NBA Free Agency 2016: Rumors and Predictions for Dwyane Wade, Lance Stephenson
The biggest domino has fallen. On Monday, Kevin Durant announced through the Players' Tribune he's heading to the Golden State Warriors.
But free agency isn't over.
There are still big-name guys left on the market, and one superstar's destination isn't all that certain. Another notable player who's had his fair share of ups and downs could be heading toward a reunion.
Let's take a look at both cases below.
Would Dwyane Wade really leave?
After stalling out in negotiations with Pat Riley and the Miami Heat—the franchise with which he's spent all 13 of his NBA seasons and three title runs—the 34-year-old is all ears.
On Monday, C.F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Wade would be meeting with the Bucks on Tuesday in New York:
About two hours later, Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press reported Wade received a two-year offer from Miami worth $40 million with a player option for next summer:
All good, right?
NBA.com's David Aldridge reported later in the night Wade would still meet with Milwaukee:
Despite already being the best Heat player in history, Wade has never been the highest-paid player on the team, as ESPN's Mike & Mike relayed:
Wade seems to want his money. And rightfully so. But he made $20 million last season, which made him the league's 10th-richest contract. He'd be up there once again in 2016-17 if he accepts Miami's offer.
Perhaps he's really contemplating joining the Bucks, who haven't had a winning season since 2009-10. But it's much more likely Wade's jabbing Riley for balking on paying his franchise player.
After all...
Still, it'll be downright earth-shattering if the Heat lifer goes anywhere else.
Prediction: Wade signs a one-year deal and does this song and dance again next summer.
Lance Stephenson
Lance Stephenson was at his best with the Indiana Pacers.
In the two years since leaving, the eccentric swingman has had more lows than highs. He scored 8.2 points per game in 2014-15 with the Charlotte Hornets and then 8.3 over the course of 2015-16.
After getting dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies at the deadline last year, Stephenson picked his game up. He averaged 4.7 points in 15.8 minutes with the Los Angeles Clippers before finding his groove to the tune of 14.2 points on 47.4 percent shooting with Memphis.
Now, he's a free agent. According to Nate Taylor of Indianapolis Star, Larry Bird and Co. are considering bringing "Born Ready" back for another run with the Pacers.
Per Taylor, Stephenson "has discussed the possibility of agreeing to a multiyear deal" with his former team.
"That's home for him," the source told Taylor. "He absolutely loves the town and the organization."
Stephenson is still only 25. He's a strong defender and playmaker capable of catching fire on the offensive end.
"If (given) a chance, I would love to come back home," Stephenson told Scott Agness of VigilantSports.com on Monday.
Agness wrote there's a "solid group of teams" interested in Stephenson, but he's intent on finding somewhere stable.
Think of someone like J.R. Smith—great alongside LeBron James (or other veterans/stars), not so much as a top option.
Paul George surely checks off that box—as do the reported offseason acquisitions of Jeff Teague, Thaddeus Young and Al Jefferson, all according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical—even though former head coach Frank Vogel is now with the Orlando Magic.
"Lance still has close friends there and would absolutely be open to that," Al Ebanks, Stephenson's agent, told Agness.
Prediction: Stephenson re-ups with his former team for a bargain price since the Pacers only have about $9.4 million left to spend this summer.
