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NBA free agency begins on Friday. Tom Ziller lays out the free agents, trade rumors and salary cap info for all 30 teams.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have seemingly already handled most of the team's business at the end of the 2010-11 season by trading for and extending Kendrick Perkins and extending the contracts of Nick Collison and Nazr Mohammed. Will the team add one more veteran to the perimeter?
Here's a look at the Thunder's salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
Kevin Durant's extension kicks in this season, and the team can look forward to seeing second deals for Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka come in the following two seasons.
Heading into free agency, the Thunder have a cap figure of $54 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million.
The Thunder's sole free agent is Daequan Cook, who is restricted. The safe bet would be waiting to see if Cook draws any interest and judging accordingly. A cheap shooter is always good to have around, but Oklahoma City isn't likely to use him much anyway.
Unless some strange Russell Westbrook-Chris Paul voodoo kicks up, the only potential addition worth nothing for the Thunder would be a veteran wing defender. Shane Battier was a popular name among fans and Thunder players themselves -- Battier made his presence felt defending Durant during the teams' seven-game showstopper playoff series last season -- but there haven't been credible reports that a signing is likely.
All in all, it should be a boring offseason for OKC.
For more on the Thunder, visit SB Nation's Welcome To Loud City.
The Phoenix Suns swung out in bringing over Hedo Turkoglu and Josh Childress last summer; Chills hardly played for Alvin Gentry, while Hedo was bad enough that the Suns had to dump him and productive Jason Richard for Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat and a bad contract in Mickael Pietrus by January. The team is in a strange position due to Steve Nash's age and the team's lack of championship potential. Where does it go?
Here's a look at the Suns' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
The Suns have pulled back the salary reins in the last couple of seasons.
Heading into free agency, the Suns have a cap figure of $53 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. This assumes that Phoenix sees reason and waives Carter, shrinking his salary commitment to $4 million.
The Suns' free agents are:
Phoenix is expected to retain Hill despite pushes from true contenders to add the wily veteran.
What else the Suns will do remains to be seen. There's not a can't-miss player on the roster outside of Nash, and he happens to be about 10+ years older than everyone else on the team (excluding Hill). At some point, it will make sense for Nash to move on, either in free agency in 2012 or via a trade request. What happens to the team then? Does management just accept that the team will drop far enough to grab a very high pick? What do you do with all of these average players making league average salaries?
This team is really weirdly built.
For more on Phoenix, visit SB Nation's Bright Side Of The Sun.
The San Antonio Spurs dropped jaws by sprinting out to the West's best record last season. Even more jaws dropped when the Memphis Grizzlies jostled the Spurs right on out of the playoffs in the first round. With Tim Duncan entering potentially his final season in the NBA, what does San Antonio have left?
Here's a look at the Spurs' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
Ignoring the 2010 spike, the Spurs ride that luxury tax line like a railcar. This season should see more of the same.
Heading into free agency, the Spurs have a cap figure of $73 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million.
The Spurs' free agents are:
How does R.C. Buford sleep at night with such hefty decisions as whether to re-sign Chris Quinn and Steve Novak weighing on his mind?
Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that the Spurs will use the amnesty clause on Richard Jefferson, knocking $10 million off of the team's cap sheet. That gives the squad about $6-7 million to play with in free agency without exceeding the tax line, and that sounds like a full mid-level exception (Caron Butler and Shane Battier are the popular options) and a couple of veteran's minimum contracts.
If things get dicey before the All-Star break, the Spurs could possibly look to pawn off Manu Ginobili in anticipating Duncan's retirement. Tony Parker is more frequently cited as the first Spur to go, but he's young and San Antonio traded its presumptive Parker replacement (George Hill) for draft pick Kawhi Leonard.
For more on the Spurs, visit SB Nation's Pounding The Rock.
The Philadelphia 76ers returned to the playoffs in Doug Collins' first season at the helm (this time), but are seen as well below the level of the Eastern elite. Free agency in 2011 has the Sixers playing defense with two key restricted free agents before the team can hope to improve its roster.
Here's a look at the Sixers' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
After the break-up of the Allen Iverson-Chris Webber unit, the Sixers have stayed below the luxury tax. It's perfectly unclear what type of owner Josh Harris will be with respect to the threshold.
Heading into free agency, the Sixers have a cap figure of $54 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million.
The Sixers' free agents are:
Young, one of the league's best reserves a year ago and still green enough to blossom into a stud, is a must-keep. The preferred route for Philadelphia is to lock him up to a sensible deal quickly. But even if he reaches the market and signs a gross offer sheet, the Sixers don't have much choice but to match. The team can't move up the standings if it hemorrhages critical talent.
Hawes is less vital, but given the team's lack of frontcourt depth, keeping him around on a multi-year deal would be prudent. (He's also young enough to blossom; he'd had four head coaches in four years in the NBA.) Kapono is already gone, ready to sign with the L.A. Lakers. Battie and Daniels are useful veterans that remain low on the shopping list.
Andre Iguodala owns property on the rumor mill. Might as well buy if you're going to be there six months out of the year, right? Evan Turner began to build confidence into the playoffs, and with Young likely to stick around, there's a natural question of whether that which Iguodala does (defend, make plays, kill in transition) can be replaced at a much cheaper price. But with Turner just beginning to elbow in and Young thriving as a reserve combo forward, that can wait.
Andres Nocioni appears to be done with the NBA; whether he'll be retiring or seeing an amnesty waiver is unknown. He wouldn't factor into the roster issues either way, but dropping his salary would help the Sixers keep Young and Hawes while maintaining some flexibility under the tax.
For more on Sixers, visit SB Nation's Liberty Ballers.
The Houston Rockets finished a promising 43-39 season and ... let go of their coach, replacing Rick Adelman with Kevin McHale. How large the on-court shift will be remains to be seen. The Rockets have been active (per usual) ahead of the official start of free agency, which means that the pieces that go into the on-court product could be just as different as the man managing them.
Here's a look at the Rockets' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
In the Yao Ming era, owner Leslie Alexander has spent right up to the luxury tax and occasionally over it.
Heading into free agency, the Rockets have a cap figure of $48 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million.
The Rockets' sole free agent is Chuck Hayes. He is basically already out of the door, with reports indicating that Hayes is bound for the Sacramento Kings. Hayes' flight only reinforces Houston's need for a center.
The Rockets don't have enough raw cap space to pull in a player like Nene -- who they met this week and are seriously interested in. But the asset stock for the team is deep, from draft picks to young players and back again. It's doubtful that replacing Hayes (an excellent defender) with Nene (a solid defender and better scorer) will push the Rockets too far ahead, but that's where McHale's preference for defense over offense in the rotation could come into play.
