Most of the big-name free agents have officially finalized new contracts or at least agreed to deals so far this July, with only a handful of notable unsigned players still on the market. Of those available free agents, Nikola Pekovic and Brandon Jennings may be the best options, and Pekovic appears to be a strong bet to return to Minnesota. However, it's not clear where Jennings will land.
Jennings is said to be seeking $12MM annually, but reportedly isn't interested in playing for the Bucks, which is unfortuante, since the team still has most of the leverage. As a restricted free agent, Jennings can't sign outright with another team. He'd have to ink an offer sheet, which the Bucks could match. That option is looking increasingly unlikely, since few, if any, potential suitors still have the cap space necessary to accommodate an offer sheet that Milwaukee would think twice about matching.
Jennings could decide to accept his one-year qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next summer, but that would only pay him about $4.53MM, and would mean another year in Milwaukee. Re-signing with the Bucks and pushing for a trade is one option. Signing overseas for a year is another, but that would mean he'd be a restricted free agent again next summer. A sign-and-trade looks like it could be the best option for both sides, but there aren't many ideal fits left for Jennings. A couple teams who could have been in the mix, the Mavericks and Hawks, opted instead to lock up Monta Ellis and Jeff Teague, respectively.
So how do you think Jennings' free agency plays out? What will he ultimately decide to do?
Philly and Utah are really the only destinations left for Jennings, if they wanted to sign Jennings to a 1 year deal, and let the rookies come off the bench. Jennings can’t simply take a paycut and go anywhere he chooses, because then that would be an easy match for Milwaukee to retain him as a restricted FA. Probably ends up with the Bucks when all is said and done.
Utah and Philly drafted Burke and MCW. Jennings doesn’t fit either as both are going to turn the keys over to rookies. The best options for S&T are Toronto (Lowry), Detroit (Billups/Knight), LAL (Nash), and Orlando (Nelson/Oladipo). Orlando could move Hedo and draft picks to Milwaukee. Another option is Toronto if the Bucks could get back Novak.
I wouldn’t mind seeing the Raps get him.
It’s too bad The Bucks already signed Mayo; A Derozan-Jennings trade would probably work out better financially; but then again, the Bucks need a PG.
They might be able to work out something with Lowry; and could probably afford to trade Novak if they bring back Anthony Anderson or sign another good shooter who plays SG/SF.
Just FYI – this evening Raptors signed Augustin. Looks as if they’re rolling with Lowry as the starter and DJ coming off the bench with Buycks 3rd string/D-League.
Just to clarify on Lowry, his deal for next season is listed as non-guaranteed for roughly $6.2M. So there’s nothing to negotiate there. Raptors simply have to decide whether they want to lock it in.
I don’t think Novak can be traded yet.
I did throw out the disclaimer that Philly and Utah would have to be willing to bring the rooks off the bench – not saying they would/should, which again brings me back to Jennings re-signing with the Bucks. As for the pitched sign-and-trades: Why would Milwaukee prefer a broken down Nash or unnatural point in Knight to Jennings? On the flip side, why would Toronto prefer Jennings to a reasonably priced Lowry? Bucks signed Delfino to be their wingman sharpshooter. No need for Novak. Orlando’s also not going to move draft picks. They’re young and stocking talent, planning for the future. With Jennings not being a clear upgrade over Jameer Nelson (and Hedo’s expiring not-fully guaranteed contract not hampering them), there’s no incentive for a trade there either.