With the 2015 NBA Draft over, it's now time to pay attention to the NBA Free Agency period. In the NBA offseason, this is where the most fun is to be had. It is where the big boys come out to play. Free agency is always where the biggest moves happen, and it sets the stage for the new NBA season. There are always crazy moves made in free agency, whether it is LeBron James going back home to Cleveland or Channing Frye signing for four years, worth $32 million. Honestly, why Orlando, why? So with all the craziness that is about to unfold, here are some bold predictions for the free agency period.
Draymond Green Will Not Get The Max
The Draymond Green debate of whether he deserves a max level contract has been going on for seemingly light years.
Most people have landed on yes, the man from Michigan does deserve a max deal. However, this is not because of his talent, but because of the way that he fits with the Warriors, his will to win, his attitude and his toughness. In the NBA, this usually doesn't land you a max deal.
Because of the value that he brings to Golden State, they will surely match any offer, but will be well over the cap and deep into the tax. So GM Bob Myers won't feel obligated to do so straight away. One way of avoiding this problem is if the Warriors trade David Lee's $15 million contract. But still having to take back money in a trade will still be a problem, meaning that they might still have to clear out more cap room. If Warriors owner Joe Lacob has any interest in his money, he will try to get a decrease when negotiating Green's new contract.
Logic would dictate then that Green would go test his value in free agency and get a team to give him the max offer sheet that the Warriors would have to match. The only problem is exactly what was stated before. The things that make Green so valuable to the Warriors don't necessarily make him valuable to any other team. GMs will probably then feel reluctant to make a move for Green, despite his resume.
There is barely any doubt that Green deserves a max contract, but the fact that Golden State needs to save money and the troubling factor that he may not be as valuable to another team, means that Green might not get the max.
Boston Will Find Love
Kevin Love has been the subject of a lot of free agency talk lately. He has already opted out of his contract and is ready to test the market.
Despite reports that Love wants to stay in Cleveland and continue playing with LeBron and Kyrie Irving, there is still a strong chance that Love will leave. Throughout the season, Love looked completely disinterested and lacked enthusiasm when on the court. He seemed dejected that he was the obvious third wheel and from a fan's perspective, it really did seem to annoy him.
With another power forward on Cleveland's roster, Tristan Thompson, headed for a max (or at least close to max) deal, would it make sense for the Cavs to re-sign Love considering that with Thompson's max, Cleveland would have three players (including LeBron) that all play pretty much the same position earning top dollar? The answer to that question by the way was, no. Since Thompson will be cheaper, will be restricted and is younger, David Griffin may feel that he is their long-term solution at power forward.
So if Love leaves Cleveland, what are his options?
One option that has been talked about far too much is the Los Angeles Lakes. While L.A. is building a solid, talented roster, especially with the acquisition of D'Angelo Russell, Love wouldn't really fit in with what they are building. With second-year power forward Julius Randle already on the roster, a frontcourt involving those two may look good from a straight talent perspective. But considering that neither of them play much defense, Los Angeles may suffer.
Other options include the San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets. But San Antonio is targeting LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland isn't a big enough city to get a star like Love, and while Houston is a good basketball fit and would be able to offer him a large contract, the next team is a far better fit for Love.
The Boston Celtics.
If any team is on the rise in the NBA, it is the Boston Celtics. Growing rich with talent, assets, money and draft picks, all Boston needs is a superstar to kick start their Eastern Conference contention bid. Love seems like a perfect fit.
Love wants to return to his days of stardom in Minnesota, being the frontline man again, but this time on a better team screams a perfect basketball fit. Love would presumably want a max deal and Boston has the money to do that. He wants to be in a big market, Boston doesn't quite provide that for him, but it is a massive market compared to Minnesota.
In terms of a scheme fit, Boston's up-tempo, pace-and-space mentality would fit in perfectly around Love as their nucleus. Their offense was already good last year, so imagine what heights it could reach with an offensive beast like Love in place.
One concern is that Boston doesn't have any other stars to speak of, but they do have all the pieces to acquire one, which will be one of the biggest recruiting pitches to Love.
No Other Big Names Will Find New Teams
Despite rumors that a lot of big stars will be on the move, Love might be the only one that does.
Let's start with Marc Gasol. He has lived in the city of Memphis since he was a teenager, has one of the most loyal personalities in the world, loves his team and could be set for yet another championship run next year. The only team he could possibly ditch for is San Antonio, but they're all in on the LaMarcus Aldridge sweepstakes. Finally, to all you Knicks fans out there, stop dreaming, the best center in the league is not going to a 17-win team. Stop drooling.
Next is Paul Millsap. The Hawks are in a tight situation with the cap. Despite having $29 million free, the Hawks have two big free agents in DeMarre Carroll and Millsap. Both will be demanding big deals, and in Millsap's case, possibly a max deal. Since Atlanta does not own the bird rights for either of them, they do not have the option of signing either of them over the cap. This means that the Hawks are in grave danger of losing one or even both of them.
Luckily for the Hawks, they are a tight-knit group that would probably want to stay together and attempt to win a championship that way. Meaning that Millsap and Carroll might both take pay cuts or sign a one year, reduced deal since the cap is rising next season. Either way, the Hawks shouldn't feel too pressured.
LaMarcus Aldridge is the last real big name. Aldridge, out of this group, is probably the most likely to leave considering that reports are claiming that he has already told the Blazers' front office that he is leaving. But this is just a report and you may not have a reason to believe it if you take into account a few different things. Firstly, these are just reports, so this word is obviously not official. Secondly, the Blazers have had great success with Aldridge recently, and if he stays in Portland, he would still have a young team that has many more years of competing to go yet.
George Karl Gets Fired
If any of these bold predictions come true, this one will be the saddest.
George Karl is one of the coolest, most awesome and fun coaches in the entire league. His fast-paced offense is so fun to watch and so is his lack of care on the other side of the ball.
But although his teams are fun to watch, it is hard to think that his relationship with the front office hasn't been tarnished in the wake of the DeMarcus Cousins trade talk. Rumors are saying that Karl wanted Cousins out of Sacramento to help run his fast-paced offense as there is no room for a post oriented big man that slows down play in that type of system.
But, again according to reports, GM Vlade Divac and owner Vivek Ranadive weren't happy with Karl trying to push their star big man out. So much so that they are already lining up other alternatives. One being John Calipari, who has denied any association with the Kings franchise.
While it would be good to see what Karl could do with the Kings in a full season, not just 30 games, the NBA world may not get to see the power couple of Boogie and Coach Karl together again.
The Pacers Will Sign Monta Ellis
One of the free agents that have surprisingly flown under the radar has been Monta Ellis.
Ellis is one of the better offensive players in the league. He has great skill sets that include a good jumpshot, fantastic speed and agility, and an ability to penetrate that was used to perfection by Coach Carlisle in Dallas.
The Pacers make so much sense for a player like Monta Ellis, and with an addition like that, it would vault them back into contender status. The Pacers already have a top-notch defense to go along with a top-notch defensive coach, so it is clear that they should focus on the offensive side of the ball. One of the biggest things that Indiana lacks is a creator on the perimeter. That is pretty much Monta Ellis' job description.
If Ellis heads to Indiana, it could take their offense to new heights. It would allow Paul George to play a more natural off-ball role and not put as much pressure on George Hill. The Pacers would then play a faster tempo, which Larry Bird, Pacers' president, said that he wanted the Pacers to do.
Free agency will be a wild ride, so buckle up.