Now That The Draft Is Over, What Do NBA Fans Have To Look Forward To This Summer

The Draft is the first step of the offseason for the NBA. That’s now come and gone which means we get ready for the summer. So more importantly let’s focus on key dates and stories that are out there for NBA fans to keep an eye on as we head into free agency.

Key Dates: 

June 24 – Last day for potential restricted free agents to exercise their player option
June 29 –  Last day for decisions on player, team and early termination options, unless individual contracts specify otherwise
June 30 – Last day for teams to make qualifying offers to players eligible for restricted free agency.
July 1  – Official start of the 2018/19 NBA Season. Free agents can reach verbal agreements with teams. Restricted free agents can sign an offer sheet. Teams can begin to sign rookie deals and 2-way contracts.
July 2-5 – Both the Utah and Sacramento summer leagues will run
July 6 – July moratorium ends. Teams can officially sign players/execute trades.
July 6-17 – Las Vegas summer league runs during this time
August  4 – NBA Africa Game
August 31 – Last day for teams to waive players or apply the stretch provision

Key Decisions: 

Where will LeBron James sign?
This is currently the biggest decision in all of the NBA. No matter what LeBron decides to do it ultimately shifts everything within the NBA. If he stays in Cleveland, that means the Cavs will be trying to make a big time trade. The likely candidates would be bringing in Kemba Walker (trade centered around Collin Sexton) or CJ McCollum. Perhaps a sign and trade for DeAndre Jordan could be a thing. No matter what happens, LeBron’s decision is the biggest in the NBA.

Will the Spurs trade Kawhi Leonard?
Right after the LeBron decision, the Spurs deciding whether or not to trade Kawhi Leonard is the most important. Now that all the draft picks are out there, the Spurs can look at players associated with each team and go from there. R.C. Buford talked publicly last night and said that their plan is to fix the relationship with Kawhi and keep him. If that happens we’ll see, but that July 6 date is something to watch.

What Summer League hero gets a deal or breaks out?
It happens every year. That’s the beauty of Summer League and why I’m glad to see the NBA continue to grow it. Last year Kyle Kuzma was the summer league darling before having the All-Rookie year. Someone is going to do that this year and it feels like a second round/undrafted guy. There will be a few 2-way contracts handed out because of Summer League. It’s worth watching as many games as you can if possible.

Will the Magic match Aaron Gordon?
Aaron Gordon should be a decent NBA player. That’s what makes him one of the more intriguing RFA’s out there for me. The Magic drafted Mo Bamba last night, meaning that Gordon will still be stuck at the 3 spot with Jonathan Isaac. He’s made to be a four in the NBA and needs to get away from Orlando.

Two more important RFA’s
Clint Capela and Marcus Smart are two other RFA’s to keep an eye on. There have been reports that teams will throw Clint Capela the max contract sheet, is that something that the Rockets want to match? Then with Smart, you have a guy who the Celtics obviously like and has a role there. Again, the question is at what price? The Celtics have to start looking at some of these contracts coming up and decide who they want to keep for the long term.

Will the Mavericks get one of the centers?
Speaking of Clint Capela, a team that will be going hard after Capela/Randle/Cousins will be the Mavericks. They made the trade yesterday to get Doncic and drafted Jalen Brunson as well. They have the wing and guard play now, but still need a true big. They will be throwing money around to get one of those guys, the question is do any sign?