Providing an analysis of each lottery team’s situation heading into free agency.
Minnesota
With the Wolves set to re-sign Kevin Garnett, there remains little for Minnesota to accomplish in free agency. They might re-sign Robbie Hummel to a low-cost contract and/or make a minor trade. But at this stage of rebuilding the Wolves should be cautious about adding any more veterans to the fold. The future of this team is Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns. How veterans like Ricky Rubio, Kevin Martin, and Nikola Pekovic fit into the big picture will be discovered in due time. Another trip to the lottery looms for Wolves fans, yet the potential for this young team to become contenders in the not-too-distant future looks pretty promising.
New York
Having selected Kristaps Porzingis at no. 4 overall before trading Tim Hardaway, Jr. to Atlanta for Notre Dame point guard Jerian Griant, the Knicks were bold and busy on draft-day. Rumors have NY as the favorites to land free agents Greg Monroe and Arron Afflalo in free agency. They’ve also been linked to David West, Robin Lopez, and [insert name of any other free agent]. Since the Knicks don’t own a first-round draft pick in 2016, there’s no motivation for them to tank. This makes a Carmelo Anthony deal unlikely this season in my opinion, as New York doesn’t want to bottom out so the Nuggets can reap the benefits. Expect the Knicks to make every effort to upgrade every position and provide Melo with some help. With only a handful of players under contract for 2016, Phil Jackson will be active on August 1st.
Philadelphia
The Sixers sat out of last summer’s free agent shenanigans before nabbing D-League standout Robert Covington for a pristine price a month into the regular season. It’s always possible that Philly will pursue a trade in order to add salary and reach the financial floor by the February deadline, much like they have in recent seasons, but with the salary cap set to spike there’s a good chance the Sixers look to make a mini-splash and sign a solid role player—most likely a guard.
Los Angeles
Unless the Lakers win a top-three pick in next summer’s lottery, they’ll convey their 2016 first-rounder to Philadelphia. Reports indicate the Lakers would gladly give up no. 2 overall pick D’Angelo Russell in exchange for DeMarcus Cousins. Adrian Wojnarowski reports L.A. is doing all they can to clear cap space in an effort to sign big men LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre Jordan. We basically know nobody is going to wrestle Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, or Draymond Green from their respective homes, but one thing is for sure — L.A. has gotten a lot more attention than New York from the top-tier players like Aldridge, Jordan, etc. Getting a guy like Aldridge would be huge for L.A.’s future with Kobe’s contract coming off the books and the cap hiking uphill.
Orlando
The Magic’s offseason will become interesting if and when another team makes an offer to Tobias Harris or Nikola Vucevic. At that point, the clock begins to tick for GM Rob Hennigan. Harris figures to be much more likely to bolt given his history with Scott Skiles in Milwaukee. Backup big Kyle O’Quinn could be a keeper. Honestly though, Orlando might be best off seeing what they have with this roster and taking a back seat in free agency for the most part. They could definitely use more outside shooting, and there’s a need for a backup ball-handler, but if I were running this show, I’d like to see what these young guys have got. Don’t cut Ben Gordon and then go out and get another player who is going to take time away from Aaron Gordon, Mo Harkless, Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo, Andrew Nicholson, Evan Fournier, Devyn Marble, Mario Hezonja and Dewayne Dedmon unless they fit into the bigger picture.
Sacramento
Rajon Rondo, Rudy Gay, Boogie Cousins, and George Karl. The Kings have become a bad sitcom show, but this circus would be worth the price of admission. Sprinkle some Willey Cauley-Stein and Sauce Castillo on that pasta and I am inviting myself over for dinner. OK, it’d probably end in disaster. But at least it’d be entertaining.
Denver
The Nuggets are a team that figures to be much more active in trade negotiations than in signing free agents. Denver will enjoy the benefit of receiving the favorable first-round draft pick of the two as part of the Melo deal. The lower pick will go to Toronto. Barring highway robbery on the trade market, Denver doesn’t have much hope of moving up the ranks significantly this season in the deep Western Conference, and this combination of factors means we shouldn’t expect to see the Nuggets spend all that much in free agency this summer.
