For many of the NBA teams — but fewer than you think! — the focus this season is winning a title.
But one of the best things about the NBA is the next offseason is like a season unto itself. We all love to speculate on how the next crop of possible free agents or disgruntled superstars have the potential to turn the league on its head.
For a contender, it can be one player who turns them into a top team. For everyone else, it’s a potential chance to contend.
So here’s a list we’ll update from time to time — a look at some of the most important players and contracts ahead of next summer:
1. PF Antonio Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Contract: Player option
He can opt in for over $28.7 million, but it’s likely he’ll turn it down for more money. The question is: will he be happy in Los Angeles playing for the Lakers? Stay tuned.
2. C Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
Contract: Player option
He rebounds A LOT. He’s become less of a liability at the free-throw line and has improved as a scorer. If he could do more of this …
… he’d be a bigger star. He could be an intriguing addition to another team or could continue to stay with the Pistons. It’s just a matter of the right fit.
3. SG Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Contract: Restricted free agent
He reportedly turned down an extension … and it makes you wonder if the Celtics would match a giant offer from a team that thinks his potential hasn’t come out completely yet.
UPDATE: Brown reportedly agreed to an extension with the Celtics on Oct. 21.
4. SG DeMar DeRozan, San Antonio Spurs
Contract: Player option
He could stay with the Spurs, where he seems to be thriving post-Kawhi Leonard trade, or he could seek money elsewhere. But who’s willing to shell out a ton of cash for a guard who isn’t known for outside shooting in a shooting-heavy league?
5. SF Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans
Contract: Restricted free agent
Reminder: he averaged 18.3 ppg with the Lakers before he was dealt in the Davis trade. So he could blossom even more on the Pels in a way that pushes him into another echelon.
6. SF Danilo Gallinari, Oklahoma City Thunder
Contract: Unrestricted free agent
You have to think the rebuilding Thunder aren’t just going to let him walk for nothing at the end of the season. And after the year he had in 2018-19, he might be the most highly-coveted trade piece next February, which will then probably result in him getting a big raise.
7. SF Gordon Hayward, Boston Celtics
Contract: Player option
This all comes down to how he performs this season. If he’s once again not the same player he was in Utah and continues to struggle with his role on a talent-rich Celtics roster, he might opt in to earn over $34 million. But if he breaks back out? He might want to bank on another long-term deal elsewhere.
8. PF Montrezl Harrell, Los Angeles Clippers
Contract: Unrestricted free agent
A pretty good time to have a breakout — he averaged 16.6 ppg and 1.3 bpg last season. The Clips are a little more crowded this year, but he could earn quite a payday if he has another season like that.
9. PF Paul Millsap, Denver Nuggets
Contract: Unrestricted free agent
The Nuggets opted to keep him this year despite a logjam at the forward position, but he’s still extremely valuable for a variety of reasons on both ends of the floor. Prediction: a contender looking for a wily vet will sign him next year.
10. SF Otto Porter Jr., Chicago Bulls
Contract: Player option
Count me as a Porter fan — he’s an elite 3-and-D player. Will he stick with the Bulls, who have taken another step forward in their rebuild? Or does he opt in for over $28 million and hope a payday comes after that?
11. SG Bogdan Bogdanovic, Sacramento Kings
Contract: Restricted free agent
Buddy Hield got his contract, so now what do the Kings do? They might have to let him sign elsewhere.
12. C DeMarcus Cousins, Los Angeles Cousins
Contract: Unrestricted free agent
Sigh. I’m putting him here simply to remind you that if — IF — he can get healthy, he’s still a player who can make a serious impact. Maybe he’s not the same star he once was, but I’m convinced he can still play.
