Free Agency Madness: Who's Left?
Since the start of free agency on July 1st, the NBA has witnessed a vast amount of signings. None bigger than arguably the best player in the world, LeBron James, signing a 4-year, $154 million dollar deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, after James's signing, the two biggest free agency signings would have to be Chris Paul staying with the Houston Rockets on a 4 year, $160 million dollar max deal, and Paul George returning to the Oklahoma City Thunder on a 4 year, $137 million dollar deal. Following those moves, Chris Paul's former LA Clippers teammate DeAndre Jordan, made a long overdue move of signing a 1-year, $24M deal with the Dallas Mavericks whom he had committed to signing with back in 2015. At that time, according to multiple reports, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul locked Jordan in his home and eventually convinced him to stay with the Clippers, After this past season, ironically, the Clippers moved both Paul and Griffin, it seems as if Jordan decided he had to 'get out of dodge' too. With those 4 big names out, many teams are scrambling to find other players to sign, I figured I would give those teams some keys to success (big ups to DJ Khaled) along with providing a guide to the top 4 free agents left in free agency.
1. DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins
DeMarcus Cousins is coming off of a season in which he averaged 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.6 blocks. This was all while shooting 47% from the field and 35% from 3-point land. However, Cousins's season was cut short due to an achilles injury. Achilles injuries are one of the toughest to come back from in sports, but if Boogie can come back strong and put up numbers near the aforementioned season average, he could definitely turn his team into a contender.
2. Clint Capela
Clint Capela is everything teams want in the Modern NBA center. Capela is long, rangy, ultra-athletic, plays defense, rebounds, and has the agility to go up and down the court with speedy players. Capela just came off a season in which he was nominated for Most Improved Player averaging 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1..9 blocks all while shooting 65.2% from the field. As a restricted free agent, the Rockets can match any offer sheet Capela receives from a team, but if the price tag gets too steep for the Rockets, they might let him walk. Wherever he ends up, that team will be getting a disciplined young player.
3. Tyreke Evans
Tyreke Evans had a career resurgence this past season with the Memphis Grizzlies. After a few bad years in 2015 and 2016, Evans put up pretty good numbers averaging 19.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 45.2% from the field and 39.9% from 3-point range. Evans would probably be best suited as a 6th man considering his ability to score and his challenges as a defender. Many teams could have use him, so I would expect him to receive multiple offers. Whoever lands him could have their bench improved immediately.
4. Jabari Parker
Jabari Parker tore his ACL in 2016 after having what looked to be his best season yet. He averaged 20 points with 6 rebounds almost 3 assists and a steal per game on 49% shooting from the field and 36% from 3-point . Parker showed flashes of being a potential star in the league, This season his numbers digressed due to him missing nearly half of the season to recover from an ACL injury. Parker's minutes were limited, but he still put up a solid 12.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.8 steals per game while on 48.2% from the field and 38.3% from 3-point. Parker's role was limited this year because he had to come off the bench while working back from injury, If Parker is signed, he could be a starter again and show why he had convinced teams that he could become a young star. Many teams will be paying close attention to Parker's progress.
