Predicting the Landing Spots for the Ten Best NBA Free Agents

NBA free agency season is right around the corner, and rumors are showing up left and right about where each star will land. While this free agency class isn’t as exciting as in years past, there are still all-star players who will likely find a new home. Where these free agents' land could change the entire landscape of the NBA and even help determine the 2024 NBA champions.

James Harden

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James Harden had a solid year with the 76ers. While he wasn’t named to the All-Star team this season, he helped the 76ers force a game seven against the Celtics in the second round and even hit two game-winning threes during the series. While not quite the player he used to be, Harden still led the league in assists per game and could have a huge impact on any team that signs him. While the rumors say that Harden will sign with the Houston Rockets this offseason, I believe that is a ploy to try and get more money out of the 76ers. In the end, I predict Harden will re-sign with the 76ers on a two-year max deal with a player option in the second year.

Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving had a lot of off-the-court issues this season, but he has still proven that he plays at an All-Star level when he is on the court. Irving was traded to the Mavericks this season, and shortly after the trade, the Mavs fell out of playoff contention. The Mavs traded away multiple picks and players to acquire Irving. Due to this, the Mavericks do not want to see Irving walk away for nothing and will likely offer him a five-year max deal. Most other teams in the league that Irving would consider playing for do not have the cap space required to sign him, and the Mavs have stated they are not interested in a sign and trade.

Prediction: Dallas Mavericks

Fred VanVleet

Fred VanVleet just declined his player option and will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. It seems the Raptors may enter a rebuilding phase which means it is unlikely he will return to Toronto next season. There are many teams that could use Fred VanVleet as their starting point guard, but few that actually have the cap space to sign him. One team that may be interested in VanVleet that could be a great fit for both parties is the Orlando Magic. The Magic were a few games back from making the play-in last season with a very young core. Adding a veteran all-star type player to the roster could enhance the play of all the young players and bring this Magic team back to the playoffs. Giving players like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner some playoff experience would be huge for these young players and the franchise.

Prediction: Orlando Magic

Khris Middleton

Khris Middleton hasn’t been able to stay healthy these last few seasons for the Milwaukee Bucks. The last time Middleton was healthy for a full playoff run the Bucks were able to win the finals. While the Bucks definitely have some decisions to make regarding the free agencies of Middleton and Brook Lopez, the Bucks cannot let Middleton walk for nothing. The Bucks don’t really have another option and will likely sign Middleton to a five-year max deal.

Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks

Kristaps Porzingis

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The Washington Wizards have recently hired Michael Winger as the new president of basketball operations. Winger has made it clear that he intends to start a rebuild for the franchise, and part of that may be moving on from Porzingis. Porzingis will demand a lot of money this offseason, and only a few teams can afford Porzingis’ asking price. Other than the Rockets, the team with the most cap space this offseason is the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers are looking to improve their roster, and a great way to do that would be to sign Porzingis to play alongside Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner. Having two three-point shooting big men on the court at the same time could be dangerous. This pairing alongside players like Benedict Mathurin and Buddy Hield would almost certainly give Indiana a playoff berth next season.

Prediction: Indiana Pacers

Brook Lopez

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Brook Lopez has been such an impactful player for the Bucks and is part of the team's identity at this point. While Brook Lopez is 35 and signing him to a long-term deal may be risky, the Bucks have no other choice. Unless they want to lose Lopez for nothing, their best bet is to re-sign the big man along with Khris Middleton and hope it is enough to win a championship.

Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks

Jerami Grant

The Portland Trail Blazers have two very different routes they can take this offseason. They can either go full rebuild mode and trade away Damian Lillard, or they can go the opposite route and instead go for another star player to pair with Lillard. If the Blazers decide the former, they will likely get rid of Grant as well and enter into rebuilding mode. That doesn’t mean they can’t get any value for him, however. A team that is in desperate need of a power forward may conduct a sign-and-trade to get Grant. The Chicago Bulls are a perfect example of a team that may be willing to go all in on Grant. The Blazers could sign and trade Grant to the Bulls for Patrick Williams and a future first. This would definitely be a risky move for the Bulls, but they are locked into the contracts of LaVine and DeRozan and don’t really have anywhere else to go. This move gives the Bulls a much better chance of competing in the playoffs.

Prediction: Chicago Bulls

Russell Westbrook

While Westbrook struggled for most of the regular season, he did have some impressive performances in the playoffs. The Los Angeles Clippers seemed to be a good fit for him as he fell right into place with the squad. Westbrook played well enough for the Clippers to give him another short-term contract.

Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers

D’Angelo Russell

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D’Angelo Russell did not have a great season this year. He was traded away from the Timberwolves to the Lakers, but even while playing for L.A., he struggled. The Lakers' priority this offseason is to re-sign Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura which means Russell will likely walk in pursuit of other options. In this scenario Russell would choose a team that desperately needs depth. The Phoenix Suns come to mind as a team that may need more depth at the point guard position with the uncertainty that looms around Chris Paul’s status on the team. Russell could sign with the Suns for the mid-level exception and help the Suns compete for a championship.

Prediction: Phoenix Suns

Chris Paul

While we don’t exactly know the status of Chris Paul and whether he is a free agent, it seems likely that Paul will be moved this offseason in some capacity. The Lakers are a prime destination for Paul as he wants to win a ring before he retires, and the Lakers need to improve their roster to compete next year. While the Lakers can’t afford to take on Chris Paul outright, they could do a sign-and-trade. The trade could be a sign and trade of DLo, Malik Beasley, and a future first-round pick to the Suns for Paul. This gives the Suns a little more depth and the Lakers a player who can help them compete.

Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers

Predicting the Landing Spots for the Ten Best NBA Free Agents

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