15 Star Athletes Who Could Find a New Home in 2016
The rumor mill is always churning in sports, and player transactions are consistently a hot topic.
Heading into a new year, let's take stock of a few star athletes who could be poised for a new home in 2016. Some are free agents and others are rumored to be on the trade block. Still others are set for likely release.
Players move for a variety of reasons—salary-cap considerations, rebuilding or even by their own desire for a hefty contract. Whatever the case, don't be surprised if you see a few (or more) of these 15 superstars in a new uniform before the ball drops again in Times Square.
Now, Steven Stamkos will probably remain with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but Yoenis Cespedes is almost certainly not going to be donning a New York Mets uniform in 2016. To account for the disparity in likelihood of departure, the following list will be ranked, from least likely to make a change to most.
Steven Stamkos
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Veteran center Steven Stamkos has been a staple on the Tampa Bay Lightning roster since 2008, and he has consistently been among the league's top goal scorers. Now, he finds himself in the last year of his existing contract.
In June, Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said signing Stamkos to an extension was a top priority, but the two sides have failed to reach a deal as of Jan. 5.
In November, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times wrote, "This has an eerie feel to it, to the point the once unthinkable seems increasingly possible: Stamkos could be in his final few months in a Lightning uniform."
In December, Smith reported owner Jeff Vinik felt confident a deal would get done, and in January, he shared these words from Stamkos: "The lines of communication are always open."
Smart money is on Stamkos remaining in Tampa, but the deal is not done until it's done.
Kevin Durant
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It's hard to imagine the Oklahoma City Thunder without Kevin Durant, but the forward is set to become a free agent following the 2015-16 season.
Given his status as a bona fide league superstar, Durant's free agency has been the source of speculation for months, if not longer.
In October, ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith reported Durant might target the Los Angeles Lakers, though Durant rebuffed the report, per Anthony Slater of the Oklahoman. The latest rumor involves Durant to the Golden State Warriors, according to Chris Broussard of ESPN. (Try to keep your mind from exploding on that one.) His hometown Washington Wizards have also been mentioned.
Durant has been mum on the prospect of leaving OKC, but at least one NBA superstar doesn't think he will.
In November, New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony said, "He's a big part of Oklahoma. Not just from a basketball standpoint but from an economic standpoint and a business standpoint. He's a major part of what goes on out here," per Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
Chris Davis
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Free-agent slugger Chris Davis hit 47 home runs for the Baltimore Orioles in 2015, and now his agent, Scott Boras, is on the warpath for a big payday. At this point, Davis' eventual landing spot is up in the air.
The Orioles could be in the hunt to get him back, or they could not. According Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, Davis turned down an offer from the O's worth seven years and $150 million. Boras is reportedly seeking something higher in terms of dollar figure.
Connolly wrote, "To get the most for his client, though, Boras often has to wait out the market before getting the megadeal done. And it's going to be interesting to see how long Davis is willing to be patient."
In December, Grant Brisbee of SB Nation speculated on several destinations for Davis but also hypothesized Baltimore would likely emerge as the eventual winner.
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Dwight Howard
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In December, Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com reported Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard is "extremely unhappy" in his current situation.
While Howard denied the report, per Calvin Watkins of ESPN, it certainly didn't help stop the trade rumor mill.
Randy Miller of NJ.com wrote, "Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard appears to be a strong candidate to be moved before the NBA's Feb. 18 trade deadline because of his reported unhappiness in Houston and ability to opt out of his contract following the 2015-16 season."
There is no solid evidence Howard or the Rockets are seriously thinking trade, but if history is to be the guide, the only certainty with Howard is uncertainty.
Gareth Bale
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One Real Madrid player who wasn't happy about the departure of manager Rafael Benitez was Gareth Bale. Now, rumors are circulating that the midfielder could be headed to Manchester United sometime in 2016.
Pete Jenson of the Daily Mail wrote, "United remain keen on Bale and with the Welshman upset that so little patience has been shown in a coach he was very comfortable working with, United's chances of persuading him to leave at the end of the season are understood to have improved."
Bale would be expensive for Manchester United to acquire—to the tune of £150 million (over $220 million), per ESPNFC—but it's too early to rule it out.
Derrick Rose
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With the emergence of Jimmy Butler as a leader of the Chicago Bulls, the team is reportedly looking to make some moves leading up to the Feb. 18 NBA trade deadline.
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times reported in December the team would entertain trade offers for Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson. Word is, they would like to add a wing player, per Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports (h/t Ananth Pandian of CBS Sports), and are willing to trade a big man to do it.
Some even think Derrick Rose could be playing his last games in a Bulls uniform. Rose is slated for free agency in 2017, but it's not crazy to think the Bulls might consider trading the injury-prone former MVP.
Kelly Dwyer of Yahoo Sports wrote:
"Pau Gasol will opt out of his contract this summer, Joakim Noah will be a free agent, and hometown star Derrick Rose could be sent to another overeager team via trade or even waived via the stretch provision – he's played some of the worst basketball of any NBA starter this year, and he's owed $21.3 million in 2016-17. This is likely the end.
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DeMarcus Cousins
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A strained relationship with a head coach is a good way to fuel the fire of trade rumors.
In November, DeMarcus Cousins reportedly "cursed out" Sacramento Kings coach George Karl, per James Ham of CSN Bay Area (h/t Matt Moore of CBS Sports). That, along with other behavioral issues, has led some to wonder if Cousins needs to go (or if perhaps Karl is the problem).
Sacramento radio host Damien Barling said of Cousins, per Ron Jones of CBS Sacramento, "His behavior is unacceptable, and that's on him, but it's up to the organization it's up to the ownership to provide structure for him. And I think they have failed to do that up to this point."
