A number of NBA teams are already looking forward to the draft and free agency, as well as fans of those teams. While many free agents have been linked to certain teams, the truth is a fair number of the top free agents will almost certainly stay with the teams they’re on now.
LeBron James, Marc Gasol, and Kawhi Leonard are among the players expected to stay with their current teams. Other players who would be huge targets if they left, but most likely won’t, include DeAndre Jordan, Tim Duncan, and Tyson Chandler.
On the other side, though, there are some players who are currently thought more likely than not to hit free agency and end up with a different team.
Check out the top players in this category below.
Greg Monroe
The Pistons have two big free agents—Monroe and Reggie Jackson. As of right now, Jackson will likely be back but Monroe will not. Monroe took a qualifying offer this past offseason just so he can be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Plus, in Stan Van Gundy’s system he doesn’t get as many touches as he could in other places.
The Knicks, Celtics, Spurs, and Lakers could be among the teams offering huge deals to Monroe, 24, who is making $5.4 million in 2014-2015 and is due for a raise.
Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders said that Monroe is willing to meet with Los Angeles this summer, while Boston’s second target behind Kevin Love will be Monroe. Despite playing fewer minutes this season, 30.8, Monroe is averaging 15.7 points on 49 percent shooting as well as 10.5 rebounds.
Jimmy Butler
Butler is going to get a big offer sheet from some team, whether it’s the Knicks or another team. And Chicago may not match it. Butler hasn’t voiced displeasure with the team, but has been at the top of the league in terms of minutes played over the past several seasons, which probably hasn’t been the best plan.
Butler, 25, who will likely get a max deal due to his increased production this season, is set to make $2.1 million in 2014−2015, the last of his rookie contract.
A number of teams will look very hard at Butler, who is known for his defense but has been producing on the other end this season as well. Butler is averaging 20.2 points in 38.9 minutes a game this season, shooting 46 percent from the field and 35 percent from long range.
