Free agent forward Kyle Kuzma is seeking a contract “well above the mid-level exception,” according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, but it’s unclear which cap-room team might give him that sort of offer, especially if the Rockets and Pacers use their space on other players.
As Fischer writes, the Jazz were viewed as a legitimate suitor for Kuzma, but that option is almost certainly off the table following Utah’s deal for John Collins. People around the league have begun to consider it increasingly likely that Kuzma could re-sign with the Wizards, according to Fischer. While the Wizards are in the process of reshaping their roster, they’ll have Kuzma’s Bird rights and could view him as a future tradable asset as long as they don’t overpay him.
Here are more free agent rumors from around the Eastern Conference:
- Following up on a report stating that Kyrie Irving had the Heat on his list of teams to meet with in free agency, Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald (Twitter link) cites a source who says the Heat have no meeting scheduled with the star point guard. Irving will, however, meet with the Rockets, sources tell Kelly Iko of The Athletic (Twitter link).
- Interestingly, Fischer writes that the Hornets “don’t appear to have a straightforward path to re-sign” restricted free agent forward Miles Bridges. According to Fischer, Bridges and his representatives have broached the idea of Charlotte pulling its qualifying offer to make him unrestricted. Based on Fischer’s report, it sounds like Bridges’ camp may not feel confident about its leverage in talks with the Hornets entering the summer. The forward isn’t eligible to be signed-and-traded because he wasn’t on Charlotte’s roster last season.
- Although Jae Crowder is considered likely to re-sign with the Bucks, the veteran forward has also drawn interest from the Heat, league sources tell Fischer.
- While the Sixers may be fairly quiet at the start of free agency, it’s possible it won’t take the team long to come to an agreement with restricted free agent Paul Reed, according to Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.com. The team’s odds of bringing back Georges Niang, Jalen McDaniels, or Shake Milton don’t appear as strong. A source tell Neubeck that Niang may get “a nice chunk of money” from a rival suitor on the first day of free agency. Milton is unlikely to return to Philadelphia, while McDaniels’ free agency could take some time to play out, Neubeck adds.
“Bridges doesn’t feel comfortable about his leverage in FA” yeah that tends to happen when you go out and get yourself arrested on a DV charge as a free agent.
Exactly what do he expect. Miles Bridges really messed up. Go from a supposed max deal to not feeling comfortable on the open market.
Jae Crowder will look great back on the Miami Heat because he will be able to start at Power Forward.
Kyle Kuzma market drying up fast. From Sacramento Kings to Detroit Pistons.
Bridges should seriously consider taking the Q/O, and becoming a UFA next year. It goes beyond finances. No interviewing, no headlines, no new teammates, until he serves his suspension and gets back on the court for a year. Get the story on him back to what he does on the court.
Great point!
I suppose the Jazz could trade Collins for a signed-and-traded Kuzma. The contracts would be pretty close to what Kuzma was originally asking for.
He also fits better next to Markkanen and Kessler. His defense is solid, but the main things are his connection to Utah, and he can create his own offense. Would be a really nice forward scoring duo for the Jazz.
That or the Jazz could continue to add to their big lineup by trading other assets, like their Gobert exception along with their remaining cap space.
Any chance the Knicks can get the Bridges from the Nets for Barrett, Randle and picks? That would really get the Nova boys back together again.