NBA Rumors: Latest Free-Agent Buzz on Norris, Cole, J.R. Smith and More
The NBA offseason has been enveloped by a state of dormancy over the past few weeks, but silence on the free-agent front doesn't mean teams are done plotting moves to bolster their rosters as the season approaches.
With point guards, volume-scoring wings and coveted bigs still lingering on the open market, there are several remaining moves that could shake up depth charts and influence how the 2015-16 season shakes out.
Catch up on all of the latest buzz below.
Pelicans Willing to Match Offers for Cole
According to Fox Sports' Sam Amico, the New Orleans Pelicans aren't the only team interested in acquiring the services of point guard Norris Cole to bolster their backcourt depth:
Poking and prodding from the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers on the Cole front isn't exactly surprising given each team's lack of depth at point guard, but the floor general's status as a restricted free agent is key here.
While the Sixers could stand to add a solid defender and shooter like Cole behind Tony Wroten, Isaiah Canaan and Pierre Jackson, the Pelicans are allowed to match any and all offers for Cole after extending a $3 million qualifying offer his way at the start of free agency.
Ditto for the Knicks and their stable of point guards consisting of Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant.
But ultimately, the Pelicans are the most logical landing spot for the flat-topped ball-handler. Not only could New Orleans use a safety net behind the injury-prone Jrue Holiday, but franchise centerpiece Anthony Davis has been vocal in his support of the 26-year-old.
''I'm kind of out of that situation, I'll let Dell (Demps) and Coach (Alvin) Gentry do what they do," Davis said, according to the Times-Picayune's John Reid. "I know they are going to make the right decision. But we definitely hope he can come back."
After Cole shot 37.8 percent from three during an abbreviated 28-game stint with the Pelicans to round out the 2014-15 season, he makes sense as a low-cost addition to help solidify the team's second unit.
Cavs Monitoring J.R. Smith
At this late stage in the free-agent game, the Cleveland Cavaliers remain the most likely landing spot for J.R. Smith, according to Amico:
The Sixers' preliminary interest here isn't worth making much of a fuss over, namely because they aren't in a position conducive to adding veterans who will strip youngsters like Nik Stauskas and Robert Covington of valuable developmental minutes. As Liberty Ballers' Wesley Share wrote:
"The Sixers have a wealth of young wings they'd love to continue giving strong looks at, and with Nik Stauskas now in the fold as well, I don't see where Smith would fit in. He could be a floor-spacing, stat-stuffing rental to flip to a contender at the deadline, but he already had a nice supporting role on the contender last season.
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However, Cleveland's depth on the wing makes Smith a worthwhile candidate to return on a short-term deal. With Iman Shumpert and James Jones comprising the team's depth at the 2 right now, Smith could return to the role that saw him average 12.7 points on 39 percent shooting from three after being traded to the Wine and Gold by the Knicks.
Tristan Thompson Pondering Qualifying Offer?
Speaking of the Cavaliers, they still have one huge issue to address: The future of power forward Tristan Thompson.
And at this point, the situation is pretty simple.
"They are talking to restricted free agent Tristan Thompson," the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Terry Pluto wrote. "He will either play for the one-year qualifying offer ($6.8 million) or sign a lucrative extension."
The first option Pluto mentions is essentially the Greg Monroe route. Thompson could accept a modest qualifying offer and play out the 2015-16 season in hopes of replicating his insane postseason showing. Doing so would result in a massive pay raise when the cap booms next season.
However, accepting the extension Pluto discussed would mean long-term security now and eliminate the risk of a down year that could send his stock tumbling. That said, the cap spike could make a decrease in production moot since salaries will be increasing across the board.
This saga may drag on into September like the Eric Bledsoe standoff last year, but expect Thompson back in a Cavaliers uniform one way or another when the 2015-16 season tips off.
