NBA Rumors: Breaking Down Latest Trade and Free-Agent Chatter
Now that NBA's star free agents have made their decisions, everybody must handle the fallout from those choices.
How do the Oklahoma City Thunder treat life without Kevin Durant? Can the Miami Heat rebound after getting dumped by Dwyane Wade? On a brighter note, which free agents will hitch a ride on the Golden State Warriors bench?
The waves will finally settle from a whirlwind few weeks, during which several superstars switched homes. Now it's all about assessing the aftermath, which consists of veteran free agents and a long trade-speculation stage commencing.
With Durant gone, Russell Westbrook is bound to follow his path out of Oklahoma City, right?
Turner Sports Analyst David Aldridge recently reported the guard's refusal to sign an extension on his contract, which expires next summer. Surely the Thunder can't risk watching another stud walk away for nothing.
The situation compelled fans and pundits to fire up the trade machine, but The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski put a damper on those activities. During an appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, the NBA insider said Oklahoma City will not include him in trade talks:
Wojnarowski suggested Westbrook will warm to the leading role. Even without Durant, they have talented supporting players in Victor Oladipo and Steven Adams to keep them afloat. Don't expect a trade before the season begins, but it's tough to see the Thunder maintaining this stance throughout the upcoming season.
If the team sags down the standings, general manager Sam Presti will have to consider the future. If Westbrook continues to give no indication of wanting to stay beyond 2017, he'd be foolish not to field offers.
Once Durant fled to California, ESPN.com's Zach Lowe wrote about the many variables hindering a different outcome than Durant with Westbrook:
"If Westbrook re-signs next summer, the Thunder will be feisty enough to soften the blow of Durant's departure -- and of [James] Harden's presence elsewhere on a below-market extension that runs through 2018. But these Thunder without Durant aren't title contenders, and Westbrook's eyes will wander. Other teams will start calling.
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Buckle up for a story that won't fade away any time soon.
Kendrick Perkins
Let's swivel from the Westbrook watch to highlight the real star of the Thunder's past: Kendrick Perkins.
The center had a memorable stint with the club, and fans furiously remember the Miami Heat picking him apart during the 2012 NBA Finals. That series began the endangerment of immobile, big-bodied enforcers paid to push and shove down low.
After averaging 2.5 points per game for the New Orleans Pelicans, Perkins won't command a hefty contract this summer. Yet he might find a job with help from an old pal, according to Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy:
Per Basketball-Reference, Perkins hasn't produced a player efficiency rating (PER) above 10 since 2010-11, his last year with the Boston Celtics. He has finished with a negative value over replacement player (VORP) in each of the last three seasons.
Then again, the Warriors must dig deep to fill the roster with limited funds. More veterans may join Zaza Pachulia and David West in taking a pay cut to chase a ring, but Golden State will likely need to settle for some guys making the minimum for good reason.
Unlike former Thunder head coach Scott Brooks, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr won't start Perkins, who would clog the lanes and halt their new deadlier Death Lineup's pace. Instead, the 31-year-old would set hard screens for 10 minutes a night and disappear in most postseason matchups.
Udonis Haslem
The Miami Heat lost the heart and soul of their organization, but at least Wade's departure freed up money to spend.
Unfortunately for team president Pat Riley, it's too late to recruit a marquee replacement. He'll instead need to scour the barren market for role players before trying again next season.
Per Wojnarowski, Miami started the process by signing Derrick Williams, whom the New York Knicks renounced their rights to earlier on Friday:
After losing their signature star, the Heat are working to retain another familiar presence. According to the Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman, the team is negotiating a reunion with Udonis Haslem.
Like Wade, Haslem has spent his entire career with the Heat since arriving in 2003. A vital piece to their championship 10 years ago, the physical forward's role has diminished over the years. Last season, he averaged a mere seven minutes over 37 games, during which he averaged 1.6 points and 2.0 rebounds.
The Heat have taken a hit for low-balling Wade, and Chris Bosh would become the franchise's longest-tenured player if Haslem left.
The 36-year-old would serve as a veteran mentor who may have to play more than Miami would like if Bosh's health keeps him sidelined.
