Free Agent Enigmas
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| Credit: WEEI.com |
DeMarcus Cousins, UFA
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| Credit: The Mercury News |
DeMarcus Cousins is the first name that comes to mind when thinking of a free agent enigma. Cousins certainly went against the grain by signing a one year mid-level exception contract with the Golden State Warriors for the 2019 season after rupturing his achilles with the New Orleans Pelicans. When the Pelicans backed out bringing him back we saw Cousins do a "bet on myself" move that made a lot of sense. Unfortunately, it resulted in even more questions.
While the soon to be 29 year-old did appear in 30 regular season games and averaged 16 PPG and 8 RPG, he was just a shadow of himself due in large part of not being 100% healthy or in game shape. In addition to the previous injury, he also strained his quad early in the Warriors' playoff run.
Despite Cousins' injury bug, I think the Knicks end up with Cousins because they will strike out on landing the biggest names. The Knicks will have to settle on a big risk-high reward signing because due to their dysfunction, the Nets are the better option in New York at the moment. I just hope he can shake rust and hit the ground running when the season starts to remind everyone of what he was pre-injury.
Isaiah Thomas, UFA
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| Credit: Denver Stiffs |
Prediction: Unsigned
Speaking of the injury bug, Isaiah Thomas might be the poster child for it. Thomas is the epitome of trusting your body and not playing until you are 100% healthy. Two years ago we looked at Thomas as a player that had a strong possibility of earning a max contract and now he will have to consider taking a minimum contract.
Players should look at and follow how Kawhi Leonard handled his injury in San Antonio as opposed to how Thomas handled his in Boston. He pushed himself in a time where he had high leverage and lost it all. 30 for 30 worthy right?
Thomas will need a shot after only appearing in 12 games last year for the Nuggets. Unfortunately, with the way the last years have played out for Thomas, I would not be surprised if his phone does not ring Sunday night and well into the week.
I predict Thomas will have to seek out suitors for his services and will not be on a roster on opening day. He will most likely be a mid-season addition and he will wish and pray to the heavens in hopes he can return to his magical 2017 year in Boston self.
Jimmy Butler, UFA
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| Credit: CBS Sports |
Prediction: Houston Rockets
Jimmy Butler's situation intrigues basketball fans all over and has been a topic of discussion for months. After forcing his way out of Chicago and Minnesota, Butler landed in Philadelphia where he was a key part of a 51 win team. Though Butler is an elite defender and a very capable scorer, he will be turning 30 in September and many question if he can be the number one or two option on a championship team.
His age will certainly scare some GMs across the league who fear the back end of a long-term max deal, but Houston's window is close to being over and they are desperately looking to shake up their team to get them over the edge.
Rockets GM Daryl Morey, is certainly aggressive one and this perfectly suits his style. More was very open during the Warriors' reign by stating that he will not hold off and rebuild while also adding Chris Paul to James Harden and company.
I certainly question how this move can get pulled off financially and how mixing Butler's alpha ego with the ongoing strife between James Harden and Chris Paul but I do think it is a move the Rockets will pull out all of the stops to make.
Julius Randle, UFA
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| Credit: Yahoo Sports |
Prediction: Phoenix Suns
I am a big fan of the one year deal that Randle signed with New Orleans after a dry free agency market last summer. I love to see players take matters into their own hands and bet on themselves for bigger paydays and better playing situations. Randle now has the option to get both.
Randle, 24, put up very good numbers with 21 PPG and nearly 9 RPG with a 21 PER last season. He made sure every team knew that he could produce at a high level consistently and it should result in a big payout this week.
This was a tough one to predict because I can see a fit with multiple teams. I see the Suns and Julius Randle agreeing to terms because there is money and a major need for talent at the four spot in Phoenix. Also, it is a chance to invest early on Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton for Randle and potentially grow into a future big three. There is also reported interest on both sides.
I also expect the Bulls, Mavericks, Knicks and Clippers to all make a strong push for Randle as well.
Terry Rozier, RFA
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| Credit: Chowder and Champions |
Terry Rozier has the tools to be a starting point guard in the NBA, the biggest question is for what price tag?
Rozier shined in Boston's playoff run in 2018 and was a contributing factor in why the Eastern Conference Finals went to seven games against the LeBron-led Cavaliers.
However, this year was especially tough on Rozier because after showing what he could do, he still was struggling to play substantial minutes with the return of Kyrie Irving. Chemistry issues and bad leadership were the main reasons why the Celtics underperformed for the entire 2019 season.
I think Rozier ends up in Charlotte because it will be a quick, cheaper fix to the loss of Kemba Walker. The Hornets are facing the question every small to mid market team faces in their franchise: Do we overpay for him to stay or just continue to search in future drafts and free agent classes? Michael Jordan made it clear that they were not going to give in and max out Walker, which turned him off to the idea of staying.
Charlotte will be an adjustment for him given that he was just playing with a deep roster the past few years but I think he can bring a bit of identity to a team that looks to be locked in at the bottom for decades to come.
Honorable Mentions: Al Horford, Derrick Rose, DeAndre Jordan, Kris Middleton
*Statistics courtesy of Basketball Reference
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