In what many consider to be an underwhelming free agency class, teams will have to be cautious which players to throw money at in July. The 2017 free agency class is loaded with marquee players, such as Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Gordon Hayward who are all expected to re-sign with their respective teams. One tier of free agents, however, could be on the move much more than in previous seasons.
Restricted free agents will likely by high sought after with the salary cap projected to be at $102 million. Many teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, and Miami Heat could throw a max contract or near max contract at restricted free agents, even if they had to overpay a player in order to get them. While teams are able to go over the salary cap to re-sign free agents, many franchises hope to avoid the luxury tax, which causes trouble for teams trying to retain young assets while also trying to compete. Teams that are trying to contend in the playoffs might have to let a restricted free agent with potential walk in an effort to spend their money on players that can help them win now.
This year’s restricted free agent class is an interesting one. While there are no clear-cut stars set to be available, many appealing complementary pieces will become available in July. Here’s a look at some of the top restricted free agents set to hit the market on July 1st.
2017 NBA Free Agency: Top Restricted Free Agents
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
A market has already been set for the top restricted free agent in the 2017 class, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. While the Detroit Pistons have high hopes to retain their starting shooting guard, one team outside of Detroit already has their eyes set on him. The Brooklyn Nets, who could have up to $33 million available in cap room come free agency, have made KCP their top priority this offseason.
Caldwell-Pope had himself an encouraging 2016-2017 campaign, although a rough end to the season left some with a poor taste of his play. He finished the season averaging 13.3 points and a career high 2.5 assists per game. The 24-year old shooting guard also shot a career-high 35 percent from the three-point line and was shooting nearly 40 percent from deep until his end of season slump.
Even after a poor March and April, Caldwell-Pope will catch the eyes of any team looking to improve their roster.
Otto Porter Jr.
Entering the season, many began to speculate the future of Otto Porter in Washington. The third pick in the 2013 NBA Draft had struggled to impress in his first three seasons in the NBA, and did not look like he could be Washington’s future at small forward. That all changed this season. Porter had an incredible season, finishing the year averaging a career-high 13.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. He did so on incredibly efficient numbers. He shot career highs in field goal percentage(51.6 percent), three-point field goal percentage(43.4 percent), two-point field goal percentage(57.6 percent), and free throw percentage(83.2 percent). He also averaged a career-high 62.8 percent true shooting percentage.
While Porter will likely never be 20 points per game scorer, his ability to score around 15 points per game and so as efficiently as he did, makes him a very intriguing player. Add his newly found offensive game with his defensive abilities and you have a restricted free agent that will be highly sought after come July. The Wizards should hold on to him, even if a team throws a max contract his way.
Nerlens Noel
The Mavericks have found their starting center in Nerlens Noel when they traded for him at the Trade Deadline in February. The 6’11” big is a solid two-way player, with his calling card being a defensive enforcer. While he won’t score you a ton of points, Noel does a good job of setting screens, being in the right position, and finishing well at the rim. He also started to expand his range, as he added somewhat of a mid-range jumper to his game, as he shot 26.7 percent from 10-16 feet from the basket. His shooting touch should be an area he works to improve on this offseason.
Dallas isn’t worried about losing Noel, and they consider it a top priority to re-sign him. He is someone they need to pay and should pay. The Mavericks never commit to tanking, and Noel complements Dirk Nowitzki well with his defensive strengths.
Tim Hardaway Jr.
Much like Otto Porter, Tim Hardaway’s stock has skyrocketed this season. Hardaway flashed encouraging potential late in the season when he began to start at shooting guard for the Atlanta Hawks.
In the 30 games, he started, Hardaway averaged 17.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. While he is not the shooter Porter is, Hardaway was still somewhat efficient, as he shot 44.3 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from deep.
One aspect of Hardaway’s game that has held him back since being drafted by the Knicks in the 2013 Draft was his defense. At best he is an adequate defender, although as a starter he posted a negative 1.0 net rating as he possessed a 106.9 net rating in the 30 games he started.
The Hawks are in an interesting scenario with Hardaway. He was a solid player for them throughout the season but on the wing is where the Hawks have the most depth. Atlanta has Kent Bazemore, who they just committed $70 million to last offseason, Thabo Sefolosha, and Mike Dunleavy. They also drafted Tauren Prince and DeAndre Bembry in the draft last year. The money they would have to spend on Hardaway could be better utilized elsewhere with the depth on the wing that Atlanta has.
Nikola Mirotic
You never know what the Chicago Bulls are going to do, but one player they should hold on to is restricted free agent to be, Nikola Mirotic. A 6’10” stretch four, Mirotic provided the Bulls a shooting touch, something many players on their roster did not possess this season.
While he did not shoot the 39 percent he shot in the 2015-2016 season from deep, Mirotic was able to still be a threat this year, shooting 34.2 percent from behind the arc. The 26-year old Spaniard averaged 10.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season.
Mirotic is one of the better stretch fours that will be available this offseason at what shouldn’t be too high of a price.
Other restricted free agents include Andre Roberson, Mason Plumlee, and Shabazz Muhammed. While there are no stars in this restricted free agent class, there is a heavy dose of valuable players that many teams will consider offering. It will be interesting to see how many change teams come July.