Houston also finds itself being mentioned in the bigger rumor mills surrounding 2012 free agents. Daryl Morey certainly won't hesitate to insert his team into the discussion when warranted, but he and McHale have made clear that the Rockets are pushing to make the playoffs this season.
For more on the Rockets, visit SB Nation's The Dream Shake.
The Toronto Raptors will be a popular pick for worst record in the NBA in preseason chatter. That both means that the Raptors are unlikely to see a free agent that will make enough of a difference to justify and that it is a really sad thing to be a Raptors fan right now.
Here's a look at the Raptors' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
The Raptors have closely mirrored the tax line is recent years. Expect that to change: a total rebuild will mean a drop in salary in the immediate term.
Heading into free agency, the Raptors have a cap figure of $47 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million.
The Raptors' free agents are:
Toronto could make a play to keep Ajinca, who the team acquired from the Mavericks in a very weird post-Peja Stojakovic buy-out trade. Weems' future in the NBA will be decided next year (if he returns from Europe). Wright continues to struggle to find his way, and Dorsey is a fifth big man on most teams. Evans will likely latch on with a better team; his rebounding remains top-flight, and plenty of teams need help on the glass.
With the team's No. 5 overall pick (Jonas Valanciunas) remaining in Europe, Toronto will be waiting until at least 2012-13 to get a real sense of where the team is. That can't be fun for DeMar DeRozan, who inches toward his second contract, or Andrea Bargnani, or Ed Davis. But it'd be foolish to make plays for impact veterans given how far the team is from even legit playoff contention.
The team has said it will not use the amnesty clause this year, which means that if another team wants Jose Calderon, they'll have to take his entire salary off of Toronto's hands.
For more on Toronto, visit SB Nation's Raptors HQ.
The Detroit Pistons added an impact rookie last year in Greg Monroe, and hope they have another in Brandon Knight. Now: what do with all of the teams other needs and expensive veterans?
Here's a look at the Pistons' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
Under the Davidson family, Detroit stayed under the luxury tax. Of course, that didn't keep the Pistons from elite status most of the time. Since Detroit's fall from the elite, the team's salary level has decreased notably.
Heading into free agency, the Pistons have a cap figure of $48 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. Use of the amnesty clause is unlikely, but could drop that enough to the point where the Pistons would become players for major free agents.
The Pistons' free agents are:
McGrady is already reportedly betrothed to the Atlanta Hawks. There's little to no chance Prince returns; he could end up with the L.A. Clippers or another team that strikes out on Caron Butler. Wilcox is also unlikely to return, and Summers isn't anyone's priority.
There is strikingly little buzz about Stuckey, once the perceived future star of the Pistons. Though Detroit has Knight, Will Bynum, Rip Hamilton and Ben Gordon in the backcourt, if the offers are low or nonexistent, the Pistons could keep Stuck and figure it out later. There's little chance that Joe Dumars will let Jonas Jerebko loose; the Swede missed all of 2010-11 after a standout rookie campaign, and while there's interest around the league, Detroit should be in position to keep him.
The Pistons say that they will not be using amnesty on either of the team's top candidates (Charlie Villanueva, Ben Gordon); as such, the team's salary is going to be near enough to the cap after re-signing Jerebko and perhaps Stuckey that they won't be involved in many free agent rumors. But with Ben Wallace contemplating retirement at the age of 57, and Wilcox slipping into the cold night, another big man is needed. Villanueva is not a proper fit with Monroe as a starter.
A Stuckey sign-and-trade for a garbageman-type power forward could be in the cards. Small forward could also be a position to upgrade, assuming Jerebko plays more four and Austin Daye doesn't leap over the wall.
For more on the Pistons, visit SB Nation's Detroit Bad Boys.
The Indiana Pacers enter the 2011 free agency period finally in a position to break some bones and possibly the bank. Gone are the gnarly contracts that carried Indiana through a period of vast mediocrity following the Reggie Miller. Gone is Mike Dunleavy Jr. Yes, I realize I just said the same thing twice.
Here's a look at the Pacers' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
The Pacers have been mostly inactive in free agency for a couple years now, but the contracts on the books (Jamaal Tinsley, T.J. Ford, Troy Murphy, Dunleavy) were ornery and large. As some expired or were traded, Danny Granger's second contract kicked in to balance it out. Indiana is finally at a point where it can spend on new blood.
Heading into free agency, the Pacers have a cap figure of $37 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million.
The Pacers' free agents are:
Dunleavy and Ford will assuredly be partying somewhere else next season; the wing (Granger, Paul George, Dahntay Jones) and guard (Darren Collison, George Hill) spots in Indiana seem pretty set. McRoberts was nearly traded for O.J. Mayo at the trade deadline, and reportedly has interest from the Grizzlies. With the Pacers chasing a name big and having Tyler Hansbrough at power forward, McBob is probably gone. Foster could end up returning on a cheap deal if he wants to continue playing; he's an insanely good rebounder. Jones is a neat fellow who will likely hang around the league for a while, but he's not a priority.
The two big fish Indiana is most closely tied to are Nene and David West. In terms of roster fit, West probably makes more sense: Roy Hibbert isn't a high-scorer, so pairing him a power forward who is could help lighten the load on Granger and the guards. That said, Nene's inside brawn could allow Hibbert to use his lovely high-post skills more readily. The Pacers would be thrilled with either, provided that both remain healthy over the life of their deals. (Indiana has not always had good luck with this.)
The Pacers certainly won't shy away from upgrading the point guard spot; they have been mentioned in Rajon Rondo rumors.
For more on the Pacers, visit SB Nation's Indy Cornrows.
The Denver Nuggets traded away Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups last year, watched J.R. Smith, Kenyon Martin and Wilson Chandler flee to China during the NBA lockout and now get to watch Nene consider taking a new home. But hey, they've got Timofey Mozgov.
Here's a look at the Nuggets' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
The Kroenkes have gone over the luxury tax a few times, but will probably abstain from doing so as long as the team looks like one below the level of legit title contender.
Heading into free agency, the Nuggets have a cap figure of $30 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. Yes, the Nuggets have a lot of cap space.
The Nuggets' free agents who aren't under contract in China are:
Melvin Ely is going to draw a whole lot of interest from fans who didn't realize Melvin Ely was getting minutes in the NBA last season. Nene is being chased by other, mostly worse teams who have lots of cap space ... but he could return if Denver opens up the pocketbook to stay afloat. Denver will almost assuredly match anything reasonable that Afflalo signs; that this is such a widely-held belief ensures that no one would extend Afflalo too large an offer sheet, thus depressing Afflalo's salary. (This is called The Joe Dumars.) Forbes will likely be retained if only because he knows the system, is worthy of minutes and is a live body, which Denver desperately needs more of.
