The playoffs; where upcoming NBA free agents can use strong performances to ensure a big pay raise as of July 1st. Just ask Hedo Turkoglu. During the 2008-2009 playoffs, Turkoglu had a great run as one of the key pieces for the Orlando Magic; who led by Dwight Howard, made the NBA Finals. In turn, Turkoglu parlayed his strong performance into a five-year, $54 million deal with the Toronto Raptors. We all know how that turned out north of the border, but it proves that if a free agent lifts his game during the playoffs, chances are he will increase his pay day come July 1st.
There are several 2014 free agents that are now using the NBA playoffs as a platform for either a big pay raise or for one last contract.
On the flipside, there is also a couple free agents that have hurt their stock for contract negotiations next season.
NBA Free Agents – Rising Stock
Trevor Ariza (small forward, Washington Wizards)
Free agent status: Un-restricted
2013-2014 stats: 14.4 PPG / 6.2 RPG / 2.5 APG / 15.8 PER
2014 Playoffs: 15.6 PPG / 8.6 RPG / 2.2 APG / 18.5 PER
Prior to the playoffs I was hoping the Raptors would get a chance to play the Washington Wizards. One of my key arguments was that they had an advantage at the wing position. Ariza was believed to be getting slower on the defensive end, and not a huge scoring threat for the Wizards.
Ariza has proved me wrong. At the age of 28, he is having the best playoffs of his nine-year career for a Wizards team who are now moving on to the second round. Ariza will be matched up with Paul George in round two, and if he is able to negate the Pacers star from having any type of success, and continue his strong play, he may just be able to cash in one last time this offseason.
Patrick Patterson (power forward, Toronto Raptors)
Free agent status: Restricted
2013-2014 stats: 9.1 PPG / 5.1 RPG / .477 FG% / 16.2 PER
2014 Playoffs: 9.5 PPG / 6.5 RPG / .488 FG% / 15.8 PER
Where would the Raptors be without the steady and consistent play of Patrick Patterson? On many nights in these playoffs the Raptors have looked liked the better team when he is on the floor. Over the first 6 games of these playoffs, Patterson is a +15 in plus/minus and has proven to be just as valuable as the inconsistent Amir Johnson. Although he missed two crucial free throws at the end of game 3, Patterson poured in 17 points that night and throughout this series has made some big shots for the Raptors. The price looks to be on the rise for the former Kentucky Wildcat this offseason.
Kyle Lowry (point guard, Toronto Raptors)
Free agent status: Un-restricted
2013-2014 stats: 17.9 PPG / 7.4 APG / 4.7 RPG / 20.1 PER
2014 Playoffs: 20.0 PPG / 5.0 APG / 4.3 RPG / 17.1 PER
$12 million per year? $13 million per year? If the Raptors are able to make it past the first round, these may be the numbers Masai Ujiri will need to pay Lowry this offseason. Playing on pretty much one leg, Lowry has been the main reason the Raptors are where they are today. Outplaying Deron Williams, who next season will be making $19 million, Lowry has put on one of the gutsiest playoff performances Toronto has seen.
With his play this regular season, and now the playoffs, Lowry has pretty much guaranteed a massive pay increase this off-season. Will that massive increase be from the Raptors? Point guard is always a top commodity and chances are Ujiri will have to go in the vicinity of $12 – $13 million a year to keep the “bulldog” of Bay Street in Toronto.
NBA Free AgentsDeclining Stock
Evan Turner (small forward/shooting guard, Indiana Pacers)
Free agent status: Restricted
2013-2014 stats: 14.0 PPG / 5.0 RPG / 3.2 APG / 12.4 PER
2014 Playoffs: 5.2 PPG / 2.2 RPG / 2.0 APG / 14.2 PER
Being the key piece of the biggest trade made at the deadline, and with having a solid season for the Sixers, Turner was suppose to anchor the second unit for Indiana this postseason. A restricted free agent at seasons end, the former number two overall pick has to be frustrated with his performance. Turner is averaging 12.6 minutes per night and shooting under 40% from the field this postseason.
When C.J Watson has now become the first choice off the bench for Frank Vogel, and when you are almost averaging the same minutes per game as Chris Copeland, chances are your pay day this off-season won’t be as hefty as you would like.
Andrei Kirilenko (small forward, Brooklyn Nets)
Free agent status: player option – 3.3 million
2013-2014 stats: 5.0 PPG / 3.2 RPG / 0.9 SPG / 12.4 PER
2014 Playoff 1.4 PPG / 2.4 RPG / 1.6 SPG / 13.5 PER
Due to injury, Andrei Kirilenko did not have a big impact this season for the Brooklyn Nets. I thought coming into this post-season he could be a difference maker for the Nets against the Raptors. Albeit by his choice, Kirilenko is only making $3.2 million this season, with a player option for $3.3 million next season. You would think the Nets have him at a bargain, but with the numbers the 33-year-old Russian is putting up, and now currently being outplayed by Alan Anderson, chances are will be picking up that option as soon as he can.
These playoffs could have been a launching pad for Kirilenko to exercise his player option and re-up with a contender for one last contract. However it looks more and more likely that the $3.3 million he will make next season may already be too high a price.
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