NBA Free Agents 2016: Latest Rumors on Kevin Durant, Joakim Noah and More
For the past few years, everyone’s been talking about "next summer this" and "future summers that."
This is one they were referring to.
Kevin Durant is arguably the biggest star since LeBron James to dive head-first into the free-agency waters after his Oklahoma City Thunder let a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals slip away to the Golden State Warriors.
While KD is certainly the most notable, he’s not the only big fish on the market. Let’s look at his situation and a few other rumors below.
Durant giving cold shoulder to N.Y., L.A
Winning—that’s what matters to Durant now.
Nine years into his NBA career, the 2013-14 MVP doesn’t appear interested in widening his brand or increasing sneaker sales, per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical’s latest report.
On Saturday, Woj reported that No. 35 and his Roc Nation representatives are planning to host potential suitors in New York.
Here is a list of which teams will have the seven-time All-Star’s ear:
- Boston Celtics
- Golden State Warriors
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Miami Heat
- San Antonio Spurs
- Thunder
Noticeably absent are the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers, who boast two of the league’s largest markets and fanbases.
How come? It all goes back to the mighty W.
“Durant’s public and private criteria for the free-agent selection process have pertained to a singular focus: the chance to win titles immediately,” Wojnarowski wrote.
Despite their respective allures, the Knicks and Lakers have been bottom-of-the-barrel teams in recent years. Both of their last winning seasons came in 2012-13.
KD is set to embark on a global publicity tour on July 9, “and a decision is expected before the departure date,” per Wojnarowski.
There’s still time before July 1, but things don’t look great for the Knicks or Lakers.
Noah getting max from Wizards "ridiculous"
On Friday, Sporting News’ Mitch Lawrence reported that the Washington Wizards were “locked in” on making free agent Joakim Noah a maximum contract offer.
While Noah is one of the league’s premier passing big men and a nasty defender, he hasn’t been himself the past two seasons. After finishing fourth in the 2013-14 MVP race, his playing time dipped thanks to the arrival of sharpshooting rookie Nikola Mirotic.
Then a shoulder injury forced Noah out for all but 29 games of this past season.
Noah didn’t forget how to play. And, of course, teams are getting an influx of money both this summer and next.
But a max?
J. Michael of Comcast SportsNet threw a bucket of cold water on that notion on Friday:
Perhaps Washington is willing to overpay for the battle-tested veteran.
But an agent or representative trying to inflate Noah’s value—a possibility raised by many fans and analysts online—seems more likely.
DeRozan looking to stay up North
This has already been hard for Lakers fans to read.
It’s about to get harder.
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan is not planning on hearing pitches from teams outside of Canada.
Here’s MacMahon:
"Source: DeMar DeRozan will focus on getting a deal done to return to the Raptors as free agency opens. No plans to meet with other teams barring the unforeseen development of talks breaking down the Toronto.
"
For months, the likes of ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and TMZ have been adamant that the two-time All-Star shooting guard was bound for Los Angeles.
After the Raptors dropped Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers back on April 16, Smith said DeRozan was “enjoying his last days in Toronto because he’ll be leaving for Los Angeles in a few months anyway.”
Smith wasn’t alone. It seemed to be accepted by the hoops community that the Purple and Gold would be adding a star to their backcourt.
Granted, the Raptors went on to take two games against the eventual-champion Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Winning has a way of changing things.
MacMahon’s report seems to echo that.