Denver has been absent from most rumors, a delightful switch from a year ago. That said, the Nuggets do have a bunch of interesting assets (from Danilo Gallinari to Ty Lawson and Andre Miller to rookies Jordan Hamilton and Kenneth Faried) and a bloody wealthy owner (assuming that Josh Kroenke has access to his father's vault of gold coins). This is typically the kindling for sneaky deals.
For more on the Nuggets, visit SB Nation's Denver Stiffs.
The New Jersey Nets figure to be heavily involved in a quest for a top-flight big man once free agency officially begins. Tyson Chandler and Nene will be the first names mentioned, but the real target is even bigger: Dwight Howard.
Here's a look at the Nets' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
Since stepping down from contention in the Jason Kidd-Vince Carter era, the Nets have been fairly frugal in the aggregate. But Mikhail Prokhorov has promised the Nets will walk loudly going forward.
Heading into free agency, the Nets have a cap figure of $41 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million.
The Nets' free agents are:
New Jersey could make a move to retain Humphries if the better options fall through; if nothing else, Hump on a reasonable contract is a movable asset. The other free agents are not high priorities in any sense.
The predominant New Jersey-Dwight rumor involves Brook Lopez and the Nets taking back a bad Orlando contract (Hedo Turkoglu, most likely). The Nets spent most of their assets landing Deron Williams, but Lopez is a good starting point on a package for Howard ... assuming other teams don't start throwing better offers the Magic's way. Unlike Chris Paul, Howard hasn't to date limited his list of teams he'll sign a new deal in 2012 with. That puts the Nets -- who will move to Brooklyn by this time next year -- at a disadvantage, assuming Howard values New York as much as he does Los Angeles.
For more on New Jersey, visit SB Nation's NetsDaily.
The Dallas Mavericks, fresh off the franchise's first NBA championship, have a couple of key players hitting free agency, including Tyson Chandler, the team's second most important player in the postseason. Yet Dallas seems relatively likely to watch them all walk away.
What did they do with the Mark Cuban we know and love have known?
Here's a look at the Mavericks' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
Dallas actually has softened its high payroll in recent years down to the $80 million range, or about 33 percent over the salary cap.
Heading into free agency, the Mavs have a cap figure of $64 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. Bringing back any of the team's major free agents will push Dallas up against the tax, and adding a free agent with the mid-level (either version) would then take the Mavs into it.
The Mavs' free agents are:
Dallas surprisingly isn't too involved in the Chandler derby, despite his obvious importance to the club. Chandler has all but said he won't return to Big D. It's a stunner for a Cuban team. Butler is similarly gone, possibly to the rival San Antonio Spurs. Barea has suitors but has kept Dallas on his tongue in free agency. Stojakovic seems like a likely returnee (though a low priority and salary), and who doesn't love Brian "Dad" Cardinal?
The big rumors for the Mavericks revolve around the same guys they do for every other big mover and shaker: Chris Paul and Dwight Howard. There's an interesting twist, as CBS Sports' Ken Berger has reported that Dallas is looking to preserve 2012 cap space to make a play for Deron Williams. That's a nice little risk given that it comes with waving goodbye to Chandler, no?
The pieces the Mavericks have in any big deal include Rodrigue Beaubois, Jason Terry, Jason Kidd and other assorted old men who are still good at basketball.
For more on Dallas, visit SB Nation's Mavs Moneyball.
The Orlando Magic have a superstar on his way out in Dwight Howard, a mess of a roster left over from title runs with said superstar and options galore. GM Otis Smith has never been shy on the trigger. Now is not the time to start being modest in O-Town.
Here's a look at the Magic's salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
That Rashard Lewis contract set the ray for the luxury tax. Trading for Vince Carter and swapping him for expensive players like Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu ensured that the Magic remain in the top echelon of payrolls. Lewis was switched out for Gilbert Arenas, which seemed like a fun little gamble at the time.
Heading into free agency, the Magic have a cap figure of $77 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. Dumping Gil's $19 million will put Orlando at the salary cap.
The Magic's free agents are:
Clark and Allen could both be out of the NBA next season. Richardson is drawing interest from stable teams chasing the title; he's more likely to end up in one of those cities (Chicago, Dallas) than back in Orlando,
Arenas is the biggest no-brainer amnesty candidate in the NBA; there's no point to waiting on a decision unless there's a sincere belief a team trading for Howard would take Arenas (instead of the somewhat cheaper, still useful Hedo Turkoglu) as the poisonous contract. (By trading away Gil and using amnesty on Hedo, the Magic would save some real money even though the cap impact would be identical.)
All else is on hold until a strategy to deal with Howard is ascertained. If Smith believes he can put another star on the roster and convince Howard to stay in 2012, Ryan Anderson becomes the team's best chip, along with J.J. Redick, Brandon Bass and Jameer Nelson.
For more on the Magic, visit SB Nation's Orlando Pinstriped Post.
The L.A. Lakers are said to be interested in Dwight Howard and Chris Paul. Getting swept in embarrassing fashion does something to a team. Something that makes them hilarious.
Here's a look at the Lakers' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
Needless to say, Jerry Buss has no qualms spending copious amount of money to compete for and win championships.
Heading into free agency, the Lakers have a cap figure of $91 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. The team will be restricted to the mini mid-level exception ($9.3 million over three years), signing its own free agents, signing players to minimum contracts and trades to augment its roster.
The Lakers' free agents are:
L.A. is expected to lose Brown; GM Mitch Kupchak has already admitted he sees a team making the guard an offer the Lakers won't match due to the attached tax hit. Ratliff and Smith hardly played last season; Smith, anyways, must continue his quest to play for every team in the NBA. I believe the Rockets are up next.
Outside of the CP3/Howard saga, the Lakers seem awful willing to move Andrew Bynum or Lamar Odom in the right deal. You never know when a team will decide to rebuild and sell off a star, but you can be assured that the Lakers will be right there in insert themselves in the rumors.
Point guard is a never-ending concern; CP3 made Derek Fisher and Steve Blake look like Muppets in the playoffs, and J.J. Barea had them as confused as a coxswain in a canoe. But upgrading the position is difficult given the boom-or-bust stratification of the roster. Who is there to trade for an effective, unspectacular lead guard? Instead, look for Mike Brown to experiment with different lineups and give rookie Darius Morris and Andrew Goudelock some opportunities.
Luke Walton appears to have no intention of filing for medical retirement, so the Lakers may need to use the amnesty clause on him to cut down that tax bill.
For more on the Lakers, visit SB Nation's Silver Screen And Roll.
