The 2015 NBA playoffs are still alive and well for several teams, but for all of those teams and fans that have been ousted or didn’t even make it, the 2015-16 NBA season couldn’t come soon enough. The 2015 NBA Draft will surely shape things for us, but one of the biggest avenues for teams to change their fortunes dramatically is free agency. This year could yield a ton of turnover, too, with several big names hitting unrestricted free agency and a few big names potentially changing hands as restricted free agents, as well.
There’s no telling how the playoffs will reshape things over the next two months or what is going on in player’s minds, but we do know which guys have one foot out the door and whether or not they’ll be in high demand. We can probably safely assume, even with player options, that guys like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will be back with their respective clubs, while the Spurs and Warriors aren’t going to let Kawhi Leonard or Draymond Green get away. There are a few star players that could take off, though, and for good reason. With that, let’s take a look at six big names we could see moving on to a new scene this summer:
Goran Dragic, PG, Miami Heat (Player Option)
Dragic was a sitting duck with the Phoenix Suns, who saw the writing on the wall and dealt him to Miami right at the trade deadline. The Heat happened to be one of Dragic’s preferred destinations, but it’s been no secret that he’s going to opt out and try to get a major deal as an unrestricted free agent. While he liked South Beach at first, the Heat failed to make the playoffs and both Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng could potentially opt out of their deals. That could make The Dragon feel a tad uneasy. Should he decide Miami isn’t his long-term home, he shouldn’t want for suitors. He’s a legit starting point guard and can help push the right team up a peg or two. Legendary franchises like the New York Knicks or Los Angeles Lakers could reel him in to build their squads back up, while the Dallas Mavericks are also said to be one of his preferred landing spots.
Verdict: Dallas
The Dragon is going to want a combination of money, role and ability to win. He might find it all in Dallas. The Mavs are a team built to make playoff runs right now but lack a true point guard. Thanks to a messy divorce with Rajon Rondo, they could turn to Dragic to rescue their offense.
LaMarcus Aldridge, PF, Portland Trail Blazers (Unrestricted)
LaMarcus Aldridge has bled red and black, but it’s gotten him nowhere in the playoffs as the Blazers have constantly lacked the coaching and/or supporting cast to get him to the next level. Ridge has been a strong force at both ends and may be ready to finish his career elsewhere. The Blazers are probably still his preferred destination in an ideal world and they certainly can pay him, but going elsewhere may be the final call if he wants to win. The Mavericks figure to be players, while other playoff contenders such as the Spurs (should Tim Duncan retire) could show serious interest.
Verdict: Stays home
Ultimately, Aldridge is probably going to test the waters, only to stay home. He said he’d love to retire as “the best Blazer ever”, after all.
Kevin Love, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers (Restricted)
Love is probably a goner. He was probably down with the trade out of Minnesota for a chance to chase a title, but the pressure and negative attention he’s gotten all year long has arguably pushed him to the brink of insanity. His own teammates haven’t been 100% supportive through it all, while there was no guarantee he was ever going to sign a long-term deal with the Cavs. That’s still a possibility, but Love has expressed interest in being a max player and he’s also shown an eye for the big stage. That could set him up in a city like Los Angeles or New York.
The early word is that if Love does indeed leave Cleveland, the Lakers are the team to watch. Kobe Bryant will be back, The Black Mamba also wants Rajon Rondo in town and Love went to school at UCLA. In fact, he even has had good things to say about Rondo and was once rumored to be interested in being traded to the Celtics when Rondo was still in town.
Verdict: L.A.
Love is bound for the bright lights of L.A. The Lakers have been sinking for the past two years and a trio of Bryant, Rondo and Love could potentially revive them. They might not win a title next year, but Love is a major building block they’d love to have. Odds are he wouldn’t mind being the center of attention in a familiar place, either.
Enes Kanter, C, Oklahoma City Thunder (Restricted)
Kanter doesn’t strike me as a guy that is all about loyalty. He feuded with the Jazz openly while he was still a member of the team and was fairly harsh once he got his wish and was traded away. Though he crushed it in OKC after the All-Star break, he would have loved starting anywhere that wasn’t Utah. He seems to be a great fit in Oklahoma City, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he wants to stay there. Kanter is going to do what is best for Kanter, which probably means the most money and the most playing time. That could still be OKC, but teams wanting size and offense down low are going to pitch huge offers. That probably puts the Lakers and Knicks on the map.
Verdict: NYC
I’m sure the Thunder would love to keep Kanter in town, but he’s going to be an unfortunate casualty of the times. Kevin Durant is a free agent after this season and Russell Westbrook isn’t too far behind. Is Kanter really worth risking keeping both of those guys together? The answer in every way is no. On top of that, Kanter is a major defensive liability. He was fun to have around, but OKC can let Westbrook/Durant carry the offense and get Steven Adams back in the starting lineup.
Brook Lopez, C, Brooklyn Nets (Player Option)
I can’t see why Lopez wouldn’t opt out and test the free agent waters. Most players enjoy the process, but Lopez should especially want to see what else is out there after being caught up in trade rumors all year long. That had to hurt his pride a bit, while he also would have to keep wondering what Brooklyn has planned for him. The Nets seem to be a bit of a mess, and if Lopez can see that he’s going to jump ship. He’s also had troublesome foot issues, so he’d be smart to get out of his current deal and follow the money. Lopez will have a number of suitors due to effective big men not growing on trees, but we can probably expect the Thunder, Knicks, Lakers, Pacers, Nuggets and possibly even the Bucks to come calling.
Verdict: Thunder
OKC is going to let Kanter walk, so maybe they can talk Lopez into somewhat of a discount to come play for a legit contender. Lopez is just as bad as Kanter on defense, but he at least can block shots and is probably even better on offense. OKC was also tied to Lopez in trade rumors before landing Kanter and if he’s open to taking less they can solve their center issue.
Marc Gasol, C, Memphis Grizzlies (Unrestricted)
Gasol is another guy some fear could follow the bright lights out of town. Memphis has consistently been among the league’s best teams, but they’ve never been able to take that next step. Due to that, it’s possible Gasol tries to aim a little higher in a bigger city with more upside. His brother Pau got traded out of Memphis years ago and wound up winning two titles with the Lakers, so perhaps he thinks the same could happen for him. The Lakers and Knicks would probably be the front-runners to land him if he got serious about leaving.
Verdict: Stays home
Leaving might be the more interesting idea, but Gasol has to know that moving on to L.A. or New York wouldn’t carry any guarantees. Memphis can offer him the most money, too, while he can plead in negotiations that they add better offensive pieces to take the next step. One way or another, the Grizz will make sure they don’t lose a Gasol for the second time.
Got a hot NBA free agent you think will be on the move but didn’t make our list or don’t agree with our verdicts? Let us hear it in the comments below!
