With NBA free agency almost here, here’s a good free agency fit for each NBA team.
The 2018 free agency period should be wild with LeBron James and some of the biggest names in the league potentially on the market, not to mention the potential for all sorts of trades. This is an opportunity for every team to get involved and improve their roster now and for the future. With that in mind, we looked at one player every team could use this summer.
Atlanta Hawks — Jose Calderon
As Atlanta rebuilds around Trae Young and John Collins, they’ll need wings and bigs who can shoot and fill in the gaps around those two players. The good news, though, is that they have no reason to rush into signing that type of player. Maybe their cap space this summer in a year where many teams are cap-strapped will allow them to nab someone at the right age and with the right skill profile. Aaron Gordon from Orlando and Joe Harris from Brooklyn both make sense at different price ranges and different positions. But, again, there is no rush for them to spend their money this summer and take themselves out of the running in 2019, 2020 and beyond. If anything, the Hawks are more likely to be active in the trade market while amassing assets.
That’s why someone like Calderon makes sense for them. It is worth asking if Calderon, who will be 37-years-old at the start of next season, would want to play for a team nowhere near contention. But has played in Atlanta before and Travis Schlenk, Atlanta’s general manager, was part of the front office that signed him in 2017 before having to cut him after Kevin Durant got hurt.
There’s also a need for a guy like Jose Calderon on a rebuilding team. He won’t threaten Young’s playing time, but can back him up and teach him the ropes of the day-to-day grind of an NBA season. And Calderon’s professionalism experience would help Collins, Kevin Huerter and Omari Spellman too. He’d also come cheap, likely on a minimum deal, or slightly above it, and not with any long term commitment
This is not a flashy signing, but it would be practical.
Boston Celtics — Marcus Smart
Boston made its big free agency splashes in the last two summers in landing Al Horford in 2016 and Gordon Hayward in 2017. With Hayward (and Kyrie Irving) coming back from injury this fall, there is no real need to create space and nab the biggest name available in free agency this summer. For the Celtics, making a trade for a star is the more realistic path anyway.
This should make Marcus Smart Boston’s top priority this summer. There is already rumored interest in him from the Pacers and, even in a summer where money is tight, Smart is someone who good teams will want. His game is often ugly and his 3-point shot isn’t always consistent enough for teams to always pay attention to him in the playoffs. But he hustles, the Celtics are better when he’s on the floor and it’d be hard to replace what he brings with any minimum signing or draft pick. Smart doesn’t have a ton of leverage, but that’s it.
There are, of course, potential complications. Smart could accept his qualifying offer and bet on a bigger deal next summer when more money is expected to be available across the league. He could sign a offer sheet that Boston decides is too much for them to match, especially considering that, at some point, they have to pick one of their own guys not to pay and it’s likely going to be Smart this year or Terry Rozier next year.
But, depending on the price, Smart helps Boston win now when the East could be more open than it’s been in some time. And, barring injury, he’s a tradeable player a year from now.
Brooklyn Nets — Joe Harris
For Brooklyn, the big news this summer is that they no longer owe first round picks to other teams. They are also in a position to create around $70 million in cap space next summer. In short: there is no need to rush things this summer. Renting out their cap space this year for rentals would be a smart move for them and has more upside than doing anything drastic right now.
Maybe Brooklyn could get funky in the restricted free agent market and sign someone like Rodney Hood who they feel they could develop and get a reasonable cost. But among their own free agents, they already have a guy in Joe Harris who fits Kenny Atkinson’s system, improved last season and could be part of their next good team.
Harris’ value on the open market is going to be interesting. He’ll be 27 at the start of next season and has a skill set good teams could use. It would not be shocking if a team like the Cavs (were they to keep LeBron James) or the Warriors (if they decide to use their taxpayer mid-level exception) come calling. Brooklyn can’t offer him winning basketball next season, but can offer a chance at it in 2019.
It also could offer him slightly more money than the league’s best teams and a chance to stay in the place he blossomed in. Plus, he’s a piece that will fit Brooklyn a year or two from now if they are able to land big names. On a team that lands star-level talent, he’s a role piece that fits easier than D’Angelo Russell or Allen Crabbe, who can opt into a player option worth $18.5 million next summer. There’s value in Harris for that reason alone.
Charlotte Hornets — Shane Larkin
The Hornets are in a tough position. They are a year away from Kemba Walker hitting the open market and are $41 million over the cap. They are team with bad contracts, with Nic Batum’s three years and over $75 million leading the way. Depending on Charlotte could get for Walker, it’s best path this summer might not be to spend, but to try and get off their bad money and give playing time to the few young guys they had. On paper, it’s just hard to envision this team being any good in James Borrego’s first year. There is also no need to try and do something drastic.
