The Pacers are more likely to retain T.J. McConnell than Doug McDermott in free agency in August, according to J. Michael of The Indianapolis Star (subscription required). Michael suggests that Indiana is likely to re-sign McConnell, but will probably lose McDermott due to his “escalating price tag” following a career year.
If the Pacers bring back McConnell, it may affect what the team does with Aaron Holiday. According to Michael, the 24-year-old point guard – who is entering the final year of his rookie contract – has been hoping for a change of scenery since the 2021 trade deadline, so he could emerge as a trade candidate again this offseason.
Here are a few more notes related to free agency:
- Chatter around the NBA suggests that Daniel Theis will be seeking a “big payday” in free agency, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, who suggests the veteran center may not be back with the Bulls.
- Appearing on the Club Shay Shay podcast (video link), Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan said that his free agency decision will be “all about winning.” Asked by host Shannon Sharpe what that means for his salary expectations, DeRozan admitted he’d like to be well-compensated too, but said he feels more urgency to compete for a title as he enters his age-32 season.
- Speaking to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Kelly Oubre didn’t offer many specific details about his plans for free agency, but hinted that a new deal with the Warriors may not be his top priority. “I want to continue to expand my game, grow and spread my wings. I want to continue to show all the things I’m capable of and not be put in a box,” Oubre said. “I felt like the universe was trying to put me in a box last year.”
Warriors won’t keep Oubre
SNT is possible but unlikely
Hornets and Raptors are my predictions
Oubre wants to be a starter and top dollar amount. Warriors see him as a 6th man off the bench so he is not resigning. I am guessing a bubble team or rebuilding team will sign him. Not many top teams can promise a starting job.
The only ways for the Warriors to acquire any high-priced players will be either to trade Wiggins or do a sign-and-trade with Oubre since they have no cap space.
McDermott
Market value 3 year $40 million
Pacers would still have $1 million under the luxury tax
If Thunder take Wiggins in Beal deal, Warriors would SNT Oubre to Pacers for McDermott
McDermott isn’t from Pittsburgh. Iowa area I believe.
McDermott would be a great addition too but McConnell would solidify the backup PG we need
Cavs, as a lot of teams probably will too, need to do everything to get McConnell on the team. He would bring great veteran leadership and talent too of course. He is from Pittsburgh so maybe it would be a selling point to be only a two hour drive from home?
McDermott isn’t from Pittsburgh. Iowa area I believe.
I’m talking about McConnell
Oh…..Delly 2.0. I wouldn’t want to overpay for him. His height doesn’t make him an ideal backup tho.
With how mediocre this FA class is, a lot of guys are going to be left empty handed.
?.. Paul, Leonard, Conley, Lowry, DeRozen, Oladipo, Dragic, Schröder, Fournier, Dinwiddie, Oubre, Drummond…
Should I keep going? Ok I will lol.
Hardaway Jr, N. Powell, Harrell, L. Williams, Rose, Ball, Ibaka, McDermott, McConnell, Burks, Kanter, BOBBY, Caruso, Carmelo, Batum, Iguodala, Dragic, J. Green, Olynyk, Barton…..just to name a few. Just cause there aren’t too many big names doesn’t mean there isn’t players available that can help a team tremendously. (This list was copy and pasted, so there not sure if these are the only good FA available.)
By empty handed you mean signing for millions upon millions and in some cases, overpaid because teams had cap space to do so?
It actually would be a good idea to sign a few specialists to 1 year deals and flip for assets at the trade deadline.
It would be interesting to see what kind of deal Drummond signs.
It’s also pretty hard to do a SNT with Oubre, if you are GSW. The non-trade of him at the deadline last year was a huge miss, but then again the second Klay went down again, the FO packed their things and went on vacation, flat out refusing to do their job.
Who says no first?
SAC: Kuzma
LAL: DeRozen (S&T)
SAS: Bagley III + #22 LAL pick
I think that would limit DDR to 125% of Kuzma or Bagley? He did say he values winning most, but that’s a big income drop to $14.14m. Kings could go up to 16.25, so could add $2.14m to the pot… a prospect to Spurs.
That would be amazing for the Lakers!
Is this such a good idea, Oubre sending out the quotes he does? He thinks the universe was keeping him in a box, but another phrase for that is keeping your job. He wants to do whatever he wants to, when most of his potential employers want him for more specific 3D wing tasks.
He may be rebelling against the ‘wing scene’. It has happened in other sports, even before it was basically a racial code word… if it is now. Oubre may make the jump, even if only in self-regarding negotiations using the media.
He plays what is the diva position right now, and obviously doesn’t want to miss out on any aspect of the experience.
What’s the racial code decipher into? No sarcasm. Just interested in what you mean.
You could argue as I am guessing. I have made mention but have not gotten feedback. I don’t follow any agitating or revolutionary sources. I have seen this play out in soccer in the English Premier League starting about 2015, with black players not wanting to always get the less-crucial winger assignment. But it was not written about that reached me.
Seems to me, in BB, ‘wings’ usually mean 3 & D officially, and black unofficially… a reduced scope of opportunities, focussed on defense and decoying, compared to forwards, or ‘shooters’ like Duncan Robinson, also a FA.
Thing is scorers get paid, so Oubre wants a reputation on that side.
Is DXC saying wing or SF is a diva position now among players? I think players want to be the PG. Rivers in Philly seemed to be rotating the PGs to keep everyone happy.
Just my take, but if being a ‘wing’ is considered popular, it will be of no matter to get that assignment.
I can & do respect a guy who wants to make as much $$$ as they can, that is the reason they are in the NBA after all… you can kind of understand that someone puts winning ahead of $$$… but you can’t be wanting your cake & eat it, right?
You got to prioritize making $$$ or winning DD, you can’t expect to get to a winning team making anywhere near the $$$ you making now, so be a man & choose.