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The free agency has, for the moment, slowed down to a relative stop. But that only means that a group of quality names remains on the board. Here are the five best players available, as determined by our large original panel .
1. Clint Capela, C, Reserved
Clint Capela tweeted a pensive-face emoji without context on July 1. Was he just reacting to LeBron James joining the Lakers at complete 14 minutes before he became official? You think what to eat for dinner? Or, he and the Houston Rockets could be in a dead end in the contract negotiations?
A clash in the negotiations would not bode well for Capela. It has no obvious leverage after the Dallas Mavericks burned their place on DeAndre Jordan. Only Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings can afford to sign it outright.
Now, I'm not saying that Atlanta should offer him a near-max contract and see what happens. I am not no saying it either. (For the record, Sam Amick of USA Today reported that Houston remained determined to keep Capela.)
Good for: Atlanta, Houston, Washington (signa- and trade)
2. Marcus Smart, PG, Restricted
The Marcus Smart market is shrinking by the day. The Indiana Pacers appeared as a potential destination, but they are out of the picture after landing Tyreke Evans. Almost no one has the space to offer Smart more than its $ 6.1 million qualifying offer.
He could probably soften a substantial short-term offer from the Boston Celtics, but this leads them to use it as a commercial anchor. The longer he remains unsigned, the more likely he is to accept his qualifying offer and re-evaluate the landscape in 2019.
That's fine with him: Boston, Orlando, Sacramento
3. Isaiah Thomas, PG, without restrictions
Isaiah Thomas is a helluva year. Last July, he spoke of his desire to win a maximum contract this summer. Then he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of Kyrie Irving's blockbuster. Then, after not having made his debut in 2017-18 until January, he was sent to the Lakers. And now he is without a home, on the verge of an afterthought.
Sources from the league told [Kennedy Kennedy] that Thomas is "negotiating a possible deal" with the Orlando Magic. meaning. They will not give him anything close to the maximum money; he will be lucky to get most of his mid-level exception. But they need a playmaker, and he needs a team that will invite him to stuff the box and recover the luster that he has lost over the past 12 years. month.
Perfect for him: Miami, Memphis, Orlando
4. Jabari Parker, PF, Restricted
Aaron Gordon received a four-year, $ 84 million Magic contract. Julius Randle receives two years and $ 18 million from pelicans in New Orleans. Where does this leave Jabari Parker, an avant-garde forward with restricted free agent ? Good luck discovering this.
Parker is an enticing offensive prospect. He has expanded his arsenal to include more than three-pointers and out-of-ball work while retaining his calling as a creator of zero. But his defense is a problem. He is too slow to keep 3s and is not strong enough to harbad 5s. His adjustment with Giannis Antetokounmpo fluctuated between strange and downright poor. The Milwaukee Bucks will have a point of no-thanks if Parker gets the right offer, but he will not seek big dalliances unless Atlanta, Chicago or Sacramento only become outfits with their cap space
] Atlanta, Brooklyn (Signboard and Trade), Milwaukee
5. Kyle Anderson, SF / PF, Restricted
The scarcity of league-wide caps left virtually all free crooks free without leverage. Kyle Anderson is no exception
In another summer, he could have a more robust market. His three-point touchdown is a work in progress, but he can revive half-court sets and improved his finish around the rim. What he lacks speed, he catches up in length and IQ. It can pivot comfortably between 2s, 3s and 4s on the defensive side. Expect him to sign back with the Spurs, even if they are pausing on Kawhi Leonard's future
For: Atlanta, San Antonio, Chicago
noted, stats with kind permission of NBA.com or Reference Basketball. Information on wages and delays through Basketball Coaches and RealGM.
Dan Favale covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter ( @danfavale ) and listen to his podcast Hardwood Knocks ] Co-Organized by Andrew Bailey of B / R.
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