NBA Free Agency 2017: Latest Rumors and Signing Predictions for Top Stars
Call the NBA draft the appetizer to this summer's already-hectic free agency.
The appetizer, at least, was a sampler with all the best stuff on the menu. Fans received drama in the form of Lonzo Ball's eventual arrival with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Boston Celtics tucking tail and opting out of the No. 1 slot, and Jimmy Butler finding himself on the market for a realtor.
Now for the main course. Free agency already looked dramatic with names such as Gordon Hayward and Stephen Curry headed to market, at least for a brief time. Recently, sources told ESPN.com both Chris Paul and Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Lakers would also join the fray.
It's time to take another look at some of the biggest rumors making the rounds, so observers have an idea of what to expect in the coming weeks.
Mavericks Target One of Their Own
Owner Mark Cuban and his Dallas Mavericks make for one of the most interesting teams in the NBA this summer.
Cuban is Cuban and the front office seemed like one wanting immediate results with Dirk Nowitzki on his last legs. The investment in Harrison Barnes last year and standing pat in the draft to nab point guard Dennis Smith Jr. at No. 9 this year hinted at potential runs at major names in free agency.
Or not. According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the Mavericks have every intention of building around its core of Barnes, Seth Curry and Smith. Also included there is Nerlens Noel, whom Stein reports is the front office's top priority this summer:
Noel seemed like much more than a rental of the restricted variety when the Mavericks shipped away Andrew Bogut, Justin Anderson and a pick to get him in February. Noel never blossomed on the clogged depth chart with the Philadelphia 76ers.
It's interesting 27-year-old guard Jrue Holiday comes up in the rumors here. He's an efficient scorer when healthy, averaging 14.3 points on 44.1 percent shooting for his career, but the market will likely inflate his price despite the fact he hasn't appeared in more than 67 games since 2012-13.
The real focus here is Noel, who could have quite the market if the Mavericks don't lock him down. He's a risk given past injury woes, but a 23-year-old forward averaging 7.5 boards and 1.5 blocks already without blossoming toward his ceiling could have other teams offering Noel the max despite his restricted status.
Look for the Mavericks to throw the max at Noel to keep him in town and the Kentucky product to respond in kind, wanting to stick with a team clearly believing in him while he learns from a legend like Nowitzki.
Prediction: Noel re-signs with the Mavericks
Rose's Market
Agree with it or not, the market still treats Derrick Rose like one of the top stars.
Rose underwhelmed with the New York Knicks last year as an odd fit from the jump after team president Phil Jackson struck a deal to bring him to town. Far from a pass-first guard, Rose suited up for 64 games and didn't mesh well with Carmelo Anthony, no matter what system the team ran.
The gaffe won't stop other teams from pursuing Rose.
Given the wealth of injuries, it's easy to forget Rose is only 28 years old. Teams haven't—and a franchise such as the San Antonio Spurs have interest, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com:
The Spurs and head coach Gregg Popovich showing interest in a player is a bit like the New England Patriots doing so in the NFL—it's time to pay attention.
San Antonio has Tony Parker coming off an injury, and the future surrounding Patty Mills isn't easy to nail down. Dejounte Murray is the future for the team at the 1, but Rose would add a solid rotational veteran to the mix at an affordable price.
But the Spurs might not be alone. According to speculation gathered by Marc Berman of the New York Post, Rose sticking with the Knicks on an extension after impressing Jackson in exit interviews isn't so outlandish. There's also the small possibility he decides to reunite with former coach Tom Thibodeau on the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Per sources who spoke with Berman, Rose could make $10-12 million on the market. The number might be a bit much for the Knicks, who might want to save cash to pursue bigger names after already addressing the position in the first round with Frank Ntilikina. Similar story for San Antonio, which needs to walk a cap-space tightrope this offseason.
Minnesota, though, should have enough space after the Butler deal. After trading away Kris Dunn, nabbing Rose off the market to rotate with Ricky Rubio makes sense.
Prediction: Rose signs with the Timberwolves
The Chris Paul Sweepstakes
When it comes to Paul, the hits just keep coming.
CP3's teammate, Griffin, is quite the interesting free agent. But this is no contest—Paul hits the open market after one of the best years of his career and hasn't shown any signs of slowing.
Though it would take some gold-medal worthy cap gymnastics, there's a reason Shelburne mentions the Spurs as a potential fit for Paul. There's enough smoke here to make the Clippers think there might be a fire—a report by ESPN.com recently noted Los Angeles went out and hired Jerry West in the hopes it will help convince Paul it's worth sticking with the team.
But it's never so simple, especially not with a team like the Houston Rockets looking to make a splash. The James Harden-led franchise seems to be this summer's Boston Celtics—the team everyone expects to make a huge deal.
What deal? Hard to say. Stein reported recently the front office won't stop going after Paul George. ESPN.com's Chris Haynes recently hit SportsCenter and noted the Rockets like the idea of Paul in Houston, according to podcast host Ben DuBose:
On one hand, Paul dropped averages of 18.1 points and 9.2 assists last year at the age of 32. On the other, Houston, in particular, seems like an odd fit, given Harden's ascension to MVP contender after taking over at the 1. Paul coming to town bumps him back to the 2, which as crazy as it sounds, may do more harm than good. And pairing Harden with another superstar didn't work out so well last time (Dwight Howard).
Viewed through this lens, the Spurs make more sense. Paul almost feels like a predictable Spurs veteran and he'd help create quite the potent combo alongside Kawhi Leonard.
But money talks. The idea of Paul packing up his life and leaving a market like Los Angeles now after playing there since 2005 is hard to fathom. And given the implementation of the new super max, he'd settle for about $152 million with a new team as opposed to $205 million if he stays with the Clippers.
Cashing in on a max at the age of 32 is a bonus for Paul at this point. It stinks his potential departure is what forced the organization to make major changes like bringing on West, but Paul has to notice and like the direction of the gesture. In hindsight, Paul's opting out will look like a formality and nothing more.
Prediction: Paul re-signs with the Clippers
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
