J.J. Redick: 5 potential landing spots in 2017 NBA free agency
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
With the future of the Los Angeles Clippers up in the air, here are 5 potential landing spots for veteran free agent shooting guard, J.J. Redick.
The Los Angeles Clippers have officially joined the madness that is the 2017 NBA offseason.
As revealed by Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, Chris Paul has been dealt to the Houston Rockets in exchange for a package consisting of players and future first round draft pick. While this signals that the Rockets are deadly serious about challenging the Golden State Warriors, it also leaves some serious questions to be answered as to the future direction of the Clippers.
This move comes just over a week after the Clippers announced that they had hired Jerry West as a consultant, a similar position to the one he held with the Warriors for the past six years. So while Paul's future has clearly has been decided, the future of his former backcourt partner, J.J. Redick, appears close to being decided.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst appeared on SportsCenter shortly after the Paul trade and stated:
"I haven't even mentioned the name J.J. Redick. J.J. Redick is walking. He is not gonna be back. That was the worst kept secret in the NBA for the last couple of months."
NBA Free Agency Rumors: J.J. Redick reportedly won't re-sign with the Clippershttps://t.co/5w45OIPqsa pic.twitter.com/rGWUQybfH6
— CBS Sports NBA (@CBSSportsNBA) June 28, 2017
Redick, who recently turned 33, remains one of the elite perimeter shooters in the league. This season, the 11-year veteran averaged 15.0 points on 42.9 percent shooting from behind three in 28.2 minutes per game.
A career 41.5 percent three-point shooter, Redick is bound to pique the interest of several suitors, including some genuine contenders.
With this in mind, here are five potential landing spots for Redick this summer.
Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
5. Brooklyn Nets
On Redick's behalf, this would be purely a cash-dive.
With the Nets having compiled a 41-123 record over the last two seasons, this would represent a great shock to the system, having competed for a Clippers team that had just completed their fifth consecutive 50-plus win season.
Redick has experienced a great deal of team success, both with his time with the Clippers, and his original home, the Orlando Magic. So at 33 year old, Redick would be somewhat entering unchartered territory.
However, recent reports have strongly suggested that a Redick-Nets partnership is a real possibility.
Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer stated in a recent piece that the Nets are expected to make a strong push at Redick this summer. Furthermore, the New York Post has taken it a step further, suggesting that Redick's recent purchase of a penthouse in Brooklyn could make the recruiting process a touch easier.
A part of the piece included the following:
"With J.J. Redick owning a condo in DUMBO, he's arguably the best basketball player in Brooklyn and has been working out with Jeremy Lin. The Nets are hoping to make that a full-time tandem, with two sources telling The Post the team is interested in signing the unrestricted free agent this summer."
#Nets are interested in signing J.J. Redick, who already lives and works out in Brooklyn https://t.co/4MpkEc9bbr
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) June 27, 2017
According to Spotrac, the Nets currently have $21.9 million in cap space, the highest in the league. Furthermore, the Los Angeles Times recently reported that Redick is expected to be seeking an annual salary of $18-20 million per year.
Redick would fill a number of needs. Not only is he still among the best spot-up shooters ion the league, but his veteran presence would be invaluable for a team looking to rebuild its image following some recent disastrous seasons.
Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
4. Detroit Pistons
This move would reunite Redick with Pistons head coach, Stan Van Gundy, who he played under for five seasons as a member of the Orlando Magic.
Redick and Van Gundy formed a terrific bond during their time in Orlando, with the respect the two have for each other still strong to this day. Redick acknowledged this last season when he was preparing to face Van Gundy's Pistons:
"I think just in terms of intangibles and characteristics I think any NBA player should have, I think he taught me those things and he reinforced those things in me — professionalism, accountability, playing sort of hard and the same way every game, not taking any nights off, all that stuff, because he lives that. I see how hard he works, how much he invests in his craft, and so as a player, playing for him, you really have no choice but to do the same."
For his part, Van Gundy has been equally as effusive in his praise of his former working colleague:
"J.J. Redick is probably the most focused player I have ever been around. He didn't play at all his first year … but he just kept getting better. In his third year, he was starting for us in the NBA Finals. One of, if not the smallest two-guard in the NBA, below-average athlete, he doesn't have any kind of length…. He's made himself into a way above-average NBA player, one of the best two-guards in the league this past year."
The main challenge facing a Pistons/Redick marriage is their perilous cap situation. Restricted free agent Kentavious Caldwell could cost a pretty penny to retain, but even if he did come off the books, Van Gundy and his team would still require some more maneuvering to bet able to accommodate Redick and his hefty salary.
The Pistons would be a terrific fit for Redick, with his ability to move off the ball a great complement for their ball-dominant point guards, Reggie Jackson and Ish Smith.
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
This is where things start to get interesting.
The Timberwolves have been in the headlines recently with their draft-day, blockbuster deal to acquire All-Star Jimmy Butler. As it currently stands, the Wolves have an extremely potent core of Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Ricky Rubio. This represents a tremendous mix of upside and athleticism, with their respective ages giving Minnesota plenty of time to grow as a team.
