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#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.