New GM Mitch Kupchak has said that a veteran point guard is on the team’s shopping list, so why not look for one that both has NBA experience and some upside? Shane Larkin fits that mold.
In Boston, he’s never going to jump ahead of Kyrie Irving, Marcus Smart or Terry Rozier. But also made the most of the minutes he played last year when he filled in when those players dealt with various injuries. He defended well, showed some playmaking ability and did enough in an audition that some team should take a look at him as a backup this year.
At 26, he’s not going to make a big leap or become a starter; his 10.4 PER last season was still below average at the league’s deepest position. But, for next season, he’d be good enough to backup Walker if he sticks around and good enough bridge the gap for a season if Walker is dealt and Charlotte looks towards a reset. It’s not perfect, but there aren’t any perfect options for the Hornets this summer. Yogi Ferrell also would make sense for Charlotte.
Chicago Bulls — Zach LaVine
The Bulls should not be players this summer. Their young pieces are still developing and they can open up cap space in a year or two when Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr. and the others develop into real, tangible players. This summer is about preserving that space. Maybe the Bulls make a run at Chicago native Jabari Parker in restricted free agency, but his fit isn’t perfect and it’s unclear if he’s worth tying up future cap space for.
This brings us to LaVine, who has played a total of 24 games and 656 minutes for the Bulls as he hits restricted free agency. It’s still unclear if he’s empty calories or a player who could be a key part of a good team, but he’s still 23 and as athletic as any player in the NBA, assuming his ACL tear won’t cost him a step. There’s time for him still.
The key for the Bulls here is to get LaVine at a fair price. Does he push for something like $60 million over four years? Could he sign a deal closer to what Dion Waiters inked with the Heat last summer at four-years, $52 million? Or maybe even less? It does, though, seem unlikely that LaVine would take his qualifying offer for next season, which is worth $4.3 million.
Chicago should want to sign LaVine as it figures out what he is and how he fits into their future plans. It’s just about what it’ll cost for them to do so.
Cleveland Cavaliers — LeBron James
LeBron James being the focus of the Cavs’ summer is obvious, but also unavoidable. Until Cleveland knows James’ decision, they are unlikely to make any other moves. If he stays, look for them to try and improve the roster immediately while not entirely sacrificing the few young players — Cedi Osman, Collin Sexton and Ante Zizic — they’ve scooped up in the last year-plus. If he goes, be it to Los Angeles or somewhere else, it would makes sense for Cleveland to start shedding salary and kickstarting the rebuild. Remember: they owe a top-10 protected pick to the Hawks in 2019 or 2020; if it does not convey in either of those two years, it becomes two second rounders. Keeping those picks would be a big for a rebuild.
Not knowing LeBron’s decision had to be expected by the Cavs, but it also just makes planning for their summer harder. There are two paths based on what he does and both are entirely different and require different values. In that regard, their free agency begins and ends with his decision. It is impossible to know what actually makes sense for Cleveland as an organization until they know what LeBron James is going to do.
Regardless, money is tight in Cleveland unless they shed salary in a hurry. With LeBron, they are a luxury tax team. Without him,, they are still over the cap and can’t spend big this summer. When the Cavs make moves in free agency, it is likely to be on the edges to free agency as opposed to in the thick of it.
Dallas Mavericks — Clint Capela
Dallas’ need for a center is among the most obvious in the league, and after drafting Luka Doncic, Rick Carlisle indicated as much. It’s also a summer where they could go in a number of directions at varying price ranges.
Dallas could try and get DeAndre Jordan again. They could go after Derrick Favors, who may or may not have a future in Utah. Dwight Howard will be soon be available, although it’s hard to see that going well. DeMarcus Cousins also would make some sense, and Dallas has the cap space to pony up for him that other might. Julius Randle is young and interesting and maybe on his way out of Los Angeles. But none of their options hold water to Clint Capela.
Capela is a restricted free agent and the Rockets will likely match any offer sheet he signs. But there is no center available who is as close to age range of Doncic and Dennis Smith Jr. (Capela is 24, Doncic is 19 and Smith Jr. is 20) while also fitting so perfectly. Just imagine Capela catching lobs from both Doncic and Smith Jr. while protecting the rim behind the on the other end. Plus, he fits perfectly next to Dirk Nowitzki as Nowitzki wraps up his career.
Maybe Dallas can construct an offer sheet that makes Daryl Morey think twice — they did so once with Chandler Parsons — but it seems unlikely. But before turning to other options, the Mavericks should make a serious pursuit of Capela. There is no better fit for them on the open market.
