NBA Free Agents 2017: Latest Rumors, Predictions on Derrick Rose, Andre Iguodala
With all eyes on the start of free agency, the largest domino fell before 12:01 a.m. ET Saturday when Paul George was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
That set things in motion.
While it hasn't quite been last year's spending frenzy, several deals have been agreed upon. Stephen Curry, Blake Griffin, Jrue Holiday, Patty Mills, Jeff Teague and others have all been locked in.
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Let's look at a pair of still-valuable veterans who are far from certain to return to their 2016-17 team.
Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose had his moments last season.
Even after knee trouble of biblical portions through his career, the 28-year-old remained atop the NBA in getting to the basket in his first year with the New York Knicks. But today's game is extending further and further from the hoop, and Rose struggles from distance.
He shot 23.6 percent on catch-and-shoot looks and 33.7 percent on pull-up jumpers, according to NBA.com. The former Chicago Bulls superstar never quite meshed with Kristaps Porzingis, either. Per Basketball Reference's stats on two-man lineups, KP and Rose had a net rating of minus-4.7 points.
Rose went AWOL for a game in January, and a day later ESPN.com's Ian Begley wrote that the 2011 MVP would be looking for a max contract this summer.
Stop laughing.
C'mon, seriously.
It's clear that's not happening. There are conflicting reports about mutual interest in a more realistic reunion, though.
On Friday afternoon, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News reported that before Phil Jackson was fired as Knicks president, "a reunion…appears to be a long shot, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation."
Later, after midnight, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on SportsCenter that the Knicks do have "some" interest:
On Saturday morning, ESPN's Jeff Goodman reported that the Knicks have reached out to D-Rose and that he's "a serious option." That's a quick turnaround from Bondy's report.
New York drafted French floor general Frank Ntilikina with the No. 8 pick in last month's NBA draft and re-signed second-year guard Ron Baker. That's a green backcourt.
With George Hill looking like a long shot, it seems increasingly likely the Knicks bring Rose back.
While still more of a triangle square peg in a circular hole, Rose can serve as a stopgap for Ntilikina on a short-term deal. It's not ideal, but the Knicks need someone now so their options are open later.
Like Rose, Andre Iguodala's future seemed cemented days ago.
Kevin Durant is waiting until late July to re-up with the Golden State Warriors, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, and taking a less-than-max deal so the Dubs can bring back Iggy and Shaun Livingston.
The latter agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal shortly after midnight, per ESPN.com's Chris Haynes:
But Iguodala, the more valuable of the pair, does not plan to meet with the Warriors, per Haynes:
Instead, he's been meeting with other Western Conference contenders like the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets, plus teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings:
Golden State would have to go over the salary cap to re-sign Iggy, but it's doable because the team owns his Bird rights. On Thursday, The Vertical's Shams Charania reported that Warriors owner Joe Lacob was having second thoughts about that sort of investment:
The 2015 Finals MVP is an unsung hero on the Warriors who far exceeds his box-score contributions. When healthy, the 33-year-old is a stout wing defender and effective playmaker. He's been the go-to guy against LeBron James while Draymond Green mans the paint.
Haynes reported on Thursday that there is a swelling belief around the league that taking pieces away from the Warriors—and thus weakening the juggernaut—is "more economically feasible and expeditious" than assembling another powerhouse.
That's what the Rockets and Spurs seem to be doing, and Iguodala seems to be listening. It's impossible to rule this out as a leverage play, especially since he met with San Antonio at midnight and agreed to a second meeting with Houston.
Still, expect Iguodala to return to the Warriors once the smoke clears. The chance at more titles is too great. But it'll be a stressful process for Dubs fans who want him back.
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