WalterFootball.com - Detailed NFL Mock Drafts, Player Prospect Rankings, and One of the Largest Mock Draft Databases on the Web

2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com

2013 Restricted NBA Free Agents - July 29

We have already gone over our list of the top-10 Unrestricted 2013 NBA Free Agents. Here are the best restricted free agents who are scheduled to hit the market next summer. Don't forget: A team has the right to match any offer sheet a restricted free agent signs, so it is difficult to sign away a player.

James Harden, Thunder.
Oklahoma City enters next offseason as one of the more intriguing teams to watch. The Thunder has already given well-deserved monster extensions to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, but the team still has both Harden and Serge Ibaka coming up as restricted free agents.

It will be interesting to see if Harden chooses to stay with in Oklahoma City - assuming it is willing to pay him in the ballpark of $13 million per year (the max contract for a restricted free agent), or if he desires to go elsewhere. Perhaps somewhere where he can maybe be the go-to option. My guess is the Thunder extend his deal during the season.
Serge Ibaka, Thunder.
Ibaka has developed into a well-rounded player as his offensive game gets more polished. He can be a force on the glass and as a shot-blocker, and at 22 years old, will only get better with time.

Ibaka will cost at least $10 million per year, which would certainly put Oklahoma Curt in a tough salary-cap situation moving forward. I would not at all be surprised to see the Thunder get rid of Kendrick Perkins and try to keep both Harden and Ibaka.

Stephen Curry, Warriors.
Injuries really held Curry back last season and as a result, Golden State has been in no hurry to extend his deal. We all know Curry can stroke it from deep, but he still has not fully grasped what it takes to be a true NBA point guard. This upcoming season will be a huge measuring stick to see what types of offers Curry might generate next summer.
Tyreke Evans, Kings.
After an insane rookie campaign, Evans' production has dipped in each of the past two seasons. He still doesn't have a true NBA position, but his versatility and size does allow him to play the one, the two, or even the three.

Still, there are question marks about Evans' ability to be a teammate, which might turn teams off from throwing a monster deal his way. He will need to have a solid bounce-back season to get his market value higher.
Brandon Jennings, Bucks.
There were already rumblings last season that Jennings wanted to test the market once his rookie contract expired. He certainly runs the show and it would be a huge loss for Milwaukee to just let him walk without getting anything in return.

However, I am not sure the Bucks would be willing to cough up anywhere near max money to extend Jennings. I would not at all be shocked if he accepted his qualifying offer, played out his contract, and became an unrestricted free agent in 2014. It also wouldn't surprise me if Milwaukee dealt him at some point during the season.

Ty Lawson, Nuggets.
The former Tar Heel is the sparkplug of Denver's offensive attack and has consistently improved every season. He is massively underpaid as he is only slated to make $2.5 million in 2012-13, so look for the Nuggets to extend him sooner rather than later.
DeMar DeRozan, Raptors.
Having just signed Landry Fields and drafted Terrence Ross eighth overall, DeRozan might actually become expendable in Toronto. For the right price, I think some team could actually pry him away from the Raptors. I can't see any team overpaying for a shooting guard who is a career 21% three-point shooter though.

Taj Gibson, Bulls.
Seeing that Omer Asik just received a 3-year, $25 million contract from the Rockets, Gibson could follow suit next summer. He has become extremely valuable off the Bulls' bench and was one of the steals of the 2009 NBA Draft as the 26th overall pick.

Asik's contract was too rich for Chicago to match, and a similar type offer sheet could yield the same result for Gibson. Another possibility that wouldn't shock me is if the Bulls amnestied Carlos Boozer in an attempt to keep Gibson and maybe add another piece.
Jrue Holiday, 76ers.
I am nowhere close to being sold on Holiday as a franchise NBA point guard. He is just 22 years old, but this upcoming season will be a huge determining factor into what his worth will be next summer. As you can see, there are several point guards ahead of him on this list, so Holiday might not be too highly coveted unless he has a breakout fourth season.
Darren Collison, Mavericks.
More than likely, Collison will not be extended a qualifying offer from Dallas as the team looks to clear as much cap space as possible for next offseason in hopes of making a run at Dwight Howard or Chris Paul. Unless Collison really shines with the Mavericks, he could be available for a very affordable price next summer to a team looking for a cheap starting point guard or a very talented young reserve.

rossfelhofer 12-16-2011 01:16 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.43 (total posts: 1)

the clippers are not done in free agency yet, they are going to have to sign another big man

A Chris Paul Fan 12-16-2011 12:23 am xxx.xxx.xxx.216 (total posts: 1)

Chris Paul is a great player, I think he's the best PG in the NBA and capable of making any team into an instant playoff team. That said the Clippers gave up way to much for a player with bad knees who may leave in a two years.

