We're almost there! On June 30, this Sunday, NBA Free Agents will officially be allowed to meet with teams to discuss free agency. Players can agree on contracts with teams, but nothing is official until July 6. Today, we will try to predict where the 12 best free agents land.
#12, Malcolm Brogdon • Milwaukee Bucks • Restricted Free Agent
Brogdon is one of the best role players in the league. He will never go out and score 25 points a night, but is a good defender, and was a part of the coveted 50/40/90 club just last season. Only 26, Brogdon is yet to hit his prime, and is an invaluable piece to any championship contender. Brogdon will certainly receive offers nearing the 20 million per year mark, but Milwaukee will match any offer that is given to Malcolm. Unless a team like the Lakers or Mavericks throw him an absurd amount of money that is almost a max level deal, Brogdon will stay as a Buck.
Expected Destination: Milwaukee Bucks
Potential Dark Horse: Los Angeles Lakers
#11, Al Horford • Boston Celtics • Unrestricted Free Agent
In a shocking series of events the other day, it was revealed that Al Horford had decided not to resign with the Celtics despite opting out of his player option with an intent to sign with them. He is an excellent defender that can facilitate on offense too. It was reported that a team was planning to throw him a 4 year, 112 million dollar deal, which seems like a bit much for a 33 year old who is past his prime. The Mavericks, Clippers, and Lakers were all potential suitors, but it seems like the Clips will land him in the end. My assumption would be that they land a superstar player, and add Horford on a near-max contract deal to compliment that star. Dallas could also make a run at Al if they strike out on another star free agent.
Expected Destination: Los Angeles Clippers
Close Contender: Dallas Mavericks
#10, Tobias Harris • Philadelphia 76ers • Unrestricted Free Agent
Harris has only developed into an all-star caliber player in the past two seasons. He is not quite ready to be the primary scoring option on a team, but will be a great complementary star. This makes teams with existing stars or room for multiple max contracts the most enticing choice. Harris would be a good fit alongside someone in Brooklyn, and also would go nicely with Victor Oladipo in Indiana. There is also a good chance that the 76ers choose to resign him, as he would be a very strong third option behind Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, especially if Jimmy Butler chooses to leave(more on that later).
Expected Destination: Philadelphia 76ers
Close Contender: Brooklyn Nets
Potential Dark Horse: Indiana Pacers
#9. Khris Middleton • Milwaukee Bucks • Unrestricted Free Agent
Middleton established himself as a true star this season, and made his first all-star team. He repeatedly showed up for Milwaukee both offensively and defensively, and was a huge part of the Bucks' success. While Milwaukee has not had to dip into the luxury tax since 2003, they need to right now. They are a serious contender in a wide open league, and it only makes sense to retain everybody from their core. Expect Middleton to receive something close to the 5 year, 190 million dollar max. If something really goes wrong, there is a possibility that someone like the mavericks make a run for their money at Middleton, but the chances are very unlikely.
Expected Destination: Milwaukee Bucks
Longshot Contender: Dallas Mavericks
#8, D'Angelo Russell • Brooklyn Nets • Restricted Free Agent
DLo proved that he was a star level player last season too. Like Middleton, he also made his first all-star appearance, and carried the miserable Nets to their first playoff appearance in a while. Entering restricted free agency, he is expected to be pursued after by many teams. The Timberwolves have been rumored to be interested, but they would need to move either Jeff Teague, Gorgui Dieng, or Andrew Wiggins' contract if they want to make a run. The big 3 of DLo, Jarrett Culver, and Karl-Anthony Towns would make the T-Wolves one of the most exciting teams to watch. Another team to look out for in the Russell sweepstakes is the Indiana Pacers. They have long lacked a very good point guard, and DLo would fit in nicely next to Victor Oladipo. Ironically, the Los Angeles Lakers are also a favorite. After their messy divorce back in 2016, the Lakers might strongly pursue Russell. This move would give them a third star, although they would not have anything else left to do with their money. It is extremely unlikely that the Nets retain Russell, as they have their sights set on another point guard.
Expected Destination: Indiana Pacers
Close Contender: Los Angeles Lakers
Dark Horse: Minnesota Timberwolves
#7, Nikola Vucevic • Orlando Magic • Unrestricted Free Agent
Vooch is coming off a career season where he averaged 21 and 13, and it is at the perfect time. He will command a near-max deal in free agency, and is bound to receive it from many teams. The Magic will surely do everything they can to retain him, as he was the best player on their playoff team last season, and will likely give him the full 5 year max. However, other teams will definitely be interested, including the Celtics and Mavs. Boston has cleared just about enough cap for Vooch, but to offer him the full max, they would have to renounce the rights on either Terry Rozier or Marcus Morris, something they might be reluctant to do. Vucevic would be a great player to help develop young wings Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Meanwhile, Dallas would be an almost perfect fit for Vucevic, where he would form an all European big three with Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis.
