NBA Free Agents 2016: Rumors and Predictions for Top Players Still Available
The initial wave of the NBA's free-agency frenzy has subsided, but there are still numerous players on the open market entering Monday.
In appropriate accordance with Independence Day, those still weighing their options have full autonomy to choose whomever they'd like among their suitors.
Kevin Durant is the most sought-after star available, so there is buzz surrounding him. But there are a couple of other perennial All-Stars who are making waves on the rumor mill of late.
Durant's Destinations Reportedly Down to Thunder and Warriors
The four-time NBA scoring champion is apparently going to play for one of the two Western Conference finalists from this past postseason—at least from what ESPN.com's Royce Young has been told.
Should Durant accept a two-year deal, money won't be the issue. Golden State can offer him up to $54.27 million, whereas Oklahoma City can offer him a maximum of $55 million, per ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
Bomani Jones of ESPN weighed in on Durant's impending choice:
The appeal of joining the Warriors is obvious. They won 73 games last season and already have a Big Three in place: back-to-back league MVP Stephen Curry, 2-guard Klay Thompson and forward Draymond Green.
After nine seasons with the Thunder franchise, no real whiff of a championship and a blown 3-1 lead against the Dubs in the conference finals, Durant may take a page out of Goosebumps: Calling All Creeps! strategy.
The Warriors are a tempting, tasty cookie dangled before Durant—a realistic path toward a dynasty and that elusive Larry O'Brien Trophy. Although OKC played well this past season, Durant's main sidekick is Russell Westbrook, whose crunch-time blunders tend to outweigh his splash plays.
Westbrook is too much of a one-man show oftentimes and isn't proficient enough as a shooter—especially compared to Durant—to justify the act. Golden State's ball movement is impeccable, and its litany of weapons will make Durant that much more lethal.
Considering he had the opportunity to put any rumors of his departure to bed and could've decided to remain in Oklahoma City before, look for Durant to change jerseys in pursuit of NBA history.
Prediction: Durant signs with the Warriors.
Bucks, Nuggets Emerge as Suitors for Dwyane Wade
The Huffington Post's Jordan Schultz reported Wade to Milwaukee is a "real" possibility. Stein reported Denver has "active interest" in bringing Wade aboard.
Fox Sports' Colin Cowherd doesn't buy at least one of the cities as a viable landing spot for Wade:
It'd be strange to see Wade donning any jersey other than his Heat No. 3 swagger. The good news is he's been supportive of big man Hassan Whiteside, who's staying in Miami on a reported four-year, $98 million contract, per the Associated Press' Tim Reynolds:
Wade is fielding $20 million-per-year offers, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski, after Miami offered him only $10 million initially.
Such a low-ball offer may cause Wade to change teams for the first time in his NBA career. Still one of the better players at his position, Wade could well look to another young, promising team such as the Bucks.
Milwaukee is lacking a veteran leader, and head coach Jason Kidd would love to have someone like Wade fill that role and also to play a significant part as the team's starting 2-guard. That way Khris Middleton could come off the bench and cause matchup problems as a point forward of sorts.
Between Middleton, Jabari Parker, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Michael Carter-Williams—excluding Greg Monroe, who Stein speculated could be moved in a trade to make cap room for Wade—there are serious pieces in place for the Bucks to make a big leap in the Eastern Conference this coming season.
But in all likelihood, the Heat will learn from their initial mistake on Wade, especially since 2-guard Tyler Johnson signed a four-year, $50 million offer sheet with the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, per Wojnarowski.
Wade, too, congratulated Johnson, whose contract is more than Miami initially offered the longtime face of its franchise. Compelling as Milwaukee is on paper, the Heat need to and will pay Wade his due.
Prediction: Wade re-signs with the Heat.
Up to 4 New Teams Coveting Pau Gasol
ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne reported the Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves are "in discussions" with Gasol.
Shelburne indicated Gasol has received offers in the range of $18 to $22 million per season and that the Chicago Bulls have been in talks with him as well. The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears confirmed the interest from Minnesota and added context to it:
It's fun to imagine the offensive upside of a Timberwolves frontcourt featuring reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns and Gasol, paired with Minnesota head coach Tom Thibodeau's enthusiasm for defense.
Towns is a strong defender, too, which offsets any deficiency the 35-year-old Gasol may have in that area at this late stage of his time in the Association.
Like Wade, Gasol is a multiple NBA champion who'd bring necessary clout and production to a team loaded with young talent. An offense with Ricky Rubio running the point, along with supreme athletes Zach LaVine and Andrew Wiggins on the perimeter, sounds even better with Gasol in the fold.
Spears reported Sunday that the Bulls signed Rajon Rondo to run their offense for next season, which is an intriguing move Gasol will have to consider before he flees the Windy City.
A reunion with Thibodeau and the chance to be part of the Timberwolves' turnaround should nevertheless prove to be too much of a pull for Gasol to turn down.
Prediction: Gasol signs with the Timberwolves.
