Today, our focus on the NBA continues by looking at free agency. There are some potential HUGE names up for grabs this summer, but many have options that could see them postpone until a year from now. But today we'll break down marquee free agents for every team, and I'll give you my best fit for each player.
Atlanta Hawks
Elton Brand (Unrestricted) - Best fit is Miami. The Heat will be retooling the roster and could use a veteran like Brand to give them some toughness and production inside off the bench. He'd likely agree to a veteran's minimum, a key for the Heat since they'll be paying multiple stars already.
Boston Celtics
Avery Bradley (Restricted) - He should stay in Boston. His progression has slowed down over the last year or two (partially due to injury), but he remains a promising young player. In Boston, he's guaranteed minutes at the very least. Another interesting fit though would be Indiana, as he'd fit in with their defensive culture, and be a solid bench asset for them.
Brooklyn Nets
Andray Blatche and Andrei Kirilenko (Player Options) - Brooklyn ended the year playing great basketball so I believe these two should take the player options available. They were key bench players that got solid minutes.
Paul Pierce and Shaun Livingston (Unrestricted) - Both should also stay with Brooklyn. Pierce is too old to be wanted anywhere else, and Livingston plays a vital role for this team. They should make a run at a championship another season.
Charlotte Hornets
Josh McRoberts (Player Option) - McRoberts started for this team and could do so again by returning. But with Zeller pushing him for time and with two draft picks in the first round next week, McRoberts could look to cash in elsewhere. Philly and Orlando could use a power forward in their starting lineups, and Houston, Golden State, and the Clippers could all use a solid backup big man like Josh. My guest though is that he returns to Charlotte.
Chicago Bulls
Kirk Hinrich (Unrestricted) - I doubt Hinrich returns to Chicago, as they'll likely find backup guards through the draft this year. The best fit for Kirk is Indiana, as they'll lose Evan Turner off their bench this summer. He'd be a great backup guard for them to provide ball handling and shooting behind Hill and Stephenson.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Luol Deng (Unrestricted) - Deng's situation depends on others. If the Bulls can't get Carmelo, then Chicago would be the best fit. If Lebron leaves Miami, then the Heat are an intriguing option. If James doesn't come back to Cleveland, he would still remain an option there. Deng could also fill the Magic's need at small forward, or he could replace Hayward in Utah if Gordon signs elsewhere. The best fit though that isn't dependent on others is the Lakers. He'd help them immediately and would be loved by Kobe Bryant. Toronto is a sleeper.
Spencer Hawes (Unrestricted) - I think the Dallas Mavericks make sense. They don't have a ton of depth at center, and Hawes is a very skilled big man that can help them win now in Dirk's final years. Cuban has more than enough money to bring him in too.
Dallas Mavericks
Vince Carter/Shawn Marion/Devin Harris/Dirk Nowitzki - Assuming Cuban doesn't break the bank on these contracts, all of these guys should stay put. Dirk clearly will, but these others are key vets that fit in on Dallas. But if they take small paycuts, it will allow Cuban to bring in another large piece (or two). That will allow them to chase another ring.
Denver Nuggets (No Key Guys Moving On)
Detroit Pistons
Greg Monroe (Restricted) - If Tim Duncan retires, the best fit is San Antonio. He'd be a perfect replacement and would be perfect for the Spurs. If Timmy stays, then I'd go with LAL, NYK, or Orlando.
Rodney Stuckey (Unrestricted) - Stuckey has really hurt himself in Detroit, as he was once considered a young star. I think he needs to take a short-term deal to try and re-establish himself before cashing in big. The best place to do that is New York City. There is playing time available at either guard spot, and he will get exposure playing there.
Golden State Warriors
Steve Blake (Unrestricted) - I know last season didn't go as planned, but I think Blake should stay with the Warriors. He gets the chance to be a key backup behind the Splash Brothers, and he's in a spot where he can win now.
Houston Rockets
Chandler Parsons (Team Option/Restricted) - I don't get why Houston isn't exercising their option, but he should stay put regardless. With Harden and Howard occupying defenses, it allows Parsons to play his game unhindered.
Indiana Pacers
Lance Stephenson (Unrestricted) - Lance may have hurt his stock with his antics guarding Lebron James, but he's still one of the best young players up for grabs this summer. I think playing in Indiana though is the perfect place for him, and that team helps him succeed more than other places. Therefore, he should stay put.
Evan Turner (Restricted) - It didn't work out for Turner in Indiana, and he should therefore move on. In fact, I'd love to see him return to Philly since he was playing great basketball there. The Knicks are another option for the same reasons I stated above for Rodney Stuckey. I also like Memphis, as they could use another scorer and creator.
Los Angeles Clippers
Darren Collison/Glen Davis/Danny Granger (Player Options) - All three should exercise their options and return to the Clips for another year. They could really win the championship, as they were close this season.
Los Angeles Lakers
Pau Gasol (Unrestricted) - Nobody wants to pay him big anymore, so his best fit is still with LA. He can help Kobe a little in his final years.
Chris Kaman (Unrestricted) - He should join a team that needs size even more than his skill. That team is Miami, where he could take a veteran's minimum and potentially win a championship.
MarShon Brooks/Jodie Meeks/Nick Young (Unrestricted/Young-Option) - They aren't accomplishing anything in LA, so they should all leave. All three could give benches across the league some punch. Indiana could use a scoring guard off the bench. Atlanta could use depth there as well. Memphis and Minnesota too. Sacramento is another option that isn't far from where they are playing now.
