Free Agents Looking For Their Last Long Term Contract
2020 has been a rough year within the NBA. As we are stuck in the dry heat of an NBA suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the NBA; players, coaches, and staff alike, are relaxing at their homes with their families cherishing their lives and the people important to them. Some may be reflecting on either a pleasantly surprising or disappointing year they endured so far. Others may be reminiscing on NBA footage from seasons past, adoring the greats that have paved the way for the current generation of talent. MJ, I’m talking to you Sir.
And there are others, particularly the executives of the franchises, who feel as if the have gotten a blessing in disguise. When the league is at a standstill with no foreseeable or drastic changes to player health, production, chemistry, and salary, executives are able to take advantage of a head-start to the real battle. I’m taking about every basketball fan’s favorite reality TV show in America: The NBA Offseason.
Not too long ago, NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced that the NBA will be returning with 22 teams finishing the season in Orlando, Florida under a new format the league has never seen before. The resumption of the 2019-20 NBA season has led eight teams to end their season early, and has given 22 teams a minimum of eight games to either make a playoff push or improve in their respective conference standings. The season looks to carry on with a rough expectation to finish in late October. To round things out, the NBA is aiming to start the 2020-21 NBA season on December 1st.
Given the circumstances surrounding the pandemic, as well as the national adversity following the recent death of unarmed black man George Floyd, the NBA has been pressured to conduct an untraditional and unorthodox format to complete their season this year. Although not ideal for the coaching staff and players anxious to get back into basketball shape, the stoppage of play has given general managers and executives ample time to tinker with potential payroll hypotheticals and contract possibilities during the approximate one month long offseason.
As the remaining 22 teams look to rise in the seedings before the playoffs start, many players, both in and out of the playoff picture, have a final opportunity to increase their stock as free agents this offseason. Although this year’s free agency class is considerably weaker compared to previous pools of talent, player signings may be the most pivotal aspect of team improvement this upcoming NBA offseason.
Similar to opening a box of chocolates, or trying your luck with Pandora’s box, NBA teams are limited to collegiate, foreign leagues, and G-League footage to access this year’s draft prospects. With the NBA Draft Combine being cancelled entirely, no player-team workouts being held, and no real plan for an NBA Summer League, the NBA Draft is seen this year as an uncertain form of team improvement.
On the other hand, given the trajectory of the current landscape of the NBA and how business will be conducted, NBA free agency negotiations will not be heavily affected compared to other forms of team improvement around the league. With the exception of zoom meetings replacing in-person meetings, city tours being non-existent, and a foreseeable pay cut being made for a majority of the athletes, player movement in the form of trades and free agent signing will be more vital than ever this NBA offseason.
The resumption of the NBA season has put many players in a tough position to get back in shape. Although only 22 of 30 teams are working out to condition their bodies back to peak-performance shape, some players under expiring contracts are working more vigorously to increase their chances of landing a big contract this offseason. Many players are young enough to earn a multi-year contract from a number of franchises, and some are nearing the end of their careers looking for a short term deal to help them financially usher themselves into retirement. There is however, one group of free agents. Savvy veterans whom are experienced enough to contribute for a real contender, but young enough to produces for more than a mere couple of season. Here are a few free agents looking to land their final long term contract in the heavily damaged, and irreplaceable NBA.
Danilo Gallinari
The Oklahoma City Thunder hold an unexpected spot amongst the juggernauts of the Western Conference. Currently standing as the fifth best team in the Western Conference, the OKC Thunder have proven everyone who doubted them to make the playoffs at the beginning of the season. The team features a balance of both energy and experience. Young players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have kept their future shining bright, while vets like all-star Chris Paul, 6-man of the year candidate Dennis Schroder, and Steven Adams have kept the club’s culture strong as a consistent playoff contender.
This offseason poses a big question for one of their most productive offensive attackers. Danielo Gallinari is playing at a high level for a player his age. In his tenth season at the age of 31, Gallo is averaging 19.2 points per game, and grabbing over 5 boards per game. His ability to play either forward position, shoot the three ball as a spot of shooter, and create his own shot off the dribble has made him a viable option with the offensive system in OKC. He’s been able to flourish in the system well enough to embrace the role as a real offensive threat, racking up the second highest scoring average on the team while having his third best shooting season of his career (43.9% Field Goal).