Denver Nuggets — Luc Mbah a Moute
The Nuggets are in a tough financial spot this summer. Nikola Jokic’s extension makes them a luxury, making it hard for them to keep a useful player in Will Barton, unless ownership decides it wants to go into the luxury tax right now, or they can unload some salary. As Denver looks down its roster and looks to fill it out, it may need to do some inexpensively.
Luc Mbah a Moute signed with Houston for the minimum last year and it’s unclear if he’ll be seeking out more lucrative offers this time around. But for what Denver needs, he’d be a perfect fit. Forward is a weak spot on this roster. Michael Porter Jr. has all the potential in the world, but he’s not there yet and might take a redshirt year. Wilson Chandler is solid, but he’s coming off of a down year. Mbah a Moute is not a long term solution — the Nuggets have to be hoping that Porter is ready in a year or two to start at that spot — but he helps Denver win now and goes valuable things. He defends, can drive effectively from the corner and hits 3s at at good enough clip. He could immediately step in and be an effective bridge-year starter for the Nuggets.
This same logic applies to Denver’s needs at backup point guard and backup wing as well.
Detroit Pistons — Elfrid Payton
The Pistons, with Blake Griffin, Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond on the books, don’t have a lot of options for a roster that needs some improvement. Jackson, in particular, needs to be either replaced and upgraded or supplemented with another point guard. Fred VanVleet would make a lot of sense here alongside ex-Raptors coach Dwane Casey, but he’s likely to be far too expensive for Detroit.
That could open the door for someone like Payton, who may not have a future with the Suns. His lack of shooting is a concern for this roster, but every point guard at his level has some warts to work around. If he can continue some of the improvement he showed with the Suns last season, he could offer some ball handling and creation that is, at minimum, for Jackson. Remember: Jackson has dealt with some significant injuries in the last few years and missed a large chunk of last season.
Payton could also benefit from this type of situation, particularly if he signs a shorter contract that gets him back on the open market in a year or two. He’s still 24 year old and has some time to develop. If he has a good year with the Pistons, and perhaps outplays Jackson, he could force himself into their plans moving forward. It’s not an optimal fit for both sides, but neither can really afford to be picky about opportunities.
Detroit could also make a run at a number of serviceable point guards potentially available for the minimum. They could also use a backup for Drummond.
Golden State Warriors — J.J. Redick
The Warriors, for as few weaknesses as they have, need playable wings. Shaun Livingston has a cap on his effectiveness at this points. Andre Iguodala isn’t getting any younger and the Nick Young experiment didn’t really work. Maybe Patrick McCaw had a better year next year and maybe rookie Jacob Evans is trustworthy right way. Those are big maybes.
Jamal Crawford makes a lot of sense here too, but Redick fits better. It’s unclear how much the Warriors are willing to spend on a team that is getting more and more expensive, and maybe that takes them out of the running for Redick. Redick is 34, so he’s not quite done yet, but is likely running out of time to sign bigger contracts, even if they are for just one or two years.
But if Redick does decide he wants to pursue a ring above all else, and Golden State pays him enough to make it worth his while, he’d fit perfectly. He’s not a great defender, but is solid enough. He’s great spotting up, just waiting for open shots or running around screens. And it’s easy to picture him splashing wide-open 3s when teams double-team Stephen Curry or Kevin Durant. Plus, Redick would be good Klay Thompson injury projection. He could be what the Warriors hoped they could turn Nick Young into.
What happens with the 76ers and their cap space may dictate Redick’s free agency more than anything else. But if it works out, he’d be a perfect fit in Golden State.
Houston Rockets — Trevor Ariza
Chris Paul and Clint Capela are the Rockets’ most high-profile free agents, and rightfully so. If Houston were to lose one or both of them, it would be crushing for the team that came the closest to beating the Warriors last season. But Trevor Ariza, another unrestricted free agent this summer, is almost as important for the Rockets.
He’s into his 30s now, so Ariza is not a viable long term option for Houston. But that’s okay — they are in a win-now mode and Ariza is still very good at what he goes. In matchups against the Warriors, he’s the guy hounding Kevin Durant, using his length to bother Durant and make life as hard as possible. Without him, that series is not as close as it was. Running it back means bringing him back.
The tricky part for Ariza and the Rockets is cost. Will another team overpay in hopes of luring him, banking on the fact that this is likely his last big contract? If the Lakers form a supertream, would he want to return home? And how does Daryl Morey approach Ariza’s free agency. Morey is not one to let an asset depreciate and might feel he can find a cheaper replacement if Ariza finds bigger money elsewhere. Or does ownership step in and caution against spending on Ariza if/when big deals are given out to Paul and/or Capela? It’s unknown how much Tilman Ferritta is willing to spend.
