With the end of this season's playoffs, the 2023-2024 season has officially come to an end, and the NBA has officially entered the offseason. Although there are still more than three months to go until the start of next season, many teams have already begun to strengthen their rosters for next season, and the free agency market is about to open. Looking at the free market in the offseason, these 5 big fish are also attracting special attention!
1. James
After the Lakers announced the appointment of Redick as their new head coach, James also quickly announced that he would jump out of the player option next season and become a full free agent to test the waters of this year's free agency. Although many people think that James will choose to return to the Lakers, it is actually not so absolute. For the 39-year-old James, he now has two wishes, one is to be able to compete with Bronny; The second is to hope that the team can be competitive enough to help him continue to win the championship. Although the Lakers meet James' two wishes, it is not ruled out that other teams will cut off Hu, and the 76ers are considered to be a potential home for James!
2. Paul George
According to the latest news, George's contract extension negotiations with the Clippers are not going well. The Clippers didn't want to pay George a super-max contract, and George would never compromise on a super-max salary, which also made the contract extension negotiations between the two sides deadlocked. As an active top offensive and defensive balanced forward, George obviously has no shortage of suitors, and teams such as the Magic, 76ers, and Pacers are all potential next home for George. George has said in a previous interview that he did not put the championship at the top of his list, and he felt that the salary reflected how important the team was to him. There are all kinds of signs that George's Clippers career may be coming to an end, and he is very likely to join another team in a sign-and-trade way!
3. Maxi
As the backcourt core of the 76ers, Maxey has just experienced the highlight of his career, and he has transformed from a brawl boy to a backcourt ball-handling core. In the days without Embiid, Maxey carried the team well and played a very amazing performance. For the young Maxi, he has managed to find his place in the league. As the season draws to a close, Maxey is getting closer to his first big contract. Overall, Maxey's return to the 76ers is a sure thing, and the super max salary contract is already beckoning to Maxey!
4. Harden
Similar to teammate George, Harden did not get the respect he deserved with the Clippers, and the team believes that the current Harden does not know the maximum salary of a long-term contract, and they prefer to pay Harden a contract extension of 70 million for 2 years or 100 million for 3 years, which is obviously not friendly to Harden. Although Harden's form has declined significantly, the skinny camel is bigger than the horse, and Harden is still the league's top two-way guard. Unlike George, Harden did not put salary in the first place of contract renewal, he hoped that the team could make targeted reinforcements and maintain enough championship strength in order to realize his dream of a championship!
5. Anunoby
Since the Knicks traded for Anunoby this season, the team has taken on a new look and played very competitively. When healthy, Anunoby is not only able to provide a solid defense, but also has an elite-level three-point shooting, and he is arguably the strongest 3-and-D forward in the game. And Anunoby's style of play is extremely low-key, willing to do all kinds of dirty work, which is very suitable for the current Knicks' tactical system. For such a superb 3-and-D striker, it is a player that all teams can only dream of. Anunoby will also be testing the free market this summer, but his return to the Knicks is a big possibility!
Who do you think is the biggest fish in the free market this year? #头条创作挑战赛#