveland. That will be a big factor here.
Prediction: Love signs with Cavaliers
DeAndre Jordan
According to a report from Broussard, DeAndre Jordan is looking to sign a four-year deal and would like a bigger role on the Los Angeles Clippers—he's continued to play third fiddle behind Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
That could prove difficult for the Clippers, as having an abundance of star power won't exactly give the team an advantage in this situation. Instead, teams like the Lakers, New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks and Dallas Mavericks are in hot pursuit of Jordan's services, and they may be able to give him exactly what he wants.
Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com called the Mavericks the "likeliest team" to persuade Jordan to move on from the Clippers. The Mavericks are no strangers to pulling out all the stops in free agency; however, the team has whiffed on acquiring some of the league's top stars in recent years.
The Mavericks remain in hot pursuit of Jordan, but can they really make him the focal point of their offense with small forward Chandler Parsons and power forward Dirk Nowitzki in the fold? The same can be said for the Lakers, as Jordan may not see much of the ball with Kobe Bryant, D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle in action.
That said, Jordan appears to be in the same boat no matter which team he opts to join for the coming season. Expect his final decision to come down to familiarity.
Prediction: Jordan signs with Clippers
Many of the same teams meeting with Jordan are also looking to acquire LaMarcus Aldridge for frontcourt help. According to an ESPN.com report, the Lakers were the first team to sit down with the power forward. The report also included a quote from ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne saying the meeting went "really well" and that "LaMarcus seemed completely focused."
The meeting with the Lakers may have gone well, but Los Angeles should be considered a bit of a long shot here. After all, if Aldridge does plan on leaving the Portland Trail Blazers, he'll be pursued by the Mavericks—his hometown team—as well as the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors and Phoenix Suns.
Allowing Aldridge to return to Texas to play basketball should weigh on his decision. After that, it comes down to which team will give him the biggest opportunity to succeed. Well, the Spurs are looking to try their best to convince the big man that San Antonio is that place, as the team's welcoming committee includes Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports.
Spears' report also indicated the Spurs are believed to be the front-runners for Aldridge's services. If that's the case, the team's contingent that's set to meet with the power forward will only make San Antonio appear even more enticing for the upcoming season.
Prediction: Aldridge signs with Spurs
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.jpg?w=600 "Offseason Moves for Every Team 👉")