The following players are the top restricted free agents for the NBA free agent class of 2015. Each player will be given a short description on their season’s stats, where they will land, and for how much their contract will be. As most of you know, these players are restricted free agents making most of them likely to stay with their current team.
- Kawhi Leonard
- Jimmy Butler
- Draymond Green
- Brandon Knight
- Reggie Jackson
- Khris Middleton
- Tobias Harris
- Tristian Thompson
- Enes Kanter
- Patrick Beverley
- Iman Shumpert
- Jae Crowder
- KJ McDaniels
- Matthew Dellavedova
Kawhi Leonard
Stats:
31.8 minutes per game, 16.5 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, 2.3 steals per game, while shooting 47.9% from the field, and 34.9% from three.
Leonard will most likely end up staying with the San Antonio Spurs. Leonard is their building block for the future, and with the Spurs likely to go all in for Aldridge, those two should allow for the Spurs to continue their dominance in the Western Conference. Leonard will receive a max offer this offseason from a number of teams, which the Spurts will match.
Jimmy Butler
Stats:
38.7 minutes per game, 20.0 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists per game, 1.8 steals per game, while shooting 46.2% from the field, and 37.8% from three.
Butler will be staying in Chicago this offseason. The entire Bull’s organization has stated they will be bringing him back no matter the cost. Even with this being said, I expect a multitude of teams to offer Butler a max deal, with the Bulls matching. Butler is becoming the face of the organization with the health of Rose always a concern. Even with the rumors, Rose and Butler were butting it out during the playoffs, I would expect Rose to be the first of the two to be shipped away. All in all, the Bulls will match anything and retain much of their team from this past season.
Draymond Green
Stats:
31.5 minutes per game, 11.7 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game, 3.7 assists per game, 1.6 steals per game, 1.3 blocks per game, while shooting 44.3% from the field, and 33.7% from three.
Green is a questionable max offer guy. In the Warrior’s system, Green is a max guy, in most other situations, he would not be. With that being said, I fully expect a few teams outside the Warriors to offer a max deal. Once these teams offer the max, the Warriors will instantly match to retain their core. Green has been the heart of the team for the Warriors, and for them to start a new dynasty in the West, as the Spurs disappear into the twilight, they will need to retain Green, to pair with Curry and Thompson.
Brandon Knight
Stats(Phoenix):
31.5 minutes per game, 13.4 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game, 4.5 assists per game, 0.5 steals per game, while shooting 35.7% from the field, and 31.3% from three.
Phoenix has a lot of great role players on their team, but no defined superstar. Knight is a great player, and being a Buck’s fan it was sad to see him go. With all that said the Bucks knew Knight was not worth the raise he was going to get this free agency. Without the defined superstar in Phoenix, I think the Suns should let Knight walk to another offer, and use their ample amount of cap space to chase after Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, or Marc Gasol. Knight should get a contract around 4 years 48 million. I think this a bit to high for Knight, and would be more comfortable at around 4 years 40 million.
Reggie Jackson
Stats(Detroit):
32.2 minutes per game, 17.6 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, 9.2 assists per game, 0.7 steals per game, while shooting 43.6% from the field, and 33.7% from three.
Rumors have swirled that the Pistons will match any offer, even a max offer. I think this is crazy to think because if someone offers Jackson a max offer, the Pistons should cut their losses, and let him walk. Jackson is a good player, but is in need of improving in a multitude of ways. The Knicks have expressed interest on Jackson, and I think they will throw an offer his way. Their offer will probably be around the 3 years 30 million, which I think is too high, considering Knight is a better player in my eyes, and I thought a deal around 10 million was suitable for Knight. Jackson’s value in my eyes should be between the 6-8 million, but as in the tradition of free agency someone always overpays. As to where Jackson lands, I expect the Pistons to match as long as it under a max, and I do not see a max being offered to him.
Khris Middleton
Stats:
30.1 minutes per game, 13.4 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game, 1.5 steals per game, while shooting 46.7% from the field, and 40.7% from three.
I have previously written an article about Khris Middleton and his value. Here is the link to that article.
https://nbasourcetoday.wordpress.com/2015/02/28/what-is-khris-middleton-worth-this-summer/
After reading the article, you see what I believe Middleton is worth. Rumors have swirled that a few teams might offer a max for Middleton, and even though I do not view Middleton as a max player, I would expect the Bucks to match any offer, as Middleton is a key player for their core and plans moving forward.
Tobias Harris
Stats:
34.8 minutes per game, 17.1 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, 1.8 assists per game, 1.0 steals per game, while shooting 46.6% from the field, and 36.4% from three.
Harris is the first player I do not think will be back with his original team. The Magic, sitting at the fifth selection in the draft are primed to be able to select Justise Winslow or Stanley Johnson, who both have higher ceilings than Harris. I think Harris will end up with the New York Knicks. He will fit along side Anthony well, and give the Knicks a good building block to go along with whoever they select at the fourth selection. Harris’s value to get him away from the Magic will go along the lines that it too to pry away Chandler Parsons. That contract is 3 years 45 million. The Knicks have the cap room to do this and Harris will give them an intriguing young player to hopefully increase the interest of a star player to come play in New York as well.
Tristian Thompson
Stats:
26.8 minutes per game, 8.5 points per game, 8.0 rebounds per game, 0.5 assists per game, 0.7 blocks per game, while shooting 54.7% from the field.