Ariza was key to the Rockets’ success last year, so will he continue to be moving forward?
Indiana Pacers — Will Barton
The Pacers are one of the most intriguing teams this summer, and maybe the most interesting team outside of the contenders for LeBron James, Paul George and the rest of the league’s elite talent. Indiana far exceeded expectations last year and will have cap space in a summer when few teams do. That should get them meetings, if not signatures, to nab the type of players they need to take the next step in an Eastern Conference that is fairly wide open in 2018-19 depending on what happens in free agency.
Names like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Avery Bradley make sense. Throwing an offer sheet out to Aaron Gordon could be interesting, but perhaps futile if Orlando decides to match whatever is offered for him. Marcus Smart would make a lot of sense, and give them a Lance Stephenson replacement that is much better than Lance Stephenson. But Will Barton might be both the most readily available and fill a need of scoring and ball handling off the bench.
Barton would be something completely different that what the Pacers had last year. He’s more singular-focused than the players than the Pacers had and his tendency to just go out and seek out buckets would take an adjustment. But this would also take pressure off of Victor Oladipo to do most of the creating and give the offense some more juice. If the Pacers can replace what Cory Joseph and Darren Collison offered with Barton, that’s a win. It helps, too, that the Nuggets are going to have a hard time keeping Barton and they can likely negotiate from a position of strength.
Los Angeles Clippers — Montrezl Harrell
Based on their recent moves, and their know desire to land a star player, it seems like the Clippers are going to be one of the teams that punt this summer and look ahead to 2019. With that in mind, it’s hard to see them taking on any significant money this summer that would impact their books next summer.
One option for them, however, is locking up Montrezl Harrell. He’s a restricted free agent this summer and, while the have several centers on the roster already, he’s the youngest and one that fits the modern NBA the best. He’s mobile, rebounds well, flashes a modern offensive game and runs the floor well. He’s a good backup, even if he’s a bit undersized.
The concern the Clippers should have is that there are teams that could sign him to an offer sheet that complicates their cap sheet moving forward. But in a summer with not a lot of money, maybe there isn’t much of a market for Harrell.
And that should help the Clippers. They should not be in a rush to try and win now. Their best path to success involves signing Harrell, and other parts of their team they think would be attractive supplemental pieces to star(s) in 2019, to deals that still allow them to sign stars. And looking at the other frontcourt players on the Clippers’ roster, Harrell is the one that makes the most sense going forward. Retaining him a fair price should be a top priority.
Los Angeles Lakers — Channing Frye
The Lakers’ summer plans, understandably, centered around landing LeBron James and/or Paul George — they didn’t clear out cap space for this summer to make re-signing Julius Randle affordable. If that happens, they’ll need pieces that fit in well around LeBron and/or George and will help a team transition into a new reality. He has limitations, but there are few guys better equipped for that job than Channing Frye.
When he was traded to the Cavs in 2016, Frye immediately helped the team. In the locker room, he helped everyone connect and bond in a way they had not before. On the court, he was perfect pick-and-pop partner for LeBron. In Los Angeles, he’d fill the same role and help a team that will have so much hype and expectations surrounding it that it needs someone to lighten the mood and offer the right perspective. Maybe he’s run off the floor in the playoffs, but history shows that LeBron values having guys like Frye around.
And if LeBron doesn’t come, Frye still fits the Lakers. He’ll come at a low cost and won’t tie up any future cap space. He’ll continue his role from last season of mentoring the younger Lakers who are just starting their career. And is there a better possible mentor for first-round pick Mo Wagner than Frye?
This is not the type of signing that the Lakers have been building towards, but Frye makes sense for them regardless of what happens.
Memphis Grizzlies — Wayne Ellington
Despite drafting Jaren Jackson Jr. near the top of the 2018 draft, the Grizzlies are not likely to bottom out this upcoming season. With Marc Gasol and Mike Conley expected to be healthy again, and still under contract, there’s reason to think that Memphis could compete for a playoff spot again this season as long they stay healthy. Maybe that changes once the season starts, but for now, the Grizzlies are likely operating like a team that wants to win right now. Robert Pera, the team’s owner, certainly has that mindset.
Chandler Parsons’ contract is the main reason why Memphis over the salary cap, but even if his $24 million was off the books, they’d still be over the cap. That means the most they can offer is the mid-level exception, worth $8.568 million, and smaller contracts. Some of that is likely to go towards getting a serviceable backup big man and some wing depth. One good option: Wayne Ellington.
