Tier 2 – The budding stars
Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons (Player Option)
Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans (Restricted)
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (Restricted)
Otto Porter Jr., Chicago Bulls (Player Option)
Buddy Hield, Sacramento Kings (Restricted)
This tier is, for the lack of better words, labeled the budding stars. And it’s every bit that. These are young players that are budding stars in today’s game. Each of these players, which have player options or are restricted free agents, have shown the ability to evolve into stars. They have each flashed their potential and could be in line for huge paydays, especially in a summer where there will be more than enough money to go around, with not that many big names on the open market.
While each of these players is a solid bet to re-sign with their incumbent clubs, it wouldn’t be surprising to see one or more of these players trying to move on. Of course, that power is out of the restricted free agents’ hands, but considering the big money that they could be in line for, it isn’t outrageous to say that one or more of these teams might not be jumping to pay that type of money.
Two players that could be in line for huge seasons are Jaylen Brown (with Kyrie Irving moving on) and Brandon Ingram, who was granted a new start with the Pelicans.