Players around the NBA are trying to help their respective team finish the 2014-15 regular season strong and, in many cases, lock up a playoff berth.
And all the while, millions of dollars are on the line—particularly for the guys who are slated to become free agents during the offseason.
Unrestricted free agents like Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge have the benefit of testing the entire market, whereas restricted free agents rely on the market to set their value.
Player and team options can create more available talent, but because a declination of a respective deal is not guaranteed, those contracts will be overlooked for now.
Brandon Knight, Point Guard, Phoenix Suns
Knight had a terrific half of the season with the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 17.8 points, 5.4 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals for the resurgent club. Quite frankly, he was playing at an All-Star level.
But at the trade deadline, Knight was surprisingly shipped to the Phoenix Suns—who tossed around point guards like a fresh salad. Since then, his numbers have dropped, and Knight sustained an ankle injury that’s cost him a couple weeks.
The combination could hardly be worse for the combo guard, since he will be a restricted free agent.
Phoenix and the Dallas Mavericks should pursue Knight, but unless the 22-year-old recovers from the ankle issue and returns to his previous form, the contract will be lower than it could’ve been had Milwaukee not traded him.
Jimmy Butler, Shooting Guard, Chicago Bulls
The Derrick Rose saga has stolen the headlines, but Jimmy Butler has carried the Chicago Bulls’ backcourt for most of the 2014-15 campaign. He’s averaging a career-best 20.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 0.6 blocks per game, including a 122 offensive rating, 21.5 PER and 9.9 win shares.
While the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics will probably throw a max contract at the pending RFA, the Bulls can re-sign the shooting guard for more money and an additional year before another team gets a chance.
Chicago’s problem, however, is that nearly $69 million is locked in elsewhere. Consequently, the front office must be willing to enter the luxury tax to keep Butler and fill the roster.
He can chase money and join a losing team, or Butler can stick with the Bulls but handicap the team’s salary cap situation moving forward. That’s not his burden to carry, but Chicago’s future success rides on Butler.
Kawhi Leonard, Small Forward, San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs have at least $30 million in cap space, but the potential returns of Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili could limit the available money for Kawhi Leonard. However, the small forward is way too valuable for San Antonio to let walk, even at the expense of a max contract.
Leonard has increased his scoring output from 12.8 points per appearance to a team-leading 15.9, which is a direct result of taking a larger offensive role. His three-point clip rested between 37.4 and 37.9 percent during each of his first three campaigns, though that’s fallen to 32.9 this year.
But the Spurs will deal with that regression because the 2014 Finals MVP is a tenacious on-ball defender—arguably the best one in the league. Leonard has amassed a league-leading 2.2 steals per game along with 0.8 blocks and a plus-10.3 defensive split, per Basketball-Reference.com.
The soft-spoken superstar is theoretically in a perfect situation, playing in a small market with limited national attention and criticism. A max contract is likely headed Leonard’s way, but it’s not yet a certainty. If the 23-year-old can record another elite playoff performance, however, it should be.
Draymond Green, Power Forward, Golden State Warriors
After spending two seasons as a reserve, Draymond Green joined the Golden State Warriors’ starting lineup in 2014-15. His production and versatility have been on full display.
Green has registered 11.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks per outing while posting a 109 offensive rating, 96 defensive mark. What’s more, the Warriors are 14.9 points better with him on the floor, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
But most importantly for Golden State, Green’s ability to defend all five positions has allowed rookie coach Steve Kerr to employ a variety of small, scoring-heavy lineups that hold their own on the other side.
The 6’7″, 230-pound forward will absolutely receive a max contract in restricted free agency—perhaps from his home-state Detroit Pistons—which will pressure the Warriors into offering one before another franchise can.
Besides, playing next to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson for at least the next two season seems to be a tremendously appealing thought.
Greg Monroe, Power Forward, Detroit Pistons
Though Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy’s offensive strategy is best executed with a true a stretch-four, Greg Monroe has attempted just seven triples throughout his five-year career.
But that doesn’t mean the impending UFA hasn’t been productive with the Pistons. The power forward has racked up 16.0 points and 10.4 boards alongside Andre Drummond, another double-double machine.
SVG has consistently stated his desire to retain Monroe, and Detroit is only tied to $28 million for 2015-16. However, Reggie Jackson’s impending restricted free agency could spike that number a little too high, and the Pistons have been a more dangerous offensive unit sans Monroe.
Monroe’s next contract will be influenced by his destination: A rebuilding roster will pay top dollar, while a contender might not offer as much. The Knicks, Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are probably going to chase “Moose,” while the Spurs might if Duncan retires.
But will Monroe leave the Motor City? After all, he has a lot on the line—the bottom line.
Note: All salary numbers via Basketball Insiders.
Photo: USA Today Sports