Within his latest piece for Basketball Insiders, Steve Kyler examines a few of this year’s top free-agents-to-be, taking stock of their situations and passing along the latest notes and rumors he’s heard on each player. Here’s a round-up of some of the key info from Kyler’s piece:
- Even though Kevin Durant is considered most likely to return to the Thunder, he’s expected to take meetings, and Kyler hears that the Warriors and Spurs are “planning big pitches.” The belief around the NBA is that Durant will return to OKC on a deal that allows him to opt out in a year so that his free agency will line up with Russell Westbrook‘s and Serge Ibaka‘s in 2017.
- Sources close to Mike Conley‘s camp have suggested recently that Conley is “more open to new situations” than the Grizzlies would like. According to Kyler, those sources believe that the point guard wants to see signs that Memphis is serious about fortifying its roster with other pieces before committing to the team for the long term. Kyler identifies the “dark horse” in the Conley sweepstakes as the Spurs, who are believed to be willing to make some changes to their core if it means landing another high-level player.
- Hassan Whiteside is expected to land a maximum-salary contract, with the Lakers and Celtics among the teams believed to be interested. The Heat remain the favorites for the big man, but if they “try to play games,” Whiteside will shop around for other offers, according to Kyler.
- The Raptors and Knicks are among the clubs with interest in Nicolas Batum, but Batum will likely be in line for a max contract or something close to it, and the Hornets are viewed as the team most likely to accommodate such a deal.
- DeMar DeRozan is viewed as a near-lock to return to the Raptors on a max deal.
- Assuming they don’t land Durant, the Warriors sound prepared to keep their current roster intact, even if that means matching a “crazy offer sheet” for Harrison Barnes, writes Kyler.
- The odds of RFA-to-be Jordan Clarkson ending up with any team besides the Lakers are slim, but it’s possible his camp will seek out an offer sheet from another club if necessary, in order to get more favorable terms.
Here knicks bc u didnt listen to me last year maybe u will this year ur job is so simple!!!!! Pick up brandon jennings evan turner eric gordon and jokim noah. DONE! There cheap and will win. And o yeah u better resign d.will. jennings turner melo zingas and lopez off the bench jose if hill resign for really cheap which he will gordon d.will oquinn and noah.
English?
Stay high brother! Lol
Well bj good,truner not too bad. But Gordon a off and in injury player a d noah coming off a injury filled season,but if Noah can stay healthy he a good pick up
You should apply to take Phil’s job. I’m surprised no one has found you yet to offer you full control of the organization.
Hablas ingles?
what are you talking about????? because reading your comment got me lost
You guys didn’t recognize that gibberish? That was Phil Jackson writing in code? What he was advocating was that he was going to sign Kevin Durant, Conley
You can’t make 5 FA’s sign with you. If that was the case, we could all be a GM.
Kevin Durant will go to SAN ANTONIO if he leaves OKC. SPURS being doing it the right way. They deserve a BIG 3 dought fans would discredit or dislike KD in San Antonio. Spurs are 2 years removed from a Championship we never Won Back to Back. Possibly Duncan and Manus last year They Might even Retire. Just because we’ve Won 70% of our Games Since TD was Drafted that don’t mean squat. Yall think the SPURS are Old, Boring and Done right? End of an Era. Start of a New Era Kevin Durant would be the MAN in San Antonio we go as far as he Leads Lamarcus Aldridge and Kawhi they both need a 3rd SUPERSTAR Kawhis a STAR rk not even in his Prime yet. Aldridge STAR with SUPERSTAR potential why is San Antonio a Fan Hated destination for KD? Golden State. i Agree, Miami9 fully Loaded without Bosh injury their a Contender that’s BS Heat are out if he leaves it will be San Antonio, long shot Washington or New York maybe Portland. Next year LAKERS that’s if he stays for 1yr leaves with RW n Ibaka
Kawai already plays sf. You can’t have two small forwards.
2017 76ers Roster J.Embid, K.Love, B.Ingram, D.Green, P.Mills bench Boban, B.Diaw, Kyle Anderson idk who else but that’s a much improved TEAM to build around in Free Agency. N.Noel and a future late 1st or 2nd rd Pick for K.Love? Jahlil to San Anton 5 for 1 the Rumor is Real. Popovich sees an opportunity here to aquire Jahlil. If the 76ers as reported are looking for a Mother Load of a Deal we will give it to them. Jahlil Okafor. Is TheNextTimDuncan # P.Gasol, LA, Kawhi, KD or C.Lee, M.Conley Bench Jahlil Okafor why off the Bench? Got Reward P.Gasol if he comes to SA Byombo or D.West n R.Hibbert 2-4mill, N.Batum, K.Mart 3-5mill, J.Simmons, TP, A.Miller or J.Terry vet minimum #GSG