NBA Free Agent Predictions 2015 Part 2: Restricted Free Agents

Kawhi Leonard

It was well reported the past year about Kawhi Leonard’s contract negotiations with San Antonio Spurs and how they failed to agree on an extension for the 2014 Finals MVP. Now with Leonard hitting restricted free agency, the Spurs absolutely cannot let him go somewhere else and I doubt that he even wants to.

Destination: San Antonio Spurs

Jimmy Butler

We get to our first restricted free agent on the list. Butler recently has had reported interest in signing a free agency offer sheet with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. He must not like the turnover in coaching going on in Chicago, however where he ends up is not up to him and that’s why my general rule on restricted free agency is that the player will almost always stay with their current team and I see it no differently here. The Bulls wouldn’t have cap space even if they let Butler go so it behooves them to match any offer sheet he will sign with another team to keep him as an asset in Chicago.

Destination: Chicago Bulls

Draymond Green

Pretty much the biggest lock on this list, Draymond Green is returning to the Golden State Warriors to help the team defend their title. He has stated time and time again since the Warriors won the title that he has no intentions of going anywhere else. While perhaps not being the best at creating leverage, Green will still most likely receive a max contract from the Warriors, despite struggling in the NBA Finals. He was the heart and soul of their team this year and a big reason they made the NBA Finals.

Destination: Golden State Warriors

Brandon Knight

This is a guy who has really improved since he entered the league and I think he can credit that to Deandre Jordan baptizing him two years ago. Pretty much ever since then, he has stepped up as a very reliable point guard. He can shoot, handle, and play a little defense and he’s only 23. With Phoenix trading away Isiah Thomas and Goran Dragic this past trade deadline, they’d be dumb to not retain him.

Destination: Phoenix Suns

Reggie Jackson

Rajon Rondo 2.0. That’s kind of what he is. Just less of a playmaker, but more athletic overall. He was traded from Oklahoma City to Detroit this past year and has shown sings of being a breakout player. Detroit already has Brandon Jennings so I think he’ll want to go some place where he can start, but do they let him go? I don’t think so.

Destination: Detroit Pistons

Khris Middleton

Perhaps the most underrated player in the league, Milwaukee should not let this guy go. He is a really good player and I feel like he won’t fetch a big offer on the open market. This is a huge win for the Bucks as they will keep him.

Destination: Milwaukee Bucks

Tobias Harris

I haven’t had any of these restricted free agents leaving they’re current teams and the trend doesn’t stop here. The Magic are building a really nice young core that they’re going to add to in the draft. They need to keep Harris for team continuity and for the fact that he might be their second best player.

Destination: Orlando Magic

Tristan Thompson

He is absolutely not a max contract player as he only has one standout skill: rebounding. Yet the advantages of being friends with LeBron mean you get overpaid to stay on the same team as him. This is really going to hurt the Cavs cap situation, but what can their management do. What LeBron says, goes and LeBron wants Thompson back in Cleveland with a max deal.

Destination: Cleveland Cavaliers

Enes Kanter

The Thunder absolutely have to go all in this year to try and keep Kevin Durant past this season which means matching whatever offer Kanter gets on the open market.

Destination: Oklahoma City Thunder

Patrick Beverley

I really wanted to see him play in the conference finals to see how he could have done guarding Stephen Curry, but we just can’t have nice things. Again the old rule applies here too: restricted free agents normally stay with their current teams.