the NBA Finals winding down we are now less than a month away from the 2016 free agency period. The salary cap is expected to rise to $92 million and there will be a number of teams in position to spend big. The small forward position is expected to be among the deepest in free agency led by Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant. Here is a look at the top small forwards set to hit the open market in the NBA.
Kevin Durant
Current Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Durant will be at the top of the list for nearly every team this offseason as they line up to sign the 27-year-old to a big money contract. Durant will have no shortage of options in terms of both destination and dollars but with the salary cap set to escalate big time again in 2017 there is a good chance he is in line for a one-year deal that will allow him to cash in once more the following offseason. Durant averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game a year ago while quieting doubts about any lingering health issues. He is still in the prime of his career and it will be very interesting to see whether or not he decided to return to Oklahoma City.
LeBron James
Current Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron has a player option so there is still a chance he doesn’t hit the market but that could depend on how things play out for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals. The reality is that even if he does opt out he will likely sign another one-year deal with the Cavaliers but that hasn’t stopped the speculation surrounding a potential return to the Miami Heat. LeBron will be 32-years-old next season but based on his performance this year he appears to have a lot left in the tank and all eyes will be on King James to see if he will opt out this summer.
Harrison Barnes
Current Team: Golden State Warriors
There is a tremendous drop off from two of the top players in the NBA to Barnes and that is one reason why his free agency will be so intriguing. A number of insiders aren’t sure what to make about Barnes and the contract he will demand on the open market as one of the top players at his position but not a true star. The 2012 first-round pick is still just 24-years-old and he is coming off a year in which he averaged 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. That said, he is still the fifth or sixth-best option on Golden State behind Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodola and perhaps even Shaun Livingston so he might not be in line for a max contract at this point regardless of whether or not there is some discussion about whether he is worth it.
Nicolas Batum
Current Team: Charlotte Hornets
Batum bounced back in a major way after signing a one-year deal with the Charlotte Hornets in the offseason and it should be enough to earn him a substantial contract in free agency this offseason. Batum averaged 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game for the Hornets this season and he is still just 27-years-old. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the teams that miss out on Durant and James opt to take a chance on Batum as a backup option.
Chandler Parsons
Current Team: Dallas Mavericks
Parsons has been forced to the sidelines with season-ending knee injuries in each of the last two years so it was no surprise when he posted an Instagram video of him jacking up three-point shots as an illustration to that the knee is good to go. Parsons is still just 27-years-old and if he can stay healthy he can be a very dangerous spot shooter for a contending team that needs a veteran swingman that can stretch the floor. Parsons averaged 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 three-point shots on 41-percent shooting from beyond the arc with the Dallas Mavericks this past year and he could be in line for a big payday with the NBA continuing to transition to a three-point shooting league.