Ellington doesn’t offer much more than shooting at this point, but he at least works on defense and plays within himself. Where he to sign with Memphis, he’d provide spacing next to Conley and around Gasol. It’s something Memphis doesn’t currently have much of and needs to create for everything else on the roster. If Parsons can’t play at all or play consistently, Ellington would make up for at least some of the spacing Parsons is supposed to provide.
Maybe he sticks around in Miami where he’s had a productive few seasons, but some of the MLE, maybe the Grizzlies could nab Ellington.
Miami Heat — Mario Hezonja
Mario Hezonja’s career has not gone according to plan. He’s been largely underwhelming in his three seasons, but showed some life last year and he’s still only 22 years old. What he could be — a slashing wing who can shoot and create a little bit — is a valuable skill set and a team that isn’t the Magic might want to take a flier on him and see if they can make it work.
The Heat don’t totally fit the profile of a team that would want Hezonja. To some degree, it’s easier to see him joining a team like the Kings or Mavericks that is currently working to get younger and has time to roll the dice on a prospect. The Heat aren’t exactly title contenders, but they have a glut of wings including Dion Waiters returning from injury and could also bring back Wayne Ellington. There might not be a desire to sign Hezonja.
But is there a team that would be better equipped to get something out of Hezonja? The Heat are renowned for their ability to get the best out of players and get them in the best shape of their careers. As Miami tries to work towards its next great team, taking a roll of the dice on Hezonja could get them a player who could maybe allow them to shop some of their other wings that are at higher money. Plus, the Heat are just below the luxury tax line and signing someone that would help them stay under it is a smart move.
Milwaukee Bucks — Ed Davis
As the Bucks look to take a step next year with Giannis Antetokounmpo, they should be prioritizing functional players who help them and fit what new Mike Budenholzer likes. Finding a big who can make them less reliant on Tyler Zeller should be near the top of that list with Ed Davis checking off a number of boxes.
For starters, Davis is a versatile player — he could play the five in small ball lineups next to Giannis or play the 4 more in more traditional lineups where John Henson or Thon Maker are playing center. In either spot, he’ll be strong rebounder — last season, he posted the best rebounding percentage of his career, per Basketball-Reference — and a good pick and roll partner for Giannis and Eric Bledsoe because he’s a high-level screener. He’s not stretchy and a totally modern big, but he checks about every box the Bucks should want in a third big. And as interesting as Maker was in the playoffs, it’s hard to know if he can do that in the regular season for 82 games.
It might be tricky getting Davis, but he also might be worth their entire mid-level exception considering they have bodies at most every other position. It’s worth noting, too, that Jabari Parker’s free agency, and where he ends up and, if that’s Milwaukee, at what price, will impact any decision the Bucks make as they get closer to the luxury tax line.
Minnesota Timberwolves — Nemanja Bjelica
The Timberwolves are effectively capped out from making any major moves, as they are only $5.7 million under the luxury tax line with Jamal Crawford’s cap hold still on the books and Nemanja Bjelica’s $7.5 million restricted free agent cap hold on the books as well. Barring some kind of clearout of salaries like Gorgui Dieng or Cole Aldrich (whose $6.9 million non-guaranteed deal should be 100 percent off the books sooner rather than later) there won’t be a significant move for the Wolves this summer.
Bjelica’s restricted free agency is the one internal move that figures to cost Minnesota. There may not be a huge market for him this summer, but there’s also not a workable way for the Wolves to replace what he offers. Among their more traditional bigs supporting Karl-Anthony Towns up front, Bjelica is the one player who spaces the floor and offers a little bit of playmaking. It’s not much, but it matters on a team that doesn’t have a ton of it.
How they approach his restricted free agency will be telling. Will they try to get ahead of the most and sign him early in the process? Will they try and wait him out and see if team on the market signs him to an offer sheet? And just how expense will it get? Bjelica may not be the biggest salary on their ledger, but as they get closer to Towns’ extension kicking in and Jimmy Butler’s free agency, every dollar counts. So, can they keep a useful piece a price that won’t doom them moving forward?
New Orleans Pelicans — Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
The Pelicans’ offseason obviously starts with DeMarcus Cousins and what they decide to do about the uber-talented big man coming off an Achilles tear. If they sign him to a max deal, or something close to it, it’s going to make New Orleans a luxury tax team. That, in all likelihood, will force them into looking at minimum salary players to round out the roster. Rajon Rondo’s potential new contract also looms.
