5 Surprise NBA Player Moves That Could Happen This Summer
The off-season is one of the most unpredictable times of the year in the NBA. Free agents are looking for their perfect team and organizations are looking for guys they can sign or trade to make their perfect roster. But all of this goes on behind the scenes, leaving people to wonder until final decisions are made. Here are five potential player moves that could surprise fans this summer.
1. J.J. Redick Signs with Lakers
This is a long-shot, but would be a win-win situation for both parties. J.J. Redick is one of the league's best shooters, and at 35 with 13 years in the league he seems to have gotten better with age. He averages double figures in points with excellent efficiency behind the 3-point line. The Lakers need a solid back court to support LeBron and Anthony Davis, and a 3-point threat like Redick would be the perfect addition. The only problem is Redick would more than likely have to take a considerable pay cut to join the team. But with the potential to win his first championship ring, money may not be a problem.
2. Warriors Re-Sign DeMarcus Cousins
The Warriors need some sort of stability in their system with loss of both Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson to injury and possibly even free agency. They will still have Steph Curry and Draymond Green, but that won't be enough to keep them competitive in the West. DeMarcus Cousins could be their solution. Although the big man was sometimes painful to watch after returning from injury at the end of last season, his worst is behind him, and a healthy Cousins means production on both ends of the floor.
3. Kemba Walker Takes Less, Signs with Lakers
Kemba Walker is probably one of the most unpredictable free agents this summer. He has a good thing going as the star player in Charlotte, and by making All-NBA Third Team the Hornets will be able to offer him a super-max contract that can't be matched anywhere else in the league. The problem is, Kemba is not going to win in Charlotte anytime soon. It's not a big free agent destination and they have had trouble trying to build a team around their star point guard. If his priority is a championship ring, his best bet is finding that in LA with LeBron and Anthony Davis, even though they will not be able to offer him anything close to the money he could make in Charlotte.
4. Kawhi Leonard Takes his Talents to the Clippers
Kawhi Leonard just won his first NBA championship along with a Finals MVP award for the Raptors. So why would he leave? Well for one, it's not where he wanted to be in the first place. Leonard had insisted on being traded from the Spurs and his preferred destination was back home in Los Angeles, but instead the star player ended up across the border. It's not very likely that the Lakers will be able to sign him because they don't have the cap space, so the Clippers are the next best option.
5. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant Move to New York
This package deal has been discussed with teams all over the league. Though expensive, it seems like the perfect match to make any team an immediate contender. Kyrie Irving is arguably the best point guard in the league and Kevin Durant, though sidelined with a torn Achilles, is oft considered a Top 3 player. The Knicks are interested in both, and Irving and KD have had their eyes on a move to the Big Apple. It's a place with history and fans that have been unmatched by any team in the league, and would be more than willing to welcome the two superstars. Plus, both would be able to get paid while contending for NBA Championships.