2019 NBA Free Agents: Rumors, Predictions Based on Late-Season Buzz
With the end of the NBA regular season fast approaching, the rumor mill is beginning to pick up steam.
For 16 teams, the basketball action will continue, as they play for a championship. For everyone else, it's a chance to hit the reset button, and that means bringing in a difference maker or two to help them get over the hump.
Not surprisingly, there's a lot of speculation about where the biggest free agents will sign this offseason, especially since so many teams have cleared cap space.
Here are a few of the most interesting moves dominating the news cycle around the league.
Mavericks Want Walker?
The Dallas Mavericks are going all in for a backcourt mate to pair with their rookie sensation, Luka Doncic.
They fell all the way to the 14th spot in the Western Conference, but are looking to get back in the playoff hunt in a big way.
They've already make trades to bring in Kristaps Porzingis, who should be ready for action next season.
Now, they need to make another splash in free agency.
Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reported last month that Dallas has their sights on Kemba Walker.
The Charlotte Hornets' three-time All-Star point guard will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career this July and will be looking to land with a contender.
While the Mavs haven't been to the postseason since 2016, they have an owner in Mark Cuban that will spend what it takes to get back.
They also have a bright future ahead and that could be a difference maker when making their sales pitch to Walker.
Additionally, Dallas has plenty of payroll flexibility to make the kind moves that could make them a contender again.
For Walker, that could mean as much as $140 million over four years. The cherry on top is that the Mavs will have money left over to bring in additional pieces to fill in their playoff puzzle.
Despite all of their upside, convincing Walker to sign may still be a tall order.
The Hornets have the money advantage because they could offer their superstar $190 million over five years and as much as $221 million if he gets an All-NBA team nod this season.
Familiarity is also a concern. Walker, who is having the best season in his eight-year career, has played for Charlotte since entering the league.
He's steered clear of free agent conversations, but did relay that he'd like to stay with the Hornets long term before training camp.
“This is where I want to be," Walker told Bonnell back in September. "I don’t want to be nowhere else. I want to create something special here in Charlotte, something we’ve never had here (in 30 years of NBA history). I want to create some consistency."
In addition to Walker, Dallas will also pursue Klay Thompson. It's widely believed that the sharp-shooting guard will resign with the Golden State Warriors, so the Mavs will have to be more realistic when it comes to signing guards.
According to Dallas Morning News' Brad Townsend, another unrestricted free agent, Patrick Beverley, might be a possibility.
The Los Angeles Clippers guard is only making $5 million this season and could be a bargain pickup for Dallas. Beverley's not the potent scorer that Walker is, but he's a defensive stopper who could defend the many dynamic point guards around the league.
He can also drain the three ball. This year, he's shooting 39.3 percent from behind the arc.
Prediction: Walker re-signs with the Hornets, Mavs make offer to Beverley.
Butler Headed to the Lakers?
Jimmy Butler is at a crossroads in his career.
The 10-year veteran shooting guard is on his third team in three years and could be headed to his fourth.
Jimmy Buckets' numbers are down (18.5 points, 4.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game), but he's still a very strong scorer and wing defender and would be a talent upgrade for the Los Angeles Lakers.
L.A.'s first choice is obviously Kawhi Leonard, but it looks like he's headed across town to the Clippers.
They would also prefer Anthony Davis, but the New Orleans Pelicans aren't playing ball, so they'll have to "settle" for a player like Bulter.
According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the Lakers already made a play for him midseason.
"L.A. was one of several teams to inquire about Butler before the swingman was traded to Philadelphia," McMenamin wrote.
Butler will likely opt out of the final year of his contract, which would pay him $19.8 million, in hopes of landing a deal that would pay him an average of $32.7 million per anum.
That may be too rich for the Philadelphia 76ers' blood, who will try to retain their young core, especially the recently acquired Tobias Harris, who is also up for a new contract.
The Lakers have enough cap space to sign Butler and still keep their young players, but they'll have to jettison Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Lance Stephenson and Rajon Rondo.
The only rub is Butler's attitude. It may be toxic to bring him in considering the effect it could have on impressionable players like Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma.
After not making the playoffs this season with LeBron James, L.A.'s president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson, has to make moves this summer.
If he can't get Leonard, Thompson, Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant, Butler will have to do.
Prediction: Butler signs with the Lakers.
Follow Maurice Bobb on Twitter, @ReeseReport.
Statistics used courtesy of NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.
