As a Knicks fan, what do you make of the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving sweepstakes?

February free agency predictions are that for a reason. From rumblings in November, that carried through the entirety of the regular season, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were going to be New York Knicks. Now just hours away from the start of free agency, the Nets are nearly certain to land Irving and the odds on favorite land Kevin Durant.

Kyrie Irving is reportedly a lock to go to Brooklyn. While D’Angelo Russell was a pleasant surprise, and confirmation of the Nets’ culture change, Irving is the better talent. With Irving, Brooklyn goes from a playoff novelty to potential contender. Adding one more max player alongside Kyrie would put them in serious contention in the East. Time to put Brooklyn’s new culture to the Flat Earth test.

Before Game 6 of the NBA Finals, giving Kevin Durant a max contract was a foregone conclusion. It seems even an Achilles injury has done nothing to change that. Having to put Durant on layaway the first year is not enough to deter teams from potentially getting the best player in the league for 2 years. 

With his injury, the Warriors offer of a five year contract has to be an enticing insurance policy against his Achilles. Teaming up with his off the court friend Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn has its lure as well. However, I still believe that Durant follows the initial rumors and ends up in New York. 

If the reports of Durant seeking to improve his legacy and off-court business are true, New York makes sense. The Knicks aren’t built to win this season anyway, so the year Durant is sidelined can be utilized for player development of the young core. That gives Durant peace of mind to recover from his injury and the Knicks a chance to evaluate their roster. By this time next year the Knicks will have a good idea of their young players’ ability to compete in 2020-21, or the need to trade them for a veteran piece. A title in New York would elevate Durant’s profile into all-time great conversation.

With the devastating injury to Durant, Kawhi Leonard is now the biggest chess piece on the board, where does he end up?

Just two weeks ago I would have said he was still going to the Clippers but the narrative has changed a bit since then. Of the available teams to sign with in free agency, few give Leonard an immediate chance to win next year. Obviously staying in Toronto, on a team he just won a championship with, is the safest route. By signing on a 1+1 deal (1 year deal with a player option) Leonard can be on a legitimate title contender next year while maintaining flexibility. 

But if his true desire is to go to LA, will that be an option next offseason? It would be a hard sell for a Clippers team to get spurned this offseason then sell their fan base on waiting a whole nother year for Leonard. If he decides to go to the Clippers this year, are they truly championship contenders? Even if they sign a co-star such as Jimmy Butler, it would be at the cost of most of their role players leaving Lou Williams, Harrell, Gilgeous-Alexander and Shamet as the rest of the supporting cast. Certainly a good team but not quite matching the quality of veteran talent and depth Leonard had in Toronto. There is no guarantee of a championship with that roster.

This opinion differs wildly from my original thoughts, but I actually think Leonard ends up with the Lakers. His dominant playoff performance has given Leonard clout in the argument for best player in the league discussion. This perception would soften the blow of joining the Lakers as a 34-year old LeBron is no longer seen as the de facto best player in the league. Now it may be seen as Leonard saving the Lakers and starting a new dynasty. The star power from Leonard, LeBron and Davis makes them immediate contenders with the Warriors out of the picture. Nearing the twilight of LeBron’s career, it will be Leonard’s show soon enough, if not immediately. Even after LeBron fades into stardust, Leonard and Davis is one of the better star combinations in the league. If he can get past the super team chasing headline, the Lakers present Leonard the best combination of moving back to LA and winning. 

In the aftermath of the Anthony Davis trade, how should the Lakers approach their most important off-season in years?

First and foremost you go for the star player. Rob Pelinka went out and secured $32 million in cap space for a reason. This is always debated, but as we saw last season it’s all about stars. Starting with Kawhi Leonard (who will take a meeting with LA) and ending somewhere around Khris Middleton, the Lakers should be all in on trying to add the third piece to a new “Big Three”. Of course the most attainable max player seems to be one they’re already well acquainted with. The much more mature D’Angelo Russell should be available if the Nets lock up Irving. If all else fails they can try for a reunion of AD and Boogie? Kidding…kind of.

If securing a max player fails then going the route of adding 2-3 very good role players is the next best course of action. A pairing of Bojan Bogdonavic and Patrick Beverley or Marcus Morris next to LeBron, Davis and Kuzma would be a good combination of scoring and toughness.

This is the biggest offseason for a franchise I can remember in recent history. After selling off the farm for Anthony Davis, the Lakers need to capitalize on their cap space this offseason as Davis is due for a maximum extension next year. With LeBron turning 35 this season, the pressure is on Jeanie and Pelinka to deliver a supporting cast for their two superstars. 

The 76ers were one bounce of the ball away from a potential Eastern Conference Finals berth. With Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris both unrestricted free agents this offseason what should the Sixers do?

The 76ers traded assets to land both Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris last season. Clearly hoping it would lead to a Finals appearance, they were thwarted by Kawhi Leonard. Now they are in their last offseason before having to give Ben Simmons a max contract extension. Stacked up with Embiid’s max contract, this may be the last offseason the Sixers have room for a max contract for years. They have to take advantage.

Tobias Harris is turning 27 years old in a couple weeks, with his prime right ahead of him. His ability to fit as an off the ball scorer alongside Simmons and Embiid, and the primary scorer without them, makes him a good basketball fit. If the 76ers are choosing between maxing out Butler and Harris, then Harris is the move long-term even though Butler is the better player today. Still if Butler agrees, the 76ers should max him out as well to keep their championship window open.

