Jalen Duren and Walker Kessler are set to headline a strong crop of centers available in restricted free agency this summer.
Both players are expected to remain with their current clubs, the Pistons and Jazz respectively, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.
Duren appeared on course for a maximum-salary contract after earning an All-NBA third team selection and finishing second in Most Improved Player voting during the regular season.
An underwhelming postseason performance may have slightly dented his earning potential, though scouts and executives believe he could still land a deal approaching $40MM annually.
“If he wants to get a max, they’ll tell him to go get one,” one Eastern Conference executive told Bontemps. “But he’s Cade (Cunningham)’s guy, so they’ll have to play it the right way.”
Kessler remains a key part of Utah’s plans despite the Jazz adding Jaren Jackson Jr. to their frontcourt, as neither Jackson nor Lauri Markkanen is expected to play the majority of his minutes at center.
The belief around the league is that Kessler can negotiate a new deal worth somewhere in the range of $25-30MM per year.
“It appears Utah is gearing up to keep him,” an East scout told ESPN. “I don’t see an obvious fit in free agency for someone to try to get him. They’re going to be in an interesting spot next season, and I’m excited to see how they navigate all of it.”
Elsewhere, Austin Reaves is not expected to receive his full max of roughly $239MM over five years from the Lakers, but scouts believe he could earn around $40MM annually.
“I’d be pretty surprised if the first year (salary) starts with a three instead of a four,” an Eastern Conference scout said, “but the Lakers need to keep him, and by all accounts he wants to be there, so I think they make it work.”
The Nets are considered a rival suitor with the cap room necessary to pursue Reaves, sources told Bontemps.
Guard Ayo Dosunmu is expected to re-sign with the Timberwolves on a deal slightly exceeding the non-taxpayer mid-level exception of $15MM, though the team may need to move injured guard Donte DiVincenzo to manage tax obligations.
Scouts and executives would be surprised if the Knicks allowed unrestricted free agents Mitchell Robinson and Landry Shamet to depart, particularly if the team wins a championship.
“You have to bring (Robinson) back,” an East executive said. “If they win the Finals, they’re not losing anybody. And, even if they don’t, I don’t see how they let him walk.”
Trail Blazers center Robert Williams is expected to draw significant market interest following his healthiest season in years, with a projected starting salary in the $10-15MM range.
“The injury history will scare a lot of teams off,” a Western Conference executive said. “But when he plays, he’s good. You just can’t expect him to start for you because he won’t be on the court if you play him that many minutes.”
The Nuggets are expected to find a way to keep Peyton Watson in restricted free agency at around $20-25MM annually despite concerns over his recurring hamstring issues this past season.
“They could easily just pay him and pay the tax, but we know how the Kroenkes operate,” a West scout said. “That means sending out either (Cameron) Johnson or (Christian) Braun, and I don’t know where that lands.”
