The Biggest Names to Watch in Free Agency: Part 2
The NBA season is finally over, with the Warriors being crowned champions for the seventh time in franchise history. Now, the focus fully shifts to the offseason, particularly where the top names will land in July.
Part 1 of this article can be found here:
Here are more of the biggest names to look out for in 2022 Free Agency.
Bradley Beal
Although he has a $35M Player Option, Beal’s recent comments have made fans believe he may not be re-signing with the Wizards after all:
“I know what my decision will be based off of, and that’s gonna be where I feel like I can win. That’s going to be my decision. If I feel like I can win in DC, that’s what I’m gonna do. I want people to respect that.” -Jack Maloney, CBS Sports
The 6'4" guard only played 40 games before undergoing surgery on his injured wrist, but still averaged 23.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game on 45–30–83 splits. His limited yet stellar play was not enough, however, as the Wizards went 35–47 this season and finished 12th in the East.
Since Beal was drafted back in 2012, the Wiz have gone 378–422 in the regular season and 22–23 in the playoffs. Washington only has three second-round and two first-round exits to show for it, though, so it makes sense why the three-time All Star would consider a change of scenery. Perhaps moving on is the best thing for both sides, unless GM Tommy Sheppard can finally put the right pieces around his franchise shooting guard and boost D.C. back into championship contention.
Kyrie Irving
Similar to Beal, Irving has a $36.5M Player Option that he must decide on by the end of the month. His season can only be described as a rollercoaster — both on and off the court. Between his refusal to get vaccinated and the consequences of his actions (for himself and the team), Irving’s last year in Brooklyn was far from ideal, and it’s led to a bit of speculation about his future with the franchise.
Despite playing 29 games this season, Irving continued to excel, averaging 27.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game on 46–41–91 splits. The Nets went 14–15 with their star guard this year and 30–23 without him. Currently, the signs point to Irving opting into his Player Option and extending his tenure with the Nets, according to The New York Post’s Brian Lewis, whose sources also noted that Irving is still on good terms with Durant and team owner Joe Tsai. Still, his situation will certainly be one to watch, and it will be intriguing to see how he and the Nets rebound from their first-round exit.
Collin Sexton
A season removed from averaging a career-best 24.3 PPG and 4.4 APG, Sexton is expected to have several suitors when he formally becomes a restricted free agent. The 23-year-old, who only played 11 games before he was sidelined with a torn meniscus, averaged 16 PPG, 3.3 APG, and 2.1 APG on 45–24–74 splits this year. He has reportedly drawn interest from the Pistons and Pacers, with the Spurs and Wizards having the potential to join the fray. Still, the Cavs are expected to re-sign him along with the injured Ricky Rubio, but the chase will be on for the stud shooting guard who, after this injury, has a chip on his shoulder and something to prove.
Mitchell Robinson
The 24-year-old big man has had his fair share of injuries throughout his career, but he still played very well for the Knicks this season. In 72 games (62 starts), Robinson averaged 8.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.8 BPG, 0.8 SPG, and 0.5 APG; he also shot 76% from the field.
Robinson’s relationship with the Knicks has soured over the course of this season, from claiming he was underutilized as a starter (see below) to both sides “not [coming] close” to an extension before the trade deadline.
Robinson could still receive a four-year extension from the Knicks worth in the ballpark of $48 million, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Based on all reports, it appears the young, shot blocking big will be leaving the Big Apple for a team that he feels will value him more. The main questions now become: what franchise can give him that opportunity, and for much money?
Honorable Mentions
Though the aforementioned players have the potential to switch teams, there are some surefire candidates who could be staying and getting paid this offseason:
Anfernee Simons and Jusuf Nurkic (Portland Trail Blazers)
Miles Bridges (Charlotte Hornets)
Bobby Portis (Milwaukee Bucks)
These players are expected to surprise all of us with how much money they’ll be signing for at the dotted line, as their hard work has paid off but their jobs are far from finished.
All in all, these players are ones to keep an eye on once free agency hits. Whether they stay put for more money or move onto greener pastures, their decisions have the ability to impact their teams, their conferences, or even the whole league.
