NBA free agency officially begins Monday evening.
The rumor mill has been all over the place the last month.
Today begins the time where we know where certain players are going.
Free agency is a crazy time with the rumors and unexpected turns.
Star players are going to be moving, which can change the landscape of the NBA.
They are looking for their big payday as well.
Which three stars are looking to capitalize on a new contract?
3. John Collins
The Atlanta Hawks had an unexpected run to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Nobody saw this coming when the playoffs started.
Now they have a decision to make about the future outlook of their team.
John Collins is entering into restricted free agency.
Collins has been a really good young player for this Hawks franchise.
He might not make an All-Star team, but he is still capable of being an 18-and-eight type of player.
The Hawks are trying their best to give him the big deal that he is searching for.
According to a recent report, the Atlanta Hawks are expected to sign forward John Collins to a $120M contract extension at the start of NBA free agency. pic.twitter.com/yUBC2KrNv8
— Georgia Sports Now (@GASportsNow) July 31, 2021
Collins had the opportunity to sign an extension during the season.
However, a deal never materialized and it looked like he might have lost out on a big payday.
Then with a great run in the playoffs, he is back to the negotiating table trying to get the big bucks.
Will Collins receive a big contract this offseason?
2. Chris Paul
The ageless wonder of the NBA can go to two players.
You obviously have LeBron James; as he is still one of the best players in the world at the age of 36 years old.
However, the other candidate is a free agent this season; and that is Chris Paul.
Paul is also 36 years old, but is a tiny guard.
We expected to see his career dwindle within the last couple of seasons.
His last year with the Houston Rockets looked like that was coming true.
However, he has become great once again.
In fact, Paul transformed a nice Phoenix Suns team into the Western Conference champions.
Now, he is looking for his last big contract.
Chris Paul is declining his $44.2M player option and will become an unrestricted free agent, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/hHgdHO3aSG
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 1, 2021
That did not look fathomable a few years ago, but it most definitely going to happen.
The Suns are trying their hardest to re-sign the veteran point guard and try to make a run back to the NBA Finals.
1. Kawhi Leonard
The biggest name on the market this offseason is Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard is by far one of the best players in the NBA.
However, that is when he is fully healthy.
He is most likely going to miss most of next season with a partially torn ACL.
That does not mean that teams are not going to be lining up for his services.
Leonard is still a great player who will warrant a max contract.
The Los Angeles Clippers need to re-sign him in order to compete for the future.
That is most likely going to happen, but other teams are still going to try their best to sign the superstar forward.
Kawhi Leonard has declined his $36M player option for next season and becomes a free agent, per source. Now, the expectation is that Leonard will negotiate a new deal to stay with Clippers. @ChrisBHaynes first on declining option.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 1, 2021
Leonard is deserving of the big payday, despite the injury.
The Clippers are going all-in and the first step is locking up their franchise guy.
NEXT: Stephen A. Smith Reveals Damian Lillard's Preferred Trade Destination