But in a world where the Pelicans do not re-sign Cousins, things could get interesting. They might need a big to backup Anthony Davis/take some of the bruising off of him — maybe a flier on Nerlens Noel makes sense here? — but they also need wings who can defend and shoot. A name that would make sense, as it would for many teams looking for 3-and-D help, is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
If Cousins is back, it’d ne tough to make this happen. But Caldwell-Pope, if signed, would take all or part of the mid-level exception and immediately step in as the team’s starting small forward and take some of the pressure off of Solomon Hill to come back and be a starting quality player after missing a large portion of last season with a hamstring injury. And, in a league that values length and value versatility more than ever, it never hurts to have as many guys as possible that play that way. It may be a move that requires selling Anthony Davis on moving on from a guy he loves in Cousins, but it might be a safer bet than signing a big man coming off a serious injury to a max deal.
New York Knicks — Shabazz Napier
The Knicks seem content, at least for now, to let Frank Ntilikina be a wing as much as he is a point guard. They also aren’t in a rush to win in David Fizdale’s first season — especially with Kristaps Porzingis coming off an ACL tear and having drafted Kevin Knox, one of the most raw players in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Over time, maybe Ntilikina becomes the lead guard on the team. But for now, the Knicks would seem to need a guard who can both play alongside Ntilikina while also soaking up some of the playmaking duties. Shabazz Napier, who was the third guard for the Blazers last year alongside C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard, fits that bill.
Napier is 26, so it’s possible he could still be good and kept around as a backup in a few years if/when Ntilikina develops. For next season, he could start at point guard with Ntilikina at shooting guard, but shift off ball at times to give Ntilikina reps. It’s a role Napier should be comfortable with. He shot 38 percent on 3-pointers last year and helped space the floor for Lillard and McCollum. Napier’s role with the Knicks could look very similar, if slightly larger.
He is a restricted free agent, so it’s possible Portland retains him. But they are in a tough financial position and aren’t a guarantee to be quite as good next season. A big enough offer, perhaps one that is player friendly and includes options, could get Napier to New York.
Oklahoma City Thunder — Jerami Grant
Oklahoma City’s summer is, of course, all about Paul George’s decision. But they have interesting decisions to make down the roster.
Last year, Jerami Grant emerged as a key part of the Thunder last season and, maybe, the team’s second best big man behind Steven Adams. With Carmelo Anthony falling off, Grant emerged as real alternative at power forward and offered something more dynamic that made a difference. His ability to switch everything and set good screens helps too, especially on a team that had two stars last season like the Thunder.
There are concerns about Grant to be sure. Most notably, his 3-point shot plummeted down to 29.1 percent from 37.7 percent in 2016-17 on roughly the same attempts per game, per Basketball-Reference. He’s also not a great rebounder, although that matters less on a team that has Adams, Russell Westbrook and a returning Andre Roberson.
But the Thunder are also in a position where, regardless of what happens with Paul George, they don’t have much money to spend this summer. Oklahoma City a) has Grant’s Bird Rights and b) a lack of money on the open market may mean there’s not a huge market for Grant. Their luxury tax bill might end up being massive, and maybe Grant can seek out more money elsewhere. But there is also not a clear way to replace what he provides. He also still only 23, so there’s a chance this is just the beginning of what he’ll be.
Orlando Magic — Isaiah Thomas
Having traded Elfrid Payton last season and with Shelvin Mack likely gone, the Magic are in need of a point guard. Long term, drafting one or trading for one (not Dennis Schroeder, if they’re smart) is the best option to find a point guard to play with Aaron Gordon (assuming they keep him), Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba.
In the short term, though, they need someone to dribble the ball and to create on offense. It can, and maybe should be, a rental and someone who has something to prove. Enter Isaiah Thomas.
There are arguments against Thomas to be sure. For one, he doesn’t fit the profile that the Jeff Weltman front office seems to like. And can he play defense in that way Steve Clifford is going to ask him to? A ball-dominant, score-first guard also maybe isn’t the best fit for a team that wants to let its young pieces develop in a meaningful way.
But he’s also someone with a chip on his shoulder and looking for a chance to get back to the player he was two seasons ago before he hurt his hip and had a disastrous season in 2017-18. Signing Thomas to a one-year deal, maybe for large-ish money that keep them under the luxury tax line, is a way to get some value and some decent point guard play for one year while they wait out all of the bad contracts on team’s books. And for Thomas, it’s a chance to rebuild his reputation and get a shot at a better contract in 2019.
Philadelphia 76ers — Tyreke Evans
The 76ers had interest in Evans at the trade deadline, but for whatever reason, the Grizzlies didn’t deal him. Particularly if the 76ers strike out on its big targets, Evans makes a lot of sense as a free agent signing, even if it ends only being on a one-year deal some other team friendly contract.
