While the NBA Finals are underway in Indianapolis with the Thunder and Pacers battling, the rest of the league remains busy. With the NBA draft approaching in less than two weeks and free agency set to begin in under three, teams are actively preparing. Offseason discussions are dominated by potential star trades involving Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the ongoing struggles of the New York Knicks` coaching search, and initial free agency whispers. These key storylines are capturing attention across the league beyond the championship series.
The Future of Giannis Antetokounmpo
The potential trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo or a definitive statement about his long-term commitment remains the offseason`s most significant story. Players of Antetokounmpo`s caliber, especially one in his prime at 30, rarely become available, making the prospect of acquiring him highly attractive to other teams and fans.
However, sources indicate that as of now, the expectation is that Antetokounmpo will begin the next season with the Milwaukee Bucks. It`s crucial to note that this situation is fluid, and further developments are anticipated throughout the offseason. Bucks coach Doc Rivers and recently extended general manager Jon Horst have reportedly outlined plans to ownership focused on maintaining the current core around Antetokounmpo. Their aim is to secure a top-six playoff seed, partly hoping for Damian Lillard`s return from his Achilles recovery before the end of next season. Milwaukee`s 10-4 record without Lillard late in the season and Antetokounmpo`s role in keeping the team competitive support their optimistic outlook.
Considering injuries to other Eastern Conference stars like Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid, and several teams still rebuilding, the Bucks see a path back to contention led by their MVP. A key financial question is whether the Bucks will incur the luxury tax next season. This has been a point of league-wide speculation, particularly with starting center Brook Lopez entering free agency and Bobby Portis holding a $13.4 million player option. Re-signing Lopez would make avoiding the tax challenging, while his departure would ease it.
Despite this, sources suggest the franchise is prepared to pay the luxury tax again, having done so heavily in recent years. Rival teams anticipate the Bucks will pay the tax but aim to stay below the first luxury tax apron ($196 million), which would allow access to the full $14 million midlevel exception. They might use a significant portion of this exception to find a starting point guard if Lillard`s recovery impacts his availability, with potential free agent targets including Dennis Schroder, Tyus Jones, and Malcolm Brogdon.
Milwaukee`s roster picture will become clearer after the draft and free agency, providing a better indication of the team`s direction and the likelihood of them truly competing next year with Antetokounmpo.
Kevin Durant`s Next Destination
Kevin Durant`s situation is clearer than Antetokounmpo`s, with reports indicating the Phoenix Suns are actively exploring trade options. Teams like the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, and New York Knicks have shown interest in the 36-year-old star, among others. Executing a trade for Phoenix presents several challenges:
- Durant needs to approve the destination.
- The acquiring team must be willing to potentially offer him a contract extension worth over $60 million annually for his late 30s.
- Phoenix owner Mat Ishbia and the front office require a satisfactory return package.
Balancing these factors to create a mutually beneficial deal will be difficult despite Durant`s exceptional talent. A past attempt to trade Durant before the February deadline without his knowledge reportedly caused issues, leading the Suns` new leadership to emphasize `alignment.` While keeping Durant informed is important, the Suns` priority is securing a favorable trade package. If both can be achieved, that would be ideal.
The Minnesota Timberwolves were reportedly strong contenders for Durant four months ago. At that time, salary cap restrictions made a deal complex, but potential contract opt-outs (like Julius Randle and Naz Reid) and Rudy Gobert`s adjusted deal might offer Minnesota more flexibility now. The LA Clippers are another team to watch, with contracts that could facilitate a trade to enhance their roster around Kawhi Leonard and James Harden (assuming Harden`s contract situation is resolved).
Many league sources express skepticism that Phoenix will receive a trade offer for Durant that fully meets their valuation. It`s anticipated that Durant`s future could be decided around the June 25th draft night. Given the limited pool of free agents and few teams with significant cap space this summer, the draft is expected to be a period of high transaction activity, potentially marking the peak of offseason movement.
The Chaotic New York Knicks Coaching Search
Following the departure of Tom Thibodeau, who published a New York Times ad to thank the team and fans, the Knicks` coaching search has quickly turned problematic. Replacing Thibodeau, the fourth-winningest coach in franchise history who led the team to consecutive playoff success, was always going to be challenging.
However, within 24 hours, the Knicks were reportedly denied permission by five different teams to interview their head coaches: Quin Snyder (Hawks), Billy Donovan (Bulls), Jason Kidd (Mavericks), Ime Udoka (Rockets), and Chris Finch (Timberwolves). This series of rejections is highly unusual and has drawn amusement and even frustration from around the league. Typically, a team moving on from a successful coach after a deep playoff run would have a clear target in mind. The current situation strongly suggests the Knicks lacked a definitive plan upon parting ways with Thibodeau.
What`s next for the Knicks? Sources suggest there`s still potential for the situations with Jason Kidd and Billy Donovan to evolve. Kidd has a history of changing teams (including leaving Brooklyn for Milwaukee) and ties to New York (playing there and coaching Jalen Brunson in Dallas). Donovan, a Long Island native with past Knicks ties, could be a popular local choice.
If neither Kidd nor Donovan becomes available, the Knicks will need to look elsewhere. Potential candidates could include experienced former head coaches currently available, such as Taylor Jenkins, Mike Brown, or Michael Malone. Another possibility is Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Johnnie Bryant, who recently interviewed for the Suns head coaching position and previously worked under Thibodeau in New York. The search might also lead to an unexpected candidate.
At present, the only certainty surrounding the Knicks` coaching vacancy is that the process is not unfolding as the organization likely intended.
Ty Jerome`s Free Agency Outlook
Despite a relatively weak free agent class this summer, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome is expected to attract significant interest. After finishing in the top three for Sixth Man of the Year for the 64-win Cavaliers, Jerome provided 12.5 points per game in under 20 minutes, with impressive shooting percentages (over 51% field goals, over 43% three-pointers). His recovery from an ankle injury that sidelined him for most of the 2023-24 season was crucial to Cleveland`s strong performance and rise to the East`s top seed. The Cavaliers are concerned about potentially losing Jerome, as well as fellow unrestricted free agent Sam Merrill, a valuable shooting specialist.
Sources report that Jerome, who earned $2.5 million last season, is anticipated to receive a substantial salary increase. League-wide estimates suggest it might require the full midlevel exception, around $14.1 million, to sign him. Cleveland hopes to retain him for less, sources indicate, as they navigate the complexities and roster limitations imposed by the second luxury tax apron.
While Cavaliers president Koby Altman has stated owner Dan Gilbert is willing to pay the luxury tax, the new Collective Bargaining Agreement demonstrates how challenging it is for teams deep in the tax aprons to gain future flexibility. Teams currently in the second apron generally aim to exit that situation as quickly as possible.