Gallinari is however a liability on defense. Although his defensive rating is relatively high compared to other players in his position, he lacks the lateral quickness and athleticism to stay with players on the perimeter, and doesn’t possess the height, length, or physical tools to body up with the forwards down in the post. On top of his defensive shortcomings, Gallo is being paid $22.6 million this season alone. An overvalued contract many seem to perceive.
OKC can find great utility in resigning Gallinari, as he provides great offensive versatility and firepower on the perimeter, but not for the current price tag. Although Gallinari is not expected to make upwards of $20 million again for the rest of his career, don’t be surprised to see him test the market and take an offer around $10-15 million with another franchise as he is approaching his mid-thirties.
Derrick Favors
The New Orleans Pelicans are seeded at the tenth spot in the heavily stacked Western Conference. With the NBA adopting a new format for the remainder of the season, New Orleans has a chance to battle with the eighth or ninth seeded team in the wild-cardesque play-in tournament to determine who will be the eighth team in the NBA playoffs. Climbing an uphill battle, the Pels were situated with one of the easiest schedules in terms of difficulty for the remainder of the season before the pandemic, while Memphis was challenged with one of the toughest schedules to round out their regular season. The goal to make the playoffs for the Pelicans has presented projected free agent Derrick Favors an opportunity to show his value in a space and pace type of league.
The Pelicans are a gold mine of a team with very promising talent if developed properly. New Orleans made a deal with the Utah Jazz to acquire Favors giving up two second-round draft picks that can quite possibly pan out to be rotation players at best. The idea of acquiring Favors was to fill in the starting center position while still providing veteran leadership to rookies Zion Williamson and Jackson Hayes for the future. Essentially a one year rental, Favors will be an unrestricted free agent this coming off-season.
In this current season, Favors is averaging a career high in rebounds averaging just a hair under 10 boards per game. He is also the Pelicans leading rebounder with three more boards than the second in line. Not an athletic, tall, or lengthy big man to say the least, Favors is a positional rebounder who uses his strength, mass, and basketball IQ to gobble loose balls. His sheer will and strength make him a troublesome player to match up against as he can muscle and bruise opposing big men to exhaustion.
As the third overall pick in his draft class, Favors has been somewhat of a disappointment as he has never averaged a double-double for an entire season, and has been in and out of the starting lineup during his nine seasons with the Jazz. Nonetheless, Favors is more than capable of filling the role as a serviceable defensive big man coming off the bench, and occasionally in the starting lineup. He is currently making just over $17.5 million, making him the second highest paid player on the Pelicans. Although New Orleans may not extend his tenure on the franchise, expect other teams who are in dire need of a big man (Clippers or Celtics) to reserve some money for Favors this off-season.
Joe Harris
The Brooklyn Nets, despite injuries to their major stars have ranked eighth in the Eastern Conference. Projected to hold a playoff spot in the East, more injuries have surfaced within the team as veterans DeAndre Jordan and Spencer Dinwiddie have tested positive for COVID-19. With the devastating news regarding the Nets roster in full effect, the team will be looking for big contributions from their steady players once the season resumes at full-speed.
One player primed to play major minutes is shooting guard Joe Harris. Harris is coming off of a shaky post-season performance during his first go around with the Nets. Given his first time playing meaningful minutes in the playoffs, the Nets were looking for a spark offensively to help support their offensive anchor in D’Angelo Russell. Joe never scored over 15 points in the five games against Philadelphia. Shooting at an abysmal 37% from the field, the Nets were ousted by the Sixers in 5 games after a surprising game 1 victory, convincing fans that they could possibly run the table against Philly.
Prior to the start of the 2019-20 season, Harris was tasked as the starting small forward for Team USA in the 2019 FIBA world cup under coach Gregg Popovich. With a stacked roster, Harris managed to clock in 21 minutes per game with a team that featured five former and current all-stars.
His experienced translated to the 2019-20 season as Harris made steady improvements as a contributor for Brooklyn this season. Missing only one game out of the 64 played, Harris is having a career year across the statistical categories. Beef Jerky Joe is averaging 14 points per game, and 4 boards while shooting 41% from three, and 47% from the field. Averaging about 11 attempts in 30 minutes of play, Joe Harris has been an ultra efficient spot up wing.
