NBA Free Agent Fits

By: Dylan Stagge

Now that the NBA Draft is over, it’s time to move into NBA Free Agency! In this article, I am coming up with 5 free agent fits that make sense (Not where I think they’ll end up, but a fit that is fun/makes sense).

REUNION IN PHILLY

Andre Iguodala goes back to the place where he spent the first eight years of his NBA career, Philadelphia. The Sixers are able to make Iguodala a much bigger offer (probably about 3 years, $60 million) than Golden State will be able to. With two championships and a Finals MVP under his belt from GSW, Iggy bolts for the money and teams up with the Process to help mentor the young guys.

BLAKE & RUSS

Although I don’t think this will happen and certainly hope it doesn’t as a Clippers fan, Blake Griffin teaming up with Russell Westbrook would certainly be fun to watch. Two of the most high-flying, explosive dunkers on the same team would create an insane highlight reel. Although OKC can’t afford Blake right now, they would probably do a sign and trade with the Clippers, parting with either Steven Adams or Enes Kanter to make room (which I’m sure they’d be willing to do).

BUTLER TO BOSTON

Not Jimmy Butler, but a Butler University reunion in Boston. Gordon Hayward heads to Boston to team up with his college head coach, Brad Stevens and the Celtics. Jae Crowder can slide down to the 4 and the Celtics could create a starting lineup of IT, Avery Bradley, Hayward, Crowder, and Horford with Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum coming off the bench. The Cavs better watch out.

LOWRY CHASING LARRY

Tony Parker is too old and Patty Mills is a free agent. The Spurs need a spark in their roster and Kyle Lowry needs out of Toronto if he ever wants to see a Larry O’Brien trophy. If the Spurs can get rid of Tony Parker’s $15 million next year get back Pau Gasol, Dwayne Dedmon, and Johnathan Simmons along with Kyle Lowry, they just might have a chance at competing with the Warriors next year.

KING-TAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE

The Kings are losing Rudy Gay, Ben McLemore, and Tyreke Evans to free agency. Their only remaining wings are Buddy Hield and new draftee Justin Jackson. With only $50 million currently on the Kings payroll for next season, they might as well take a chance on a young wing with lots of potential.

Final 2017 NBA Mock Draft

Check out Dylan and Jason’s final mock drafts before the NBA Draft tonight!

Check out our Live Mock Draft on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/WzPvGBkuINU

Team	Dylan’s Pick	Jason’s Pick
1. Philadelphia 76ers	Markelle Fultz	Markelle Fultz
2. Los Angeles Lakers	Lonzo Ball	Lonzo Ball
3. Boston Celtics	Jayson Tatum	Jayson Tatum
4. Phoenix Suns	Josh Jackson	Josh Jackson
5. Sacramento Kings	De’Aaron Fox	De’Aaron Fox
6. Orlando Magic	Johnathan Isaac	Johnathan Isaac
7. Minnesota Timberwolves	Malik Monk	Lauri Markkanen
8. New York Knicks	Dennis Smith Jr.	Malik Monk
9. Dallas Mavericks	Frank Ntilikina	Frank Ntilikina
10. Sacramento Kings	Zach Collins	Zach Collins
11. Charlotte Hornets	Donovan Mitchell	Luke Kennard
12. Detroit Pistons	Lauri Markkanen	Dennis Smith Jr.
13. Denver Nuggets	OG Anunoby	Donovan Mitchell
14. Miami Heat	Luke Kennard	Justin Jackson
15. Portland Trail Blazers	Harry Giles	John Collins
16. Chicago Bulls	John Collins	Harry Giles
17. Milwaukee Bucks	Jarrett Allen	Jarrett Allen
18. Indiana Pacers	TJ Leaf	TJ Leaf
19. Atlanta Hawks	Justin Patton	OG Anunoby
20. Portland Trail Blazers	Ike Anigbogu	Justin Patton
21. Oklahoma City Thunder	Justin Jackson	Terrance Ferguson
22. Brooklyn Nets	Terrance Ferguson	Ike Anigbogu
23. Toronto Raptors	Tyler Lydon	Bam Adebayo
24. Utah Jazz	DJ Wilson	Tony Bradley
25. Orlando Magic	Jawun Evans	Jordan Bell
26. Portland Trail Blazers	Isaiah Hartenstein	Isaiah Hartenstein
27. Brooklyn Nets	Anzejs Pasecniks	DJ Wilson
28. Los Angeles Lakers	Ivan Rabb	Derrick White
29. San Antonio Spurs	Bam Adebayo	Jawun Evans
30. Utah Jazz	Derrick White	Kyle Kuzma

This Better Work– The Latest Lakers Edition

One month later and Laker fans are saying the same thing, “This better work”.

 

It started off mid-season last year when Jeanie Buss fired her brother and Mitch Kupchak, for the glamorous Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka. The 2nd half of the season gave fans reason to hope.

D’Angelo Russell made a game winner and scored 40 on the defending champs, Brandon Ingram put up new career highs on a nightly basis along with a poster dunk, Ivica Zubac showed flashes of potential to be the next Lakers center of the future, Jordan Clarkson looked prime to be the sixth man of the year, and the list goes on and on.

The offseason consisted of questions about Lonzo Ball and D’Angelo Russell’s fit and questions about whether or not Paul George would be a Laker. The season couldn’t start soon enough.

The only knock on Magic Johnson as the new president of basketball operations was could he be patient enough to let the young guys develop? He seems to love Brandon Ingram, as he has stated multiple times he is untouchable. D’Angelo Russell didn’t get much praise since the new regime came in.

On June 20, 2017, the Lakers future and plans changed drastically. No longer would the Lakers be developing young talent and turning into “the next Warriors”. Magic and Pelinka shipped D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for Brook Lopez and pick 27 in the draft.

D’Angelo was the first player to bring the Lakers out of the Kobe era. His “Ice in my veins” and flashy plays, brought Laker fans excitement. The front office didn’t think Russell was a good enough leader, so they shipped him off for an expiring deal above average center and a deep 1st rounder. Lakers Outsiders put it best, “He gave the Lakers Ice in His Veins and they responded with the cold shoulder.”

Mozgov was also traded and that part of the trade shows the Lakers new focus. Get stars to come back to La La Land. By getting rid of the god-awful Mozgov, the Lakers cleared up 56 million dollars in cap. They can now sign one and possibly two max deals in 2018. LaMarcus Aldridge, Carmelo Anthony, and Kevin Durant didn’t make it clear enough. The Lakers don’t have the appeal they used to anymore. Yes, Paul George’s situation is different because he has publicly told the Lakers and Pacers he wants to go there. But is the Lebron scenario that much different?

These type of moves were the ones that us, as Laker fans, were worried about. Magic pulled the trigger on a two-year removed #2 overall pick, to HOPE that the Lakers can get Lebron. The new gameplan is sign stars, but let’s hope Magic and Pelinka have a different way of doing it than Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss. We know how that worked out.

This better work. Because if not, it could be a LONG process back to the top.