The New York Knicks had a ball at the free agency gala of 2010, but will likely stay home this time around, holding out hope that an invite for 2012 will come in the mail. That's right: a team whose stars are in their late-20s and who finished a game over .500 will be holding steady.
Here's a look at the Knicks' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
It's almost like the franchise's philosophy on spending ridiculous amounts of money on mediocre talents drastically changed in 2008, or something.
Heading into free agency, the Knicks have a cap figure of $60 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. The Knicks have the ability to add a player at the full mid-level exception if it so chooses.
The Knicks' free agents are:
Pretty much every reporter in New York (even those who don't cover basketball) says that the Knicks will retain Jeffries on a one-year deal. Shawne Williams is the other free agent with a strong likelihood of sticking, and assuming Brown is cheap, the team could make a play. Carter is one of those veterans who could end up just about anywhere, including New York.
The Knicks would love to hear their name re-inserted in the Chris Paul trade derby, but other squads with developed young talent -- you know, the stuff New York sent to Denver for Carmelo Anthony -- have edged their way in. So long as CP3 maintains his long-term preference is in New York, the Knicks will lurk.
Due to that, it actually probably does make sense for the Knicks to avoid multi-year contracts in free agency to preserve a modicum of 2012 cap space in case Paul really does like New York enough to take $25 million less. One-year deals will rule the Knicks out on most noteworthy free agents, though, meaning the roster will be treading water.
For more on the Knicks, visit SB Nation's Posting And Toasting.
The Washington Wizards are right in the middle of rebuilding around John Wall and ... uh, well John Wall! Washington picked up Jan Vesely and Chris Singleton in the June draft and has plenty of cap space to not play with. Prudence has a name, and its name is the Washington Wizards. (It's a nice change from the remarkably imprudent Gilbert Arenas-for-$110-million Wizards.)
Here's a look at the Wizards' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
After unloading Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and Antawn Jamison, Washington met Lady Luck and picked up the No. 1 pick in 2010, Wall. Arenas was next to be unloaded (for Rashard Lewis, a similarly bad contract but a more pleasant personality, apparently). That's where the Wizards are now: really young, fairly sparse in terms of owed salary beyond Shard.
Heading into free agency, the Wizards have a cap figure of $40 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. The salary floor is $49 million, so the Wizards will have to add someone(s), whether in free agency or via trade.
The Wizards' free agents are:
Young is the single Wizards free agent expected to return; while the guard has drawn some interest outside D.C., Washington can match any signed offer sheet. This could get the Wizards most of the way to the payroll floor. Howard and Evans are veterans likely seeking a role on a team closer to the playoffs; the other restricted free agents or back-of-the-rotation guys. Yi's Bird rights could be an asset if the forward returns to the NBA in the future.
The team has insisted it won't waive Lewis under the amnesty clause, even given that his salary would continue to count toward the payroll floor. With that, there's not a whole lot more to look at unless the team looks to bring in a substitute for Andray Blatche, the perennial underachiever. The Wizards could be in play for young bigs despite the presence of Blatche, JaVale McGee, Kevin Seraphin and Trevor Booker. But there aren't many promising young bigs available in free agency, and teams typically avoid trading them.
For more on the Wizards, visit SB Nation's Bullets Forever.
The Utah Jazz watched the Deron Williams era end a lot sooner than most had hoped. Of course, that was because the Jazz proactively dealt Williams to avoid the sort of saga we see in New Orleans and Orlando. Jerry Sloan is also gone, and it's time for the Jazz to figure out what's next.
Here's a look at the Jazz's salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
The Jazz had their worst finish in ages (with a dreadful collapse after Sloan's retirement and the subsequent Williams trade), but managed to finish a good bit over the luxury tax threshold. We're as confused as you are.
Heading into free agency, the Jazz have a cap figure of $57 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. The Jazz won't be able to be players in free agency without using amnesty, making imbalanced trades or messing with the mid-level exception.
The Jazz's free agents are:
Kirilenko's career in Salt Lake finally seems over, as the Russian is deciding whether to remain in Moscow or make himself available to the numerous teams seeking his services. Watson should draw some free agent interest on a small deal as a reserve defensive-minded guard. Price, Fesenko and Elson are, at this point, roster fillers.
Three names will dominate Jazz trade talk through the deadline, and unsurprisingly they are the most expensive players on the roster: Al Jefferson, Devin Harris and Paul Millsap. Harris is the most likely to stick around on account of the Jazz's dearth of point guards; the team took Enes Kanter with the No. 3 pick and Alec Burks at No. 12 in the June draft. Millsap is highly attractive and could pull a nice asset; Jefferson is less valued, but is still a decent chip to shop. With Kanter and Derrick Favors in the pipeline, there's no excuse for Utah to be shy.
For more on the Jazz, visit SB Nation's SLC Dunk.
The New Orleans Hornets have absolutely nothing going on, and really aren't worth thinking about heading into an otherwise important and impactful free agency period.
Just kidding.
Here's a look at the Hornets' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
Living up to their small-market status and George Shinn's reputation, the Hornets have stayed below the luxury tax line despite contending for high playoff seeds. New Orleans actually typically begins a season over the tax line, then makes a move or two to slip under. Last season, said move involved peddling Peja Stojakobic to Toronto.
Heading into free agency, the Hornets have a cap figure of $45.5 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. That gives New Orleans space to retain a couple of their own free agents or make some moves to add pieces ... assuming they don't blow it up in the next day or so.
The Hornets' free agents are:
Whoa, that's a lot of free agents! New Orleans has all of five players under contract. None of these are really likely to stay, though the team seems to like Gray and Belinelli was a starter for Monty Williams. West is looking for a payday or a contender; Landry seems pretty likely to land elsewhere, as well. Green could return as an extra guard, but he'll be cheap.
The only rumor that matters right now with regards to the Hornets focuses on Chris Paul. The All-Star point guard has apparently told New Orleans that won't be signing an extension with the club. Now Hornets GM Dell Demps is attempting to find a deal that brings back something like fair value while landing Paul in a spot where he'll commit.
Rumors have focused on younger guards like Stephen Curry, Eric Gordon and Rajon Rondo. Any would be lovely in the New Orleans pipeline, but filling the CP3 void isn't going to be easy. Demps hasn't been shy in his young GM career, so even with a Paul trade expect to keep a finger over the trigger to rebuild the roster quickly.
For more on the Hornets, visit SB Nation's At The Hive.
The Miami Heat almost got exactly what they wanted last season, coming up two games short in the NBA Finals. But all in all, not a bad debut for the super villains, right? With the major splashes out of the way (we think), it's time to turn the Heat into a championship winning team. Let's see what they have.