Memphis Grizzlies
Mike Miller/Zach Randolph (Unrestricted/Randolph - Option) - I think they both fit Memphis better than any other team and should therefore stay put. Miller could return to Miami where he had success last year, but if he didn't re-sign last year there must have been a reason. Memphis it is then.
Miami Heat
Lebron James/Chris Bosh/Dwyane Wade (Player Options) - I think they should and will stick it out for another season. The options give them a chance to be successful for another year before testing the market in 2015.
Ray Allen (Unrestricted) - If the Big 3 return, he should sign a 1-year deal and try to win it all again. If they break up, he should retire.
Chris Anderson (Player Option) - This is easy, he should return. He fills their need as a rim protector.
Mario Chalmers (Unrestricted) - After his woeful playoff performance, Chalmers needs a fresh start. He could replace Felton for the Knicks easy. He could also replace Lowry for Toronto if they lose Kyle in free agency. Sacramento is another great choice, especially if Isaiah Thomas doesn't re-sign.
Michael Beasley/James Jones/Rashard Lewis/Greg Oden (Unrestricted) - If Miami wants these guys back, they should all return. PT isn't guaranteed, but success is and they have roles to play.
Milwaukee Bucks (No Key Guys Moving On)
Minnesota Timberwolves (No Key Guys Moving On)
New Orleans Pelicans
Al-Farouq Aminu (Unrestricted) - There won't be a big market for Aminu, but there should be, as he's a pretty solid player. I think he'll stay put, as he should.
New York Knicks
Carmelo Anthony (ETO) - It's rumored that he's going to opt out. If he does, I like Chicago over Houston. The Lakers might make more sense given the fact that he could be the man in two season when Kobe retires. But if I'm him, I stay with New York for another season. First, the money I'd get is huge. Second, free agency could be even better a year from now. Third, maybe Phil Jackson can turn it around.
Andrea Bargnani/Amar'e Stoudemire (ETO) - There isn't a market for these guys, so they should take the money they have in New York, and test the market a year from now.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Caron Butler (Unrestricted) - Butler came up big in the playoffs, and that performance leads me to think his best fit is still there with OKC. He would still play that bench scoring role from the wing.
Thabo Sefolosha (Unrestricted) - OKC makes the most sense for Thabo as well, but Houston should consider this guy. The Rockets need a wing defender, and Thabo could fill that role for little money. Both places would make sense.
Orlando Magic (No Key Guys Moving On)
Philadelphia 76ers (No Key Guys Moving On)
Phoenix Suns
Eric Bledsoe (Restricted) - He thrived when healthy in Phoenix, so that remains the clear best option. If he can stay healthy, he could turn into an All-Star here.
Channing Frye (Player Option) - He'll likely stay in Phoenix, but for fun let's throw out a few other teams. New Orleans could use him as a backup for Ryan Anderson. Chicago could use him if they amnesty Boozer and are forced to start Taj Gibson. And Houston could use him off the bench if they can unload some money (Asik namely).
Emeka Okafor (Unrestricted) - Atlanta makes a ton of sense as they've struggled with depth behind an injury-prone Horford. Returning to Washington could be great for him as well, as long as he realizes he's now a backup.
Portland Trailblazers (No Key Guys Moving On)
Sacramento Kings
Isaiah Thomas (Restricted) - Thomas needs to play in a bigger market because nobody knows him. Next door for the Lakers would be interesting, as would playing for the Heat. Both would put him into the limelight, but he'd have to set up the stars around him instead of ball hogging as he often does.
Rudy Gay (Player Option) - Nobody will pay him huge anymore, so he should take the player option. The Kings are trying to be aggressive and bring in another major player, so maybe they could achieve success here.
San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan (Player Option) - Clearly his best fit is the Spurs if he doesn't retire. The question for him is if he wants to grind through another season.
Matt Bonner/Boris Diaw (Unrestricted) - These two are role players that are helped dramatically by Coach Pop's system. They need to stay put.
Patrick Mills (Unrestricted) - Mills is due to cash in on a bigger payday, so returning to SA may not be in the cards. The Knicks are already pushing for him, and I'm sure other teams may want in also. Similar to Chalmers above, he'd be a great fill-in for a lot of teams who may switch their point guard spot. Personally, I'd love to see him in Indiana. But for Mills, he'd be a great fit for Miami, the team he just destroyed. He could replace Chalmers for sure.
Toronto Raptors
Kyle Lowry (Unrestricted) - The Heat could use him but may not be able to afford him. Indiana could use him, but would have to get rid of George Hill to do so. He'd be great in Orlando, but they will be drafting Exum with the #4 pick. Sacramento could be another good spot, but they may just stick with Thomas. So my Top 3 then become LAL, NYK, and Houston. All three are looking to make a splash and could use a solid point guard. Those all make sense. Obviously, he could stay put in Toronto too...
Patrick Patterson/Greivis Vasquez (Restricted) - Both players contributed to getting Toronto back in the playoffs in 2014. They should stay put and try to do it again.
Utah Jazz
Gordon Hayward (Restricted) - The two options I keep thinking of are Utah and Orlando. Philly is a sleeper depending on who they draft. These teams are all young and talented, similar to Indiana a few years ago, and OKC a few years before that. Hayward would help them take it to the next level in the years to come.
Washington Wizards
Trevor Ariza/Marcin Gortat (Unrestricted) - Ariza was great for Washington and they were great for him. It's a perfect match and it should be renewed. The same is true for Gortat. The team should only continue to get better.
There you have. Lots of great names, although some obviously have those options. Can't wait for the next month to see how this unfolds.
By: The Sports Guys
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