It is terrible thing when a player gets injured, but sometimes when one door closes, a la Kevin Love injury, another one opens, a la Tristian Tompson dominating the paint in the playoffs. Not many players can do what Thompson does on the boards. Thompson is so aggressive he gets anything that comes near him. Thompson is also great at using his rebounding to be effective at the offensive end, with put-backs and other low post moves. Thompson never really improved any of his weaknesses coming out of college, but improved his strengths. With all this being said, I think the Cavaliers are hopefully wishing Kevin Love decides to leave, so they are able to pay Thompson the money he will command. Since the Love injury the Cavaliers have been clicking on all cylinders, and I think Thompson fits their scheme better than Love was. Being the Cavaliers and teams wanting to weaken their opponent’s, either by financially capping a team, or taking the player away from the team entirely. I do think a team will throw an offer toward Thompson around 60 million. Thompson did turn down an offer of 4 years 52 million earlier in the season. There is also the option Thompson takes the qualifying option for this next season, so he becomes an unrestricted free agent when the cap skyrockets. All in all I think Thompson strikes a deal to stay in Cleveland, as he has been a key piece for them.
Enes Kanter
Stats:
28.5 minutes per game, 15.5 points per game, 8.9 rebounds per game, 0.7 assists per game, 0.5 steals per game, while shooting 51.9% from the field, and 35.6% from three.
Of all the trade deadline deals, no one benefited from it, as much as Kanter did. Kanter averaged a double-double once in Oklahoma City. With his offensive dominance and rebounding skills being highly coveted, expect Kanter to get a hefty raise this summer. Kanter offers little on the defensive side, so if you are going to throw big money at him, you better have a rim protector to play with him, or your low post defense will get destroyed. Kanter, has gotten rumors that he might get a max offer. I think this is just rumors, because I do not think anyone views Kanter as a max player. Kanter to me, with the impending cap rise is a 12-14 million dollar player. I think this is what he should expect to see this summer, with an offer around the 4 years 52 million. With all that being said, I fully expect the Thunder to match anything less than a max, so Kanter will likely be staying in Oklahoma.
Patrick Beverley
Stats:
30.8 minutes per game, 10.1 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, 3.4 assists per game, 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 38.3% from the field, and 35.6% from three.
An obvious split is upon Beverley and the Houston Rockets. This past season it was obvious there was tension among Beverely and the rest of the team. Losing Beverely would not be a huge blow to the Rockets as they have been looking to upgrade from him for some time now. With their first round pick located in the late teens the Rockets will be able to get a new point guard, such as, Cameron Payne, Delon Wright, or Jerian Grant. These guys present some of the same skills at a much cheaper price. If the Rockets wanted they could go after Rajon Rondo, but after seeing what he did to the Mavericks, with his poor shooting and attitude issue, I expect Rondo to be finding it hard to find a job this summer, and might have to take a one year prove it deal to get his money next summer. Chandler Parsons of the Dallas Mavericks supposedly has been in contact with Beverely to come play for the Mavericks. This addition of Beverely would be an upgrade for the Mavericks, and would not be an expensive signing. I would expect Beverely to come at the price of 3 years $18-20 million. The Rockets could easily match this, but as stated before they have better options via the draft.
Iman Shumpert
Stats:
24.9 minutes per game, 8.0 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 41.0% from the field, and 34.2% from three.
Shumpert could be argued with Kanter for benefiting the most from the trade deadline. Shumpert will be garnering the responsibility of guarding Stephen Curry in the NBA finals. Now if Shumpert can drastically slow down Curry like a lot of Cavalier fans believe he can, Shumpert will only see his value rise. I do not expect Shumpert to have a drastic impact on Curry, but I believe he will have a little effect. Shumpert, will be getting a lot of offers this summer, and I feel a near max deal could be in store for him. I expect a contract along the lines of Chandler Parsons will be offered to Shumpert. I expect this offer to come from the Los Angeles Lakers, who are in desperate need of talent. Shumpert will drastically improve their defense, and with his rising confidence in his shot give them a more reliable offensive threat to take some pressure off of Kobe for his last season. The Cavaliers could match this offer, but with Thompson and Love both likely needing to be signed, along with other role players, Shumpert might just be too expensive.
Jae Crowder
Stats(Boston):
24.2 minutes per game, 9.5 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game, 1.0 steals per game, while shooting 41.8%, and 28.2% from three.
Crowder was a nice addition for the Celtics this past season. Crowder is a hard worker, who always plays with a lot of intensity. Crowder is a great player, who has ability to step in when your main starters need a break. Crowder, should be a less expensive resigning for the Celtics. Crowder will probably come back at around 2 years $5 million.
KJ McDaniels
Stats:
21.8 minutes per game, 7.9 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, 1.2 assists per game, 1.1 blocks per game, while shooting 39.6% from the field, and 28.7% from three.
McDaniels decided to take a one year deal from the 76ers, and boy did that pay off for him. McDaniels, before the trade to the Rockets was in consideration for rookie of the year. Granted this was also before Wiggins found his groove, but shows how much talent McDaniels has. McDaniels should look to get offers for around $4-6 million. I expect the Rockets to match any offer, as stated before McDaniels has a ton of talent, and is another player the Rockets can use to build around.
Matthew Dellavedova
Stats:
20.6 minutes per game, 4.8 points per game, 3.0 assists per game, 1.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 36.2% from the field, and 40.7% from three.
It is pretty hard to find another role player who has been as hot as Dellavedova as of late. Dellavedova was able to step in when Kyrie was injured and was capable of leading the offense. When you have LeBron, who is also capable of running the point, this job is not as hard as it usually is. Even with that being said, Dellavedova is in for a raise this offseason. I do not think many people view Dellavedova as a starter in the league, so he will be paid like a back-up. His contract should be around 3 years $12-15. This is fair as if he blossoms into a capable starting point guard it will allow him to get more money in his prime, but if he stays at this same level he will be getting paid a fair amount for his skills. I fully expect with this contract deal, Dellavedova will be staying in Cleveland.
By: Mac Crowe, @Mac_Truck17
NBA Source Today 