This is exactly why Monta Ellis is opting for free agency.
It is the chance not only to rack in the extra going, but also to be a hot commodity on the open NBA market and let the suitors line up to swoon over you. That did not take very long after the 27-year old point guard informed the Milwaukee Bucks that he is opting out of the final year of his contract.
For those keeping track at home, that contract extension is reportedly a two-year deal worth $24 million with Ellis coming off a season where he averaged a team-high 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game.
Since the expected news broke, a number of teams have already been rumored to have Ellis on their free-agency radar once teams can officially begin negotiating with players.
The Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies top the teams speculated to have interest in Ellis and apparently the feeling is mutual for Ellis when it comes to Memphis. The Los Angeles Lakers could be grouped in that discussion too, but getting a deal done would have to involve a sign-in-trade to it might be far fethched. And while these teams likely will not be alone in their sales-pitch, there is another team to keep in mind: the Sacramento Kings.
While Ellis was traded to Milwaukee by the Golden State Warriors on March 12, 2012, he could benefit from some Warriors’ connections that have suddenly made their way down to Sacramento as part of the Kings resurgence. Keep in mind that new head coach Mike Malone, new GM Pete D’Alessandro and even Chris Mullin — who has been offered a consulting job by the Kings — all have strong relationships with Ellis and could lead to a reunion of sorts in Sacramento.
Again, that is just one scenario that involves Monta Ellis.
As free agency heats up this summer, there is a pretty good chance he will be speculated to sign with a number of teams around the league.
