NBA free agency 2014 is coming soon and now that the playoffs are in full swings, teams are looking at the players that are going to hit the market as free agents and names like LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Luol Deng, Pau Gasol, Greg Monroe, Kyle Lowry and Carmelo Anthony all could be in the mix for teams like the NY Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Lakers or Miami Heat this summer.
The Knicks and Heat are the two teams worth watching closely, as they have superstars looking to opt out of their deals in LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. While both players may end up staying, they each look like they are going to opt out and that obviously makes some fans nervous, especially in NY. Most people think that James will stay, although he will be tempted by the LA Lakers and Chicago Bulls, while Anthony is a wild card.
Ask a bunch of people and the answers will be very different and that is the decision that Anthony is wrestling with, as he has never been an actually free agent before and that could tempt him to leave. Anthony is going to opt out of his deal, he has made that clear and the Knicks have fired Mike Woodson and could hire a coach like Steve Kerr that could keep Melo in NYC. Phil Jackson will do his best to keep Anthony, but if he leaves the team shouldn't be in terrible shape, as they will rid contracts after the 2014-15 season and can be major players for Kevin Love and other free agents down the line.
If Anthony leaves, expect the Knicks to chase at least one of LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Luol Deng, Pau Gasol, Greg Monroe or Kyle Lowry, as those are some of the top names on the market. Deng comes on after spending the first years of his career with the Bulls, but they were forced to trade him after the two sides could not work out a contract extension. Now he could sign back in Chicago, but a team like the Lakers or Knicks could swoop in with a deal to get him as well and that would be huge for those franchises.
Dirk is very likely staying in Dallas and he has said as much, basically putting out there that he wants to stay another two or three years. While he could get swayed, it is very unlikely. Lowry has turned himself into a quality point guard and he will be in the mix for teams as well, including the Knicks, who tried very hard to trade for him this season. If the salary cap rises like it's expected to, that will help teams sign players and it could sway James or Anthony to take a little less money. The Knicks are the favorites to keep him, as they can offer more years and money than anyone else.