NBA Free Agents 2016: Rumors and Predictions for Players Still Left Unsigned
The NBA Summer League might be taking center stage in the basketball world, but there are still intriguing veterans looking to lock down homes next season.
The market is no longer about finding a franchise-changing talent but rather filling out rotations with veterans who can contribute right away. There's a lot to say for building depth, and the names still on the market are capable of helping general managers find that.
Here's a look at some of the top remaining free agents who have some buzz surrounding them along with predictions as to where they will wind up.
J.R. Smith and Cavs Having Trouble Negotiating?
"The disease of more" is a concept that was coined by Miami Heat president Pat Riley, which Bill Simmons wrote about for ESPN The Magazine in 2007.
Essentially, the concept means that once a team achieves success, it can become the team's own worst enemy. Success means that—even if it's subconscious—everyone wants to reap more of the benefits. Whether it be a bigger role, more money or more recognition, everyone wants a bigger piece of the pie.
It's a mindset that—along with a loaded Golden State Warriors team—will be the Cleveland Cavaliers' biggest roadblock to another title.
It could also be why the Cavaliers are having a difficult time agreeing to terms with free agent J.R. Smith. According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, Smith wants huge money to come back to Cleveland:
This puts the Cavs in a tough spot. According to Spotrac, the Cavaliers are already $32 million over the salary cap. The team still has Smith's Bird rights, so it can re-sign him; however, that would mean going deeper into the luxury tax.
After winning the title, one has to wonder how deep into the tax owner Dan Gilbert is willing to go.
Still, the Cavs have a window to win a title, and title windows are prone to shutting at a moment's notice. With the Warriors adding Kevin Durant, getting another championship became even harder for Cleveland.
It doesn't sound like Smith is bluffing, either. He discussed the possibility of leaving in a recent interview with ESPN.
“I’ve thought about that situation [leaving Cleveland], and I’ve thought about it the other way, too, going back and winning again,” Smith said. “Both are juggled in the air, and I’m kind of nervous about that choice when it gets presented to me.”
The prediction is that the two sides will find some common ground. The Cavs need his 40 percent three-point shooting, and he needs the Cavs if he wants to continue playing playoff basketball.
Still, that prediction isn't nearly as confident as it was, say, when a certain wing player was parading around Cleveland shirtless.
Prediction: Smith re-signs with Cavaliers.
Houston Rockets Still Working on Deal with Donatas Motiejunas
Donatas Motiejunas should be cashing in this summer.
He's a 7-footer who struggled with injuries this season, but he's one year removed from shooting 36.8 percent from three-point range and averaging 12.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. At 25 years old, he's worth the risk.
After all, this is a landscape in which Andrew Nicholson got a four-year, $26 million deal.
The reason there doesn't seem to be a huge market for Motiejunas is that it looks like he'll ultimately head back to Houston.
The Rockets tendered him a one-year, $3.4 million qualifying offer June 30, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. The qualifying offer gives the Rockets three days to match any offer sheet Motiejunas signs with another team, but it appears as though the two sides are continuing their own contract negotiations, per Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com:
The Rockets attempted to trade Motiejunas to the Pistons last year. However, the fact that they are trying to come to an agreement with the forward is a sign they believe in his long-term potential.
Motiejunas is one of the most talented players remaining on the market, so it makes sense for both sides to come to an agreement on a long-term deal.
Prediction: Motiejunas re-signs with Rockets.
Aaron Brooks Negotiating with Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers have quietly had a busy offseason, and it doesn't appear as though it's over.
The team acquired Jeff Teague, Thaddeus Young and Al Jefferson to go with Paul George and Myles Turner while sending George Hill to Utah.
According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, the Pacers aren't done adding point guards to the roster, and Aaron Brooks is their target:
Brooks isn't the kind of signing that would make headlines, but he'd be a sneaky-good pickup for a team that's quickly becoming one of the Eastern Conference's most interesting sleepers. The 31-year-old would be competing with Rodney Stuckey and Joe Young for backup minutes behind Teague.
If his per-36-minute numbers are any indication, it's a position battle Brooks could win:
| Rodney Stuckey | 14.6 | 4.0 | 1.2 | 4.4 |
| Aaron Brooks | 16.0 | 5.8 | 1.0 | 3.3 |
Looking ahead, Brooks' productivity might be key for the Pacers should he sign.
As Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders noted, the Pacers could have an abundance of cap space next season if Stuckey opts out:
"As the offseason continues, even as we enter and pass mid-July, there are still a number of impact free agents on the market. As of July 17, the Pacers have $12 million available under the cap and could have the $2.8 million room exception as their disposal. Next summer, depending on whether Rodney Stuckey and C.J. Miles opt out of their contracts (they will, in all likelihood), the Pacers could have as much as $50 million available under the cap.
With sensible contracts on their books, a fairly young nucleus augmented by productive veterans and the progressing Paul George, a bright season and a bright, bright future may lie ahead for the Pacers.
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The Pacers have some cap room to play with heading into this season. They might as well use some of it to add a piece who could offer them more flexibility down the line.
Prediction: Brooks signs with Pacers.
