NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Mike Conley, Festus Ezeli and More
The NBA playoffs offer quite the interesting precursor to this summer's free agency.
Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant leads the way, of course, but don't forget guys like Al Horford, Chandler Parsons, Mike Conley and even Dwight Howard.
The above is just a sampling of the names perhaps ready to take to the market, if not find new homes and reshape the complexion of the Association. Plus, with the conference semifinals almost in the books, the rumors only continue to gain more steam.
Below, let's examine the latest before the floodgates open up and it's much harder to keep pace.
Joakim Noah's Future
It seems things are close to blowing up in Chicago if the Bulls front office doesn't play this summer in a smart manner.
Despite a core led by Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol, Chicago just couldn't get it done in a so-so Eastern Conference and might lose the latter in free agency.
Also at risk of leaving? Longtime leader Joakim Noah. Now 31 years old, Noah only received an average of 21.9 minutes per game before an injury last year, and he was another guy none too happy with how the Bulls performed.
K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune confirmed this and went on to reveal the front office plans on bringing the big man back: "The Bulls, mindful that there is plenty of work to do to re-sign him, will engage in discussions with Noah when he becomes an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career July 1."
Does Noah want to be back?
It's got to be an odd feeling for Noah to see his playing time go to Gasol and leadership responsibilities go to Butler, then have the team call on him in free agency because Gasol could jump ship.
Noah will have plenty of options on the market, too. He's over the dreaded age of 30 but is a high-energy guy and rim protector who can contribute. While the quietest part of the drama in Chicago, he certainly deserves attention this summer.
Festus Ezeli-Lakers Marriage?
Festus Ezeli didn't get a mention in the intro because he's not exactly a household name.
Such a status won't stop him from getting a cool $50 million on the open market this summer, though.
That figure comes from Sporting News' Sean Deveney, who spoke with league sources about the restricted free agent.
Perhaps more surprising than the $50 million? It's the Los Angeles Lakers looking to win the race: "The Lakers, a source said, will have interest in Ezeli, seeing his size and rim-protecting defense as an ideal complement to forward Julius Randle."
Talk about an interesting twist. The Lakers have gone the rebuilding-via-the-draft route for years now. But free of Kobe Bryant and with core pieces like Randle in place, it's safe to presume the Lakers want to spend some cash on the market.
If not Durant, Ezeli? It's a lot of cash for the Lakers to throw at Ezeli, who has yet to play in a full season, missing 2013-14 entirely and only suiting up for 46 games apiece in each of the past two seasons.
Then again, Ezeli is just 26 years old and posted his best season as a pro this year with averages of 7.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. There's no doubt he'd be a strong complement to Randle; the question lingers on his durability.
With the Lakers perhaps involved, expect nothing short of an entertaining bidding war.
Grizzlies Want Mike Conley Back
It should go without saying, but the Memphis Grizzlies aren't a team that is able to afford losing a point guard like Conley.
Don't take it as a shot at the franchise—the reality of the NBA is smaller teams don't have an easy time reeling in star players.
The Grizzlies understand this and want Conley back, perhaps at any cost. Brian Geltzeiler of Sirius XM NBA Radio provided the info:
Conley is the top point guard to hit free agency this year and will secure a max deal no matter where he lands. Memphis can compete in the cash department while boasting familiarity and ensuring Conley doesn't have to move, but it will also have to convince him the team will do what it takes to win.
Now 28 years old and smack in the middle of his prime, Conley posted averages of 15.3 points and 6.1 assists last year, once again acting as one of the league's better floor generals and defenders at his spot.
Memphis will have some serious competition with teams like the New York Knicks looking to add a point guard this summer. And Conley has already confirmed money won't play a role in his decision, according to Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal:
Money sure doesn't hurt, though, when a team like the Knicks can offer much, much more in the way of endorsement cash.
Memphis will throw the house at Conley because it doesn't have much of a choice. The roster is beginning to sag with Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph both 31 years old or beyond.
Whether Conley views the situation as a chance to compete or a downward trend in which he has to help a rebuild will decide whether Memphis' efforts this summer will matter.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
