Ben Margot/Associated Press
Teams were already carefully monitoring the NBA‘s 2021 free-agent class even before the group potentially added another surprise member.
When Kawhi Leonard agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers last week, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported it would be for $142 million over four years.
Instead, the reigning NBA Finals MVP signed a three-year, $103 million contract Wednesday, with a player option for the third year, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
In the wake of Leonard’s shorter-than-expected deal, here is a list of potential free agents in the summer of 2021, per Spotrac.
Potential 2021 NBA Free Agents
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers*
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers*
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers*
Chris Paul, Houston Rockets*
Blake Griffin, Detroit Pistons*
Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers
Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans*
Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Gordon Hayward, Boston Celtics
Mike Conley, Utah Jazz
DeMar DeRozan, San Antonio Spurs
CJ McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers
Julius Randle, New York Knicks**
JJ Redick, New Orleans Pelicans
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Lonzo Ball, New Orleans Pelicans
De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls
Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors
Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers
Indicates restricted free agent
*Indicates 2021-22 player option
**Indicates 2021-22 team option
The first thing that stands out with Leonard’s deal is how it directly ties him with Paul George in Los Angeles.
When Wojnarowski reported the Clippers were surrendering five first-round draft picks (four unprotected), along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari’s expiring contract to the Oklahoma City Thunder for George, they did it based on the message they received from Leonard.
“Get George, and you’ll get me,” Wojnarowski wrote about Leonard.
It’s more apparent now than it was when the deal was announced how important George was to Leonard. Both players will have two years togethe