With NBA free agency opening at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, some big names are hitting the market — Deandre Ayton, Bradley Beal and Zach LaVine, just to name a few.
But there's one problem: few teams have cap space. After the Detroit Pistons took on some contracts from the New York Knicks, only the Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs and the Orlando Magic — none of which are playoff-bound teams looking to add a big-ticket. The Knicks do have cap space now as well but all reports indicate they'll use it in a push to sign Jalen Brunson.
Luckily, this off-season will still be far from a dud because even if free agency isn't quite as chaotic as we've come to expect in the NBA, the trade market is scorching hot with some star players.
Let's have a look at some of the candidates:
Age: 30
Team: Utah Jazz
Position: Centre
Contract: 4 years left at a $42.4 million average
2021-22 Stats: 15.6 PPG | 14.7 REB | 2.1 BLK | .713 FG%
He's a three-time defensive player of the year, and frankly that number could be higher. Gobert makes just about anyone think twice about attacking the rim when he's on the floor. The Jazz have had plenty of success with him as their defensive anchor, but it hasn't exactly translated to playoff success and the Gobert-Donovan Mitchell might've run its course in Utah.
The Latest: Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer reports the Toronto Raptors are continuing "to monitor the availability of several elite centers," including Gobert. Independent NBA Insider Marc Stein also called the Chicago Bulls the closest possible thing to a destination last week. There's no doubt plenty of teams are calling, but the Jazz haven't come particularly close to a deal, according to The Athletic's Tony Jones.
Age: 30
Team: Brooklyn Nets
Postion: Point guard
Contract: Reportedly opting into one year at $36.9 million
2021-22 Stats: 27.4 PPG | 5.8 APG | 4.4 REB | .469/.418/.915
With Irving opting in, the scenario of him taking a $30-million pay cut to sign with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers is now dead. But he could still get traded, especially if Brooklyn has a sense he won't stay beyond this season.
The Latest: ESPN's Brian Windhorst says that high-ranking league sources do not believe this saga is done, and that the Lakers and Irving still very much have a mutual interest.
Age: 24
Team: Atlanta Hawks
Position: Power forward
Contract: Four years left at a $25.5 million average
2021-22 Stats: 16.2 PPG | 7.8 REB | .526/.364/.793
The Hawks appear determined to move on as they continue to revamp their roster, but Collins is still young, very athletic and has scored over 15 points a game his last four seasons while shooting the ball well from deep.
The Latest: All signs are continuing to point to a John Collins trade in the "near future" despite the fact he was not included in the Dejounte Murray trade, according to The Athletic's Sam Amick and Chris Kirschner. The forward has previously been linked to the Boston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings.
Age: 29
Team: Indiana Pacers
Position: Point guard
Contract: One year left at $22.6 million
2021-22 Stats: 19.1 PPG | 5.9 APG | 5.1 REB | .448/.312/.856
The Pacers are rebuilding and Tyrese Haliburton is the point guard of the future, diminishing the need for Brogdon. Given the direction of the team, it might not make sense for Brogdon — who's yet to win a ring at his age — to re-sign anyway. So instead of waiting until the deadline, the Pacers are looking to cash in now. Brogdon can be a starting point guard for a contender.
The Latest: Brogdon was expected to be traded before the NBA Draft, and although that didn't happen he should be dealt "sooner rather than later," according to NBA Insider Marc Stein.
Age: 26
Team: Indiana Pacers
Position: Centre
Contract: One year left at $18 million
2021-22 Stats: 12.6 PPG | 7.1 REB | 2.8 BLK | .509/.333/.752
Sticking with the Pacers, Turner has been rumoured in trades for what feels like years now, and it's hard to believe he's only 26. Still, he doesn't necessarily fit in Indiana's rebuild window and will soon be a free agent. He showed a lot of promise early in his career and hadn't exactly lived up to the hype, yet he's still perhaps the best shot-blocker in the NBA and someone who can stretch the floor from the five as a semi-reliable shooter. There's lots to like.
The Latest: Pacers GM Chad Buchanan said Tuesday: "We are not actively shopping Myles Turner…We are listening to other teams that contact us." Take that for what you will. Fischer recently reported there's potential for a sign-and-trade for Deandre Ayton involving Turner, and here's betting one of the "elite centers" the Raptors are monitoring is Turner.
