1 out of 5 Deandre Ayton has yet to find a home and could be linked to a certain superstar’s trade request. Collin Sexton is the best guard still available (assuming James Harden is a lock to return to the Philadelphia 76ers), while some notable veterans and players coming off injuries are trying to secure their next contracts as well. Heading into Day 4 of the 2022 free agency season, this is where some of the more notable names left could land. 2 out of 5 A possible target? Bryant, 24, who began his career in Los Angeles in 2017-18. As Brad Turner of the LA Times reported, “The Lakers have strong interest in reuniting with free agent center Thomas Bryant, but with Los Angeles having just the bare minimum in veterans to offer, they are in no rush to make a decision. Additionally, The Lakers have competition for Bryant’s services, as Toronto is also interested.” Bryant showed strong potential as a rim protector and three-point shooter before tearing his ACL as a member of the Washington Wizards in January 2021, but was able to return to the floor last January. While the Lakers may not have the contract he desires, they could promise him something no other team could: a starting job. If Anthony Davis doesn’t start at center, Los Angeles just signed Damian Jones as an option. Veteran Dwight Howard is still free. Bryant could try to re-establish his value as a starting center in Los Angeles on a minimum deal and look for cash next offseason. Before tearing his ACL, he was averaging 14.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 0.8 blocks and shooting 42.9 percent from three through the first 10 games of 2020-21. Adding a floor-spacing big man in the frontcourt next to Davis would give everyone more room to operate, especially if Russell Westbrook returns. Look for Bryant to eventually get a one-year deal from the Lakers and try to increase his value next year. 3 out of 5 Even at 36, Dragic still has some gas in the tank as a veteran backup to a contender. One team that could use an extra point guard is Dallas, who just saw Brunson leave for the New York Knicks. Marc Stein reports that the Mavs have shown interest in Dragic and still have an open roster spot. Of course, there is the Luka Doncic connection. Both hail from Slovenia and are playing together this summer in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. If Doncic wanted to do some offseason recruiting, he wouldn’t have to go far. With Doncic and Spencer Dinwiddie now the only true playmakers on the Mavs roster, getting Dragic as a backup to play 10-15 minutes a night and continue to serve as a mentor to the young superstar would be an ideal situation for everyone those involved. While Dallas only has minimal veteran contracts to offer, that should be enough for Dragic, who could be entering the final season of his career. 4 out of 5 “In terms of their own free agents, Houston likes Dennis Schroder but is expected to have a new home for the 2022-23 season, sources told The Athletic. Schroeder arrived at the February trade deadline and brought professionalism, experience and speed to a team in need, but with Daishen Nix on the way, as well as Porter, Christopher and Green, there is a real need to clean up minutes for the developing young talent of the roster. Schröder is 28 years old, in the prime of his career, and expects to play big minutes and compete deep in the playoffs.” Of the teams with at least the taxpayer mid-level exception, Miami makes the most sense for Schroder. Kyle Lowry had a rough first season with the Heat, as the 36-year-old missed 19 games and averaged his lowest scoring output since the 2012-13 season (13.4 points per game). While third-string guard Gabe Vincent has done an admirable job filling in, Miami could use another veteran ball-handler as insurance for Lowry and help keep him fresh for the playoffs. Schroder averaged 13.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists between the Boston Celtics and Rockets and is just two years away from winning Sixth Man of the Year with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He would be a backup to Lowry here, but could get good minutes for a team that just made the Eastern Conference Finals. Look for Schroder to sign a one-year, mid-level taxable $6.5 million deal in Miami to keep Lowry fresh. 5 out of 5 Only the San Antonio Spurs ($38.5 million) and Indiana Pacers ($27.9 million) have more than the $10.5 million mid-level exception, according to Spotrac’s Keith Smith. The Cavs only have a portion of their midcourt left after signing Ricky Rubio, but they have Sexton’s rights and can go over the salary cap to keep him. The Spurs could technically use a guard after trading Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks, but this franchise appears to be in full tank mode for the 2022-23 season. Signing Sexton would help them win, which may not be the goal right now. Indiana already has its backcourt of the future with Tyrese Haliburton and rookie Bennedict Mathurin, meaning Sexton will likely sign to become the team’s sixth man along with Buddy Hild. Cleveland is in a much better position to win than any team after coming within one game of making the playoffs last season and could promise Sexton his job as the starting shooting guard. Sexton, despite also being endorsed by Klutch Sports Group, is not going to receive a max deal like his backcourt partner Darius Garland just received. He and the Cavs could even negotiate a shorter deal that allows him to become an unrestricted free agent sooner, similar to the three-year, $52.5 million deal Caris LeVert signed with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019. With the cap drying up, look for Sexton to stay with the Cavaliers. With Kevin Durant officially requesting a trade, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports that the Phoenix Suns are at the top of his list. Now, that doesn’t mean Ayton would go to Brooklyn, as a sign-and-trade would be hard to cover for a Nets team that already has $173.8 million in payroll. For every Durant-Phoenix trade, there would almost have to be a third team involved. This is where the Pacers come in. Indiana could be a home for Ayton with Myles Turner only having one year left on his contract. Given Turner’s three-point shooting prowess, the two could play alongside each other. There’s a basis for a three-team trade to be found here, where Durant goes to the Suns, Ayton is signed and traded to the Pacers, and the Nets get a package based on Mikal Bridges, Turner and several first-round picks and more players. As the Durant deals continue, don’t be surprised if Ayton’s free agency is delayed a little longer as the Suns keep their options open. Ultimately, look for Ayton to land with the Pacers to join a young core that includes Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin and Chris Duarte.
