First of all, congratulations to the Toronto Raptors on winning their first ever NBA championship. (Hopefully I can say that to the Utah Jazz one day...)
Now that the last game of the season as been played, time to turn our attention to the NBA offseason. And honestly, I already know what's best for every free agent this year. If their smart, this is what they will do -->
1. Kawhi Leonard.
Toronto is the best option right now for Kawhi. I'm not just saying that because they won it all this year. I've thought about every scenario. So let's break the roster down, because they are poised to be great again next year.
Pascal Siakam is only 24, is getting better, and will only be making $2 million next year. Fred VanVleet is also 24 and will only be making $8.5 next year. There's two young, key players that aren't even taking up much cap space.)
Lowry is 32 years old and Serge Ibaka is 29 - both locked up for next year.
The only players that could leave this year besides Kawhi are Marc Gasol (player option) and Danny Green (unrestricted). If the Raptors can't keep them both (which I think they will), they should be able to get good free agents to replace them. Returning champs often get the better free agents.
So if I were Kawhi Leonard, I would opt out of my player option, and sign a 2 year contract with the Raptors with a player option for the 2nd year. See how it goes next year, but give myself an out if I need it.
2. Kevin Durant.
The injury changes everything. I hope he can recover quickly and fully.
KD will to miss the entire season next year. If I am Kevin Durant, why try to predict what the landscape will look like in a year from now? I would definitely opt into that $31.5 player option this year with the Warriors and rehab. Why sign with new team that you are not going to play for at all next year when you have $31.5 million dollars on the table? He should wait and get himself right. Then, in a year from now, he can see what the landscape looks like and make the decision that is best for him.
3. Kyrie Irving.
All signs point to him wanting to play with the Nets. So I'm all for that. Go where you want. The Nets did well this year without a superstar. They have a lot of cap space to work with and build a team around Kyrie. It works.
4. Klay Thompson
This one is the hardest one for me. If Durant picks up his player option like I think he should do, that means Curry, Durant, Green, Iguadala, and Livingston (if he picks up his player option) would make up $155,148,381 of the Warriors' team salary. That is more than 9 entire teams this year! That's more than the entire 76ers roster this year! If they resign Klay at a max deal, they will not have any cap room for anything else. And you're stuck with a hurt Durant and an aging Andre Iguadala and Livingston.
So, if I'm Klay, I'm seriously considering leaving. And honestly, I'd taking a good, hard look at the Los Angeles Lakers. If they land Anthony Davis via trade, they will have a great front court but they will desperately need guards. Klay would be the perfect fit. Klay's, LeBron's, and AD's strengths would complimenting each other perfectly. Klay is a great 3 point shooter, great off the ball, and great defender. LeBron is best initiating the offense, loves to get teammates involved, and needs spacing to be most effective. Davis has never gone deep in the playoffs and would benefit having those two champions, he can stretch the floor, and also plays great defense. That big 3 would bring out the best in each other and would probably be the favorite to win it all next year. Not to mention, LeBron and A.D. would be able to get the Lakers into the playoffs while Klay is healing.
5. Kemba Walker.
He said he would take less money to stay in Charlotte, and I think the Hornets want him to stay. I think they find a deal where both are happy and he stays.
6. Jimmy Butler.
In my current scenario, the Clippers did not get Kawhi. They are still a perfect destination for a superstar small forward that plays great offense and defense. If they miss out on Kawhi, I think they could end up offering a max deal to Butler and I think Butler would thrive there. He could be "the guy" and have a very competitive team. Great match.
7. DeMarcus Cousins.
Kevin Durant's injury and not getting the #1 pick completely killed the Knicks' off season plans. Rumors had the Knicks getting the #1 pick, trading it for Anthony Davis, signing KD and maybe Kyrie, and then being the favorites to win the East.
Now, the Knicks have a ton of cap space, but Kyrie Irving is probably going to the Brooklyn Nets, Anthony Davis is getting traded to either the Lakers or the Celtics, and Kevin Durant can't play next year even if he signs with the Knicks. And if KD picks up his player option like I think he should, the Knicks are left only with "maybe Durant will come to New York next year."
I could see the Knicks offering Cousins a bigger contract than any other team (maybe just a one or two year contract tho). And if I were Boogie Cousins, I would love to go play at the Garden next year - especially if they were the highest bidders for my services.
8. Marc Gasol.
I think he opts into his $25.5 mil player option and stays with the Raptors.
9. Khris Middleton.
I think he opts out of his $13 mil but resigns (with a bigger contract) to stay in Milwaukee. They love him there and will probably pay him well to stay.
10. Tobias Harris.
The 76ers have Embiid and Simmons on pretty cap-space friendly contracts right now, and everyone else (pretty much) are free agents. If they lose Butler, like I have in this scenario, they have have a ton of money to spend and will be desperate to keep talent around their two young superstars. I think Philly offers Tobias a huge contract (especially if Butler leaves) and Tobias gets to stay with a great team.
11. DeAngelo Russell.
He says he wants to stay in Brooklyn, he is a restricted free agent, and if Brooklyn gets Kyrie they will want to keep as much talent on the team and try to contend next year. I can't see DeAngelo anywhere else next year right now.
That's what I think they should do anyway! Although I could also see KD signing a 4 year max deal with the Knicks despite his injury if that's where he knows he want to be. And I could for sure see Jimmy Butler wanting to stay in Philly as well. What would you do in these free agent's shoes? Let me know!