Philadelphia doesn’t necessarily need help with creation — Ben Simmons is going take on most of it, always, and they have other guards — but a little bit extra never hurts. And there’s certainly value in getting Simmons off ball as a cutter more, particularly if he doesn’t develop a jump shot.
Evans would also provide some support for Markelle Fultz in his second year. Fultz still has a long ways to go before he is a real NBA player and it’s unclear from the outside what exactly the 76ers should be expecting from him. If he can handle some creation next season, that would be a major win for the 76ers and having Evans is still smart. If he’s not, having Evans around is insurance and protection for a team that should have real ambitions in the Eastern Conference next season.
There are questions about Evans that any team should be vary of. Were his shooting numbers from last season, where he shot 39 percent on 5.5 attempts per game, real? Is he really healthy again after he had two seasons disrupted by knee issues? And is he willing to take a shorter deal, the type the 76ers would be likely to offer him?
He won’t be the 76ers’ top choice, but Evans would it in well.
Phoenix Suns — Dante Exum
With Devin Booker emerging as a star scorer and the wing and frontcourt rotation built out with young clay to be molded — Deandre Ayton, Marquese Chriss, Dragan Bender, T.J. Warren, Josh Jackson — point guard stands out as the most obvious need for the Suns. If they cut several non-guaranteed contracts, there could be room for them to make an offer sheet for the Jazz’s Dante Exum.
Exum hasn’t really been able to stay healthy enough to be on the court and really unfurl his full potential. However, he looks like a potentially above-average and versatile backcourt defender who can help out in transition and as a secondary creator, even if he never becomes much of a shooter.
Putting Exum next to Booker lets the Suns pick their defensive matchups in the backcourt and a lineup with those two and Jackson at small forward should have more than enough ball-handlers to escape not having a “true” point guard. Exum is obviously a risk given his injury history but he would fit in well with what the Suns are building.
Portland Trail Blazers — Jusuf Nurkic
Jusuf Nurkic’s free agency is an interesting test for the Trail Blazers. On one hand, they can consider his 2016-17 stint before he got hurt as the maximum of what he’s capable of. On other, they can look at the 2017-18 season where he was just fine and a below average defender and consider that that might just be what he is.
The good news for Portland is that they have some control over the situation, their one real foray into free agency due to their lack of cap space. He’s a restricted free agent too, so they can weigh any offer sheet he signs and determine if it’s worth matching. In a summer where not a lot of teams need centers, maybe that brings Nurkic back at a low cost.
In Nurkic’s favor is that the Blazers don’t have a good way to replace Nurkic. Ed Davis is a free agent and they might not be able to replace him. Zach Collins might be good, but no one really knows yet. Caleb Swanigan, Meyers Leonard and Georgios Papagiannis exist. Nurkic has his issues, but he’s better right now than anyone else on the roster. That, along with the idea that he’s still only 23 and should still get better, is the best argument he has for any kind of significant pay bump on his next contract.
This is a team that is more likely to make a move via trade then free agency. But the Nurkic situation is worth watching.
Sacramento Kings — Jabari Parker
Here’s the thing about the Kings: they are not afraid to take some risks, regardless of how they might fit or workout. They love upside, and that’s what Jabari Parker would be for them.
Parker is a restricted free agent, so maybe the Bucks match any offer (at least up to a point) that Parker signs. But they are getting expensive in a hurry with more contract negotiations looming for key players in 2019 and Parker’s fit with Giannis Antetokounmpo is not perfect. There’s reason to think Parker is gettable.
For the Kings, Parker would be an addition to its superteam young core that has not yet fully developed yet. A young group of DE’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Parker and Marvin Bagley isn’t perfect, and has a lot of questions about its upside and fit, but there’s talent there for Sacramento. Maybe it blows it up in their face, but that hasn’t stopped the Kings before. Parker is also only 23, so there’s reason to hope that he hasn’t played anything close to his best basketball yet. And against the Celtics in the playoffs, there were flashes of him being at least competent on defense.
As for Parker, it would be a move and a change. But coming off of two ACL tears, he should be looking to cash in now and this could be a chance for develop into the type of star he had hoped to be coming out of Duke. He’ll never be the man in Milwaukee, but maybe there’s a chance he could be in Sacramento.
San Antonio Spurs — Tony Parker
The Spurs, obviously, face an interesting summer. They have to figure out what exactly is going on with Kawhi Leonard and if they can keep him going forward. Knowing he’s in the fold certainly impacts their decisions this summer. Kyle Anderson is also a restricted free agent and knowing what his next deal looks like matters too. Plus, will they bring back Rudy Gay?
