2017 NBA offseason primer: Free agents and trade candidates
Three blockbuster trades have already been completed and NBA free agency hasn't even started yet.
Jimmy Butler was flipped, Chris Paul chose to walk, and the draft's No. 1 pick exchanged hands - all within the past 10 days. The offseason is off to an exhilarating start, as nearly every star player is seemingly available.
Here are the top five names to watch at each position with respect to free agency and availability via trade.
Point guards to watch
Stephen Curry - UFA
It's a virtual certainty that Curry will re-sign with Golden State. The only question here is price; will he demand a super-max contract - worth in excess of $200 million - or will he take a discount to accommodate the Warriors' other free agents?
Russell Westbrook - trade candidate
OKC wants to lock Westbrook into a five-year super-max extension, but the MVP might want to test free agency in 2018. If there's no signed agreement this summer, the Thunder might do the unthinkable - move Westbrook to recoup value, lest they let another superstar walk for nothing. That's a long shot, though.
Kyle Lowry - UFA
The once-robust market for Lowry shrunk in recent weeks. Several teams (Philadelphia, Dallas, New York, Sacramento, and Brooklyn) addressed their point guard needs through the draft, while Houston grabbed Paul. Nevertheless, Lowry will command something close to the max.
Jrue Holiday - UFA
Holiday's market also shrunk, but his negotiating position is strong. New Orleans is committed to winning now with Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins on the clock, which means keeping Holiday is a must. The Knicks and Mavericks are also reportedly interested.
George Hill - UFA
Hill is the perfect point guard to pair with a high-usage wing. He's an accurate spot-up shooter, takes care of the ball, and is content to set up others. Watch for Minnesota, Utah, and San Antonio to bid for his services.
Other names to watch: Derrick Rose (UFA), Patty Mills (UFA), Jeff Teague (UFA), Darren Collison (UFA), Ricky Rubio (trade candidate)
Shooting guards to watch
J.J. Redick (UFA)
Everyone can use a shooter, and Redick is one of the best gunners in the league. He appears poised to leave Los Angeles this summer, and plenty of teams are lining up for his services. Brooklyn and Philadelphia are in hot pursuit.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (RFA)
The Pistons will probably match any offer that KCP signs, but his price could get silly, especially since Brooklyn is involved. The Nets showed last summer that they're not afraid to throw around absurd dollars to steal a restricted free agent. A two-way wing like KCP is a perfect target.
Avery Bradley (trade candidate)
The Celtics are preparing for dramatic additions this summer, which means some of their existing wings could be on the move. Bradley has been a quality contributor, but he could easily be traded if Boston needs financial flexibility to chase Gordon Hayward or Paul George.
Danny Green (trade candidate)
San Antonio loves Green, but he's been maddeningly inconsistent for the last two seasons. Reports suggest the Spurs would be open to dealing him as they looks to clear salary for a free-agent signing. Every team in the league could use a 3-and-D wing like Green.
Dion Waiters (UFA)
Waiters bet on himself after the market was decidedly cool for his services last year, and then hit the jackpot. He posted a career year in Miami and showed that he could be a reliable contributor to a winning situation. A big raise is coming his way.
Other names to watch: Manu Ginobili (retirement), Kyle Korver (UFA), Tim Hardaway Jr. (RFA), Jonathon Simmons (RFA), Ian Clark (UFA), Manu Ginobili (UFA).
Small forwards to watch
Kevin Durant - UFA
After all the flack Durant took last summer, there's no way he's changing teams for a second straight year. Not only will KD re-sign with the Warriors; he's also likely to give a discount and ink a short-term contract that helps the reigning champion retain all its pieces.
Gordon Hayward - UFA
Hayward will be the bottleneck in this year's free-agency period, as Boston, Miami, and Utah will all wait on his decision before pivoting to other plans. That will likely bring a chill to the market until Hayward makes his choice.
Paul George - trade candidate
George already told the Pacers that he's not coming back, so now it's just a matter of salvaging value. Los Angeles is likely the final destination, but a one-year rental of George is very valuable. Cleveland, Boston, Washington, and Houston would love a shot.
