Who Are the Top Free Agents in the NBA this offseason?
The NBA offseason is in full swing and there are plenty of free agents available. Who are the top free agents on the market this offseason?
Kyrie Irving
Point guard Kyrie Irving is one of the most high-profile free agents in the NBA this offseason. Irving is a six-time All-Star and was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2011. He has also won an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal. Irving is coming off a season in which he averaged 23.8 points and 5.0 assists per game.
Skills and accomplishments
Kyrie Irving is an American professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was named NBA Rookie of the Year after being selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. Irving played college basketball for Duke University before joining the Cavaliers in 2011.
A six-time NBA All-Star, Irving was named the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2014. He has also been selected to four All-NBA Teams, including three times to the All-NBA Third Team. He won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016. In 2019, he was traded to the Boston Celtics. He won another Eastern Conference title with them in 2020, but they lost in the conference finals to the eventual champions, the Miami Heat.
What teams are interested
It is widely known that the Brooklyn Nets are the frontrunner to sign Kyrie Irving in free agency this summer. The Nets can offer Irving a max contract worth $141 million over four years. The Nets also have the appeal of being able to sign another max free agent, which is something that Irving has said he is interested in doing. The other teams that have been mentioned as potential destinations for Irving are the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers.
What he’s looking for in a team
Kyrie Irving made headlines earlier this month when he announced that he would be taking his talents elsewhere in search of a team that better suits his needs. The six-time All-Star has been linked to a number of teams, but it remains to be seen where he will ultimately land.
In an interview with The Athletic, Irving opened up about what he is looking for in a new team. “For me, it’s just looking at a group of guys and saying, ‘OK, I feel like I can grow with these guys,'” Irving said. “Not only as basketball players but as people off the court.”
Irving added that he wants to join a team with a “superstar” or two already in place, as he believes that will help him take his game to the next level. He also said that he is open to playing anywhere in the country, although it is widely believed that he would prefer to stay on the East Coast.
Kyrie Irving is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and will have no shortage of suitors. Wherever he ultimately ends up, one thing is clear: Irving will be looking to join a team where he feels he can grow both as a player and as a person.
Kemba Walker
Kemba Walker is an unrestricted free agent this offseason coming off of a career year. The three-time All-Star has averaged 25.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game while shooting 34.9% from three-point range. He is one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA, and his ability to create his own shot makes him a valuable asset.
Skills and accomplishments
Kemba Walker is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was drafted ninth overall in the 2011 NBA draft by the then-Charlotte Bobcats, and has been selected to three NBA All-Star teams. He won an NCAA championship with the Connecticut Huskies in 2011. In 2019, he was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player.
What teams are interested
Now that the NBA Finals are over, all eyes in the basketball world turn to free agency.
Some of the biggest names in the league are set to hit the open market, including Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Jimmy Butler.
But there’s another star player who will be a free agent this summer: Kemba Walker.
The Charlotte Hornets point guard is fresh off an All-NBA season in which he averaged 25.6 points and 5.9 assists per game.
He’s also one of the most popular players in the league, thanks to his electric style of play and his outgoing personality.
So what teams are interested in signing Walker this offseason?
Here are some of the most likely suitors for the three-time All-Star:
The Boston Celtics have been rumored to be interested in signing Walker for months, as they look to add another star player to their young core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart.
The Celtics also have plenty of salary cap space to sign Walker to a max contract.
Another team that has been linked to Walker is the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks have plenty of cap space as well, and they’re looking to add another star player to team up with young sensation Luka Doncic.
Walker grew up in The Bronx, so it would be a homecoming of sorts if he signed with the Mavericks.
The Los Angeles Lakers are also reportedly interested in signing Walker, as they look to rebound from a disappointing 2018-19 season. The Lakers have two max contract slots available, so they have the ability to sign two big-name free agents this summer.
What he’s looking for in a team
Kemba Walker is one of the top free agents in the NBA this offseason, and he’s looking for a few specific things in his next team.
First and foremost, he wants to be able to compete for a championship. He’s 28 years old and hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2016, so he wants to join a team with a real chance at contending.
Secondly, he wants to be paid what he’s worth. He’s eligible for a supermax contract extension from the Charlotte Hornets, but he’s reportedly not interested in taking less money to stay there. He wants to get paid like one of the best point guards in the league, and rightfully so.
Finally, he wants to be someplace he feels comfortable. Walker has spent his entire eight-year career with the Hornets, so Charlotte is definitely home for him. But if he doesn’t feel like he can win there, or if they lowball him on his extension, he’ll definitely be open to moving elsewhere.
Wherever Kemba Walker ends up next season, it’s clear that he has a good idea of what he’s looking for in a team.
Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler is one of the top free agents in the NBA this offseason. Butler is a 6’8″ shooting guard/small forward from Houston, Texas. He was drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the 30th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Butler played college basketball for Marquette University. In his NBA career, Butler has been named to the All-Star team four times (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), and he was named the NBA Most Improved Player in 2015.
Skills and accomplishments
Jimmy Butler is a 6’8” shooting guard/small forward who currently plays for the Chicago Bulls. He was born in Houston, Texas on September 14, 1989 and went on to play college basketball at Marquette University. Butler was drafted into the NBA by the Chicago Bulls in 2011 and has since become one of the best two-way players in the league.
Butler is known for his versatility and ability to play both ends of the floor. On offense, he is a skilled scorer and excellent shooter, capable of creating his own shot or hitting an open teammate. He is also a very good rebounder and an underrated passer. On defense, Butler is a tenacious defender with quick hands and a nose for the ball. He has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team three times (2014-2016) and led the league in steals per game in 2016-2017.
In addition to his individual success, Butler has also helped lead the Bulls to the playoffs in each of the last five seasons. He was named an NBA All-Star for the first time in 2014-2015 and has been selected to play in each of the last three All-Star Games.
