Yahoo Sports Marc Spears takes a look at the Top NBA Free Agents as the leagues signing period begins. Pacers match on Hibbert, Celtics add Jason Terry, Suns want Eric Gordon:
1. Deron Williams re-signs with Brooklyn Nets, Max deal, 5 Years $98.7M
Here’s a look at the rest of the summer’s top 20 NBA free agents:
2. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs: (Re-signs w Spurs) Duncan, 36, has already declared himself a “Spur for life.” The only question is the length and value of his contract. Garnett received a three-year, $34 million deal with the final season not expected to be fully guaranteed, and the average salary of K.G.’s contract could provide a barometer for the Spurs and Duncan. The Spurs have sometimes had difficult negotiations with their aging stars – David Robinson publicly wondered if the franchise wanted him back before getting a two-year, $20 million contract – but Duncan should be different. He’s won four championships for the Spurs, and so many people in the franchise have profited because of him.
3. Nash, Phoenix Suns, PG: (Traded to Lakers) Nash has publicly said he’s open to re-signing with the Suns. Still, given how much other teams value him, Phoenix doesn’t appear to the be the leader. The Toronto Raptors will make a hard push to sign the Canada native. Nash lives in New York in the offseason, and both the New York Knicks and Nets have interest in signing him. If the Mavs can’t sign Williams, then might try to sell Nash on a reunion with his good friend, Nowitzki. The Raptors and Knicks are scheduled to meet with Nash on the first day of free agency.
4. Roy Hibbert (restricted), Indiana Pacers, C: (Re-signed by Pacers) The Pacers would prefer not to pay Hibbert a max contract, but they also plan to match any offer sheet the All-Star signs with another team. Given Hibbert’s age (25), potential and the dearth of quality big men in the league, he’s likely headed for a big payday. And Hibbert’s agent David Falk won’t hesitate to shop for the best deal.
5. Eric Gordon (restricted), New Orleans Hornets, G: The Hornets drafted talented guard Austin Rivers, who potentially could replace Gordon, the top shooting guard in free agency this summer. Still, the Hornets will weigh matching whatever offer sheet Gordon receives.
Gordon will visit his hometown Indiana Pacers, in addition to the Houston Rockets and Suns this week. He’s also receiving interest from the Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Bobcats and Mavericks (if they don’t sign Williams). Like Williams, Gordon hopes to make his decision before Team USA’s training camp begins.
6. Brook Lopez (restricted), Brooklyn Nets, F/C: The Nets have offered Lopez in potential trade packages for Howard, but he’s still expected to get a lucrative contract from them.
7. Goran Dragic, Houston Rockets, PG: (Signs w/ Suns) The Rockets want to keep Dragic, but it probably won’t be cheap. The Raptors, Mavericks, Hornets and Suns – who traded Dragic to the Rockets – also have interest. The Rockets already have point guard Kyle Lowry under contract, and Lowry has said he wants to be traded if Dragic returns. There’s been some tension between Lowry and Rockets coach Kevin McHale, and Lowry’s name surfaced in the team’s trade talks on draft day.
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