NBA Free Agents 2017: Latest Rumors on Notable Stars Hitting Open Market
We're just days away from the start of NBA free agency, which kicks off at the beginning of the new league year on July 1.
Teams are allowed to begin negotiating with players on that date and will be allowed to officially put pen to paper on their contracts on July 6.
With the busiest time of the NBA calendar about to kick off, obviously plenty of rumors are swirling around about the top players on the market. Much of the attention so far has been on the big-name trade candidates—especially Indiana Pacers forward Paul George—but there is plenty of anticipation for this year's free agent crop as well.
Here's a recap of some of the biggest reports and rumors that popped up over the weekend and a look at how these players and teams may be impacted by the coming free agency period.
Derrick Rose returning to New York?
On June 22, ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne reported that the San Antonio Spurs had interest in pursuing Derrick Rose. But, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post, San Antonio may not get that opportunity.
Berman reported on Saturday that Knicks president Phil Jackson is open to Rose returning to New York and that Rose and his agent hope to meet with the team before free agency begins on July 1.
The Knicks drafted Frank Ntilikina in the first round of the NBA draft last week, and he will be groomed as the point guard of the future in New York. But Ntilikina will be a 19-year-old rookie and probably isn't ready to play significant minutes.
Depending on the type of deal Rose is looking for, the Knicks may view him as a short-term option at point guard with Ntilikina serving as his backup.
Timberwolves searching for point guard?
The Minnesota Timberwolves still have Ricky Rubio under contract, but once again they're looking for an upgrade at point guard.
Last offseason the Timberwolves drafted Kris Dunn at No. 5 overall, which fueled rampant speculation that Rubio's days in Minnesota were numbered. But Rubio survived the 2016-17 season and now Dunn has been shipped to Chicago as part of the Jimmy Butler trade.
But apparently Rubio's job still isn't safe.
According to Mitch Lawrence of Sporting News, the Timberwolves are going to pursue multiple point guards on the free agent market:
If Minnesota is set on finding an upgrade at point guard, Lowry is an obvious target. In recent years with the Toronto Raptors, he has played the best basketball of his career while sharing the court with DeMar DeRozan, a similar styled player to Butler.
It's tough to predict who the Timberwolves will land at this point, but if they're dead set on adding someone to the backcourt, there are enough names on the market for them to find a suitable option—which could put Rubio on the trade block once again.
Blake Griffin testing free agency
Blake Griffin has opted out of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to ESPN.com's basketball analysts Chris Haynes, Jeff Goodman and Marc Stein, but the Clippers are "strong favorites" to keep him.
Among the teams attempting to pry Griffin away from the Clippers is the Houston Rockets, according to Stein.
Griffin's decision might ultimately end up being a joint decision with Chris Paul, who is also expected to opt out of his contract. If both players return to Los Angeles, the Clippers remain a playoff contender in the West, but if either one leaves, the other may be tempted to follow him out the door.
There has been speculation that Paul would be an ideal fit in San Antonio, but that's contingent on the Spurs clearing enough cap space before they can even offer him a competitive deal. If San Antonio can't find a way to add Paul, he may simply return to Los Angeles and bring Griffin with him.