Harris is currently making $8 million and entering unrestricted free agency this upcoming summer. In a league where shooting is one of the most essential specialty to master, Joe Harris will be looking at a hefty pay check come November. Teams like Sacramento, Philly, Minnesota, San Antonio, and Indiana are in dire need of 3-point shooting as they rank the lowest of the low in the league in 3-point attempts. However, Joe Harris’ age as well as his past foot injury, causing him to miss 90% of his second season, will be going against his odds of signing a massive deal. With Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant returning to health next season, Joe Harris may very well find a new home in the NBA. But that won’t be as much of an issue for him.
Serge Ibaka
The defending champion Toronto Raptors are currently the second best team in the Eastern Conference. Defying expectations once again, the Raptors have surprised many as they have established themselves as a powerhouse not only in the Eastern Conference, but throughout the league. Despite sustaining a number of injuries from vets like Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol, and young talent like Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam, Toronto has been able to operate within their system comfortably with whoever they can plug in under Nick Nurse’s creative offensive innovation.
The team’s mindset revolves around the moxie and attitude from players who have played on championship contending teams in the past. Talent-wise, the squad is filled with a number of versatile players who contribute both inside and outside offensively, but can also switch and handle multiple positions on the defensive end. None is more qualified to be a swiss army knife more on this team than 10-year veteran Serge Ibaka.
Ibaka has been a cornerstone for this team as both the back up center, and the starting center when Marc Gasol is out of rotation. Serge is the team’s leading rebounder with 8.3 boards per game. Not the same shot blocking presence as he was in the past, Ibaka is still an impact defender as his versatility helps him switch onto guards and wings with little trouble. But what makes Ibaka so special is his production on the offensive end.
Serge is average a career high 16 points per game while shooting a career high 40% from behind the arch. His evolution throughout his career from an energy rim protector in OKC, to the quintessential stretch big man in Toronto has been fascination to watch to say the least.
The Raptors are looking to run the table and repeat as champions despite not having Kawhi Leonard this go around. If the Raptors end up making a deep run in the playoffs this year, Mafuzzy Chef will be one of the main reasons Toronto will be in contention for a title.
Ibaka is currently making $21.6 million this year. At the age of 30, he probably won’t earn the same out next year on a three year deal. But then again, following the career averages he is posting this year, a team outside of the playoff picture might be desperate enough to pay a serviceable big man like Ibaka the big bucks. Nonetheless, the future is still long and bright for Air Congo.
Goran Dragic
The Miami Heat currently hold the number 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, and for good reason. Expected to be a low ranked playoff team to even being on the outside looking in, the Heat have been a pleasant surprise in the East following the pivotal free agent signing of Jimmy Butler the off-season prior.
One of the older free agents to hit the market, Goran Dragic is still playing at a productive starter level point guard. Averaging just over 16 points per game and just over 5 assists per game, Dragic is third on the team in both categories. A former NBA all-star in 2017-18, Dragic has improved on being a volume 3-point shooter, shooting almost six a game and hitting over 37% of his attempts.
In the current Heat system, Dragic is seen playing as a combo guard alongside Jimmy Butler in the starting lineup. Miami has such a deep roster with both veteran and youth, that Coach Erik Spoelstra has the flexibility to tinker with lineups throughout the progression of the game. Although Dragic’s forte is to create offense with his speed, quickness, and driving ability, he is able to play off ball as a shooter to help space the floor for slashers like Butler and Kendrick Nunn. His veteran presence has helped mentor rookies Tyler Herro and Nunn adapt to the speed of the league as well as the nuances and kinks to the Heat’s offensive system.
Dragic is a very versatile point guard despite his age. He was never a player that relied on athletism and explosiveness throughout his career. A cagy and crafty finisher around the rim, Dragic was able to learn from one of the best point guards to ever play the game early in his career. Dragic learned as Steve Nash’s understudy during his early years as a Sun, playing as a backup point guard before taking over the reigns in Phoenix. His work would pay off as he landed a five year contract with the Heat tallying over $85 million.
Dragic can still play as productive piece in a team’s rotation. Nearing the end of his prime at age 33, Dragic can still score at the teens while being able to initiate a team’s offense. He can play inside the system, scoring on spot ups and pick-n-roll drives, as well as outside of the system as his craftiness going to the rim and finishing around the basket proves to still be effective.
Dragic is currently making $19 million this season, probably the highest total he will see from here until his retirement. But his value is still worth upwards of $10 million for a team in need for a point guard to bring the ball up and keep defenses honest.