But there is still one glaring weakness: three-point shooting. Last season, the Timberwolves ranked dead last in the league in both three-pointers made per game (7.3) and attempts per game (21.0). Their most prolific three-point shooter, Zach LaVine, was dealt away as part of the Butler trade. For his part, Butler is certainly not a prolific three-point shooter, averaging 1.2 makes per game at a 36.7 percent clip.
This is where Redick fits into the equation perfectly.
Not only does he provide the Timberwolves with an elite three-point shooter, his veteran experience would be an invaluable asset to the exciting mix coach Tom Thibodeau is pushing to develop. Furthermore, a Thibodeau and Redick partnership would be a great fit, with their respective work ethics and knowledge of the game likely to bounce off one another.
As it currently stands, the Timberwolves have approximately $18-20 million available in cap space as their prepare for the July 1 free agency rush. Whether they want to tie up their remaining cap space in a 33-year-old is unclear. It is certainly risky, given that once Towns and co. start to flourish, Redick will most likely be washed up.
Still, Thibodeau signaled his intentions in his role as both head coach and president of basketball operations, that the Timberwolves are ready to improve on their 31 wins of last season. In such a setting, Redick would likely be used as a premier sixth man, while still playing close to the 28.2 minutes per game he averaged last season with the Clippers.
With Butler having the versatility to be an additional ball-handler, Redick's addition would give Thibodeau tremendous flexibility in the types of lineups he could send out depending on the opposition.
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
2. San Antonio Spurs
Redick seems like a natural fit for the San Antonio Spurs on a number of levels.
Their famed culture of selflessness and hard work would fit Redick to a tee. With his renowned ability to play off the ball, combined with a first-class work ethic, Redick would take no time to gain the adulation of head coach Gregg Popovich.
Having being swept by the Golden State Warriors this past postseason, the Spurs have some serious decisions to make this summer. First of all, they are reportedly interested in moving on from shooting guard Danny Green, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst. Green was just named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
Then there is LaMarcus Aldridge, the five-time All-Star who the Spurs are strongly believed to be shopping. As a source told the San Antonio Express News:
"They feel it's time to move on."
League sources tell the @ExpressNews that #Spurs are open to trading guard Danny Green. No deal is close as of yet, though #NBA pic.twitter.com/lo4k57Tswd
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) June 21, 2017
Furthermore, veteran Pau Gasol recently opted out of his $16 million player option in order to assist with the salary cap situation moving forward.
So while Redick would be an incredible fit, the financial constraints facing the Spurs are likely to make this a difficult arrangement. Already, the Spurs had been linked with point guard Chris Paul, Redick's teammate with the Clippers, and another veteran point guard, Kyle Lowry.
On a side note, Redick recently sold his nearby Austin mansion which he owned for several years, meaning he's not a complete stranger to the Texas environment.
Overall, while Redick would be an amazing fit for the perennially contending Spurs, the money he'd be sacrificing means that lining up for San Antonio is likely a pipe dream at this stage.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
1. Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers simply tick the most boxes required to satisfy Redick this offseason.
Prior to the 2017 NBA Draft, the Sixers had just $50.8 million on the books for next season, according to Basketball-Reference. Therefore, money is certainly not a hindrance. With perimeter shooting a major priority this summer, Redick clearly fits the bill. Last season, the Sixers ranked 27th in field goal percentage and 25th in three-point percentage.
Redick would provide head coach Brett Brown and the Sixers with the deadly marksman they desperately need. Furthermore, the current Sixers' roster makeup is incredibly inexperienced. This year's No. 1 overall pick, Markelle Fultz, is 19 years old and has yet to play an NBA game. The same applies to last year's No. 1 overall pick, Ben Simmons. Also, emerging star Joel Embiid is only 23 and has played just 31 total games.
Therefore, Redick's impact both on and off the floor would more than justify his expected hefty salary. Already, a number of news outlets have reported that the Sixers are expected to make a hard push to sign Redick.
Getting sharpshooter J.J. Redick should be atop #Sixers' free-agency to-do list https://t.co/J2ZvUd43Am via @phillysport
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) June 26, 2017
Here is an excerpt from Sixers' beat writer Keith Pompey's piece on Philly.com:
"The Sixers desperately need a spot-up shooter, and Redick has become one of the best in the NBA. The unrestricted free agent has averaged 15.8 points and 44.0 percent shooting on three-pointers for the Los Angeles Clippers over the past four seasons.
"He also exhausts opponents with constant motion on offense. That's something the Sixers could use to create space for Joel Embiid on the block and allow Fultz to get more open looks. And Redick is a dream teammate for a pass-first player such as Ben Simmons."
A veteran presence is clearly sought after for the Sixers. Last summer, the Sixers offered San Antonio Spurs veteran Manu Ginobili a two-year, $30 million deal, such was their need for a veteran presence on and off the court. This was despite the fact Ginobili was almost 39 at the time of the offer.
Investing heavily in Redick would a wise and prudent move by the Sixers. Coach Brown values high character players, and Redick has certainly displayed this over his 11 seasons in the league.
Whatever the outcome, it's fair to say J.J. Redick will be welcoming a sizable payday come July 1.
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