NBA free agency is expected to be very active this summer and players like DeAndre Jordan, David West, Monta Ellis, Rajon Rondo, Goran Dragic and Iman Shumpert are potential options for the LA Lakers, NY Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers as free agents.
The Knicks are expected to be very active in free agency this summer, as they are projected to have over $20 million in cap space, according to ESPN.com. The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers also will have a lot of cap space, while the Dallas Mavericks and Rockets are also expected to be aggressive. According to Jared Zwerling of Bleacher Report, David West is a top target for the Knicks in free agency after opting out of his deal with the Pacers and is "very likely" to sign in New York.
West declined his player option for this season to hit the market and he would have made $12.5 million if he stayed in Indiana. West is 34-years-old, but he is a productive player and the type of veteran the Knicks will need if they want to make improvements this season. West has played 12 years in the NBA and is a steady rebounder and the report from Zwerling had a league source say that West "knew" before he opted out that New York would be a strong destination for him. Last season West averaged 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists in just under 30 minutes per game.
DeAndre Jordan is another notable name on the free agent market and he is expected to get targeted by a number of teams. According to the Los Angeles Times, Brad Turner reports that the Clippers center will likely be a target for the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Lakers and Bucks in free agency. Turner reported that a "rift exists" between Jordan and Chris Paul and that Jordan will likely consider leaving the Clippers this offseason.
Turner reports that while Doc Rivers has said there is no "beef" between Jordan and Paul, there is a "rift" between the players that exists, according to "other NBA officials." Turner writes that Jordan wants to be "more involved" in the offense and that he is not sure he fits in as well with Paul and Blake Griffin. July 1 opens free agency and Jordan will be a main target for the Knicks, who have money to burn, as well as the Lakers, who have been chasing a DeMarcus Cousins trade. Jordan led the league in rebounding this year and he has been mentioned as a main target for the Dallas Mavericks in free agency.
Rajon Rondo is another top name on the market and while he may not get as much money as Goran Dragic, he should have just as many suitors. Rondo is reportedly looking to sign a short term deal to help bring up his value heading into next summer and a team like the Kings could be a "dark horse" target, according to Adrian Wojnarowski at Yahoo Sports. The Knicks and the Lakers are options to go after Rondo, while the Houston Rockets also could be a team that signs him. The Mavericks are not plannign to bring back Rondo after trading for him this past season.