Expected Destination: Orlando Magic
Contenders: Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics
#6, Klay Thompson • Golden State Warriors • Unrestricted Free Agent
Despite tearing his ACL in game 6 of the NBA Finals, Thompson is one of the best shooters the league has ever seen, and is in line for a max contract. It is expected by everyone around the league that Golden State will offer the 5 year max, and if they do, that Klay Thompson will sign in a heartbeat. His dad has already gone on live television guaranteeing that Klay stays in the Bay. By some miracle, if the Warriors opt to choose the safe route and don't try and retain Klay, he is expected to consider the Clippers as a destination. LA would be good for Klay as he would be close to home, and could be an excellent second star if the Clips do land one.
Expected Destination: Golden State Warriors
Longshot Contender: Los Angeles Clippers
#5, Kemba Walker • Charlotte Hornets • Unrestricted Free Agent
Walker is eligible for the 5 year, super-max that will pay him somewhere between 40 and 50 million dollars per year. However, there is serious speculation as to where or not Charlotte should offer Kemba the super-max. They dug themselves into a deep hole during the cap boom in 2016 when they offered Nicolas Batum and Cody Zeller huge contracts, and are in a terrible position. Retaining Kemba would mean more mediocrity and low-lottery draft picks for the Hornets, and they might not be relevant until all their bad contracts clear. That being said, the super-max contract is enticing and will be really hard to decline. Like Vucevic, the Celtics and Mavericks appear to be the front runners for Walker outside of the Hornets. Boston is a match made in heaven for both parties. Walker would get a chance to be on a competitive team, and the Celtics would get a proven point guard. Boston would not hesitate to renounce the rights of Terry Rozier if it meant that they would get Kemba. Dallas could also make a play if they strike out on Vucevic or someone else. For Kemba's sake, let's hope he leaves Charlotte and finally tries to get a championship.
Expected Destination: Charlotte Hornets
Close Contender: Boston Celtics Dark Horse: Dallas Mavericks
#4, Jimmy Butler • Philadelphia 76ers • Unrestricted Free Agent
Butler is somebody that every team needs. He is one of the best defenders in the league, and is a walking bucket. He will certainly receive a lot of attention from numerous teams this summer. The Brooklyn Nets are a possibility. Butler would complement another star in Brooklyn well, and would bring a great defensive intensity. However, the Nets might want to pursue some other stars before Butler, and look to Jimmy as a fall-back option. The Clippers are also a potential suitor for Butler. He would also likely be added as a second star in addition to somebody else. Recently, there have been rumors that the Houston Rockets really want Butler, and are willing to do a sign and trade. Remember, Houston offered 4 firsts to the Timberwolves when Jimmy was being shipped back in October. Finally, there is a good chance he resigns with Philly. He gets to be in a place where he can contend immediately, and was the teams best player at times during the postseason. If he is willing to take a backseat to Simmons and Embiid at times, Philly might be the best fit for him.
Expected Destination: Philadelphia 76ers
Contenders: Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, and Houston Rockets
#3, Kyrie Irving • Boston Celtics • Unrestricted Free Agent
For pretty much the entire regular season, Kyrie had been closely linked towards the New York Knicks and potentially joining Kevin Durant there. There is still a chace that that happens, but the Nets have emerged as the clear favorites in the Irving sweepstakes. Irving would still get the benefits of New York that he liked with the Knicks, and also gets a much better coach and general manager. It was reported just last season that Kyrie and Jimmy Butler wanted to play with each other badly, and this is their best chance at doing it. If New York does manage to sign KD before Kyrie makes his decision, then Kyrie could choose the Knicks over the Nets.
Expected Destination: Brooklyn Nets
Close Contenders: New York Knicks
#2, Kevin Durant • Golden State Warriors • Unrestricted Free Agent
After his devastating injury, there were serious talks about whether KD should opt in to his player option in order to rehab in Golden State, and then test free agency next year when he is fully healthy. That speculation was put to rest today when it was reported that he had opted out of his player option. Before his injury, KD had a legitimate claim to being the best player in the world, and deserves the max no matter his health status. Golden State should offer it to him, and it will be hard to pass up on after seeing that they do need him to win. However, Durant has been tied to New York since what seems like forever, and will likely meet with both the Knicks and the Nets. The idea of playing with Kyrie in Brooklyn will certainly be tempting for Durant, but my guess it that he goes to the Knicks to try and bring one of the most miserable franchises ever its first title in nearly 50 years. There is still a huge possibility that KD decided to stay in Golden State to reform the super-team after next season.
Expected Destination: New York Knicks
Very, very, close contenders: Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets
#1, Kawhi Leonard • Toronto Raptors • Unrestricted Free Agent
No matter what Kawhi decides to do this summer, he will be treated like a king in Toronto. There is a big possibility that he decides to stay in Toronto to try and win more championships. He could stay in The North on either the five year max, or a 1+1 deal so he could decide what to do after a few more years. The Clippers are the other obvious destination for Kawhi. He has been linked to them since his trade demand from the Spurs, and is from LA too. Joining forces with someone like Horford or Butler in LA would make the Clips one of the best teams in the league. Given the fact that Kawhi never even wanted to go to Toronto in the first place, the Clippers seem like the front-runner. No matter what happens, two things will be certain: The Raptors literally did everything possible to keep Kawhi, and that the Board Man will get Paid.
Expected Destination: Los Angeles Clippers
Close Contenders: Toronto Raptors
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