The circus has already arrived and it didn’t take long for the clowns to put their makeup on and juggle around the big top. Free agency officially begins Sunday, June 30, at 5 p.m. CST and we are already seeing plenty of movers and shakers.
By Chad Cooper
The Houston “Toxic” Rockets are continuing to add fire to the CP3-James Harden drama with the Jimmy Butler talk. Mr. NBA Twitter himself Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Rockets were planning to recruit Butler, which would force the 76ers to sign and trade. Of course the Rockets don’t have much money under the cap, so Clint Capela, PJ Tucker and Eric Gordon would be used in the trade. Remember Houston offered Minnesota 4 future 1st round picks and the T-wolves sent him to Philadelphia. It’s a longshot to happen because Philly could resign him or ship him elsewhere.
Imagine Butler coming to Houston with a 5-year, $190 million check into that conflicted lockerroom with Harden and CP3. It’s not a secret. Google Jimmy Butler attitude and get reports surfacing back to his time on the Bulls and Twovles and see things like “bad teammate,” “selfish,” “asshole type attitude.”
Some of the Rocket faithful have screamed “CANCEL THIS LAUNCH” while others Tweet “2020 NBA CHAMPS.”
Kevin Durant
The 30-year-old declined a $31.5 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent June 26 – meaning he has tons of options. He will be 31 in September and the next time he plays a game he could be 32, due to a busted Achilles.
We do know this, if he stays in Golden State, he will likely 5-year deal worth $221.3 million. If he signs with the Knicks or Nets, KD is looking at 4 years and $164 million. Remember the Knicks were rumored to also give him $ in their MSG Network.
Prediction: Knicks
Kawhi Leonard
The reigning NBA Finals MVP looks like he is headed back to Toronto next season, but let’s see if its only a 2-year deal with a player option. If so, he plays 1 more season with the Raptors then heads back to the free agency market with 10 years of service = $$$.
Prediction: Toronto
Klay Thompson
KT suffered a major knee injury and will likely miss a majority of next season. All indications point to Thompson staying in Oakland with a massive 4-year $190 million deal.
Prediction: Golden State
Kyrie Irving
Speaking of bat shit crazy… It looks as if Kyrie is leaving Boston and he looks to land in Brooklyn. Kyrie can shoot and score, but he has shown he cannot do it alone. Jay-Z would not be smart to load his bank account up if they can’t sign someone like KD or another big star. Irving will not lead Brooklyn to the NBA Finals. If KD doesn’t come, maybe keeping D’Angelo Russell is a possibility.
Prediction: Brooklyn
Kemba Walker
Kemba is eligible for a 5-year $221 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets. If he goes elsewhere, the most he is getting is $160 million. Big difference in $ there and MJ can’t afford to lose his star.
Prediction: Charlotte
Jimmy Butler
WWJD? We already know the Rockets having been gushing over Butler like a puberty teen finding Porn Hub for the first time. It seems like the Rockets need a lot to happen for this to happen. Philly wants to keep him too.
Prediction: Philadelphia
Honorable mentions on the move: Khris Middleton, Tobias Harris, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis, Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan, Malcolm Brogdon, Bojan Bogdanovic among others.