Here's a look at the Heat's salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
The Heat will be over the luxury tax line in 2012 and for eternity. When you have three max players who took small paycuts to play together, there's simply no way around it.
Heading into free agency, the Heat have a cap figure of $65 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. That should allow Miami to offer the full mid-level exception, depending on what the team does with the amnesty clause and a couple of key free agents.
The Heat's free agents are:
Chalmers should be an easy, small contract to lock in, assuming the Heat don't want to waive the team's right to match offers on him. Jones is the most important veteran free agent, and he should be relatively cheap as well. Beyond that, it shouldn't matter in the grand scheme whether any of them come back.
The Heat have been mentioned with names like Nene and Samuel Dalembert, who would seem to be out of Miami's pay range. I have learned not to question Pat Riley, however. Mike Miller sounds like a guy who plans to not be waived under the amnesty clause, and Udonis Haslem will be sticking around. It'll be interested to see when the first Chris Bosh trade rumors pop up. Neither LeBron James or Dwyane Wade are going anywhere. But in the quest for championships, would either put up a major stink if Riley looked to swap out Bosh for a more interior-based big man?
For more on the Heat, visit SB Nation's Peninsula Is Mightier.
The Atlanta Hawks were nearly sold to a pizza magnate this summer. So close! Alas, the Atlanta Spirit lives on. With that, expect a fairly strict continuance of the past few years, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Here's a look at the Hawks' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
After a few years down with Charlotte below sea level, the Hawks have spent commensurate with other playoff teams. Balancing the need to stay under the luxury tax -- an assumed goal of the ownership group -- and paying guys like Joe Johnson and Al Horford while fielding a well-rounded team will continue to be a serious task for GM Rick Sund.
Heading into free agency, the Hawks have a cap figure of $66 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million.
The Hawks' free agents are:
It'd be no surprise if the Hawks let all of them walk away, though Collins seems like a comfortable fit for those 4-11 times a season the Hawks face the Magic. Crawford is expected to take more than what Atlanta can reasonably offer. The others are roster fillers.
Josh Smith is the Hawk everyone else seems to love for the right deal; Atlanta has been looking to move him since roughly 2006, and it could be in the team's best interest to slot Horford at power forward permanently, freeing up the center position for a truer interior player -- Horford's a pick-and-pop and high-post master. There's been little amnesty talk emanating from the ATL; Marvin Williams is young enough that you'd expect the Hawks to try to trade him before eating his salary to clear cap room only.
If a top contender like the Celtics begins to dismantle itself, the Hawks could get sneaky and try to pull a major piece in a bid to make a quick run for glory.
For more on the Hawks, visit SB Nation's Peachtree Hoops.
The Memphis Grizzlies were the surprise team of the 2010-11 season, bursting through the Western ranks to land in the second round of the playoffs, where they took the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games and seemingly 100 overtimes. The core is set for years to come, with one glaring exception.
Here's a look at the Grizzlies' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
You know, he may have neglected to read the bible of the NBA (its collective bargaining agreement) for the first nine seasons in the league, and he may still completely misunderstand how the sausage is made, but Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley wasn't lying when he said he'd pay up when Memphis was ready to contend. The Grizz touched the luxury tax line last season thanks to a fat contract for Rudy Gay and the free agent addition of Tony Allen, and they'll be right back there again this season.
Heading into free agency, the Grizzlies have a cap figure of $53 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million.
The Grizzlies' free agents are:
Memphis is expected to lock up Gasol quickly; if they don't reach an agreement on the first day of free agency, it'll be a surprise. Even if talks break down and Gasol signs an offer sheet with another team, expect Memphis to quickly match. They aren't going to lose him.
That, of course, sucks up the team's cap space, leaving the club reserved to using the mid-level exception or executing a sign-and-trade involving Battier to pull back pieces. Battier has been linked to other teams much more than he has to the Grizzlies, and for good reason, as the Gasol contract should edge Memphis to the tax line.
Haddadi will likely not be in the NBA next season. Powe is a solid bench big man who deserves a shot somewhere, if not in Memphis.
Gay's name will pop up in rumors until he proves himself indispensible to the Grizzlies' rise. O.J. Mayo is the Grizzly most likely to be traded; Memphis tried to deal him for Josh McRoberts and a draft pick last February, but the swap fell through late. Indiana ended up trading that pick for George Hill, and McRoberts has now hit free agency. If the Gasol deal allows Memphis some breathing room, McBob could be target as the team's fourth big man behind Gasol, Zach Randolph and Darrell Arthur.
More likely, the Grizzlies will take a look at a cheap veteran center. Those, however, don't exactly grow on trees. How else do you think Theo Ratliff still reliably finds work?
For more on the Grizzlies, visit SB Nation's Straight Outta Vancouver.
The Los Angeles Clippers have the star the team has long needed in Blake Griffin. They also happen to have a stud two-guard in Eric Gordon and a killer asset in the Minnesota Timberwolves' unprotected 2012 first-round pick. Now is the time for the Clips to make their move, right?
Right?
Right? (Is this thing on?)
Here's a look at the Clippers' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
Guess what? The Clippers don't like to spend money! It's true!
Heading into free agency, the Clippers have a cap figure of $45 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. L.A. can't chase one of the players looking for close to a max deal, but should be able to stay in the mix for second-tier free agents.
The Clippers' free agents are:
L.A. is expected to match anything Jordan signs, supposing the Clippers don't lock him up first. That should soak up anywhere from $4 million to $8 million in the Clippers' space. Smith is a player worth keeping, but the team's priorities are more likely to be wrapped up at point guard and small forward.
Caron Butler has been a popular name for the Clippers, as the team desperately needs a player in front of Al-Farouq Aminu while the youngster learns the NBA game. Tayshaun Prince, another veteran, could be a different option; both are outside-in players that could mesh pretty well with a Griffin-Jordan-Chris Kaman interior.
Speaking of Kaman: he is always on a trade block, and entering the final season of his contract, he could draw interest from capped-out teams looking for frontcourt help. But all the same, he looks like a pretty important third big for the Clippers, assuming the team aspiring to land in the playoffs this season. Again, the Clips hold the rights to Minnesota's 2012 first-round pick, which is completely unprotected. That pick should almost certainly land in the top 10; some would bet heavily on it landing in the top five. This is expected to be a really, really good draft. Keep that in mind once superstars land on the rumor mill.
For more on L.A.'s alternative to pure evil, visit SB Nation's Clips Nation.
The Boston Celtics have already been at the center of wild trade rumors, so much so that team management had to reassure one of the team's four All-Stars that he's beloved by the franchise.
So basically, it's just another season in Boston.