If they'd been able to keep Gordon or the draft pick then i'd like the deal a lot more. If Paul stays healthy and long term it'll make it a lot less lopsided. As of now i'd say it's a big win for the Hornets considering that Paul was leaving anyways and this was the best deal they could have gotten.

Of course if Eric Gordon realizes that New Orleans is a crappy basketball market and leaves as soon as possible it'll make it much worse for the Hornets.

David 12-10-2011 09:40 am xxx.xxx.xxx.159 (total posts: 2)

Glen Davis was traded to the Magic... Bass was on the Magic and got traded to Boston

Yung Rapist Killa 07-09-2011 10:59 am xxx.xxx.xxx.189 (total posts: 1)

Lebron James trade?

John L. 07-07-2011 01:25 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.140 (total posts: 2)

"I don't quite completely understand. If the team cuts a player, and still has to pay the player's salary, what's the point of it?"

So that they don't have to pay the luxury tax for that player. Which is eight figures for the likes of Walton/Haywood/Arenas.

John L. 07-07-2011 11:20 am xxx.xxx.xxx.140 (total posts: 2)

You forgot the most likely - Pau Gasol. The Lakers know they need to make a move, and Gasol wants out. Don't be shocked when he's sent to an Eastern Conference team like Atlanta or Orlando.

Dave 07-07-2011 09:23 am xxx.xxx.xxx.159 (total posts: 2)

I don't quite completely understand. If the team cuts a player, and still has to pay the player's salary, what's the point of it?

nycsportzfan 07-07-2011 05:44 am xxx.xxx.xxx.134 (total posts: 1)

I think it would be wise for the knicks to look into trying to obtain Chris Kaman, and going way of hte Mavericks and builidng like that.. Give em Landry Fields and toney douglas, and then u got Melo, Amare, Kaman, Billups, Shumpert, re-sign Shawne Williams, Turiaf, harrelson, re-sign ant carter, sign Deshawn Stevenson, rautins, and re-sign bill walker..THen u have more money after the season as well..

Kaman
Amare
Melo
Shumpert
Billups

Shawne Williams(re-signed
Turiaf
Deshawn Stevenson(sign)
Harrelson
Ant Carter(re-sign)
Rautins
Bill Walker(re-sign)

jgardner12 07-02-2011 01:21 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.37 (total posts: 2)

Ahh did not know that part of the rule, thanks for clearing that up for me.

David Kay 07-01-2011 04:51 pm xxx.xxx.xxx5.17 (total posts: 1)

@jgardner12 The rule in 2005 stated a team cannot re-sign the player they cut... which is why I would be hesitant to cut Johnson especially with Crawford a free agent, suddenly you have no shooting guard.

@waltair I believe the fifth year has an option on it, so I should have stated three-years, $21 million guaranteed

waltair 06-30-2011 02:56 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.199 (total posts: 3)

LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT

waltair 06-30-2011 02:55 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.199 (total posts: 3)

outlaw has 4 year 28 mil on his contract

jgardner12 06-30-2011 01:01 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.37 (total posts: 2)

While I understand staying loyal to your star, the hawks should defiantly use it on Johnson. JJ is a wonderful player and they want him in ATL but seriously the dude isn't worth it. I mean the money he has left is close to the amount that Wade took to stay in Miami.. Again while I understand the predicament a JJ led team isn't going to win anything so might as well admit your mistake of signing him and sign him if possible to a more in line contract..

Walter 06-30-2011 01:24 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

@Dave - Now I do. The only Allen error was in the header, hence it was an editing mistake on my part. David spelled Allan correctly everywhere else.

Dave 06-29-2011 04:59 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.25 (total posts: 1)

You do know it's spelled A-L-L-A-N, right?

Pages: 1 2 3 4 56 7

2013 NBA Mock Draft - June 12

2014 NBA Mock Draft - April 25

2013 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings: C | PF | COMBO-F | SF | COMBO-G | SG | PG

2011 NBA Mock Draft - June 23

2011 NBA Mock Draft - Walt's (June 21)

2011 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2010 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2009 NBA Mock Re-Draft

2011 NBA Draft Scouting Reports

2010-11 NBA Season Previews

2009 NBA Draft Grades

2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - June 19

2014 NFL Mock Draft - June 18

Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - June 17

2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22

NFL Picks - Feb. 3

2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Leave a comment