6. San Antonio Spurs – Projected Starting Cap Space: $18,853,735
The Spurs are reportedly interested in Chris Paul, but from a big-picture perspective, signing a 32-year-old little guy to a max deal does not make much sense. Additionally, if they want to bring Simmons back, that will eat up much if not all of their space.
Rumor has it San Antonio is also interested in Derrick Rose, who is a shell of his former self but should still have some gas in the tank. If anyone can revive Rose’s career, it’s Gregg Popovich. George Hill, who started his career with San Antonio, is another guard who looks like a good fit.
There have also been rumors that the Spurs are shopping LaMarcus Aldridge, who is under contract for $21.5 million. Clearing Aldridge’s contract would give the Spurs a lot more leeway to pursue a player like Paul.
The Spurs have their franchise guy -– Kawhi Leonard -– but these days it looks like you need three or four All-Stars to win a title, and they’re clearly considering making moves.
7. Boston Celtics – Projected Starting Cap Space: $17,786,828
We all know where Boston wants this money to go. The Celtics want Gordon Hayward.
The Utah guard who broke out this year – narrowly missing out on making All-NBA – played for Boston coach Brad Stevens at Butler. And Stevens was the first coach to recruit Hayward before he went through a growth spurt. The two have a good relationship, no doubt, and this seems like a franchise-free agent match made in heaven.
If Hayward does decide to join Boston, that would eat up just about all of the Celtics’ cap space, and they’d have to bid adieu to Kelly Olynyk (which, considering you’d be getting Hayward, wouldn’t be all that hard to do).
The Celtics need scoring and shooting on the wing and in the post. If they can’t get Hayward, they may consider Griffin, Danilo Gallinari, or – gasp! – Rudy Gay. Their other option is a trade for Indiana’s Paul George, which appears to still be on the table.
8. New York Knicks – Projected Starting Cap Space: $17,588,175
It’s true – Phil Jackson has made a mess of this franchise. Kristaps Porzingis should absolutely not be on the trade block. Buying out Carmelo Anthony – and getting nothing in return – should absolutely not be a consideration. Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah should never have been signed.
Additionally, the Knicks may have flubbed the draft, which is a prime opportunity to correct mistakes. Frank Ntilikina might turn into a nice player, but I would’ve liked to have seen New York take Kentucky’s Malik Monk, who dropped 47 on North Carolina and seems like a much surer thing. Even John Calipari called the Knicks out for making the error of passing on Monk.
What’s done is done, though, and New York can only now focus on the present. The next opportunity to turn things around comes with free agency. What they need to avoid doing is signing past-their-prime former stars.
They need to look at younger players with high upside who could play alongside Porzingis. San Antonio’s Jonathon Simmons is a two-way wing that comes to mind. Jrue Holiday would be another good fit, as would Tim Hardaway Jr., who started his career with the Knicks and has blossomed in Atlanta.
9. Dallas Mavericks – Projected Starting Cap Space: $13,558,909
Mavs fans have got to feel good about the team selecting NC State’s Dennis Smith Jr. in the draft. Smith fell because of injury and work-ethic concerns, but his upside is huge.
Dallas simply hasn’t had an electrifying player like Smith in years, and though it’s too early to tell how he’ll pan out in the pros, he has superstar potential.
The Mavs’ young core is now Smith, Harrison Barnes (who’s under contract for three more years), and Wesley Matthews (two more years). Nerlens Noel is a free agent, but the team might bring him back. Dirk Nowitzki will come back on a restructured deal.
If I’m Dallas, I’m putting my chips on Smith and my two good wing players and using my cap space to pursue a mobile big man with potential to stretch the floor. Blake Griffin should be high on the Mavs’ wish list, and Serge Ibaka makes a lot of sense as a fallback option.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves – Projected Starting Cap Space: $9,740,777
The Timberwolves were already a fun League Pass team, and now they might be a League Pass must-watch. With the acquisition of Jimmy Butler, Minnesota now has a fascinating starting five: Ricky Rubio, Andrew Wiggins, Butler, Gorgui Dieng, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Tom Thibodeau managed to fleece his former team, the Bulls. To acquire Butler – a third-team All-NBA guy! – and the No. 16 pick in last week’s draft, Minnesota gave up only Zach LaVine (who’s coming off of a torn ACL), Kris Dunn (who had a brutal rookie year), and the No. 7 pick.
The Wolves still have the capability to make some interesting moves in free agency, too. They’re reportedly targeting a point guard, and Kyle Lowry, Jrue Holiday, Jeff Teague, and George Hill appear to be on their radar.
This is interesting, as one would think the pass-first Rubio – who’s still somehow only 26 years old – would flourish with the type of lineup Minnesota has assembled.
Aaron Mansfield is a freelance sports writer whose work has appeared in Complex, USA Today, and the New York Times. You can reach him via email at aaroncmansfield@gmail.com.
