NBA Free Agents 2016: Rumors and Predictions for Market's Top Remaining Names
NBA free agency is a lot like the San Antonio Spurs.
It just keeps going. It's like when Tim Duncan and Co. started to fade, only for the organization to grab Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge.
Sure, Kevin Durant is off the market, but the small signings can make all the difference between the depth necessary to pursue a title in a deep conference and just making the postseason at all. Folks know what the latter can do—look at the iffy offseason the Houston Rockets have had.
It's a lesson those teams still active on the market know all too well. Here's a look at the biggest names still making the rounds.
Dion Waiters
Dion Waiters became a major person of interest as soon as Durant decided he wanted to cement himself as one of the biggest villains of all time by joining the Golden State Warriors.
Had Durant stayed, Waiters was merely a depth piece who would spar with Andre Roberson and others for playing time behind Victor Oladipo.
Things have changed, and the Oklahoma City Thunder now have cash to blow, but it remains to be seen if they will compete with other teams with an apparent interest, as mentioned by Sports Illustrated's Jeremy Woo.
"Waiters took a small step forward in the playoffs and is still just 24. He’s been tied to the Kings (who are dangling Rudy Gay, for what it’s worth) and to the Sixers," Woo wrote.
Turner Sports analyst David Aldridge brought up another interesting possibility based on the market:
Waiters has largely disappointed since coming off the board fourth overall in the 2012 draft, but it's not hard to see why developing teams might have an interest in a former top-five pick who is still 24 years old.
Waiters averaged 9.8 points in 27.6 minutes last year and is a career 41.1 percent shooter. A team like the Sacramento Kings seems like it wants to get younger while building around Willie Cauley-Stein and DeMarcus Cousins, so adding another developmental piece off the bench makes sense.
Though the logic is there, keep in mind Waiters is a restricted free agent. With a mind to keep as much of the old core intact as possible and understanding depth is what sets teams apart in the Western Conference, look for the Thunder to match whatever offer comes his way.
Prediction: Waiters re-signs with the Thunder
Anthony Bennett
Aldridge mentions the Brooklyn Nets for good reason.
Coming off a 21-win season, Brooklyn has seen most of its attempts at grabbing young talent thwarted, with its biggest get being the signing of Jeremy Lin.
Anthony Bennett seems like another name the team will consider. The former top pick has an apparent interest in the organization, according to Michael Scotto of the Associated Press:
Like Waiters, Bennett never matched expectations. Cleveland took him first overall in 2013, and he's spent three years in the league, all with different teams. Last year, Bennett was nothing more than a blip on the radar, appearing in just 19 games with the Toronto Raptors and averaging 4.4 minutes.
There's a lot wrong with Bennett's fit at the NBA level, namely his average of 3.1 rebounds and 38.8 shooting percentage as a power forward. But he's just 23 years old, and a rebuilding team with nothing to lose might as well take a shot, right?
The NBA won't allow upside such as Bennett's to fully wash out. Brooklyn looks like the obvious destination here as the biggest rebuilder still looking to take chances. It's not a perfect fit, but a platoon featuring Chris McCullough and Justin Hamilton could use a push in the form of an addition.
Prediction: Bennett signs with the Nets
Maurice Harkless
Unlike the prior two names, Portland Trail Blazers restricted free agent Maurice Harkless is one of the names teams won't mind paying up for.
Harkless, 23, was the 15th pick in 2012, and he hasn't averaged more than 26 minutes per game in a season in the four years since. But he averages 6.7 points for his career by way of 45.9 percent shooting from the floor and 30.0 percent from deep.
There's always value in a versatile, do-it-all forward his age, and Portland is stacked at the spots he can play. Think C.J. McCollum, Allen Crabbe and Evan Turner, and when Portland wants to go small, add in Al-Farouq Aminu, Meyers Leonard and Noah Vonleh.
Which, of course, won't necessarily stop Portland from keeping him on board. Jason Quick of CSN Northwest suggested the forward will take his time making a decision:
Previously, Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders revealed a wealth of teams interested in Harkless:
No wonder he won't rush into a decision.
Harkless has plenty of options here, whether it's getting on the court alongside Jimmy Butler in Chicago, Bradley Beal in Washington or even Reggie Jackson in Detroit.
Then again, it might not matter at all. Portland seems intent on matching any and all offers for its players, having just matched a silly four-year offer worth $75 million the Nets threw at Crabbe, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Teams might think it's not even worth the time to offer any of Portland's restricted free agents a sheet now. It's not the most desirable situation for Harkless, but it seems like he's destined to stay in town and contribute off the bench.
Prediction: Harkless re-signs with the Trail Blazers
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
