The NBA free agent period starts up very soon and players like Dwyane Wade, Mo Williams, Monta Ellis and Greg Monroe could be options in free agency for teams like the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, NY Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks, as those players could look at changing teams this summer after the draft finishes up in June.
The Knicks, Celtics, Kings, Lakers and Cavaliers are expected to be active in free agency this offseason, especially Los Angeles and New York. Dwyane Wade is dealing with a contract dispute with the Miami Heat right now and there is a chance that he could opt out and become a free agent this summer. The two sides have not been able to agree on compensation and if Wade opts out, he will be a target for teams like the Bulls, Lakers and Clippers as well as the Cleveland Cavaliers.
According to Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com, Mo Williams is a free agent and could be interested in a return to the Cavaliers. The Cavs have the chance to be active in free agency depending on the moves they make, as they have LeBron James and Kevin Love potentially opting out of deals. The team also may go after players like Monta Ellis and Luol Deng if they don't bring back JR Smith or Iman Shumpert. Keeping Love is a priority along with Tristan Thompson and adding a player like Williams or Ellis could be big for James.
No one is expecting James to leave, but he is likely to opt out of his deal and sign another contract. Wade is also a potential target for the Cavaliers, as he has played with James in the past and could consider moving out of Miami depending on what the team offers him. According to the Miami Herald, the Heat want Wade to either use his played option for this season at $16 million, or opt out to sign a deal at a rate of about $10 million per season. Wade is looking for a three year deal worth around $20 million per season, according to sources.
Monte Ellis was expected to opt out of his contract to become a free agent this offseason and now he has done that, as ESPN reports that Ellis will not opt into his player option for the Mavericks. It's unlikely that the Mavs bring back Ellis this season and Chris Broussard writes that the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers are interested. The Cavaliers also could be interested if they let JR Smith go, while Miami could look at Ellis as an option if Wade decides to leave.
The Mavericks are looking to spend in free agency with LaMarcus Aldridge as a top target along with DeAndre Jordan and that is part of the reason why they are okay with Ellis opting out. The Bulls, Cavaliers, Knicks and Lakers all could go after Wade and the teams that miss out could look at Ellis as an option. Miami has a lot to deal with, as Luol Deng could opt out, while Goran Dragic is on the market and is looking for a max contract. The team wants to bring Dragic back, but he could be wooed by other teams like the Lakers or Knicks.