Detroit
The Pistons are likely locked in to re-signing Reggie Jackson, whom they gave up a lot to acquire at the trade deadline. They could use a backup rim protector and more depth down low in general, but there isn’t a ton Detroit can accomplish in free agency. The long shot signing for Stan Van Gundy is probably Paul Millsap. Ersan Ilyasova could prove to be a quality fit alongside Andre Drummond, but Drummond is still a project offensively, Ilyasova is a weak defender, and the team could certainly use some help on offense as it is. Brandon Jennings and Jackson can’t take all the shots, can they? A 2015-16 rotation involving Jackson, Drummond, Millsap, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Stanley Johnson, Jennings, Ilyasova, Jodie Meeks would be intriguing, but it’s still unlikely at best.
Charlotte
The Hornets already have Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Nic Batum, two capable wing defenders. They also drafted Wisconsin big man Frank Kaminsky at No. 9 overall over Justice Winslow, Devin Booker, and other potential two-guards. Woj tweeted that Charlotte will try to sign Spurs sharpshooter Marco Belinelli, which makes sense given the team’s lack of strong outside shooting guards. It’s also possible Michael Jordan will throw an offer at another Spurs sharpshooter—Danny Green. MJ loves his Tar Heels, and Green is a very solid two-way player.
Miami
Things broke just right for the Heat on draft-day, and immediately thereafter. Duke’s Justice Winslow slipped to them at no. 10 overall, and Luol Deng opted in to a team-friendly deal they believed he’d opt out of. Assuming Pat Riley is able to ink Goran Dragic and Dwyane Wade to deals, they’ll have 13 players under contract for 2015-16 and won’t have much money to fill out the rotation. If all goes according to plan, the Heat will be much more active in trade discussions than free agency.
Indiana
The Pacers probably wish they had a time machine. As Zach Lowe pointed out, Indy was supposed to be LeBron’s biggest Eastern Conference rival for the foreseeable future. Hibbert’s defensive presence at the rim alone made him worth max money. That was then. Now, Indiana would be happy with almost any return. The Pacers will be busy trying to work trades this summer, but they’ll also be as busy in the FA market as any team in the league. David West opting out was a bit of a surprise, and with the team planning to play a faster pace going forward it’s likely best for both parties. One free agent who prefers to play up-tempo and has been linked to Indy in the rumor mill is Monta Ellis. Monta could be an ideal fit alongside Paul George and George Hill, two players who aren’t as comfortable as Ellis is creating offense for others. The Pacers will also certainly be in the market for depth down low, and it’s possible they’re planning to steal another former Maverick—namely Brandan Wright.
Utah
Depending on how free agency shakes out and health willing, the Jazz have an outside shot to make the playoffs in 2016. The core of Gordon Hayward, Rudy Gobert, and Derrick Favors was fantastic down the stretch, and this young team gained a lot of confidence as the wins continued to pile up after a rough start to the year. Like Minnesota, Utah a bright future, but it just might not be their time yet. Similarly, it might not be their time to shine in free agency either. The Jazz would probably be wise to sit back this summer.
Phoenix
The Suns have been in the mix of rumors surrounding Aldridge, Kevin Love, DeMarcus Cousins, and others, but I don’t buy the hype. Not when they’re reportedly shopping Eric Bledsoe as well. Phoenix feels like another team that’s much more likely to be wheeling and dealing than inking free agents this summer.
Oklahoma City
Don’t re-sign Dion Waiters. Don’t re-sign Dion Waiters. Don’t re-sign Dion Waiters. Seriously, re-sign Kyle Singler. Re-sign Enes Kanter and let him get exposed defensively, but don’t re-sign Waiters. The last thing a team with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant needs is a guy who needs the ball to be effective offensively and doesn’t catch-and-shoot well.
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