NBA
NBA AM: Free Agents Still Looking For Deals
While the 2015 NBA free agency pool has dried up, there are still quality players on the market who have proven to be productive throughout their respective careers. With most of the free agency money spent, the question for many of these guys is whether they will continue holding off for a multi-year deal or sign a shorter contract in order to hit free agency again in 2016.
Here are some of the names still available:
Tristan Thompson, Power Forward
Thompson, a restricted free agent, is the most talented free agent still left on the market. While it may appear that the Cleveland Cavaliers have a lot of leverage in allowing the market to set Thompson’s value, the forward does have options of his own. Thompson could opt to sign the $6.7 qualifying offer, which would allow him to enter free agency next summer unrestricted when salaries are expected to explode. One of the biggest questions surrounding Thompson is accurately setting his value. It is reported that Thompson, one of the league’s best offensive rebounders, is seeking a long-term deal in the neighborhood of $80 million.
Carlos Boozer, Power Forward
Boozer, a former All-Star, is no longer the 20-10 threat he was during his prime years but he’s coming off a season in Los Angeles where he averaged 11.8 points and 6.8 rebounds on 50 percent shooting from the floor. Boozer, 33, still has enough in the tank to be a serviceable reserve on a team with playoff aspirations.
Norris Cole, Point Guard
Cole, a restricted free agent, averaged 9.9 points and 3.2 assists with New Orleans after a trade deadline deal from Miami. The point guard position is loaded so it’s not entirely surprising that a lucrative multi-year deal didn’t come Cole’s way. According to the Times Picayune, All-Star forward Anthony Davis is a strong supporter of the Pelicans re-signing Cole before the start of training camp.
J.R. Smith, Shooting Guard
Smith declined his player option for the 2015-16 season with the Cavaliers in order to lock down a multi-year deal. But so far the gamble hasn’t paid off with Smith still looking for a deal. Smith remains one of the league’s better long range threats but is also plagued with bouts of extended streakiness.
Landry Fields, Small Forward
Fields had a couple of productive years with the New York Knicks before three uneventful campaigns in Toronto. But the forward, in the right situation, may be able to carve out a niche role in a nightly rotation.
Willie Green, Shooting Guard
The veteran guard has made his rounds around the league but has been mostly productive in each of those stops. Green also has plenty of playoff experience, which is extremely valuable for franchises looking for guys with a history of being in winning situations.
Kevin Seraphin, Power Forward
The forward has shown flashes of promise but for the past two seasons he’s been behind Marcin Gortat and Nene in the Washington Wizards’ rotation – limiting his production. Seraphin has stated he’d like to return to the Wizards but there’s nothing imminent on that front.
Henry Sims, Center
Sims has put together back-to-back productive campaigns in Philadelphia, but it is always hard to gauge guys who produce in lottery bound situations.
Donald Sloan, Point Guard
Sloan has made his share of stops around the league, but he put together a very respectable campaign in Indiana last season. As a starter, Sloan averaged 11.4 points, 5.2 assists and 4.7 rebounds for the Pacers last season while George Hill recovered from injury.
Jason Terry, Shooting Guard
Since entering the league during the 1999-00 season, Terry has averaged less than double-digits in scoring just three times. At 37, Terry is approaching the end of the line but he still remains one of the league’s most dangerous three-point threats.
Dorell Wright, Small Forward
Wright, an 11-year veteran, is a career 37 percent shooter from three-point range. With spacing becoming a prerequisite to success in the league, Wright offers value due to his ability to stretch opposing defenses from deep.
Gasol believes Chicago will be better offensively, but reiterates need for strong defense
The Chicago Bulls shifted philosophies this summer by parting ways with Tom Thibodeau and hiring Fred Hoiberg as head coach. Thibodeau was known for his defensive intensity, but critics pointed to his offensive game planning as a weakness.
Hoiberg is expected to open up the Bulls’ offensive flow.
All-Star forward Pau Gasol is excited to open up the offensive, but wanted to reiterate that defense wins championships.
“Well, I think offense wasn’t really too much of an issue last year,” Gasol said on a conference call from South Africa, where he’s taking part in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders event – according to ESPN. “We have a lot of talent offensively, and I think we’ll play with better flow offensively with Fred. We’ll have more freedom to play in transition and explore our abilities as individuals and as a team.
“As long as we understand that defense wins championships and makes the difference, and make sure we don’t neglect that side, we should be fine.”
The Bulls finished last season 50-32 with the Eastern Conference’s third-best record. The team was ousted from the playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round.