Otto Porter - RFA
Porter quietly put together a stellar season ahead of his first trip through free agency. He's developed an accurate 3-point shot, creates offense on cuts, runs the floor, and is a versatile defender.
Andre Iguodala - UFA
Is the allure of championships and the proximity to Silicon Valley enough for Iguodala to take a pay cut? Or will he ditch the Warriors and chase his final balloon contract elsewhere? A quarter of the league is lining up for Iguodala's talents.
Other names to watch: P.J. Tucker (UFA), Joe Ingles (RFA), Rudy Gay (UFA), Thabo Sefolosha (UFA)
Power forwards to watch
Blake Griffin - UFA
Griffin has the Clippers' full attention now that Paul has moved to Houston. Los Angeles can offer him more money than any other team, but Griffin could also flee for a better situation. Boston and OKC are both potential destinations.
Paul Millsap - UFA
The Hawks don't want to give Millsap the money he wants, but a situation like Denver or Houston would happily scoop up the 32-year-old. Millsap is one of the best two-way players in the game and would fit perfectly as the third option on a playoff team.
LaMarcus Aldridge - UFA
What a difference two years makes. Aldridge was billed as the heir apparent to Tim Duncan when he joined the Spurs, but now he's on the trading block after an unhappy playoff run. Would anyone pay full price for a one-year rental? Phoenix might.
Kevin Love - trade candidate
Love finally found his groove and posted his best season with the Cavaliers ... and is still on the trading block. Cleveland knows it will face Golden State in the Finals once again, and Love isn't effective against a small-ball team. Dangling him might be Cleveland's only viable path to net a star player.
Dirk Nowitzki - UFA
There's no way Nowitzki would ever leave Dallas, as he only turned down his $25-million player option to give the Mavericks more money to spend in free agency. Nowitzki will get whatever dollars are left after Mark Cuban finishes shopping.
Other names to watch: Danilo Gallinari (UFA), Rudy Gay (UFA), JaMychal Green (RFA), Taj Gibson (UFA), James Johnson (UFA).
Centers to watch
DeAndre Jordan - trade candidate
If the Clippers lose both Griffin and Paul to free agency, what good is a complementary piece like Jordan? With free agency looming in 2018, the Clippers may look to recoup value on their All-NBA center and clear the decks for a huge shopping spree next summer.
Serge Ibaka - UFA
Ibaka isn't what he once was, but there aren't many centers in the league who can protect the rim and stretch the floor. The Raptors are expected to retain him, but Ibaka might price himself out of Toronto if the market is robust.
Nerlens Noel - RFA
Retaining Noel is the Mavericks' top priority. Dallas envisions him as the second coming of Tyson Chandler, and spent future assets to hold the right to match competing offers. Noel is a talented defender and a dangerous roll threat.
Pau Gasol - UFA
Gasol will re-sign in San Antonio after declining his player option, and the contract restructuring will allow the Spurs to chase a key free agent. Finding a long-term solution at point guard figures to be San Antonio's top priority.
Zach Randolph - UFA
Will Randolph stay in Memphis, or will he chase a ring with his career winding to a close? Z-Bo remains an effective post scorer and a brilliant locker room presence who could help any contender. Could he pull a David West and join the Warriors on a discount?
Other names to watch: Jonas Valanciunas (trade candidate), Dewayne Dedmon (UFA), Mason Plumlee (RFA), David West (UFA), Nene (UFA)
Other potential moves
- Warriors: Can Bob Myers retain everyone by convincing his stars to take a discount to stay together?
- Rockets: Is a third star on the way to join Paul and Harden?
- Celtics: Will Danny Ainge finally land his star, or hold his assets yet again?
- Cavaliers: Who will run the team? And will LeBron James leave in 2018?
- Knicks: Will the allure of New York seduce another big name to take over as president?
- Timberwolves: Who can Minnesota add to bolster its playoff hopes?
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)