0 out of 5
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NBA free agency still has some notable players left on the market, with some potential trades to be found.
Deandre Ayton has yet to find a home and could be tied to a certain superstar’s trade request. Colin Sexton is the best point guard still available (assuming James Harden is the key to returning to the Philadelphia 76ers), while some notable veterans and injured players look to secure their next contracts.
Heading into Day 4 of the 2022 free agency season, here’s where some of the most notable remaining names could stand.
1 out of 5
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After using up their entire taxpayer mid-level exception on Lonnie Walker IV, the Lakers are now limited to minimum contract deals.
One potential target? Bryant, 24, who began his career in Los Angeles in 2017-18.
As Brad Turner of the LA Times reported, “The Lakers have strong interest in reuniting with free agent center Thomas Bryant, but with LA only having the veteran minimum to offer, he’s in no rush to make a decision. The Lakers also have competition for Bryant’s services, as Toronto is also interested.”
Bryant showed strong potential as a guard and three-point shooter before tearing his ACL as a member of the Washington Wizards in January 2021, but was able to return to the court this past January.
While the Lakers may not have the contract he desires, they could promise him something no other team can: a starting job.
If Anthony Davis doesn’t start at center, Los Angeles has newly signed Damien Jones as an option. Veteran Dwight Howard is still a free agent.
Bryant could try to re-establish his value as a starting center in L.A. via a minimum deal and try to cash in next offseason. Before tearing his ACL, he was averaging 14.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 0.8 blocks and 42.9 percent shooting from three in his first 10 games of 2020-21.
Adding a frontcourt big man next to Davis would give everyone more room to work, especially if Russell Westbrook returns.
Expect Bryant to eventually take a one-year deal from the Lakers and try to increase his value next year.
2 out of 5
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With Jalen Brunson, Ricky Rubio, Tyus Jones, Delon Wright and other point guards off the board, the market for floor generals is drying up quickly.
Even at age 36, Dragic still has some fuel in the tank as a veteran backup against a contender.
One team that may need an extra point guard is Dallas, who just saw Brunson leave for the New York Knicks. Marc Stein reports that the Mavs have expressed interest in Dragic and still have a roster spot.
Of course, there is a connection with Luka Doncic. Both hail from Slovenia and are currently playing together this summer in the 2023 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. If Doncic wanted to do some off-season recruiting, he wouldn’t need to go far.
With Doncic and Spencer Dinwiddie now the only true playmakers on the Mavs roster, hiring Dragic as a backup to play 10 to 15 minutes a night and continue to serve as a mentor to the young superstar would be an ideal situation for all involved.
Although Dallas only has minimum veteran contracts to offer, that should be enough for Dragic, who could be entering the final season of his career.
3 out of 5
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It was surprising to see Schroder stay with the Rockets after the trade deadline, as he seemed like an ideal buyout candidate to join a contender. While he’s out of contract in Houston, Kelly Iko of The Athletic reports he’ll likely sign elsewhere now:
“In terms of their own free agents, Dennis Schroder is liked in Houston, but he is expected to have a new home for the 2022-23 season, sources told The Athletic. Schroder arrived at the February trade deadline and brought professionalism, experience and speed to a team in need, but with Daishen Nix on tap, as well as Porter, Christopher and Green, there is a real need to free up minutes for developing young talent in lineup. Schroder is 28, in the prime of his career, expects to play big minutes and compete deep in the playoffs.”
Of the teams with at least a mid-level taxpayer exception left, Miami makes the most sense for Schroder.
Kyle Lowry had a rough first season with the Heat, as the 36-year-old missed 19 games and posted his lowest scoring average since 2012-13 (13.4 points per game). While third-year guard Gabe Vincent has done an admirable job as a backup, Miami could use another ball veteran as insurance for Lowry and help him stay fresh for the playoffs.
Schroder averaged 13.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists between the Boston Celtics and Rockets and is just two years away from winning his sixth Player of the Year with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He would be Lowry’s backup here, but could still get good minutes for a team that just reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
Expect Schroder to sign a one-year deal at the taxpayer-average $6.5 million in Miami to help keep Lowry fresh.
4 out of 5
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The number of other teams that can pay Sexton above the mid-level exception has been reduced to two, providing more evidence that the 23-year-old guard will return to Cleveland.
Only the San Antonio Spurs ($38.5 million) and Indiana Pacers ($27.9 million) have more than the $10.5 million mid-level exception, according to Spotrac’s Keith Smith. The Cavs only have a fraction of their mid-level left after signing Ricky Rubio, but they have the rights to Sexton and can go over the salary cap to keep him.
The Spurs could technically use a guard after trading Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks, but this franchise looks to be in full tank mode heading into the 2022-23 season. Signing Sexton would help them win, which may not be the goal right now.
Indiana already has its backcourt of the future with Tyrese Halliburton and rookie Benedict Maturin, meaning Sexton will likely sign to become the team’s sixth man alongside Buddy Hield.
Cleveland is in a much better position to win than either team after making the playoffs by just one game last season and can promise Sexton his job as the starting quarterback.
Sexton, though also represented by Klutch Sports Group, will not receive a max deal like his backfield teammate Darius Garland just received. He and the Cavs could even work out a shorter deal that allows him to become an unrestricted free agent early, similar to the three-year, $52.5 million deal Caris LeVert signed with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019.
With the caps running out, look for Sexton to stay with the Cavaliers.
5 out of 5
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The buzz around Ayton has been suspiciously quiet lately, which means there may be more to it.
After Kevin Durant officially requested a trade, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports that the Phoenix Suns are at the top of his list.
Now, that doesn’t mean Ayton will go to Brooklyn, as a sign-and-trade would jeopardize the Nets’ already $173.8 million payroll. Any deal between Durant and Phoenix would almost certainly have to involve a third team.
This is where the Pacers come in.
Indiana could be home for Ayton as Myles Turner has just one year left on his contract. Given Turner’s three-point shooting ability, the two could also play side-by-side.
There’s a three-team trade base here, where Durant goes to the Suns, Ayton is signed and traded to the Pacers, and the Nets get a package based on Mikal Bridges, Turner and a lot of first-round picks and additional players.
As offers continue to pour in for Durant, don’t be surprised if Ayton’s free agency drags on for a while longer as the Suns keep their options open. Ultimately, look for Ayton to land with the Pacers to join a young core that includes Tyreese Halliburton, Benedict Maturin and Chris Duarte.
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