What teams are interested
Since the news broke that All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler requested a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves, there have been a flurry of rumors about what teams might try to acquire him. The list of suitors seems to change by the day, but here are some of the teams that have been most frequently mentioned as potential landing spots for Butler.
The Los Angeles Clippers are perhaps the most obvious destination for Butler, as they have both the requisite cap space and young players to interest the Timberwolves. The Clippers have also been one of the most aggressive teams in pursuit of Butler, according to reports.
Another potential destination for Butler is the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets have cap space and young players, and they are also reportedly one of the teams Butler would be interested in playing for. The Nets have been active in trying to acquire other stars this offseason, so they could be a factor in any potential trade for Butler.
The Miami Heat have also been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Butler. The Heat have cap space and a need for another star player, and they have been aggressive in pursuing other stars this offseason. However, it is unclear if the Heat have enough young players to interest the Timberwolves.
Finally, the Houston Rockets could also be a possible destination for Butler. The Rockets have two superstar players in James Harden and Chris Paul, and they also have cap space to make a trade happen. However, it is unclear if the Rockets would be willing to part with any of their young players or draft picks.
What he’s looking for in a team
Jimmy Butler is one of the top NBA free agents this offseason. After being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers midway through last season, Butler helped lead them to the playoffs where they lost in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Now, Butler becomes a free agent and will have many teams vying for his services.
Butler is a four-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Third Team last season. He averaged 18.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game last season.
In an interview with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols, Butler talked about what he’s looking for in a team: “I want a chance to win… I want to be able to play with great teammates, guys that are gonna go out there and compete every single night and just want to win as bad as I do.”
Butler also said he would be open to signing a long-term deal with a team or signing a one-year deal and hitting free agency again next offseason.
Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson is one of the top free agents in the NBA this offseason. The Golden State Warriors shooting guard is a two-time NBA champion, a five-time NBA All-Star, and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. He is also one of the best three-point shooters in NBA history.
Skills and accomplishments
Klay Alexander Thompson (born February 8, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The son of former NBA player Mychal Thompson, he played college basketball for three seasons with the Washington State Cougars, where he was a two-time first-team all-conference selection in the Pac-10. He was drafted in the first round of the 2011 NBA draft by Golden State with the 11th overall pick. He plays both shooting guard and small forward positions.
In 2014–15, Thompson was named an NBA All-Star for the first time and helped lead the Warriors to their first NBA Championship in 40 years. The following season, he helped the Warriors repeat as NBA champions after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games, and was named to his second consecutive All-Star team. He set an NBA record for most three-pointers made in a single season in 2016–17 with 346 while helping lead Golden State to their third straight NBA Finals appearance where they lost to the Cavaliers in five games. In 2017–18, he again helped guide them back to the Finals for a fourth consecutive year where they defeated LeBron James and the Cavaliers in a four-game sweep en route to their second straight championship and third overall.
What teams are interested
Klay Thompson is one of the best shooters in NBA history. A five-time All-Star, he helped the Golden State Warriors win three championships and reach five straight NBA Finals. He is a free agent this offseason, and there are several teams interested in signing him.
The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to add another star to team up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Lakers have already made some big moves this offseason, trading for Davis and signing free agent center DeMarcus Cousins. They may not have enough salary cap space to sign Thompson, but they could try to sign him using their mid-level exception or by trade.
The Los Angeles Clippers are also interested in signing Thompson. The Clippers have two max contract slots available, and they have been linked to several big-name free agents, including Thompson, Kawhi Leonard, and Kyrie Irving. The Clippers could sign two max free agents, or they could sign one max free agent and use their remaining cap space to sign Thompson.
The Golden State Warriors want to keep Thompson, but they may not be able to afford him. The Warriors are already over the salary cap and would have to use their mid-level exception or sign-and-trade him to keep him. The Warriors could also lose Kevin Durant in free agency, which would open up more money to re-sign Thompson.
What he’s looking for in a team
Klay Thompson wants to stay with the Warriors, but he’s open to hearing what other teams have to offer when free agency begins on Sunday.
“It’s a big decision,” Thompson told reporters at his youth basketball camp in Los Angeles on Wednesday. “I’ve never been a free agent before. So I don’t really know what to expect, but I know I want to be somewhere where I’m wanted and somewhere I can compete for a championship every single year.”
Thompson, who will turn 29 in February, is one of the best two-way players in the NBA and has been an instrumental part of the Warriors’ dynasty over the last five years, winning three championships. He averaged 21.5 points per game last season while shooting 45 percent from 3-point range.
Al Horford
Al Horford is a 32-year-old center who is currently a free agent. Horford is a four-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2016. He has career averages of 14.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.
Skills and accomplishments
Al Horford is a 6’10”, 245-pound center who has been in the NBA since 2007. He was born in the Dominican Republic and played college basketball at the University of Florida, where he was part of two national championship teams. He was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the third overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft, and he has spent his entire professional career with the Hawks.
Horford is a five-time NBA All-Star and a four-time All-NBA player. He has averaged 14.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game during his career, and he is considered one of the best defensive players in the league. He is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and he is expected to receive interest from several teams, including the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and Houston Rockets.
What teams are interested
Al Horford is one of the top free agents in the NBA this offseason. Several teams are interested in signing him, including the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and Houston Rockets. Horford is a four-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2016. He averaged 13.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game last season.
What he’s looking for in a team
Al Horford is one of the top free agents in the NBA this offseason. He’s a big man who can play both power forward and center.Horford is a four-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2016. He’s a good shooter, a good rebounder, and a good defender.
Horford is 31 years old, and he’s looking for a team that can contend for a championship. He’s also looking for a team that has a good coaching staff and good players.
