Just a couple days into NBA free agency 2019 and not only are almost all of the top free agents already committed, but a large majority of the above average and average free agents are taken as well. This is not good news for teams still looking to revamp their roster. After the busiest opening 24 hours of NBA free agency ever, the updates of players committing has slowed own over the past 24 hours. While many teams have their rosters just about full already, most of the free agents yet to sign will probably have to wait until Kawhi Leonard announces where he is going to be playing next year.
While all the other top 8 free agents this offseason announced where they will be signing for the upcoming year within a day of free agency opening, Kawhi Leonard has been silent. It is expected he will announce where he is going within a few days, but in an offseason where all the other top players have made it known where they are going, the fans, media and franchises are starting to get impatient. Leonard is certainly allowed to take his time though, even if he wants to take a month (although that would be devastating to the franchises still in play for him). Until he makes known his intentions some of the other remaining free agents are going to have to wait to find a new team. As of now there are only a few teams with remaining cap space. The only teams that still have a chance of signing Leonard are the Lakers, Clippers and the place where he just won a championship, Toronto.
The two teams that Leonard decides not to sign with will certainly have issues since they have waited before signing other players while Leonard has remained a possibility. The Lakers will be most effected if they don't get Leonard since they only have a few players on their roster and need to sign the most players. Whoever signs Leonard will jettison up to championship contender level so his signing is big. However, there are other available free agents still who can make at least some impact on their new teams. Here is a list of the top free agents available still, as of right now.
1. Kawhi Leonard- I've mentioned a lot about the impact he has. Will he choose to return to Toronto where he just won a championship and will have nearly the same roster? Will he head back to Southern California where he grew up and play for the Clippers or Lakers. Will he join the Lakers and create a new super-team with Lebron James and Anthony Davis or join the Clippers who were a playoff team and a superstar away from being championship contenders last year? Signed with LA Clippers
2. DeMarcus Cousins-The mighty have fallen. A couple big injuries have derailed him the past couple seasons and he has turned from better than all-star to hoping for above average starter. Word is that there is not much interest in him from the league and that he might not get much more than the minimum and a one year deal. He should find a team where he can get minutes and prove himself still so next year he can sign a bigger deal. If Lakers miss out on Leonard, that is a top contender to sign him. Signed with LA Lakers
3. Danny Green-Another two time champion, Green has already announced he is waiting to make a decision until Leonard signs. If Leonard returns to Toronto, Green has said he would like to also, but if Leonard doesn't return, Green will likely choose the team that offers him the most money, probably the Dallas Mavericks. Signed with LA Lakers
4. Marcus Morris-It's very likely he is not going back to Boston. If there is any team with money left he will certainly be one of the top targets considering there are not many available players better than he is. Signed with New York Knicks
5. Markieff Morris-He used to be known as the better Morris twin, but with his brother's development over the past few years and his injury last season, he has fallen below his brother. He would still make a good signing for a team looking for a big man off the bench. Signed with Detroit Pistons
6. JaMychal Green-Speaking of big men off the bench, he is one of the better ones and played very well after being traded to the Clippers at the deadline this past season. Clippers are definitely interested in bringing him back. Signed with LA Clippers
7. Kelly Oubre Jr.-After Washington dealt him to the Suns last season, he got a chance to showcase his potential in the league. If any team has money to overpay someone he is one of the most likely candidates at this point, not necessarily because he has proven himself, but because of his potential. Signed with Phoenix Suns
8. Rajon Rondo-He still is a good NBA player and great playmaker and passer. He certainly will not be getting as much money as he did last season though. However he could still return to the Lakers. Signed with LA Lakers
9. Jabari Parker-A couple years ago, he was one of the top young players in the league. He has proven himself to be a capable scorer in the league. However, don't expect him to ever play defense. Signed with Atlanta Hawks
10. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope-After a couple years with the Lakers he has still not proven to be an above average player in the league. He could still be a decent pickup for a team's bench though. Lakers still a possibility (if you noticed the Lakers is still a possibility for many players because they will need to sign at least 5 or 6 more players. Signed with LA Lakers
11. Quinn Cook-It is a possibility the Warriors bring him back to help Shaun Livingston as guards off the bench. If anyone offers him decent money he is likely to take it having now appeared in the past two finals. Signed with LA Lakers
12. Noah Vonleh-Had his best season this past year in New York. He will get a deal somewhere, but not for as much as he is hoping for. If he didn't have a good year last season he would probably be out of the league right now. Signed with Minnesota Timberwolves
13. Wilson Chandler-So many injuries over his career have been tough for him, especially last year on Philadelphia and then the Clippers. He could still be a top bench player on a good team. Signed with Brooklyn Nets
14. TJ McConnell-Is likely moving on from the 76ers, is a plenty capable backup point guard. Signed with Indiana Pacers
15. JaVale McGee-Hopefully someone signs him so we can get another year of highlights. Signed with LA Lakers
16. Jamal Crawford-Still has a year or two left and if a team needs bench scoring he is the perfect guy to sign at this point.
17. Iman Shumpert-Is an above average defender still, and can help a playoff team that needs to lock up their defense still. Perfect 3 and D guy off the bench.
18. Tyus Jones-Has had a couple good years as a backup point guard in Minnesota, could get a chance somewhere else. Signed with Memphis Grizzlies
19. Jeremy Lin-Now that he is a NBA champion, Linsanity needs another year. Possible he returns to Toronto or goes somewhere else to be a 12th man.
20. Vince Carter-He has stated he wants to play another year in the league. Hopefully some team will give him a chance. Possible he returns to Toronto where it all began?
Other Free Agents: Carmelo Anthony, Nene, Kenneth Faried, Ivica Zubac, Lance Stephenson, Tyson Chandler, Joakim Noah, Omri Casspi, Udonis Haslem, Pau Gasol, Luol Deng, Ian Clark, Stanley Johnson, Raymond Felton, and many others!!
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