According to the Free Agency FAQ's by NBA.com, an unrestricted free agent is able to sign with any team he chooses while a restricted free agent's original team has the chance to keep the player by matching the offer sheet signed with another team. This is known as the "right of first refusal."
This means that unrestricted free agents can easily walk away from their current teams if they chose to. Their motives for walking away can encompass beyond the realms of fame and money like what Lebron James did when he left the Cleveland Cavaliers to team up with Bosh and Wade to win championships.
Here are the 5 best unrestricted free agents who could just be on their way to leaving their current teams this summer of the 2014 NBA free agency.
1. Lance Stephenson
Lance Stephenson's true potential, can never be realized when he is the 2nd or third option in an Idiana Pacers team that plays a slow tempo game. If Stephenson wants to become the number one go to guy and a possible perineal all-star in this league, he needs a change of scenery. Lance Sephenson will also be having lots of huge offers this coming summer so it would be hard to see him sticking around Indian unless he really wants to.
2. Luol Deng
The best wing player in the free agency class. Luol Deng wants a huge pay day and it was made obvious when he turned down Chicago's 3-year, $30 million extension. A lot of teams can can offer Deng the kind of contract that he wants and its possible that Cleveland won't be one of those teams if their looking at drafting Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker.
3. Pao Gasol
Arguably the best big man in the unrestricted market this coming summer. It would be interresting to see where Gasol will land next. He obviously wont stick around with the Lakers if they cannot build a team that resembles a contender even if it features Kobe Bryant. Pao Gasol will have plenty of options as well as suitors this coming free agency and chances are the Lakers would still be stuck in the mediocre treadmill this summer specially with a tough western conference. Its possible the big man will look outside LA-LA Land to have a shot at another championship ring.
4. Marcin Gortat
Gortat played the best basketball last season when the Polish Hammer helped the Washington Wizards reach the second round of the playoffs. As funny as it sounds, decent big man are actually a rarity in the NBA today and a big man like Gortat should be able to get plenty of nice offers from other teams. If the Wizards chose to make the offer to Ariza, Gortat may well be likely playing for another team this off-season.
5. Shawn Marion
Shawn Marion played an integral part in Dallas 2011 championship run and Cuban is well aware of his contributions to the franchise and what he can bring to the team. The question, however, is whether or not Cuban will be willing to pay Marion even at his advanced age. Their are plenty of upgrades in the wing position this coming summer like Deng and Ariza that Cuban will surely look into. And after Cuban let Tyson Chandler and JJ Barea walker after the 2011 championship, I wouldn't be shocked if he would do the same to the Matrix.
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