Training camps haven’t opened yet, but it’s never too early to start thinking about next summer, which will feature one of the most impressive free agent classes in recent history. LeBron James may be off the market, signing a four-year contract with the Lakers after a series of one-year deals with options, but there are plenty of big names to replace him as we outlined Friday in our 2019 Free Agent Power Rankings 1.0.
The Warriors’ Kevin Durant holds the top spot and will probably be there all year. He has solidified his position among the league’s elite players by helping Golden State capture back-to-back titles in his two seasons with the team. While he’s in a great situation with the Warriors, Durant may decide he wants another challenge, and speculation has already started about possible destinations. He has played on one-year contracts with options the past two seasons, but at age 31 he may be ready for a long-term deal similar to LeBron’s.
Karl-Anthony Towns is currently No. 2 on the list, but there’s a good chance he’ll sign an extension with the Timberwolves before the October 15 deadline. If he doesn’t, that’s a strong sign that the locker room chemistry in Minnesota is even worse than we’ve been led to believe. If Towns hits the open market, his combination of skills and youth will create a league-wide demand, even though he’ll be a restricted free agent.
The Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard checks in at No. 3 with another situation that could change during the season. Leonard’s desire to play in Los Angeles is one of the factors that pushed him out of San Antonio, and a trade to the Lakers or Clippers could happen if Toronto isn’t confident about re-signing him when we reach the February trade deadline.
The reported dissension in Minnesota may also affect Jimmy Butler, who is fourth on our list. Butler brings an old-school mentality to the game and has reportedly clashed with Towns and Andrew Wiggins over their more relaxed attitudes. The Wolves surrendered a lot to get Butler just 15 months ago, so they may look to move him before the deadline if they decide it’s not a good fit.
Klay Thompson rounds out the top five heading into a pivotal offseason for Golden State. With two of the top five free agents plus Draymond Green eligible for an extension, it’s about to get a lot more expensive to keep the core of the back-to-back champions together.
Tonight we want you to predict how many of the top five free agents will be changing teams next summer. Incumbent teams hold the advantage of being able to offer longer contracts and bigger annual raises, but the 2019 free agent market looks unsettled with two sets of teammates in the top five and Leonard possibly in a short-term arrangement in Toronto. Please give us your feedback in the space below.
If the Warriors cant keep both Klay and KD 1 of them will definitely be a Laker.
Uh-huh, gl with that.
Thats why you say “if”
“If it isn’t sunny tomorrow, it may very well be the next day”
KD and Klay “will” be Warriors. They will have a new arena and like Steph says they want to win as many championships as possible. Laker fans can talk, talk, talk. We are listening to Klay and KD. They say they want to win more championships. The Lakers can have Demarcus, not Klay and KD. Butler and Kawhi, nobody knows until they decide.
Its funny how paranoid you get to comment 5 times about it lol. Its simple. If they cant hand out a 3rd max deal i think the odd man out would be a Laker. Didn’t say Its going to happen. Didnt say i think it was going to happen. The salary cap still exists and while its not likely they lose 1 of them its not a sure thing to fit them all in. There is 0 chance they can do it without trading Dray tho
I’m giving you references since you won’t listen. What you think doesn’t matter. What KD and Klay think does. What the Warriors HOF owner thinks does. When it’s all said and done, Klay, KD, and Steph will all be Warriors for the next 6 years. I know you won’t listen, but oh well. It’s foregone conclusion Draymond will be gone. It’s also foregone conclusion they will be over the cap. It’s also foregone conclusion they will have a new arena and winning titles so they will still be making money. They will also have extra publicity from KD being the greatest player in the world. As you say I posted 5 times. If you don’t agree with what I say, “read what Steph, Klay, Iguodala, and KD have to say.” What they say matters.
Grow up. What they say now doesn’t really matter. What they decide next summer will matter. And, by the way, the owner isn’t in the HOF, though he might make it if he ponies up about $300MM in luxury tax to keep the gang together.
You have a strange obsession with policing people who in the slightest think theres a chance the Warriors big 3 might not remain togethere.
Do you just copy and paste the same thing on every article?
This stuff comes from Klay, his dad, Steph, Iguodala, and KD. Being LeBron idolators, you can’t deal with it.
I love Kyrie, Gordon, Brad, Al, Jayson, Jaylen, Steph, Klay, and Kevin as much as you love LeBron. You want LeBron and the Lakers to win championships. I want my guys to win them. I’ll read anything that comes from reliable sources dealing with Boston and Golden State. You are not reliable.
Caffeine Mio is strong stuff. Gotta stop drinking that stuff straight.
Google Steph Curry-ESPN-Warriors want to win 3 peat and as many championships as they can.
You can also Google-Andre Iguodala says he will push Durant to pass LeBron become the current best basketball player in the world. In the news this past week.
You can also Google-Klay Thompson and his dad say at their golf outing that Klay will take discount to be a Warrior for life.
You can also Google-Durant takes another discount so that he can sign a 5 year contract with Warriors next season.
The discounts Durant took are already done; GSW will get no more.
The $10 discount he took previously was not fully spent and just transferred to the owners.
Iguadala pushing Durant proves nothing. Nothing you are counting on proves Durant’s intentions. Everyone will say publicly they want to stay where they are.
There is nothing keeping Durant in GS except winning, and he can do that in LA.
KD said he wanted to stay with OKC. They say lots of stuff, until it’s time to decide, he keeps taking those 1+1s for a reason. So them saying they want to stay don’t mean what you think.
Mavs,nets and clippers are gonna have frustrating free agency experiences next year if their plans are stars or bust ! Knicks and Lakers will get one guy each and most guys will ‘re up where they are ! Will be a predictable off season
knicks and bulls gonna be sleepers next offseason
KD will re-up unless gets bored of winning. KAT will re-up too, as long as Minny pays him the very max they can & stop messing about. Kawhi I think might go to the Clippers but really who knows. Butler will not be in Minny, but where will he go, no idea, could very well be the Lakers, but who knows. klay I do think he will re-up with GSW, but if for whatever didn’t happen, which is very unlikely, I think he would go to either the Lakers (if they haven’t got Butler first) or Philly.
Butler is the most likely to move of course, but probably by trade first. Should be lots of drama. MIN should always side with Towns.
I’m going to say Durant to the Lakers. The Splashes and Draymond will stay. There is no reason for Durant to be a GSW lifer… and he will get more credit and legacy respect as a winner by winning at LAL, beating GSW, than getting more titles at GSW.