NBA Free Agents 2017: Predictions for Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry and More
Will multiple NBA stars hit the road and look for greener pastures elsewhere? As 28 teams plan to build rosters that can topple the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors for the 2017-18 season, the upcoming draft and impending free-agent targets hit the forefront of chatter around the league.
Less successful playoff teams could see major shakeups or keep their cores together with a costly signing. Though, it's the player with all the power. Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry and Gordon Hayward have important decisions to contemplate this summer. Will they leave their current clubs? Which destinations have their attention?
It's worth noting Paul has an early-termination option, which allows him to hit the free-agent market immediately in July. He hasn't officially exercised the clause in his contract. Nonetheless, if he goes, the Los Angeles Clippers' chance at reaching the Western Conference Final likely goes with him.
What's the current forecast on three stars, who can shift the balance of power in either conference with their offseason decisions?
Will Chris Paul Stay with the Los Angeles Clippers or Join the San Antonio Spurs?
The San Antonio Spurs have Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge locked into long-term deals. Both players will account for a combined $40 million against the team's cap space for the 2017-18 season, per Spotrac.
While some see Paul in a Spurs uniform as a pipe-dream, ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports the guard seems interested in at least hearing a sale pitch from the Southwest division champions.
"Sources told ESPN that Paul, for all of his undeniable fondness for Los Angeles, is intrigued by the idea of teaming up with the likes of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and MVP top-three finalist Kawhi Leonard in his quest to achieve the deep playoff success that has eluded Paul to this point in his career," Stein said.
Anyone not named Leonard or Aldridge may have to look elsewhere if the team lands Paul in July. As noted in Stein's report, the Spurs can offer the nine-time All-Star a max four-year, $152 million deal while the Clippers can put together a five-year, $205 million contract to retain their lead guard.
Financially, Paul wouldn't land in a disadvantageous spot with either team. He's a State Farm commercial fixture, and Texas wouldn't subject him to state tax.
Even though Golden State swept San Antonio in the semifinal round, you'd have to believe the outcome would be more competitive with Paul leading the backcourt despite an overall depleted roster under Popovich.
If the Warriors win their second NBA title in three years, expect the Spurs and Paul to seriously talk about joining forces to keep up with the Bay Area superteam stocked with the top two shooters in the league.
Prediction: Chris Paul signs with the Spurs
Kyle Lowry Going to His Fourth Team?
The Toronto Raptors added Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker at the trade deadline to improve their chances against the Cavaliers but lost in a semifinal sweep, which marked consecutive playoff loses to the defending champions. Lowry missed the Games 3 and 4 in the matchup against Cleveland, but he's exploring his options on the free-agent market.
Though, according to ESPN.com's Chris Haynes, Lowry reconnected with Raptors head coach Dwane Casey and guards DeMar DeRozan and Norman Powell to check out Game 1 action between the Warriors and Cavaliers on Thursday.
Haynes' report highlighted Casey's team-building interest in keeping his squad hungry for an NBA Finals appearance. Nonetheless, the 31-year-old guard may attempt to satisfy his hunger with another squad.
Is it possible that Lowry replaces Paul if he goes to San Antonio? Perhaps he'd like to lead the Dallas Mavericks backcourt and their push back to the postseason play.
Philly.com reporter Keith Pompey also revealed preliminary interest between the Philadelphia 76ers and the North Philadelphia native who played two years of college basketball at Villanova.
Lowry has participated in and watched his team fall to the Cavaliers over the past two seasons. At 31 years old, he's likely going to view his next destination as the most important with his peak performance still intact. With ball-dominant forward Ben Simmons on the mend for a young rebuilding team, talks between the Sixers and Lowry won't materialize into anything.
Outside of Toronto, which contending team in either conference needs Lowry to get over the hump? The Mavericks still have to find their go-to player to carry the torch for an aging Dirk Nowitzki entering his 20th season. Expect Lowry to stay with the Raptors and continue to build with Casey, DeRozan and Ibaka if the forward liked what he saw in 23 games with the team during the previous season.
Prediction: Kyle Lowry re-signs with the Toronto Raptors
Will Gordon Hayward Join His College Coach in Boston?
It makes sense; the circle of life. Hayward played two seasons under Brad Stevens on the collegiate level at Butler. Now, with a chance at rerouting his NBA career, he could link up with his old mentor to take down LeBron James in the East.
This year, Hayward didn't earn a spot on an All-NBA team, which drops the amount of cash the Utah Jazz can offer him on the free-agent market from $207 million over five years to a five-year, $177 million deal at the max. The Celtics can offer a four-year pact worth $132 million, but CSNNE.com reporter A. Sherrod Blakely's sources feel the 27-year-old swingman likely returns to the Jazz.
After reaching the playoffs for the second time in his seventh-year career, and winning his first series during the 2017 postseason, one has to wonder how Hayward views his next business decision. Many players including the league's top stars have placed a premium value on winning over money in the past few years while in their primes.
With the Celtics in need of starting lineup upgrades, the ascending All-Star swingman could see an opportunity, with a familiar face leading the team, to flourish in Boston.
Prediction: Gordon Hayward signs four-year deal with the Boston Celtics
Stats provided by ESPN.com and Basketball Reference unless otherwise noted.
