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Top NBA free agents

Published 06/29/2015, 11:12 AM EDT

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With Free Agency negotiations to start on 1st July, some big names have opted out of their contracts, either to get new improved deals or seek newer pastures. So, here are the top 10 Free Agents.

  1. Brook Lopez
    Unrestricted Free Agent, Brooklyn Nets

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Both the twins, Brook and Robin Lopez are free agents. Brook having had 2 serious, season ending injuries over the last 4 years was instrumental on his return for Brooklyn during the 2014/15 Season. A small injury at the start of the year meant he was coming off the bench more often. However, midway through the season, he resumed his role as a starting Centre.

He played a vital role in the late season surge by the Nets and was twice named Eastern Conference player of the week. His contribution helped Nets beat Miami and Indiana to the final playoff spot. He had a solid performance in the playoffs as the Nets were eliminated 4-2 by the Hawks. However, teams may want to fully evaluate his health to ensure he will be fit all season long if they were to sign and pay him to the tune of $16.75 million.

  1. Monta Ellis
    Unrestricted Free Agent, Dallas Mavericks

Opting out of his contract, Monta Ellis has made himself available to the market. There are not many reliable and consistent shooting guards with his versatility and explosive runs. He was a key man for the Mavs last season, leading the scoring for the team at 18.9 points a game. However, in terms of assists and rebounding, he was well below his career average and with the mavericks.

Seeking a fresh challenge now, The Mavericks can utilize their salary cap space to lure either of LaMarcus Aldridge or DeAndre Jordan to Dallas, with Indiana and Miami interested in acquiring the guard, at a cost of close to $8.3 million.

  1. Jimmy Butler
    Restricted Free Agent, Chicago Bulls

Rightfully so, Butler received the Most Improved player of the 2014/15 season, having had the best season of his career and making his all-star debut. His stock has gone up and many teams are interested in acquiring the Bulls player. However, as a restricted free agent, The Bulls have the option to sign him back if they match any other offer. His $2 million salary of 2014/15 indicates a bargain deal, but Butler, knows his value. He is seeking a short term contract for 2 years, after which he would look for a maximum 5 year contract with the new Salary Cap. That could net him $190 Million over 5 years (if this gamble pays off).

Whatever be the case, Chicago’s new coach would not want to be letting him go, especially not after his last season’s performances.

  1. Draymond Green
    Restricted Free Agent, Golden State Warriors

The 25 year old power forward had a sensational year with the Warriors as he played a vital role in their title winning season. With his contract at an end, he is now eligible for a much better contract, starting at $2.725 Million (he earned 2.6million in his first 3 years as a pro). However, while there would be no shortage of offers for a player of his defensive capabilities and the numbers that he put up, Warriors who do not want the core of their team to leave, will be signing him for sure. Being a restricted free agent helps boost the chances of Warriors retaining him.

  1. Kevin Love
    Unrestricted Free Agent, Cleveland Cavaliers

By his standards and Career averages, Kevin Love had a season to forget with Cleveland. He has failed to really settle and reach the same page as Franchise player and captain, LeBron James. His consistent performances over the years will no doubt be attractive to many teams, but his $16.7million cap space requirement will ward away some.

He might consider staying with the Cavaliers, where he might actually have his personal best chances of winning the NBA crown (He made his first playoff appearances with Cleveland). However, if he is unsettled and his injury might have an influence on his future destination.

  1. Kawhi Leonard
    Restricted Free Agent, San Antonio Spurs

Winning the 2014 NBA Finals MVP, Leonard now adds a personal accolade of winning the 2014/15 NBA Defensive player of the year. In terms of numbers, the 23 year old small forward of the Spurs had the best season of his career putting up career best numbers in Points, Rebounds, Assists, Steals (leading the NBA this season) and Blocks.

With Spurs currently having most of their roster out on Free Agency, they will make singing Leonard a top priority.

  1. De Andre Jordan
    Unrestricted Free Agent, Los Angeles Clippers

Doc Rivers says Jordan would be the minister of Defence if the Clippers were a cabinet. The 26 year old Centre has been one of the main players for the Clippers as they established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. He has led the NBA in field goal percentage for the last 3 seasons and Rebounds in the last 2 seasons as well as improving his points per game.

Reports however indicate that Jordan has had a rift with All-star point Guard, Chris Paul all season and the 2 have not been on the same page. He also feels that he cannot be an All-star at Clippers with Paul and Griffin in the squad, taking the limelight and would be open to moves elsewhere

He is good friends with Chandler Parsons who plays for Dallas, one of the team’s leading the race to sign him when Free-Agency opens on 1 July. If Jordan were to sign for another team, it would be a massive blow for the Clippers and big boost for any team that can afford to pay him over $10 million a season.

 

  1. LaMarcus Aldridge
    Unrestricted Free Agent, Portland Trailblazers

Aldridge’s actions after their playoff loss to Memphis, indicates the Portland forward plans to seek new pastures when Free Agency starts. There are no shortage of offers for the player with Lakers, Dallas, Phoenix, New York, Houston and Spurs have all expressed an interest in signing the player. Lakers are just reported to have been willing $80 Million, 4 year deal.

Any team that would sign him would get a powerful offensive and defensive arm as he as shown time and time again.

 

  1. Marc Gasol
    Unrestricted Free Agent, Memphis Grizzlies

Brother of Pau Gasol, Marc has been one of the most dominating Centre’s in the league. With the Memphis, the team have played excellent defence over the past few seasons. He provides a reliable and consistent points per game and for a centre, is a very capable ball handler averaging nearly 4 assists a game last season.

Marc’s free agency has let Memphis in turmoil as they are trying to prepare for life after his departure. But he would be an invaluable asset for whichever team he would join. Earning nearly $13 Million last season, not all teams can afford him and he has just snubbed the Lakers.

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  1. Lebron James
    Unrestricted Free Agent, Cleveland Cavaliers

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If LeBron James declares himself a free agent? Right now he has to be number 1. The King led the Cavaliers to the NBA finals in a stellar season. He was the Warriors biggest nemesis in the finals, dragging the Cavaliers through the series and prolonged it to game 6.

Costing over $21 million for the next season, there are no teams except for the Cavaliers that can really afford him and he is widely going to resign with the Cavaliers on a bigger deal as he plans to finish his career at Cleveland, and hopefully win the Franchise its first NBA title.

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