NSL Insider: Re-signing Dreams for Each Team

Free Agency brings aspiration and devastation, reconsolidation and chaos. For each of the thirty NSL franchises, which player is the most important re-sign candidate for the success of the team? 


Atlanta Hawks � Sharife Cooper
The Hawks are hopeful that their youngster in Cooper can stick around and provide some depth. This reflects how secure the Hawks roster is, currently.

Boston Celtics � Lugentz Dort
The defensive diamond-in-the-rough in Dort should be a fairly easy return for the Celtics, if other teams don�t go hard on the GMs. Lu should start for the Celtics upon his return.

Brooklyn Nets � Tyus Jones
Brooklyn has multiple clever, skilled point guards, and Tyus Jones is responsible for running the bench unit for the Nets. Jones appears happy in Brooklyn, but maybe a team is desperate for a PG?

Charlotte Hornets � Javale McGee
Shaqtin� A Fool and 2k Legend alike, Javale McGee is typically sought after in NSL circles. The Hornets brought in Brook Lopez � does this signal the end of Javale, or simply adding more talent?

Chicago Bulls � John Wall
The Bulls� luck seems to getting further and further away from the franchise, with Wall using the Bulls for north of $130M dollars and minimal games, and then signalling to test the market. Will be wooed by many.

Cleveland Cavaliers � N/A
The Cavs have looked after their own, and will look to poach from elsewhere during the FA period.

Dallas Mavericks � Jalen Brunson
Juicy, Jalen. Despite demanding upwards of $25M per season, Brunson is expected to fetch many suitors across the league. A young, budget-floor general, his name will be watched with anticipation come FA. Can Mavs entice him to remain?

Denver Nuggets � Serge Ibaka
Ibaka on a minimum deal is a great asset, and according to sources, he wants to remain in Denver. They also have Payton as a free agent, but the Nuggets sorely need capable big men; Gary might need to look elsewhere.

Detroit Pistons � N/A
The Pistons like their core, particularly with a hopefully-motivated Kyrie. They renounced the rights of their free agents, so they have kept their options open.

Golden State Warriors � Zach Lavine
Zach �For MVP� Lavine is beloved by all in the Bay area, and they can offer him the most lucrative max-deal of any team. His name will appear in rumours but it feels like Zach wants to remain in San Fran. Lucky, Titles!

Houston Rockets � Mason Jones
Can young Mase� stick around on a two-way deal? Do the Rockets even have the space for him? As is Vitt�s way, stability and continuity matters; the Rockets roster is almost entirely on long-term deals.

Indiana Pacers � James Johnson
The Pacers have their affairs in order and the only free agent they have, Johnson, might not be welcomed back to Indiana, anyway.

Los Angeles Clippers � Ricky Rubio
Despite the Clippers making it clear they want to be crap in the wins column, Ricky Rubio is a true leader and respected Clipper. Can Andrew convince him to stay despite the change in direction?

Los Angeles Lakers � Jalen Smith
Smith looked like a bust just a short-year ago, but now, he looks like a really nice big-man prospect for the Lakers. Without his rights, they will have to convince Jalen to stay and help build a winner in LA, and fight off more powerful, winning foes. Important moment for the Lakers.

Memphis Grizzlies � Mitchell Robinson
I can�t remember how cheaply the Grizzlies got Robinson, but they definitely did get him cheap; Rootsey has a penchant for waltzing in to multi-team deals and acting as the galvaniser, and being rewarded handsomely. With Adams gone, he won�t let Mitch go now that he�s given him the keys.

Miami Heat � Mo Bamba
With the Heat retaining his rights, Bamba will almost certainly head back to Miami. In addition, pistol loves Mo, and he doesn�t have to focus on any other FAs.

Milwaukee Bucks � Miles Bridges
Yeesh, what an ugly situation and a sad turn for Miles in his life. The Bucks left wondering what could have been, perhaps? A big wait and see.

Minnesota Timberwolves � Dwight Howard
The old-man, 2k legend, D12 � does he go around again? Ethan is calling Dwight�s agent every day and night to try and coax him back to Minnesota. If he leaves Minny/the league, big hole for the Wolves to fill.

New Orleans Pelicans � Oliver Sarr
The Pelicans have all their affairs (and All-Stars) in order; Sarr is a young big, and he can fill a roll left by Paul Reed heading to Houston. It ain�t exciting, no.

New York Knicks � Drew Eubanks
Knicks have their ducks in a row and Kawhi is looking like the Terminator in off-season photos. Eubanks showed signs of being a decent back up in 2021-22, and there is a role for him in New York, albeit small.

Oklahoma City Thunder � TJ Warren
He is just never healthy. However, Warren will fetch a lot of interest as a buy-low candidate and an above-average scorer, who might want to join a more competitive team.

Orlando Magic � JaMychal Green
Not a glamourous free agent, but with such a well-rounded team that is looking to win, Green would serve as the perfect back-up big/veteran. But, sources say Green has his eyes on some other teams.

Philadelphia 76ers � Caleb Martin
Can the 76ers afford the salary of the hardworking and improving Martin? The 76ers don�t make too many moves, so expect them to go after their guy.

Phoenix Suns � Anfernee Simons, Wendell Carter Jr
The Suns have the rights to both players and are fully expected to want to retain the services of the great young players.

Portland Trail Blazers � James Harden
Arguably the biggest free agent on the market, a free agent for the World Champion Trailblazers. Harden took his time and tested the water, but with the Blazers history and affinity for James, he won�t be going anywhere.

Sacramento Kings � Kyle Anderson
Slow-Mo is beloved by Klemm and his Front Office and they have made no secret as to just how hard they will scrap and claw to keep their Swiss Army Knife of a forward in Anderson. With his rights, they can beat most other teams. But not all.

San Antonio Spurs � Carmelo Anthony
The mighty Spurs have plenty of open roster spots after their off-season of trade madness. Carmelo would be a perfect complementary foil to Giannis, if he can strike a deal.

Toronto Raptors � DeMarcus Cousins
The Raptors have made some great moves and are pretty stacked for Cs, but value is value and talent is talent. Does Cousins have a place in the league, and is it in Toronto?

Utah Jazz � Moses Brown, Amir Coffey
Young players who don�t impact the game yet? Sign me up, says Utah! The rights of Brown and Coffey belong solely to the Jazz, so expect them to roll over their contracts and keep them in Utah. Yawn.

Washington Wizards � Victor Oladipo
Huge one. The Wizards appear poised to have a genuine run at the NSL Finals this season, and a healthy and rejuvenated �Dipo is critical to that mission. However, his services will be highly sought after.