The 2019 NBA offseason is shaping up to be a fascinating one. With plenty of big-name players poised to reach free agency and many teams around the league in position to create cap room, there could be a good deal of player movement on the free agent market.
Making things even more interesting is the fact that all four teams in Los Angeles and New York, the country’s two biggest media markets, are poised to be among those teams with significant cap space, and all four teams will be looking to land a top-tier free agent.
In certain recent years, the Lakers, Clippers, Nets, and Knicks may not have even received consideration from elite free agents. All four clubs have suffered from poor management and/or ownership at times during the last decade, but all four appear to have turned a corner as of late.
The Lakers, under new head of basketball operations Magic Johnson, secured a long-term commitment from LeBron James in free agency and have complemented him with an intriguing collection of young prospects. They should have the cap space necessary to sign another maximum-salary free agent in 2019.
The Clippers, led by owner Steve Ballmer, have transitioned out of the Lob City era by putting together a deep, talented roster, and will have veteran executive Jerry West in their corner as they look to make a splash on the 2019 free agent market. They’ll have more than enough room for one max free agent, and could potentially clear enough space for two.
The Nets are finally out from under their commitments to the Celtics and are trending in the right direction, having acquired young building blocks like Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert despite not having premium first-round picks for the last few years. They could also be in position to open up two maximum-salary contract slots this summer, depending on what happens with their own free agents (note: two max slots are far less likely after Spencer Dinwiddie‘s extension).
Finally, even the Knicks, who have endured more drama and made more questionable roster moves than just about any other NBA team in recent years, have been showing more patience and making smarter roster moves since Scott Perry assumed GM duties in 2017. Assuming they’re able to move a salary or two, the Knicks should have enough cap space for a max free agent in 2019.
All four of these clubs have big-market appeal and will be able to make strong pitches to next year’s best free agents. That’s a group that should include Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving, Khris Middleton, Klay Thompson, Tobias Harris, and Kemba Walker, as our recent free agent power rankings show.
Our question today is which of those four clubs has the best chance to land one of those marquee free agents. For the sake of this poll, we’re focused more on outside free agent signings, so the Clippers re-signing Harris or the Knicks re-signing Kristaps Porzingis wouldn’t really count.
What do you think? Which Los Angeles or New York club is in the best position to land an elite free agent in 2019?
Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.
I’d say the Lakers have the advantage here over the other three teams. My reasoning being, if a player can choose an environment with a winning history, a market that can elevate a player from super star to mega star, and the chance to play with one of the best players in the game they’re going to choose the Lakers. The other three teams haven’t shown the ability to draw big time free agents in their past. Some people will probably argue that the Clippers have the same advantages as the Lakers but as a life long resident of the LA area I can tell you the Clippers will always be the second team in LA. It doesn’t matter what their most recent records were or who the owner is, the Clippers will always be considered second fiddle to the Lakers in LA. Big time free agents and their agents will recognize that and that will be detrimental to the Clippers. As far as the New York teams go I could see more of the second tier type of big names end up there such as Tobias Harris or Kemba Walker, after the bigger names choose their respective teams.
The only player that even has a chance of not being “Kevin Loved” with Lebron is Durant and it’s still questionable whether he’d stand a chance.
It’s all about the most money they can get, and a fit on their team. Everybody on this list stays where they are at.
I feel like Clippers will have the most money to play with during the off-season. Big market. Championship coach. Legendary GM. Something is brewing in Clipperland. I doubt Kawhi, Butler, or Durant desire to play in LeBron’s shadow.
It depends on which of those listed FAs you’re talking about. Under the working assumption that the existing team of each player wants them at the max level or meets market, then it’s unlikely more than 1 of those guys moves teams, with no single player being more than 20-25% likely to move any where. Assuming that:
Knicks would have the best chance of any “new” team at KI (Boston, 80%, Knicks, 15%, the field, 5%). Same with Walker (Hornets, 70%, Knicks, 24%, the field, 1%). Assumes the Knicks want him at the same price point.
Clips would have the best shot at Leonard (15-20%, maybe), and perhaps Durant (10%), but he’ll never telegraph it.
It’s hard to see the others as being more than 5-10% likely to leave to go anywhere under the working assumption. But that assumption may not apply to Harris, in particular, if the Clips get one of the big 2 (and wouldn’t apply if they got both). So, he may move, but for a contract the Clips won’t or can’t give him.
Unless Philly backs out of a max or near-max to Butler, I don’t see much movement at the top. The Clippers are going all-out for Durant & Leonard but will be lucky to keep Harris. Same for Knicks & Porzingus. . . they may shut him down just to keep other teams from looking at him.
The overall FA talent is amazing. Hoopshype’s top 70 has Kyle Oquinn at 70, and he is killin’it. Brogdon at 47, TRoss 61.
Still like Bledsoe to the Lakers. That might turn out to be the biggest move in 2019. Bucks are gunning for the finals but Giannis will take any credit. . . making a “shadow” lol.
Bledsoe could go from #3 to #2, for more money, in LA & at least as good a team. Lakers could increase the pressure on MIL by offering Brogdon first, say 3/$36, forcing them into a decision. If MIL gets away with a 3/$15 to Brogdon, they can keep all their FAs.
Brogdon is like Ball with less quick-twitch but much better shooting, a better Bron-cohort. Smarter than KCP & can adjust. He can wing too, anybody can wing, there’s your LA wing.
Bledsoe and LBJ are close as, so him to LA is a near given. I was VERY surprised that Cavs never acquired him last season actually.
Both Brogdons are balling of late, so both would be a good fit next to Bron. As would Middleton….