Cousins is signed through 2018, but he could also be an intriguing option for teams in need of frontcourt assistance (Boston Celtics?). Keep an eye on this one leading up the trade deadline.
Calvin Johnson
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Pro Bowl wide receiver Calvin Johnson has spent all nine of his NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions. Now, uncertainty looms as he heads into the offseason.
Johnson signed a seven-year extension with the Lions in 2012, but cap considerations could make trading or cutting him viable options for the Lions. According to Michael Rothstein of ESPN, the team could save over $11 million in cap space in 2016 with such a move. Restructuring his contract or simply keeping things as is are also possibilities.
Per Rothstein, Johnson said, "It's not in my control. Only the things that I do are in my control. Whatever decisions they make, that's up to them, you know what I'm saying."
It's hard to imagine the Lions trading or releasing their signature player, but the situation is precarious. Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports called Johnson's one of the "NFL's toughest salary decisions for 2016."
Toni Kroos
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It seems that whenever a manager gets sacked, player rumors fly. That is certainly the case with Real Madrid and its former manager, Rafael Benitez.
Spanish outlet Fichajes (via Luke Gardener of the Daily Star) reported midfielder Toni Kroos is not happy, and Liverpool and Manchester United could be interested in acquiring his services. Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri has also suggested Kroos might desire a return to Bayern Munich, for whom he played from 2010-14, per Mark Brus of Metro.co.uk.
The talented German didn't seem to have the best relationship with Benitez, but perhaps the hiring of Zinedine Zidane, a man who called Kroos the team's "missing link," will improve his chances of remaining in Spain.
It's worth noting, midfielder Isco could also be on the way out. According to John Cross of Mirror, three teams—Manchester City, Chelsea and Juventus—are interested in acquiring the star midfielder sometime in 2016.
Eric Staal
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Longtime Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal is a name you'll likely hear frequently leading up to the NHL's Feb. 29 trade deadline.
Staal, who has been with the Hurricanes his entire 12-year career, is set to become an unrestricted free agent in July. In 2015-16, he is owed $9.25 million (with an $8.25 million cap hit), per Bob McKenzie of TSN.
The Canes could re-sign Staal, let him become a free agent or trade him, a move which would require the center to waive a no-trade clause.
McKenzie wrote:
"The Canes are a budget team and as much as Staal has meant to the franchise — he led them to a 2006 Stanley Cup victory — the 31-year-old's game isn't where it once was. That isn't to say he can't still be an effective and valued player, especially on a contending team, as much as it is an acknowledgement that he's not likely to get elite-level compensation ($8 million plus) at this stage of his career.
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Several teams could be a good fit for Staal, including the Nashville Predators or Montreal Canadiens, per Dave Stevenson of Fansided.
Neymar
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What do you think of when you hear Neymar? Do you identify him as one of the youngest Brazilian football captains in history or one of La Liga's leading scorers? Or perhaps you simply think of him as part of an FC Barcelona superteam that David Stern would have never let happen.
Whatever the case, Neymar is one of the most exciting young players in international football, and that makes him a hot transfer prospect.
According to ESPNFC, reports indicate Manchester United is interested and willing to pony up the £140 million (over $200 million) needed to activate Neymar's release clause.
Per Colin Harvey of the Daily Star, French media outlet Le 10 Sport reported contract talks with Barca are simmering, and Neymar could be headed to Old Trafford sometime in the summer.
Matt Forte
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Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte will be a free agent come March. Trade rumors swirled in October, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, though nothing ultimately came to fruition.
Forte was drafted by the Bears in 2008 and has played his entire career in Chicago. In that time, he has run for over 1,000 five times and made two Pro Bowls.
Now, however, the Bears are in the midst of what Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune called a "massive rebuilding project" that won't allow them to keep everything status quo.
After a Week 17 loss to the Detroit Lions, Forte took time to high-five the home fans. Per Jeff Dickerson of ESPN, he said, "I wasn't able to get everybody, but I was able to slap a few hands and say thank you just because if this was the last game I play in Soldier Field, I didn't want to leave without showing the fans I appreciate them in person."
Like the boss that he is, Forte also left a "Work Horse" jersey in his locker.
Mario Williams
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The Buffalo Bills signed Pro Bowl defensive end Mario Williams to a six-year deal in 2012. However, after a disappointing season in which he recorded just five sacks, the rumor mill is churning about an imminent departure.
In December, John Wawrow of the Associated Press reported the Bills have decided to cut Williams in the offseason (and save over $12 million in the process).
A few days later, however, Mark Rodak of ESPN reported Williams wants to stay in Buffalo.
As of Jan. 5, Williams still calls Buffalo home, but that could change soon.
Yoenis Cespedes
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Outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, most recently with the New York Mets, is one of baseball's biggest free agents still seeking a home in January. Cespedes came to the Mets in July via trade from the Detroit Tigers and hit .291/.328/.542 combined for both teams in 2015.
Per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, as of Dec. 31, there were "still about six to seven" teams interested in signing the Gold Glover, though the Mets are not one of them.
It therefore appears Cespedes will definitely get a new home in the near future, the only question left is, where?
Robert Griffin III
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Death, taxes and Robert Griffin III not playing for the NFL team in Washington in 2016-17.
The embattled quarterback was passed over for Kirk Cousins in August, and the mostly healthy No. 2 draft pick spent all season riding the pine.
Washington picked up his $16.2 million fifth-year option in April, but the money is only guaranteed for injury. That makes the outright release of Griffin at season's end a likely possibility.
Where will he land? Adam Schein of NFL.com wrote, "Griffin needs to go somewhere else to rebuild his confidence, whether it is a situation to compete for a job (Philly?) or learn from a coach who isn't afraid to develop big-name backups (K.C.?) or be the name and No. 2 that a high-profile team craves (Dallas?)."
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