But perhaps the more interesting question here is how they approach Tony Parker’s free agency. As they head into next season, the Spurs are not lacking for point guards. Dejounte Murray looks like a real starter long term, Patty Mills is good, Bryn Forbes (a restricted free agent) is fine and could be brought back and they just drafted Lonnie Walker, who figures to handle the ball some at the next level. And Parker is 36 years old now — he’s closer to the end than the beginning.
It, though, would not be a very Spurs-like move to have Parker leave now or be cast aside. The likeliest scenario would seem to be that he’s brought back on a cheaper contract akin to what Manu Ginobili has signed of late. It’ll be a pay cut to be sure, but it’s a scenario that makes sense.
A big Parker pay cut will not allow the Spurs to outright, or really do anything to give them more to work with right now. But the way things have gone in San Antonio of late, it would be shocking to see him end up in another uniform. Other players matter more to the long term success of the franchise, but Parker is a legend of the franchise. The expectation here is that he’ll be taken care of.
Toronto Raptors — Fred VanVleet
The Raptors are a luxury tax team, and that will remain true as long they employ at least one of Serge Ibaka and Jonas Valanciunas. Maybe they get crazy this summer and trade DeMar DeRozan or Kyle Lowry, but that would be a different path than they would seem to be on.
In all likelihood, Toronto is going to run it back next year and why not? They are still a very good team with stars in their primes and, if LeBron James leaves, there’s a better chance than ever for them to go for it. And running it back should include re-signing Fred VanVleet.
VanVleet’s free agency is interesting because he is not operating from a clear position of strength. He’s a restricted free agent, so his market is going to be cut off already from teams that don’t want to tie up their books for a few days with his contract sheet. He also plays at what is maybe the league’s deepest position and there are other, perhaps cheaper options available. Maybe Toronto can find an alternative it likes in that same market.
But VanVleet was also an integral part of a Raptors bench mob that was as much a part of the team’s success as their change in play style. Is it worth the risk for Toronto to run it back and hope Delon Wright can do what VanVleet did if he gets a large-ish contract offer in free agency? That is the question the Raptors have to ask themselves as they figure out what do with VanVleet.
Utah Jazz — Kyle O’Quinn
The Jazz’s biggest decision this summer is deciding what to do with Derrick Favors, who is an unrestricted free agent and a player Utah has never quite figured out how he fits alongside Rudy Gobert. Maybe he walks this summer, maybe they bring him back. But there are other options for the Jazz.
Kyle O’Quinn would not be a direct replacement for Favors. He is not nearly as good as a post scorer and he cannot replace the offense Utah would lose. But he would come at a lower cost as Utah looks to maintain some flexibility moving forward and provide Gobert a decent backup for an entire season. Utah would need to find someone to eat power forward minutes and perhaps they would look to play smaller more often next season as a result. They do have the personnel to do so, even if they could use one more stretchy four to make it all come together.
O’Quinn also happens to be decent enough. He’s not a starter by any means and he’s not going to wow anyone with what he does. But he’s a solid center with some skill on both ends of the floor and has value to a team like the Jazz. He’s also a player who, if signed at the right price, would allow Utah to avoid playing the tax right now.
Would going for O’Quinn make the Jazz worse? Maybe. Would they be better off just going for it with what they have, regardless of what’s next? Maybe. But one option is at least cheaper than some of the others and that’s an advantage looking ahead.
Washington Wizards — DeMarcus Cousins
Dwight Howard, once he hits free agency, would be a less-costly signing and easier to pull off. But, if healthy, Cousins is simply a much better player at this point and has a connection with John Wall.
The trick for Washington is finding a way to get Cousins. They can’t sign him outright, so it’ll be dependent on them to work out a sign-and-trade for him. That’s going to cost them something real, with Otto Porter Jr. being the most obvious candidate. Dealing Porter Jr. requires faith in Kelly Oubre Jr. to grow next season and hope you can find cheap help on the edges of free agency. It’s a risk, but maybe one worth taking for a team that hasn’t gone as far as they’d have liked the last few seasons.
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With Cousins, Wall and Bradley Beal, the Wizards would have their most talented core of the Wall era and it would give Wall the type of center he’s been asking for. Cousins’ Achilles is a huge risk and what Cousins’ contract looks like is one of the more fascinating parts of this summer. Pre-injury, he seemed like a safe bet for a max deal. Should any team even consider offering that to him now?
For Washington, Cousins would be worth the risk. Wall is 27, in the middle of his prime and is locked in through the 2022 season. Getting Cousins, with the obvious downsides, is worth the risk for a team that should be trying to maximize the prime of Wall right now.