NBA Free Agency 2016: Latest Rumors and Predictions for Kevin Durant and More
The 2016 NBA draft has done little to quiet the furor around the league's free-agency period, and in some cases may have even stoked the flames coming off some of the hotter rumors.
Teams now have a better idea of their needs for the upcoming season, as well new, exciting young players that they hope will contribute.
There will be no shortage of talk until the top names decide where they want to play basketball next year, so let's dive right in to the latest chatter from around the league.
Kevin Durant is far and away the top free agent of 2016, and you can bet that most free-agency dealings will be put on hold until he makes a decision. Fortunately for those who just want the ball to get rolling, Durant may not take too long to make up his mind. We even have an idea of the teams he's interested in meeting with, per The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski:
"Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant is planning to host free-agency meetings at a singular location starting July 1, league sources told The Vertical.
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Durant’s representatives at Roc Nation are working to solidify invitations with the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Thunder, league sources said.
Note that there are no rebuilding squads on that short list, only contenders. Durant doesn't seem interested in playing the savior role for a team like the Los Angeles Lakers or New York Knicks. Wojnarowski notes that those two teams and a few others "could still find audiences with him," but it's doubtful things will get that far.
Both Wojnarowski and ESPN's Marc Stein note that Durant's most likely route will be to stay with the Thunder and work a deal that allows him to become a free agent again next summer. Stein also wrote about what the Warriors, a serious suitor, would have to do to pry Durant away:
"The Warriors would have to relinquish a number of looming free agents, including Harrison Barnes and Festus Ezeli, and at least one more significant contract—such as Andrew Bogut or Andre Iguodala—to create sufficient salary-cap space to sign Durant. But as ESPN reported earlier this week, Golden State is "all-in" on a Durant pursuit.
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After abysmal NBA Finals performances from both Harrison Barnes and Festus Ezeli, Warriors fans probably wouldn't mind seeing them go if it meant adding a superstar of Durant's caliber. With winning a title apparently first and foremost in Durant's mind, it has to be enticing knowing the Warriors are interested in him and that no team is closer or better equipped to win a title next year, save for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The San Antonio Spurs are attractive as well, as Durant could create quite a triumvirate with LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard while allowing the team's older generation of stars to fade quietly into the background (or retirement). The Miami Heat are also a possibility, with the organization's recent championship success and presumably easier path to the finals in the watered-down Eastern Conference.
Durant is 27 years old, just now entering his prime. While sticking with the Thunder may be the most comfortable option, there is a bit of uncertainty there now after the team traded Serge Ibaka to the Orlando Magic for Victor Oladipo and others, with the latter playing the same position occupied by Dion Waiters.
Unless it turns out Durant that loves that move, I think the Warriors can pull off the major coup and land Durant.
Prediction: Durant signs with the Warriors
Hassan Whiteside
Miami Heat center and shotblocker extraordinaire Hassan Whiteside is likely to get a boatload of cash this summer after a season in which he averaged 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and a league-leading 3.7 blocks per game.
While staying with the team seems like the best fit for Whiteside, who needed time to flourish as a pro and found that opportunity with Miami, it appears the Dallas Mavericks are also after the 26-year-old big man, per the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson:
"The Dallas Mavericks have emerged as a serious suitor for Heat center Hassan Whiteside, who becomes a free agent on July 1. ESPN Dallas reported on Thursday that Dallas expects to be granted a meeting with Whiteside in the opening hours of free agency.
A friend of Whiteside did not dispute that report and said Whiteside, through back-channels, is generating considerable interest around the league. ESPN identified Portland as another team expected to seriously pursue Whiteside.
That friend said Whiteside prefers to stay with the Heat if all things are equal financially.
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The Mavericks are apparently still in the market for a defensive presence at center, just one year after narrowly missing out on signing the Los Angeles Clippers' DeAndre Jordan in a strange, emoji-filled night of drama tailor-made for the internet age.
With Dirk Nowitzki opting out of his contract, the Mavericks have to do something to keep a competitive roster in place and appease their talismanic forward. Per Stein, "Nowitzki has repeatedly said the only reason he would consider playing for another franchise is if the Mavs opted for a full-fledged rebuilding plan, which doesn't interest Cuban in the least."
Chandler Parsons has hit free agency and could be looking for more money elsewhere, according to ESPN's Tim McMahon, and Deron Williams is also on the market. Nowitzki doesn't want to go through a page-one rewrite at the age of 38; Dallas reportedly pursuing Whiteside is a sign owner Mark Cuban is committed to remaining competitive.
If the Heat do manage to snag Durant and re-sign Wade, they presumably won't have enough cash to keep Whiteside. Barring this scenario, expect Miami to hold on to Whiteside and make him a very rich man.
Prediction: Heat sign Whiteside
Joakim Noah
The Chicago Bulls are in a state of flux right now. Derrick Rose is now a New York Knick thanks to a multi-player deal swung the night before the NBA draft. Stein reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves tried to trade for Jimmy Butler after drafting Providence point guard Kris Dunn on Thursday, per sources.
Joakim Noah is a free agent, and SportingNews.com's Mitch Lawrence wrote on Friday that he's being pursued by four teams, with the Washington Wizards seemingly intent on throwing all the money they possibly can at him:
"According to sources, the Wiz are locked in on making a major offer to Joakim Noah. The Wizards are said to be willing to offer Noah, coming off shoulder surgery that KO’d him in January, a full maximum contract. His deal would start at $26.6 million and reach nearly $120 million over four seasons.
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That would be an outlandish contract to give to a player who appeared in just 29 games last year and has seen his performance drop off since earning his second All-Star appearance in the 2013-14 campaign.
As it stands, CSN Mid-Atlantic's J. Michael reported that the Wizards aren't trying to give Noah that much money:
This doesn't refute the idea that the Wizards are interested in Noah, but it does seem that he's not going to get a ridiculous amount of cash out of them. Lawrence noted the that Knicks, Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks are also interested in Noah.
Rose has made it no secret that he wants Noah to join him in New York, per the New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy:
"Oh I want him. He knows that. I think his family knows that. I think everybody knows that.
Even last night I was talking to him about it. And it’s the same way. He’s in a position where he got injured twice last year and it was his contract year and he's got to figure out what he wants to do so I can’t get mad with the decision he will make soon or whenever he makes it.
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Joining up with Rose and Carmelo Anthony in New York is certainly enticing, as it would take pressure off Noah and allow him to continue playing with a long-time teammate and friend. The Bucks seem to have more than enough big men, especially after drafting Thon Maker on Thursday.
Operating as a veteran on the young, up-and-coming Timberwolves could be a good spot for Noah, but I see him joining the Knicks this summer, thanks to Rose's overtures.
Prediction: Noah joins Rose in New York
