Teams often know that they have to overpay for restricted free agents in order to dissuade their former team from matching the contract offer. Sometimes a player (like Nerlens Noel last offseason) sits in purgatory as teams are afraid to have some of their cap space tied up with a player who may not even play for them. A restricted free agent is allowed to agree to an offer sheet from any team, and their previous team has a 48-hour window to decide whether they want to match or let the player walk.
While players such as Aaron Gordon, Clint Capela, Marcus Smart, and Zach LaVine are restricted free agents, most people believe they will remain with their team from last season.
Below are some notable restricted free agents who may possibly have a new place to call home come next season.
Rodney Hood
Hood’s subpar postseason with the Cavaliers could have the team moving on if another team gives him a large offer. After averaging 16.8 points in 39 games with the Jazz last season, his scoring average dipped to 10.8 in 21 games after he was traded to Cleveland. That scoring average dropped even more so, to just 7.4 in 17 playoff games. He will turn 26 on October 20.
Jusuf Nurkic
The Trail Blazers already have $112 million in guaranteed contracts for next season, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. After being swept in the first round, Portland hopes to improve their frontcourt to surround their high-scoring backcourt of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
Turning 24 on August 23, Nurkic may be allowed to walk, as the team is close to being forced to pay a luxury tax. In 79 games last season, he averaged 14.3 points (on 50.5 percent shooting), 9.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.4 blocks.
Jabari Parker
The second overall pick in 2014 by the Bucks, Parker has appeared in only 183 of a possible 328 games over four seasons.
So while the 6-8 forward has shown an innate ability to put the ball in the hoop (career 15.3 scoring average), Milwaukee could see the 23-year-old as not reliable enough to keep if another team swoops in and offers him close to a max deal. Parker already feels he is worth that max deal.
Julius Randle
With the Lakers dreaming of a magnificent offseason, with thoughts of players such as LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George, that could mean farewell to the 6-9 Randle.
The 23-year-old (turns 24 on November 29) had a career-year in 2017-18 when he posted averages of 16.1 points (with a 55.8 field goal percentage), 8.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. Yahoo Sports’ Jordan Schultz lists him as the second-best power forward on the market. As for James, he makes his decision soon.