The NBA offseason has finally begun and we expect some shakeup in the next few weeks as we look ahead to the 2021/2022 season.
The free agency market is going to be a hot topic in the NBA 2021 news as several top players have to make the big decision on what to do next for their respective professional careers.
Although this free agent class isn’t as stacked as in years past, there are still enough players who can impact a franchise and boost their NBA 2021 odds for next season and beyond.
Who are the best players available this offseason? Read on below as SBOTOP lists down five names that everyone should look out for.
Kawhi Leonard
The 30-year-old swingman is arguably one of the league’s top players. And with his calibre, he can definitely change the free agency landscape this summer.
Kawhi Leonard currently has a $36-M player option with the Clippers. If he declines it, he can test the market since he’ll become an unrestricted free agent.
However, his injury history is a major concern to teams who would like to get his services. The two-time NBA champion recently suffered a partial ACL tear in the playoffs and he’s expected to sit out the first few weeks of the 2021/2022 season.
Extending Leonard is the Clippers’ No. 1 priority and they’ll obviously give him whatever he wants. At the same time, he can opt in to his contract and delay his free agency for another year or two.
But if he chooses to listen to other offers, there’ll be a ton of suitors who’ll be chasing for his signature. And according to reports, the Mavericks are one of them.
Chris Paul
Chris Paul’s future with the Suns is uncertain despite guiding them to their second Finals appearance in franchise history.
Like Leonard, Paul has a $44.2-M player option to which he can opt in or out depending on the circumstances.
At age 36, Paul knows that his championship window is closing so winning will be his top priority. He can opt out and sign a new long-term deal with the Suns to try and run it back, or he can entertain the other contenders’ offers for him.
The Lakers are reportedly intrigued at the thought of bringing in Chris Paul especially with his relationship with LeBron James. However, there aren’t any imminent developments as of the moment.
DeMar DeRozan
Another free agent linked to the Lakers is DeMar DeRozan as he is coming off of a solid year with the Spurs.
The midrange specialist led San Antonio last term with healthy norms of 21.6 points and 6.9 assists per game while shooting 49-per cent from the field.
The big knock on his game is that he remains reticent in shooting three-pointers despite of his fundamentally-sound stroke, and that may lower his value for a bit given today’s three-point era.
But other than that, DeRozan can be a big boost on the offencive end with his shot creating and playmaking, and he has been pretty durable as well in recent years.
When placed in right situation, DeRozan will definitely thrive. However, he has made it clear that winning a championship is his main priority.
John Collins
One of the biggest reasons why the Hawks have taken the league by storm last term is because of John Collins’ steady rise.
The combo forward was the second-best player for the Hawks behind Trae Young, and after turning down an extension offer from Atlanta, he is expected to have a huge payday soon.
Collins is a restricted free agent which means that the Hawks still have leverage even if he signs an offer sheet from the other clubs. If that happens, Atlanta may need to match the offer no matter how big or small, or else he’ll be gone.
The 23-year-old is a versatile big who can play multiple positions. Collins can also stretch the defence since he shot 40-per cent from three-point area last term.
Andre Drummond
Andre Drummond has been a recurring name in trade rumours last season and it will still be the case here in free agency.
When the Cavaliers bought him out last term, the 27-year-old made his way to the Lakers to which he got to play with the likes of Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
Unfortunately for him, the Lakers were bounced out of the first round against the Suns and he seemed to have struggled at times with their system since he’s a space-eater in the paint.
Nonetheless, Drummond can still help any team who’ll need help in rebounds and interior defence.
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