The summer of 2015 should a very exciting one in the NBA, as a lot of elite players would become free-agents and will be available to sign. From the first day of July, Finals MVPs, NBA Champions and All-Stars are going to receive contract offers from teams around the league that will try and strengthen their playoff hopes or just to get out of the bottom of their conferences. When the trade period starts, expect these five players to be the most pursued ones.
5. LaMarcus Aldridge
Aldridge has been the main guy for the Blazers for almost nine years now and it’s hard to believe that he will switch teams during the summer. He is one of the best players at the power-forward position thanks to his very skillful mid-range game. Furthermore, he is the only person in the entire NBA that has averaged at least 20 points and eight rebounds per game in each of the last five seasons – Blake Griffin has done it three times. Aldridge has stated numerous times that he plans to sign and extension with Portland, however, that doesn’t mean that the other teams won’t try and lure him away.
4. Kawhi Leonard
Last year’s Finals MVP is set off to be a free-agent this summer, as he and the San Antonio Spurs couldn’t agree on a deal earlier in the season. Leonard is looking like the player that will become the building block of the Spurs if he re-signs with them. However, it is very curious whether Kawhi will choose San Antonio in front of all the other teams that will offer him max deals. He has stated multiple times that he feels great with his current team and doesn’t really think of playing anywhere else, but isn’t that what LeBron said before he left the Cavaliers? Leonard is an elite defensive player, that is still developing his offensive game, but will surely be one of the most attractive free-agents during the summer.
3. Kevin Love
A lot of people have been saying that Kevin Love isn’t made to play in championship caliber teams, due to his lack of production with the Cavaliers. However, they may be a bit wrong – the tactics on offense are designed to leave Love waiting on the perimeter, while James or Irving are penetrating the lane. This is the main reason why he hasn’t posted the same numbers as he used to with the Timberwolves. It will be very interesting to see whether Kevin Love will leave the Cavaliers this season and if he does where exactly could he go. Cleveland’s front office will surely do everything possible to keep him, as he is still one of the best power-forwards in the league, even without posting impressive stats every night.
2. Marc Gasol
The Spaniard is arguably the best center in the NBA right now and one of the most valuable free-agents this summer. Gasol has been the Grizzlies leader on and off the court in the last couple of years and this season they have finally become a title contender. The fact that Gasol is an excellent rim protector, which is also capable to scoring a bunch of points, makes him a very desirable player. A lot of teams will surely try to persuade him to leave Memphis, but whether they’ll be successful is a whole different story.
1. LeBron James
The 4-time MVP will be a free-agent this summer and he is again stating that he wishes to remain with the Cavaliers organization for the long run. Whether this is true or he will break the hearts of every person in Cleveland we will see this summer. James is already playing his 12th year in the NBA, but he hasn’t missed a beat – his stats are a bit down this season, but lately the King has playing on an MVP level. A lot of teams will try and woo him, but it’s more likely that LeBron will stay put in Cleveland.
NBA News: Top 5 free-agents in the summer
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