Here's a look at the Celtics' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck hasn't been shy about paying for a winner. The real test will come when it is decided that this team is no longer a winner. That could be sooner than you think.
Heading into free agency, the Celtics have a cap figure of $64 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. The Celtics can use the full mid-level exception ... but only if Jeff Green and Glen Davis leave or see their rights' renounced by the C's. In all likelihood, Boston will have only the mini MLE -- a maximum of $9.3 million over three seasons -- and veteran's minimum contracts to use.
The Celtics' free agents are:
Green and Davis are the names to watch; the Celtics likely won't want to lose Green after trading Kendrick Perkins for him less than a year ago. While Davis is erratic and flawed, he's Boston's erratic and flawed Glen Davis, and he figures to remain fairly cheap.
West is the only other free agent with a chance to return, but that's tough to predict, as are all things related to Delonte West.
Rajon Rondo has been at the center of trade rumors since the NBA lockout ended, first for Chris Paul and later in relation to the Indiana Pacers. Needless to say, this will continue forever. Rondo is the perfect trade rumor player: really good but still misunderstoof, fairly priced, perhaps moody. That he plays for a team always in the mix for big moves doesn't hurt.
Boston is also kicking the tires on veteran roleplayers like Grant Hill and Chuck Hayes. The Celtics always need help at center, so don't be surprised if they push for a big man via trade or sign-and-trade.
For more on Boston, visit SB Nation's CelticsBlog.
The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't just lose LeBron James in the last free agency period: the team lost its raison d'etre. Now, as the team sets to rebuild around top draft picks Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson, it must decide where the needs are and how to address the relics of an era gone by.
Here's a look at the Cavs' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
Clearly, once LeBron took his championship contention to South Beach, there was little reason to spend big in Cleveland. The Cavs still have a few high-priced players on the roster, but it trimmed down really, really quickly, all told.
Heading into free agency, the Cavs have a cap figure of $55 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million.
The Cavs' sole free agent is veteran wing Anthony Parker. Surprisingly, Cleveland seems like a lock to keep Parker, as the club appreciates his strong leadership and ability to present a good role model for young players. (I know, I know, I thought Baron Davis would fill that role, too.) Either way, Parker won't make a huge difference in the salary cap sheets.
The questions in Cleveland revolved around the highest-salaried players. Baron Davis, acquired in the Mo Williams trade in February that ended up landing the Cavs Irving (seriously!), could be one of the few players waived under the amnesty clause, especially if Cleveland likes having Ramon Sessions as Irving's primary back-up. (This assumes that Irving is ready to start from Day 1.) If Davis is waived, Cleveland can really become a player in free agency and the trade game, with small forward standing out as the biggest need position.
Antawn Jamison is a veteran who could be moved for an asset, but that might have to wait until the trade deadline as his cap hit will soak up a huge chunk of space for any acquiring team. Anderson Varejao is a favorite of the Cavs' organization, but it seems that he always finds his name in the rumor mill.
If the Cavs elect to keep Davis around for another season, the team could peddle Sessions, who ought to have suitors.
For more on the Cavs, visit SB Nation's Fear The Sword.
The Chicago Bulls, in just one year, have graduated from the "still looking for major pieces" category to the "tinkering around the edges" club. Well done! A painfully young MVP (Derrick Rose) and the best record in the NBA will do that.
Here's a look at the Bulls' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf is famously thrifty when it comes to his basketball team, though he has the distinction of handing out the two most lucrative player-seasons in NBA history (both to Michael Jordan). The Bulls' payroll sunk last year as the team cleared space for the LeBron James-Dwyane Wade derby and came up with just Carlos Boozer and roleplayers in Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver and C.J. Watson. It (plus the hire of Tom Thibodeau) worked just fine, though. Joakim Noah's extension kicks in this season, and Rose will sign a deal that takes effect for the 2012-13 season. So the luxury tax is coming, whether Reinsdorf likes it or not.
Heading into free agency, the Bulls have a cap figure of $64 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million.
The Bulls' free agents are:
Thomas could be back in as a roster filler; he'd be behind Noah, Boozer, Taj Gibson and Omer Asik. Butler could similarly be retained to fill out the perimeter roster; Scalabrine remains a mascot only.
Chicago has the full mid-level exception to work with, and will be in the mix for top veteran roleplayers like Jason Richardson, Jamal Crawford and Vince Carter. It's no coincidence that all three of those are scorers: Chicago has the best defense in the land, but lacking in scoring punch behind Rose and Boozer, something made unignorable in the playoffs. It's not current Bulls' management's style to chase scorers, but that's what the team needs, and there are plenty available.
For more on Chicago, visit SB Nation's Blog-a-Bull.
The Milwaukee Bucks spent some cash in the 2010 free agency and came up empty, striking out on Drew Gooden and John Salmons. Milwaukee managed to unload Salmons for Beno Udrih and also sent away Corey Maggette for Stephen Jackson. In the draft, the Bucks added Tobias Harris, a combo forward who could be a couple years away. Is there more room for adjustment for Bucks GM John Hammond, or has he gotten himself stuck?
Here's a look at the Bucks' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
The Bucks are one of those small-market teams clinging to a dollar figure just below the luxury tax line. Given that this has occurred with the "flat luxury tax," one imagines it will continue in a couple years when the graduating tax is introduced.
Heading into free agency, the Bucks have a cap figure of $51 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. Basically, the Bucks can add a player making right around the full mid-level exception. Drew Gooden is, sadly, already taken.
The Bucks' free agents are:
It's pretty clear that Redd is done in Milwaukee. Boykins is a veteran who seems more apt to hang around and sign with a contender near the postseason roster deadline than get any sort of guaranteed deal in free agency. Mbah a Moute is the real intriguing piece here. The Bucks cleared away combo wing Salmons, small forward Maggette and watched combo forward Ersan Ilyasova flee to Turkey. Jackson will have a starting role at one of the wing spots, Carlos Delfino remains a legit rotation player and Scott Skiles may want to integrate the rookie Harris quickly. But there's definitely a need for a no-frills defender like Mbah a Moute. The question is whether another team will value the Prince more than Milwaukee can afford to.
Joel Przybilla has been mentioned as a potential pick-up to play behind Andrew Bogut; Larry Sanders, a rising sophomore, is the other option in the middle. Either way, if Gooden can't perform, the Bucks desperately need a frontcourt scorer, assuming that Bogut's horrific arm injury almost two years ago has ruined his shooting stroke for eternity. (His shooting was just awful last season.) A three-guard rotation with Brandon Jennings, Jackson and Udrih is stacked (if expensive), so Hammond should have options if he needs to manuever around Gooden.
For more on the Bucks, visit SB Nation's Brew Hoop.
