NBA Free Agents 2015: Latest Rumors, Predictions for Available Talent
After a hectic first few days of 2015 NBA free agency, the chatter has mostly slowed to a crawl.
Most of the franchise-altering talent is locked up, as are many of the players on the next tier of ability and stardom. Role players and reserves do matter, though, so the few free agents still on the market could end up being gems for whatever team snags them for the upcoming season (and beyond).
Before we go ahead and start prematurely bestowing the 2016 Larry O'Brien Trophy on the masterful, seemingly unstoppable San Antonio Spurs, let's take a look at some of the latest rumors for available free-agent talent.
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Josh Smith is still without an NBA city to call home at this relatively calm stage of free agency. After a down-and-up season with the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets, teams might be wondering which version of Smith they'll be getting this year. That doesn't mean there isn't interest, of course.
According to the Los Angeles Times' Brad Turner, the Los Angeles Clippers are interested in acquiring the 29-year-old's services:
This would be something of a strange move for the Clippers. Smith likes to shoot threes and other outside shots, even though he's not particularly good at it (31.6 percent from downtown last season), but they already have long-range gunners in Jamal Crawford, J.J. Redick and even Paul Pierce, who might be shooting from outside more often this season as time saps his ability to drive to the basket.
The Clippers also don't have a true center. With their limited financial mobility, bringing in a player like Smith—whose position is covered by the likes of Blake Griffin—doesn't seem to make much sense when there's a glaring need at the 5 spot. Pierce and Lance Stephenson are fine additions, but losing DeAndre Jordan, his 15 or so rebounds and several blocks every night is a serious blow for this defense.
Smith or Griffin could play as a small-ball center with the other at the 4, but Smith's shot-blocking ability isn't what it used to be—he averaged 1.4 swats per game last season, tied with 2013-14 campaign for lowest rate of his career—and this lineup would likely struggle against Western Conference teams with viable bigs like the Utah Jazz and, well, Houston Rockets.
Despite appearing in amusing social media posts with the Sacramento Kings' Rudy Gay, Smith is likely to return to Houston. His unique salary situation after being waived by the Pistons last season makes it easier for Houston to retain him, as Bleacher Report's Kelly Scaletta notes.
"Ergo, teams competing with Houston to steal him away must essentially offer him two dollars for every dollar increase of actual pay," Scaletta writes. "And that might make him more reluctant to leave. He would probably bolt Houston for an extra $5 million, but would he for an extra million?"
Smith fit in well with Houston last season and spoke highly of the organization and city back in May after the Rockets were bounced from the playoffs, per the Houston Chronicle's Jenny Dial Creech: "You never know in free agency what may occur. The city of Houston and this team has definitely embraced me for my individuality and the way I play the game. It would be great to do something special for the city and for this team."
His play there is one of the main reasons he's sought-after on the free-agent market. Look for him to return for at least one more season.
Prediction: Smith returns to Rockets
J.R. Smith, Matthew Dellavedova
Along with Josh, J.R. Smith is one of the top players available on the open market. He too spent time with two different teams last season, flourishing after the move from New York to Cleveland.
| New York Knicks | 24 | 25.8 | 10.9 | .402 | .356 | 2.4 | 3.4 | 11.5 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 46 | 31.8 | 12.7 | .425 | .390 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 14.5 |
The Cleveland Cavaliers were good to Smith, and he was good for them (at least up until the NBA Finals). Although the team has apparently had bigger offseason priorities than bringing Smith back, an extension of this mutually beneficial partnership is not out of the question, per ESPN.com's Marc Stein:
At the same time, Stein also notes the Cavs are looking to lock down reserve point guard Matthew Dellavedova:
The Aussie had a brief star turn in the NBA Finals, which may have piqued the interest of other teams. However, the Cavs have reportedly agreed to terms with LeBron James' old running mate, Mo Williams, per Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.
With Williams in the fold, they may not have as much of a need for Delly, although he is a restricted free agent, making it a bit tougher for other teams to snatch him away from Cleveland.
The Cavaliers are certainly intent on getting a big, expensive band back together. They've already agreed to terms with Kevin Love, and Iman Shumpert is expected back on a four-year, $40 million contract, per Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy. Even though James opted out of his contract, he's likely to re-sign, per ESPN.com's Chris Broussard.
Dellavedova, Smith and James may all have to wait, however, as Cleveland.com's Chris Haynes reports contract talks between the Cavs and restricted free agent Tristan Thompson have stalled, something that is gumming up the works in Cleveland.
"With talks stalled, it prevents the Cavaliers from executing the re-signing of LeBron James, whom [agent Rich] Paul also represents. Paul has made it clear that Thompson is his main focus. Getting Thompson finalized is essential in moving the Cavaliers' offseason strategy along," Haynes writes.
Assuming Thompson is back and the Cavaliers pull off all these moves, SB Nation's Jesus Gomez notes they will be spending an awful lot of money:
"Owner Dan Gilbert is clearly ready to spend to improve the team. Cleveland will surely pay the luxury tax next season and is trying to move Brendan Haywood's non-guaranteed contract for immediate help. If the Cavaliers do that and bring everyone back, their salary might reach record levels.
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Between Dellavedova and Smith, the former seems more likely to return to the squad. Unlike Smith, he's a restricted free agent. Yes, the Cavs now have both Kyrie Irving and Williams at point, but neither player has proved to be particularly durable. Irving fought and succumbed to injuries in the playoffs, and the 32-year-old Williams has played over 70 games in a season just three times in his 12-year career.
With Shumpert coming back at shooting guard, Smith might be expendable.
Haynes also reported on July 6 that the two sides might not be seeing eye-to-eye on contract details: "The chances of the Cavaliers re-signing J.R. Smith are small. He opted out of the final year of his deal and is seeking a three-year commitment. As of now, it seems the Cavaliers aren't willing to make that type of investment."
Look for Cleveland to forgo re-signing the streaky Smith. At 29, he will likely find a number of potential suitors. He would be a good fit for a young Milwaukee Bucks side oozing potential or perhaps even the Miami Heat, who could use depth beyond an oft-injured Dwyane Wade.
Prediction: Dellavedova is back, Smith is out
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