NBA Free Agency 2016: Latest Rumors, Predictions for Mike Conley and More
It's spending season in the NBA, which means it's time for teams across the Association to whip out their checkbooks, dive into spreadsheets and do plenty of number-crunching as free agency heats up.
Without wasting any more time, let's dive into the latest rumblings from across the league and take a look at where some of this year's top targets could land.
Memphis Leading the Charge for Conley
The Mike Conley chase is on. However, it may not last long.
According to USA Today's Sam Amick, the Memphis Grizzlies remain the heavy favorites and are "in very good position" to secure a commitment from Conley.
Amick added that the Dallas Mavericks pose the "biggest/only threat to Memphis for Mike Conley, and it will likely prove to be a nominal one."
Considering the Mavericks don't have the pieces to contend for a title even if they're able to add Conley, returning to Memphis would make the most sense—especially because the 28-year-old can cash out if he continues to call FedEx Forum his home.
The Grizzlies own Conley's Bird rights, per Basketball Insiders, and that significant footnote means they will be able to offer the floor general a five-year max contract, while other teams will be limited to four-year pacts.
With Conley, Marc Gasol (31) and Zach Randolph (34) comprising Memphis' aged yet rugged core, the team should continue to make noise in the Western Conference for years to come should the point guard re-up with the Grizzlies.
Prediction: Conley returns to Memphis on a five-year max contract.
Parsons Drawing Interest from Several Contending Clubs
Speaking of the Grizzlies, they appear to be primed to pursue another big name if they're able to keep Conley in the fold.
According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, "Memphis not only believes it'll keep Mike Conley but might try to sign Chandler Parsons away from the Conley-chasing Mavs."
While a torn right meniscus that required season-ending surgery cut his 2015-16 campaign short, Parsons remained a red-hot shooter when he was healthy. Over the course of 61 appearances, the 27-year-old knocked down a career-high 49.2 percent of his field-goal attempts and 41.4 percent of his three-pointers.
More impressive was that Parsons converted 44.1 percent of his triples in catch-and-shoot situations, per NBA.com.
As it turns out, another team that could use those off-ball floor-spacing skills is also pining for a commitment from Parsons, according to Cleveland.com's Chris Haynes:
Not only are the Portland Trail Blazers loaded with salary-cap space, but Parsons would also fill an immediate need as a secondary scorer who can float around the perimeter and cut along the baseline while Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum initiate the offense.
Plus, the 6'10'' Parsons is long enough to serve as a small-ball power forward should the Blazers choose to roll out speedier, more dynamic lineups that feature Lillard, McCollum and the perennially underrated Al-Farouq Aminu.
The Mavericks and Grizzlies are both compelling destinations for Parsons, but the Blazers have more long-term upside. And if Parsons is interested in contending for the long haul, he'd be wise to latch on with the Northwest Division risers.
Prediction: Portland lures Parsons to the Pacific Northwest on a three-year deal.
Plenty of Suitors Lining Up for DeRozan
Like Conley, DeMar DeRozan would benefit financially from staying with the Toronto Raptors because the reigning Atlantic Division champions hold his Bird rights.
But as Haynes reported Thursday, DeRozan is expected to entertain meetings with plenty of other clubs after first meeting with the Raptors:
However, it's hard to envision a scenario in which DeRozan would bolt south of the border. The Los Angeles Lakers don't offer a chance at immediate contention. Ditto for the Philadelphia 76ers and Mavericks.
The Miami Heat are an intriguing destination, but they're engaged in the Kevin Durant chase and likely won't be able to focus significant attention on DeRozan until they have a resolution on that end.
Plus, DeRozan has said all along that he'd prefer to continue his career with the Raptors.
"My mindset has always been Toronto," he said in May, per ESPN.com's Mike Mazzeo. "I've always preached it. I was passionate about it when we were losing, when we were terrible. I said I was going to stick through this whole thing, and I want to be that guy who brings this organization to where it is now. I definitely don't want to switch that up after we win."
Given the success Toronto has experienced over the past three seasons with DeRozan slotted in as a focal point next to Kyle Lowry, a departure at this stage wouldn't make sense.
Prediction: Toronto retains DeRozan on a five-year max contract.
Salary information courtesy of Basketball Insiders. Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com unless noted otherwise.
