Free agency in the NBA technically opens at the turn of midnight Wednesday, though no contracts can be officially signed until July 10. Still, news will leak out regarding agreements between the players and teams before then. But what movement will influence the balance of power the most for NBA 2K16?
There are several players almost certain to stay where they are despite their unrestricted status, and those include LeBron James and Tim Duncan. Others such as Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, and Tristan Thompson are restricted free agents and expected to return to their respective teams. So instead we'll focus on those players who actually have at least some chance of departing and boosting the profile of another team for NBA 2K16.
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There are far more quality big men who can defend on the inside and rebound exceptionally well on the market than guards this year. While positions in the NBA have become largely interchangeable, it's where the power forwards and centers go this offseason that will determine the shift of power for the upcoming video game. The ratings cited below come from the final roster update for NBA 2K15 and will be comparable to those for the start of 2K16.
Centers
Marc Gasol: 89 Overall, A+ Inside Scoring, A+ Inside Defense, B+ Rebounding
DeAndre Jordan: 86 Overall, A Inside Defense, A+ Rebounding, B Perimeter Defense
Greg Monroe: 84 Overall, A Rebounding, B+ Inside Scoring, B Inside Defense
Brook Lopez: 83 Overall, A- Inside Scoring, B+ Inside Defense, B- Rebounding
Tyson Chandler: 83 Overall, A Rebounding, A- Inside Defense, C Inside Scoring
Power Forwards
LaMarcus Aldridge: 89 Overall, A+ Inside Scoring, B+ Mid-Range Scoring, B+ Rebounding
Kevin Love: 82 Overall, B+ Rebounding, B mid and inside shooting
Paul Millsap: 85 Overall, A Inside Scoring, A- Rebounding, B Inside Defense
Draymond Green: 83 Overall, A+ Inside Defense, A- Perimeter Defense, B+ Rebounding:
David West: 79 Overall, B+ Inside Scoring, B Inside Defense, B- Rebounding
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Small Forwards
Paul Pierce: 80 Overall, B Mid-Range Scoring, B 3-Point Scoring, B- Inside Scoring
Khris Middleton: 78 Overall, B+ 3-Point Scoring, B Mid-Range Scoring
DeMarre Carroll: 76 Overall, B- 3-Point Scoring, B- Perimeter Defense, B- Rebounding
Shooting Guards
Dwyane Wade: 87 Overall, A Inside Scoring, A Playmaking, B+ Perimeter Defense
Monta Ellis: 80 Overall, A- Inside Scoring, B+ Playmaking, B Mid-Range Scoring
Wesley Matthews: 78 Overall, B Perimeter Defense, B- Mid-Range Scoring, B- 3-Point Scoring
Point Guards
Brandon Knight: 82 Overall, A Playmaking, B+ Inside Scoring, B- 3-Point Scoring
Goran Dragic: 81 Overall, A- Playmaking, A- Inside Scoring, B Perimeter Defense
Rajon Rondo: 79 Overall, A Playmaking, A Perimeter Defense, B- Inside Scoring
Reggie Jackson: 78 Overall, B+ Playmaking, B Inside Scoring, B- Perimeter Defense
J.R. Smith: 77 Overall, B 3-Point Scoring, B- Mid-Range Scoring, C+ Inside Scoring
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, has co-founded the new site HitThePass.com, is a regular participant in the Press Row Podcast, and can be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.