The final month of the NBA regular season is interesting for a number of reasons. First, there is suddenly an intriguing battle for top spot in both the Western and Eastern Conference heading in to the final stretch. Secondly, this will mark another opportunity for a number of players to increase their perceived value on the open market. Call it the Mark Blount effect: players who are going to be free agents are making that one last push for a payday. The NBA salary cap is set to jump again up from $94 million to $102 million, which marks a $32 million climb from just two summers ago. Here is a look at the top five NBA players looking to cash in down the final stretch.
PG: Derrick Rose, New York Knicks
Rose will never perform at an MVP level again. However, Mike Conley will likely never win an MVP award and he signed a five-year, $153 million deal last summer. Rose might not get $153 million, but he should be able to find a nice long-term deal. In a world where Timofey Mozgov makes $15 million a year and does nothing, someone like Rose could end up in that same ballpark.
Rose has played in more than 50 games in each of the last three seasons, averaging 17.3 points per game over that span. He has shown flashes of his former self and the fact that he can still attack the rim and consistently run an offense from the point guard position should lead to a decent payday. Rose can boost his perceived value with a strong finish to the season in New York. If he does, he should be able to land a deal at around five years and $85 million, which is the deal Evan Fournier received from the Orlando Magic.
SF: Otto Porter, Washington Wizards
Porter has averaged 14.1 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 45-percent from beyond the arc in Washington this season. The 23-year-old still has immense potential but he hasn’t lived up to his status as a former third-overall pick. He’s the third option behind John Wall and Bradley Beal with the Wizards. Washington will want to bring him back as a restricted free agent. However, a strong finish to the season could lead to other teams getting involved and trying to give Porter a more lucrative contract this summer to lure him away.
SF: Danilo Gallinari, Denver Nuggets
Gallinari has been excellent for the Nuggets this season, averaging 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 three-point shots per game. The 2008 first-round pick will turn 29-years-old this summer and he should be highly sought after on the free agent market. Denver is loaded at the small forward position with Wilson Chandler, Jamal Murray and Gary Harris fighting for playing time. This is his chance at a huge payday and it’s unlikely the Nuggets will be backing up the dump truck for him.
SF: P.J. Tucker, Toronto Raptors
Tucker has become one of the more reliable defenders in the NBA. His defense combined with his rebounding ability should make him an attractive asset around the NBA. It won’t be a surprise if he lands a long-term deal as a UFA. Although, he could opt to sign a shorter deal with a contender if he wants a shot to win. Tucker has averaged just 5.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game over his last five contests with Toronto. However, he definitely has the potential to put up better numbers if he gets a fresh start somewhere else. There will be a team that overpays for him.
PG: Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans backcourt is woefully depleted, so Holiday should hold a fare amount of leverage when he becomes a free agent this summer. Holiday has averaged 15.8 points, 7.2 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 three-point shots per game with New Orleans this season. He could definitely drive up a price tag with a strong finish. The Pelicans want to see what they have with a potential big three of DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis and Holiday. They have virtually nothing else beyond them. Holiday is often injured but often effective when he’s on the court. He’ll get overpaid.
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