The Charlotte Bobcats have likely already made their big splash, executing a draft day trade that sent Stephen Jackson to the Milwaukee Bucks in return for Corey Maggette and a moved-up pick. With two top-10 picks, Charlotte loaded up with UConn star Kemba Walker and Congolese big man Bismack Biyombo. It's unlikely Biyombo will receive clearance to leave his Spanish team Fuenlabrada this season, so only two of the three pieces acquired on draft day will see the court. Are they enough to keep Michael Jordan, Rod Higgins and new addition Rich Cho quiet in free agency?
Here's a look at the Bobcats' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
Unsurprisingly, the Bobcats have never touched the luxury tax. It may be surprising to see, though, that Charlotte has been fairly close in recent seasons.
Heading into free agency, the Bobcats have a cap figure of $47 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. That's enough for a few small pieces or some extra salary in a trade.
The Bobcats' free agents are:
Cunningham is worth keeping around, assuming any offer sheet that happens to come along is tame. Przybilla appears to be deciding between retirement and a return to the familiar haunts of Milwaukee or Portland. McGuire and Temple are roster fillers for most teams in the league, and shouldn't be priorities. Kwame, though, provides an interesting challenge. With Biyombo stuck in Europe, the Bobcats figure to be painfully small, especially if the team waives DeSagana Diop under the amnesty clause. Unless Charlotte makes a dark hose play for a free agent big man or trade target, Brown looks like a likely candidate to return.
Diop is the popular amnesty name here, but it'll be tough to erase one of two centers on the roster (inexperienced D.J. White, who is actually a power forward, is the other) if Charlotte doesn't reach a deal with Brown quickly. None of the big-name free agents are remotely in play, and the Bobcats have little beyond draft picks that they'll be willing to part with in a trade, unless the front office has already soured on Tyrus Thomas. It looks to be a quiet free agent period in Charlotte. But at least there's Kemba to look forward to.
For more on the Bobcats, visit SB Nation's Rufus On Fire.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are finally on the path to revival that began sometime around 2006! We think. Ricky Rubio is in North America (presumably to play basketball), Minnesota has a coach with a strong record of success in Rick Adelman and the No. 2 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft -- Derrick Williams -- looks like a real gem.
Now what will GM David Kahn do in this critical offseason?
Here's a look at the Wolves' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
As soon as the Wolves traded Kevin Garnett, the team tanked hard. Understandably, so did the salary level the team maintained. It went sharply down last season as the Wolves sent off Al Jefferson for basically nothing.
Despite that, heading into free agency, the Wolves have a cap figure of $48.6 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. That's spread between 13 players -- that's right, the Wolves already have what is basically a full roster before free agency begins. Minnesota has the space to add a few pieces or extra salary in a trade.
The Wolves' sole free agent is Sebastian Telfair. With Rubio's arrival and Luke Ridnour's place as Ricky's mentor taken, it's unlikely that Bassy will return.
The Wolves have plenty of latitude to make moves with a roster full of weirdly intriguing prospects (Michael Beasley, Anthony Randolph, Nikola Pekovic, any number of international players like Paulao Prestes and Nemanja Bjelica). But it seems like this is a(nother) building year than a splash year. With Love, Williams and Rubio, it seems like the core of a good team could be within Minnesota's reach. Will Kahn mess with it in a bid to save his job? We'll find out.
If anyone of note is moved, my bet's on Beasley, who seems destined to be the odd man out in the forward rotation. If there's a position where the Wolves desperately need help, it's center, where Darko Milicic still isn't getting it done.
For more on the Wolves, visit SB Nation's Canis Hoopus.
The Golden State Warriors improved greatly in 2010-11 under Keith Smart. But great improvement wasn't quite great enough, as the Warriors replaced Smart with Mark Jackson, who will attempt to teach of commandments of putting one's hand up on defense. In the front office, Larry Riley maintained his role as general manager, while agent Bob Myers joined the ranks and legend Jerry West stepped in as an adviser. The Warriors' executive ranks are now nearly as crowded as their backcourt!
Here's a look at the Warriors' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
The Warriors were comfortably under the luxury tax line through Chris Cohan's ownership of the team, and the Joe Lacob-led group edged Golden State just under the line a year ago with a big move for David Lee and the addition of Dorell Wright in free agency.
Heading into free agency, the Warriors have a cap figure of $ 49 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. Without using amnesty, Golden State will be looking at mid-rung players to fill in blanks. But there are indications that the Warriors are thinking much, much bigger.
The Warriors' free agents are:
Golden State is expected to hang on to Williams, assuming he doesn't get some crazy offer somewhere else. (In a radio interview with KNBR 650 AM last week, Mark Jackson spoke as if he was sure Williams would be back.) Thornton and Radmanovic won't be missed; both could be working on minimum contracts next season, though some team could take a small flyer on either. Acie Law is expected to compete with Jeremy Lin for an opening day roster spot and minutes behind Stephen Curry.
The Warriors have been linked to Tyson Chandler (who visited the Bay Area early this week) and Nene, which makes a lot of sense when you look at Golden State's frontcourt. Lee was a disappointment in his first season in Oakland after struggling with an elbow infection early in the season, but Andris Biedrins has been a bigger disappointment for far longer. If the Warriors need to use amnesty to free up money for Chandler, Nene or any other big man, Biedrins would seem to be the right bet.
Beyond that, look for the Warriors to watch Monta Ellis light up the trade rumor mill as he always does. As has been the case for about three years, Memphis will be mentioned frequently.
For more on the Warriors, visit SB Nation's Golden State of Mind.
The Portland Trail Blazers do not have a general manager. But don't worry! This compressed, possibly insane free agent and trade period won't matter too much in the years to come!
Here's a look at the Blazers' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
Blazers' owner Paul Allen has been a consistent spender, going over the luxury tax line for teams that haven't been elite contenders. (The Blazers haven't won a playoff series in the Brandon Roy/LaMarcus Aldridge era.) Whether that continues remains to be seen, as Roy's injury issues could lead to a quick retooling of the club.
Heading into free agency, the Blazers have a cap figure of $70 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. Unless there's a major move with the amnesty clause (hint hint) or a trade, Portland will be restricted to about 80 percent of the value of the mid-level exception ... and that's before counting Greg Oden, a restricted free agent.
The Blazers' free agents are:
Mills signed in China, which means that he won't be drawing offer sheets during the free agency period. Oden, on the other hand, will. While he's not expected to be back on the court until January at the earliest, he's still Greg Oden. If the Blazers don't lock him up before he tests the market, some team could give Portland to think about by extending a hopeful offer sheet for the former No. 1 pick.
