Dion Waiters is in line for a big pay day
By Simon Smith
Tim Hardaway Jr, Atlanta Hawks
Age: 24
2016-17 stats: 13.1 points per game (PPG), 44.3 field-goal percentage (FG%), 25.2 minutes per game (MPG), 56 games played (GP)
2016-17 salary: $2,281,605
Now in his fourth season, Hardaway is enjoying a career year. Following the mid-season trade of veteran shooter Kyle Korver, Hardaway has excelled with his extra responsibility.
Over his last 12 games, Hardaway is averaging 17.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 33.6 minutes per game.
At just 24 years of age and with plenty of upside, Hardaway is sure to be a hot commodity this summer.
Prediction: Four-year, $50 million contract.
JJ Redick, Los Angeles Clippers
Age: 32
2016-17 stats: 15.0 PPG, 43.8 FG%, 41.6 3P%, 2.6 three-pointers made per game (3PM), 28.5 MPG, 56 GP
2016-17 salary: $7,377,500
The most experienced of the available shooting guards, Redick possesses an impressive resume. The 2006 national college player of the year. A trip to the NBA Finals. 10 trips to the postseason. A career 41.3 percent three-point shooter, Redick has shown no signs of slowing down in his 11th session.
Prediction: Three-year, $42 million contract.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Detroit Pistons
Age: 24
2016-17 stats: 14.6 PPG, 3.5 rebounds per game (RPG), 1.3 steals per game (SPG), 37.7 3P%, 34.0 MPG, 54 GP
2016-17 salary: $3,678,319
Caldwell-Pope has shown a steady progression in his four years with the Pistons. In the modern NBA, Caldwell-Pope’s career high 37.7 percent clip from downtown is certain to attract a multitude of teams with cap space.
Prediction: Four-year, $55 million contract.
Bojan Bogdanovic, Washington Wizards
Age: 27
2016-17 stats: 14.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 35.7 3P%, 1.8 3PM, 26.9 PMG, 57 GP
2016-17 salary: $3,730,653
Recently traded to the Wizards, Bogdanovic represents a solid addition for any team. At 6-foot-8, Bogdanovic has the size to switch between the 2 and 3 spots, making him an even more attractive proposition of many teams.
Prediction: Three-year, $30 million contract.
Nick Young, Los Angeles Lakers
Age: 31
2016-17 stats: 13.5 PPG, 40.5 3P%, 2.8 3PM, 26.3 MPG, 53 GP
2016-17 salary: $5,443,918
Considered a borderline chance to make the Lakers’ roster to commence the season, Young has responded tremendously. Starting in all of his 53 games, Young has posted the best three-point shooting season of his career. Although 31, Young has shown he can still contribute given the right circumstance.
Prediction: Three-year, $30 million contract.
CJ Miles, Indiana Pacers
Age: 29
2016-17 stats: 10.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 42.4 3P%, 2.2 3PM, 23.1 MPG, 53 GP
2016-17 salary: $4,583,450
Like Young, Miles is posting a career-high from behind the three-point line. With the ability to both start and come off the bench, Miles can provide a steady hand given his 12 years of experience in the league.
Prediction: Two-year, $18 million contract.
Ian Clark, Golden State Warriors
Age: 25
2016-17 stats: 6.4 PPG, 47.7 FG%, 38.8 3P%, 14.2 MPG, 53 GP
2016-17 salary: $1,015,696
Having scraped his way to get into the league, Clark has become a key component of the league leading Warriors’ bench unit. Possessing the ability to play both on and off the ball, Clark could be an interesting signing if the Warriors decide not to go down that path:
Prediction: Three-year, $16 million contract.
Justin Holiday, New York Knicks
Age: 27
2016-17 stats: 7.4 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 41.6 FG%, 19.6 MPG, 59 GP
2016-17 salary: $1,015,696
Essentially a throw-in as part of the Derrick Rose trade, Holiday has impressed as possibly the Knicks’ most consistent player coming off the bench. A solid two-way player and a member of the 2015 NBA champion Golden State Warriors, Holiday would be a more than handy pickup on the right team.
Prediction: Two-years, $10 million.