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The 2021 NBA off-season will likely see a lot of sign-and-trade deals take place. That's because most of the teams do not have enough cap space to sign players outright in the 2021 NBA Free Agency.
A sign-and-trade deal allows a free agent (restricted or unrestricted) to re-sign with his current team only to be traded right after. Teams generally do this when they lack cap space.
It allows the player to sign with his preferred team and earn a contract based on his current market value. If a team is over the salary cap, their limitations do not allow them to sign a player to a contract that would justify his value. Some notable title-contenders like the LA Lakers, Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks are all likely to make sign-and-trade deals this summer.
All three teams are currently struggling with cap space, which restricts them from signing free agents directly. They also do not have the kind of assets that would allow them to trade a big-name player in the open market.
Meanwhile, from the team's perspective, a sign-and-trade deal allows them to at least get something of equal value for their own free agents, who would leave for nothing if the players are offered a contract by other teams, which they can't match.
The New Orleans Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks could see key players like Lonzo Ball and John Collins leave in free agency. They will likely look to make a sign-and-trade deal and look for multiple players in return, draft assets or cash, depending on the terms of the transaction with the NBA team interested in their player.
On that note, here's a list of five players who could be moved via sign-and-trade deals in the 2021 NBA off-season.
#5 Dennis Schroder
The LA Lakers starting point guard this season, Dennis Schroder, has been a frequent mention in NBA rumors of late. Schroder had a brilliant regular-season campaign. He averaged 15.4 points and 5.8 assists per game on 43.7% field-goal shooting during the regular 2020-21 NBA season.
The Lakers front office was impressed by Schroder as he initially seemed like a good fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He stabled their ship in the absence of the star duo and was the team's third-best scorer as well. As a result, the German was offered an $84 million contract extension midway through the 2020-21 NBA season.
However, Schroder declined that offer, as it did not match his expectations. Recent NBA rumors suggest that he is looking for a contract in the region of $100-120 million, which the LA Lakers are unlikely to offer.
That's because they have limited cap space to operate and only have seven players under contract heading into the off-season. If Montrezl Harrell opts out of his player option, it will leave them with only six players.
The Lakers have been exploring sign-and-trade deals to acquire a third star to play alongside Davis and James. Since Schroder has a better market than their other free agents and assets, there is a growing possibility that he could be one of the top stars to be signed and traded this NBA off-season.
#4 John Collins
The Atlanta Hawks had a stellar 2020-21 NBA campaign, as they qualified for the playoffs as the fifth seed and also made a surprise run to the Conference Finals. They have a young core comprising of Trae Young, John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Clint Capela.
Their youthful core was key in their successful season. However, one piece of their core, John Collins, may not be with the team next season. That's because he is set to become a restricted free agent this summer after wishes to get a max contract after declining a two-year $90 million extension from the Hawks last off-season.
As things stand now, considering the way he has performed, there is a perception that he has earned the right to sign a max contract, and multiple teams with cap space have shown interest in him. The Hawks can match the offer presented by his suitors, but they only have $15 million available in cap space after their huge spending last off-season.
So it will be a complicated situation for them to re-sign Collins, making him one of the best frontcourt players to look out for in the market this NBA off-season.
Nevertheless, the Hawks will look to convince Collins for a sign-and-trade deal to get something of equal value in return for seeing him go. It won't be easy to do so if they hit the free-agent market, though.
#3 Lonzo Ball
Ever since Shams Charania of The Atheltic released a report that said the New Orleans Pelicans are unlikely to match offers presented to Lonzo Ball by other NBA teams, speculation surrounding the player's future has been trending a lot.
Charania reported that the Chicago Bulls and LA Clippers are two teams interested in the restricted free agent point guard. Both the teams are scrambling for cap space at the moment and will have to seek sign-and-trade deals to acquire Ball, who had a career-best season with the Pelicans in 2020-21. He averaged 14.6 points per game and shot at least three 3s on average.
That would be something the New Orleans Pelicans wouldn't mind at all, as they will get quality assets in return for a player like Lonzo Ball in a sign-and-trade scenario. Teams crave an elite young ball-handler who can shoot efficiently from long-range like Ball, which makes him a top sign-and-trade prospect in the 2021 NBA off-season.
#2 DeMar DeRozan
The San Antonio Spurs missed the NBA playoffs for the second consecutive season, the first time that happened in legendary coach Greg Popovich's managerial career. They are looking to build a playoff-contending team with a young core at the moment, as multiple veterans like DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay and Patty Mills are all set to enter free agency this summer.
While Gay and Mills are way past their primes and are unlikely to command huge contracts, DeRozan,meanwhile, is still an All-Star caliber player. It would be a waste to let him leave as a free agent and not get anything in return for him. DeRozan has a market that includes title-contending teams.
Not many NBA teams have the cap space to sign him outright, which makes it highly plausible that the Spurs may have to seek a sign-and-trade deal. It will also allow the player to choose a team of his choice, which makes a sign-and-trade even more sensible in his case.
#1 Kyle Lowry
Kyle Lowry is one of the most intriguing veteran point guards entering the 2021 NBA free agency this summer. Almost all of his reported potential suitors are championship aspirants who are looking to make the most of the 35-year-old's last few years as an NBA player.
Lowry had a respectable 2020-21 NBA season, averaging 17.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. His ability as a playmaker and scorer is something most title-contenders are looking for this summer. Among the teams interested in Lowry, only the Miami Heat have the kind of cap space to sign him directly.
They have been linked with various players, though, and there is uncertainty regarding their interest in Lowry as well. The Philadelphia 76ers and the LA Lakers are two other teams looking to acquire him. If they do sign him, they are likely to explore a sign-and-trade deal.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors would also prefer a sign-and-trade deal, as it would allow them to use their cap space on adding players for other positions in the NBA free agency.
Guess the Lakers players!
