Given the lack of cap room available around the NBA this season, it’s not a great time to be entering the market as a restricted free agents, Brian Windhorst of ESPN writes in an Insider-only story.
“There’s only one team that has a lot of cap space and they may want to do a slower rebuild and aren’t looking to spend it all now,” a veteran agent told ESPN. “I’ve never seen a free agency where only one team has real cap space in my career. These free agents are f—ed.”
That “one team that has a lot of cap space” is Brooklyn — the Nets are expected to operate with between $45-60MM in room, according to Windhorst, and could open up additional space beyond that if they let certain players go. However, there’s an expectation around the league that the Nets won’t necessarily be looking to make win-now moves in free agency this summer.
“They’ve sent the message that if they do anything major with their space, it’s likely going to be through trade, not signings,” one rival executive told Windhorst. “Even if that trade doesn’t happen this summer, they’ll want to keep their options open.”
Nets general manager Sean Marks has shown in the past that he’s willing to pursue restricted free agents and give them aggressive offer sheets. During the team’s initial rebuild, Marks and his front office took that route with Allen Crabbe, Tyler Johnson, Donatas Motiejunas, and Otto Porter Jr. in a span of two years (2016-17). But there’s no indication at this point that Brooklyn plans to pursue an RFA such as Jonathan Kuminga, Josh Giddey, Quentin Grimes, or Santi Aldama in the same way, which means those players may have limited leverage.
“Actually it’s no leverage,” another agent told ESPN. “I’ve prepared my clients for a free agent recession this summer. Next year will be different, the cap will be going up and teams will clean up their books as they deal with the new spending rules. So you may have to wait and try again.”
Here’s more from Windhorst and his ESPN colleague Tim Bontemps:
- Examining the Timberwolves‘ upcoming free agent decisions, Bontemps says multiple scouts and executives believe that guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker could command a deal in the range of the full mid-level exception, since he has been a reliable three-and-D role players and is entering his prime years. As our projections show, a full four-year mid-level contract in 2025/26 is expected to be worth in excess of $60MM.
- Sources around the NBA believes that both Julius Randle and Naz Reid will return to the Timberwolves next season, according to Bontemps. Both power forwards hold player options for 2025/26, with Randle’s worth $29.5MM (plus incentives) and Reid’s worth $15MM. Even if both players remain in Minnesota, it’s unclear what form that would take — opting out to sign a new deal would be one path, as would opting in, with or without a new extension.
- The Timberwolves have another important free agent in their front office, having pushed back Tim Connelly‘s opt-out clause from 2024 to 2025. Team sources tell Windhorst that prospective owner Marc Lore has “made it a priority” to sign the president of basketball operations to an extension if and when he and Alex Rodriguez gain full control of the franchise.
- In case you missed it, we also passed along reporting from Windhorst and Bontemps on the Pacers and starting center Myles Turner. That story can be found here.
Nets should make Giddey an offer. Market value or a bit more. See if Bulls budge.
RFA’s almost never have any leverage based on cap space (or a lack of it) in the market. Their leverage is to threaten to take the Qualifying Offer, which makes him a UFA the following year, and very difficult to trade for value in the interim.
BKN did give out a bunch of offer sheets in that 2016-17 period, but ALL 4 of those referenced were (like all offer sheets) vast overpays and yet still matched. I would think that Marks, a smart guy, has learned his lesson. If there is any doubt that a team is matching on its own RFA, then the guy isn’t very good. Better to seek a S&T if you like the guy.
If Quickley got 5yr 175 mill. Josh agent was pushing 30 mill earle season. Jalen Green got 3yr 1Nets can offer 3 yr 105 mill. I’m Nets I offer 3yr 85 mill. Imo Giddey can be a top PG. even 90 mill I do. Bulls won’t pay that.
Nobody thought the Porter and Crabbe (max) offer sheets would be matched either. As it turned out, BKN dodged a bullet when they were matched, they were two of the worst contracts in the sport.
Anyway, I think CHI matches any offer sheet for less than 4 years in a matter of seconds (more important than the salary). But there’s new sheriff (CBA) in town, so we’ll see.
I do believe Bulls won’t let him walk. But for 30-35 mill who knows. I like Josh. And still believe for a rebuilding team PG is Huge. 22 yrs old.
If BKN likes Giddey as much as you, then they should approach CHI about a S&T using more cap space than matching salaries, and giving CHI a modest asset or two. Keeps Giddey’s salary sane, and avoids a situation where CHI feels they have to match or lose a valuable guy for nothing.
But the idea that what the Nets did in 2016 is some kind of clue to what they’re going to do this summer is just silly. That was eons ago and has. o relevance to today. I’m not saying what they will or won’t do but I’ll be shocked if they aren’t active in the market
Right now Alabama PF is a late 1st rd at best. No way he shouldn’t be a top 10 pick. He is NBA ready. Teams are crazy to let him go past 10. Knueppel a nice shooter wing. Is not a better prospect. Tre Johnson is not a better prospect. I can’t believe he is not a lottery pick. Love for Knicks to trade up to get him. If he drops to 20s.
Bulls who are dying for a PF. Should be scouting his house right niw.
Windhorst keeps saying the same about the Nets (or this site keeps repeating it)… but it doesn’t make sense that the Nets wouldn’t use some of their financial leverage to continue to build and move this team fwd so that when the moment comes that a big player wants out somewhere that the Nets are an attractive destination.
So it doesn’t make sense for the Nets to bail/tank another whole season.
They can let Russell walk. Have four #1 picks. I try and sign Josh (22yrs old). Or another young good player.