Free agency (July 1st): This is where things get interesting. With so many stars having opt-out clauses, it could either be a free agency frenzy for the ages…or a complete dud. The following superstars have opt-outs: Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. Nobody has any idea what’s going to happen regarding that quartet, but considering the Knicks’ situation, it’s not a stretch to assume Carmelo will look at other options.
Of course, one of those options is to join the Big 3 in Miami, but factoring in Dwyane Wade’s hasty decline — and the fact Miami’s problems run much deeper than an aging Wade — adding Carmelo isn’t the quick fix Miami needs. Also, the Big 3 would all have to take steep discounts to woo Carmelo. Wade isn’t getting another big pay day, so opting out this summer makes no sense for him, financially.
Other stars with opt-outs include Zach Randolph and Tim Duncan, but we have a hard time seeing them leave their current cities. In the same vein, Dirk Nowitzki just submitted one of his best seasons ever, and even though he’s an unrestricted free agent, he’s not going anywhere.
The restricted market headliners include Gordon Hayward, Greg Monroe, Eric Bledsoe and Chandler Parsons.