The biggest rumor facing Portland is, of course, Brandon Roy and the amnesty clause. Reports suggest that the decision to waive Roy under amnesty has already been made; if that does come to pass, the Blazers still wouldn't create enough room to be a player in free agency without getting involved in the sign-and-trade market. As the Blazers do need another big man to help Aldridge and Marcus Camby, just having breathing space under the tax line could be incentive enough. But given that amnesty could be used on Roy next year if the Blazers wait, it wouldn't seem to make a whole lot of sense to release the two-time All-Star without seeing how a summer of rest treated his knees.
For more on Portland's future, visit SB Nation's Blazer's Edge.
NBA free agency is scheduled to begin on December 9. While the class certainly lack in stars when compared to the famous 2010 and 2012 derbies, there's value to be had. See the full list of free agents who played in the NBA last season below, broken down by status.
Offer sheets signed by these players can be matched by the incumbent team. An asterisk denotes that a player remains under contract overseas and may not be interested in or able to return to the NBA this season.
Aaron Brooks*, PHO
Arron Afflalo, DEN
Daequan Cook, OKC
Dante Cunningham, CHA
DeAndre Jordan, LAC
Derrick Brown, NYK
Gary Forbes, DEN
Greg Oden, POR
Hamady Ndiaye, WAS
Hamed Haddadi, MEM
Jeff Green, BOS
Jonas Jerebko, DET
Larry Owens, WAS
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, MIL
Marc Gasol, MEM
Marco Belinelli, NOH
Marcus Thornton, SAC
Mario Chalmers, MIA
Nick Young, WAS
Othyus Jeffers, WAS
Patrick Mills*, POR
Reggie Williams, GSW
Rodney Stuckey, DET
Sonny Weems*, TOR
Spencer Hawes, PHI
Thaddeus Young, PHI
Wilson Chandler*,DEN
These free agents are free to sign with whatever team has the salary cap space or exception to do so. An asterisk denotes that a player remains under contract overseas and may not be interested in or able to return to the NBA this season.
Aaron Gray, NOH
Acie Law, GSW
Al Thornton, GSW
Alexis Ajinca, TOR
Andrei Kirilenko*, UTA
Anthony Carter, NYK
Anthony Parker, CLE
Antonio Daniels, PHI
Ben Uzoh, NJN
Brandan Wright, NJN
Brian Cardinal, DAL
Brian Scalabrine, CHI
Carl Landry, NOH
Carlos Arroyo, BOS
Caron Butler, DAL
Chris Quinn, SAS
Chris Wilcox, DET
Chuck Hayes, HOU
Craig Smith, LAC
D.J. Mbenga, NOH
DaJuan Summers, DET
Damien Wilkins, ATL
Dan Gadzuric, NJN
Darius Songaila*, PHI
Darnell Jackson*, SAC
David West, NOH
Delonte West, BOS
DeShawn Stevenson, DAL
Dominic McGuire, CHA
Earl Boykins, MIL
Earl Clark, ORL
Earl Watson, UTA
Erick Dampier, MIA
Etan Thomas, ATL
Francisco Elson, UTA
Garrett Temple, CHA
Glen Davis, BOS
Grant Hill, PHO
Hilton Armstrong, ATL
J.R. Smith*, DEN
Jamaal Magloire, MIA
Jamal Crawford, ATL
Jamario Moon, LAC
James Jones, MIA
Jared Jeffries, HOU
Jason Collins, ATL
Jason Kapono, PHI
Jason Richardson, ORL
Jason Smith, NOH
Jeff Foster, IND
Joe Smith, LAL
Joel Przybilla, CHA
Joey Dorsey, TOR
J.J. Barea, DAL
Josh Howard, WAS
Josh McRoberts, IND
Josh Powell, ATL
Julian Wright, TOR
Juwan Howard, MIA
Kenyon Martin*, DEN
Kris Humphries, NJN
Kurt Thomas, CHI
Kwame Brown, CHA
Kyrylo Fesenko, UTA
Leon Powe, MEM
Malik Allen, ORL
Marcus Banks, NOH
Mario West, NJN
Marquis Daniels, SAC
Maurice Evans, WAS
Melvin Ely, DEN
Michael Redd, MIL
Mike Bibby, MIA
Mike Dunleavy, IND
Mustafa Shakur, WAS
Nene, DEN
Peja Stojakovic, DAL
Pooh Jeter*, SAC
Rasual Butler, CHI
Reggie Evans, TOR
Roger Mason, NYK
Ronnie Price, UTA
Samuel Dalembert, SAC
Sasha Pavlovic, BOS
Sebastian Telfair, MIN
Shane Battier, MEM
Shannon Brown, LAL
Shawne Williams, NYK
Shelden Williams, NYK
Solomon Jones, IND
Steve Novak, SAS
T.J. Ford, IND
Tayshaun Prince, DET
Theo Ratliff, LAL
Tony Battie, PHI
Tracy McGrady, DET
Troy Murphy, BOS
Tyson Chandler, DAL
Vladimir Radmanovic, GSW
Von Wafer, BOS
Willie Green, NOH
Yi Jianlian*, WAS
For full NBA free agency coverage, follow our StoryStream.
Sacramento Kings: Rumors, Free Agents, Cap Space And More
The Sacramento Kings have been waiting for the free agent period of 2011 for ages. This is the Kings' moment!
Has anyone seen the Kings? We are still looking for the Kings. We were told they would be here.
CAP SPACE
Here's a look at the Kings' salary cap levels over the past six seasons.
Is "plummet" the right word?
Heading into free agency, the Kings have a cap figure of $30 million with the leaguewide team salary cap set at $58 million and the luxury tax line at $70 million. No team has more space under the cap than Sacramento.
FREE AGENTS
The Kings' free agents are:
Marcus Thornton seems like a strong bet to stay in Sacramento. Dalembert, however, is not, especially given the apparent offer the Kings made to big man Chuck Hayes. That gives Sacramento four rotation big men: Hayes, J.J. Hickson, DeMarcus Cousins and Jason Thompson. Jeter and Jackson wouldn't be in Sacramento's plan even if they hadn't jumped to Europe, and Daniels never suited up for the Kings.
RUMORS
The offer to Hayes is said to be worth $20 million over four seasons; assuming that Thornton soaks up no more than $7 million, the Kings have to spend something like another $6 million just to reach the payroll floor. So expect the team to pop up in rumors for other mid-rung free agents, especially at the small forward and point guard positions.
Geoff Petrie is also a big fan of team-building through trades; the Kings could, if nothing else, be a valuable "third team" in a big deal.
For more on the Kings, visit SB Nation's Sactown Royalty.
Dec 08 9:02a by Tom Ziller - 1 comment