If Butler decides to leave there appears to be at least one or two sign-and-trade options for Philadelphia – rare since the new CBA took hold. Any team that acquires Butler in a sign-and-trade would be hardcapped at the tax apron which is approximately $138 million. That doesn’t seem to bother the Rockets or Heat who are both interested in Butler but over the cap. In this scenario, Butler can only sign a contract equivalent to what he’d get in open free agency, dropping the fifth year for a 4-year $141 million contract. 

From the Rockets, the 76ers would reportedly get whatever first rounder(s) Houston gets for Clint Capela, Eric Gordon and/or PJ Tucker. If they are able to absorb Butler into cap space that would create a trade exception for Philadelphia. Armed with an extra pick and the exception Philly could go hunting for another player via trade within the next year. This is the preferred option if Butler were to leave as they’d end up compensated. The best the Heat can offer is a package around Goran Dragic since getting cap space would be nearly impossible.

This is a big offseason for Philadelphia and Jimmy Butler is the key to it. They can either end up with Tobias Harris and another star, or nothing. 

The big markets are grabbing all the headlines, but what other the teams should we look out for in free agency?

Dallas 

As part of the trade to acquire Kristaps Porzingis, the Dallas Mavericks also took back the contracts of Tim Hardaway Jr. at $20 million and Courtney Lee at $12.7 million. However, since Doncic is on his rookie contract and Porzingis has a cap hold of just $17 million they can free up a near max level spot if they renounce their other cap holds. Dallas will likely be in play for several of the second to third tier free agents. Shooting for the moon in Al Horford, who would be a good fit alongside the younger Porzingis and Doncic. If they strike out on Horford or deem the back-end of his contract too undesirable they could be linked to players such as Patrick Beverley and Seth Curry. 

Houston

Listen I know this year didn’t go the way they wanted. The Rockets had the chance they were asking for, the opposite of what happened to them last year when Chris Paul went down. But with Durant sidelined, Houston could not take advantage and defeat the Warriors. Now they seem to be panicking. Jimmy Butler is a great player, but is he really worth both Clint Capela and Eric Gordon? The Rockets are always looking for ways to improve their roster creatively. Oft times operating more as an NBA 2K franchise than a real life NBA GM. They are certainly a team to watch despite having no cap space coming into tonight.

Utah

By renouncing Derrick Favors and most other non-guaranteed contracts the Jazz can clear up nearly $20 million in cap space. Operating around a core of Conley, Mitchell and Gobert if the Jazz can add a key player or two in free agency could put them over the edge. A player like Bojan Bogdanovic has been rumored and would be the perfect off-ball fit alongside that trio. Otherwise a combination of Marcus Morris and a shooter could work.

The discussion has focused on the top free agents, who in the next few tiers are you most interested in?

Al Horford

While technically still considered by many as a top free agent, Horford fits into that second tier and is not getting as much attention. Despite being 33-years old, Horford has a game built to last and has an impact on the floor not seen on the statsheet. He would immediately help any team with a star or two take the next step. Likely commanding a contract taking him into years 35 and 36, you’re potentially paying on the back-end but the next 2-3 years of Horford can make a difference.

Patrick Beverley

Beverley has always been one of the more enigmatic players in the league in terms of value. From an offensive perspective he’s just serviceable enough to stay on the floor. While he hits nearly 40% of his threes, I would not label Beverley as a shooter. He can make open looks when they are available and actually has some tertiary playmaking ability. All of this to get one of the most tenacious defenders in the game on the floor. The passion and motor that Beverley brings to the game puts him on that level of players with Draymond and Marcus Smart, though not as good or versatile a defender. Still Beverley can impact the way a team plays defense in a way most others in the league cannot. He’s a perfect fit on a team already loaded with offensive talent.

Bobby Portis

Acquired in the Otto Porter Jr. trade, Portis was always a wildcard to stick with the Wizards. As a restricted free agent, it will likely take a contract north of $18 million per year to pry him away from Washington. Portis is very much a stretch four, hitting nearly 40% of his threes, also comfortable shooting in mid-range. He’s just 24-years old and this might be close to his ceiling. But averaging 14 points and 8 rebounds per game with some switchability on defense, Portis fits the modern day mold for a big man.

Willie Cauley-Stein

The soon-to-be 26-year old center still has potential in this league. He’s one of the more athletic centers in the league, and is capable of defending pick-and-rolls and the rim. Clearly his relationship with the Kings is at an impasse, though they tendered a qualifying offer to maintain his rights. Cauley-Stein could a potential sign-and-trade candidate, perhaps the Celtics would be interested. With a steadily improving offensive game, Cauley-Stein still has upside and a change of scenery could help.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

Hollis-Jefferson is another young, athletic player hitting free agency with upside. At just 24-years old, RHJ is likely to be a casualty of Brooklyn’s quest to get to two max free agent slots. A year ago, Hollis-Jefferson was having a career year averaging 13.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.5 along with good all-around defense. He was setback by injuries last year and never re-established himself. That season two years ago we started to see a semblance of offensive game to go with his defense. A team willing to take a shot on him could be rewarded with a versatile wing player.