NBA Free Agent Preview 2016

NBA FREE AGENTS

Now that the NBA season is officially over the Cavs have taken home the trophy, it is officially free agent season! Even though teams can’t communicate with free agents until July 1 and a few players still haven’t decided whether or not to exercise their option, the free agents are out there. So here is my annual NBA Free agent lists and where they might end up.

The Best Available

1.     Lebron James - Cleveland Cavaliers- After finally bringing the championship to Cleveland Lebron has the ability to opt out of his annual option. While he will almost certainly opt out, it is hard to believe he is going anywhere seeing as he now knows it is possible to win with the Cavs.

2.   Kevin Durant-OKC Thunder- He is the biggest uncertainty out there. No one knows if he will stay in Oklahoma City on a short term deal or leave for other pursuits. The really only likely destinations if he leaves are the Warriors and his hometown Wizards. (signed with warriors)

3.  Dirk Nowitzki- Dallas Mavericks- Dirk has been a Mav his whole career and has taken major discounts to stay in Dallas. But reports now say the Warriors want him if they can’t get Durant so will he leave to pursue another ring? Doubtful.(resigned for 2 more years)

4.      Andre Drummond (R) – Detroit Pistons – He is still very young and became a big time player this past year. He can rebound and also score like a traditional big man. Detroit will likely try to retain him because they wouldn’t be able to replace him easily. Teams like the Lakers might go after him though and create some competition.(resigned big deal)

5.      Bradley Beal (R) – Washington Wizards- Beal hasn’t reached his full potential yet and is still very young. Unless the Wizards are able to bring in a big time free agent, they will likely bring back Beal so he will probably stay in a Wizards uniform.(resigned big deal)

6.      Dwyane Wade- Miami Heat- Wade is a free agent again after completing his one-year deal. He will likely stay with the only team he has known his whole career, but will a chance to win another championship and be with his friends interest him in joining Cleveland? Very possible.(signed with Chicago Bulls)

7.      Rajon Rondo- Sacramento Kings- Rondo had a much better year after a very disappointing one. However, he may already be past his prime, at least off the court he surely is. He almost certainly will be looking for his fourth team in 3 years and could end up almost anywhere.  (signed with Bulls)

8.      Al Horford- Atlanta Hawks- The longtime Hawk big man is going to be looking for a big payday and a good opportunity. He will likely leave Atlanta and could end up in places such as LA, Orlando or even Houston. (signed with Boston Celtics)

9.      Mike Conley- Memphis Grizzlies- The point guard will leave the only NBA team he has known in pursuit of winning and stardom. He is very talented and will likely search for a big market team, the Knicks are known to be interested and other possibilities include Dallas and Sacramento. (resigned biggest deal in NBA history)

10.   Dwight Howard- Houston Rockets- A couple years ago he would have been a lot higher on this list but each year his stock keeps falling. His numbers are down and his reputation as a teammate is not good. He wants out of Houston and could end up in Miami if they can’t retain Hassan Whiteside. (signed with Atlanta Hawks)

Almost At The Top

1.      DeMar DeRozan- Toronto Raptors- DeRozan has taken the Raptors towards the top of the east the last couple of years, but it might be time for him to get out. He could stay but very likely will leave. Teams such as Lakers, Bulls, and many others will be interested. (resigned)

2.      Hassan Whiteside- Miami Heat- He has become an above average starter in this league and is going to make a big amount of money this offseason. Miami wants him back but it is very possible he heads somewhere else, Portland perhaps? (resigned)

3.      Joakim Noah-Chicago Bulls- Noah had an injury plagued season, but has been a constant boom of energy for the Bulls since he was drafted. He will almost certainly leave since Chicago is likely going to start rebuilding and could possible head to Minnesota to reunite with his former head coach. (signed with New York Knicks)

4.      Pau Gasol- Chicago Bulls- Another Bulls big man will be looking for a new team and Gasol could end up in many different places, but wants to be with a contender. Perhaps Cleveland as the third big man? Or Miami? It’s anybody’s guess at this point.(signed with San Antonio Spurs)

5.      Jamal Crawford- LA Clippers- Crawford is coming off his third career 6^th man award and despite being old in NBA years, he still has some years of productivity left. He might stay with the Clippers, or head to another team if offered more money.  (resigned)

  .   Eric Gordon- New Orleans Pelicans- He still has never reached the potential everyone was hoping for when he was the main piece of the Chris Paul trade. He will likely move on as he never wanted to be in New Orleans anyways and will head to a team that will give him a chance to play as a starter.  (signed with Houston Rockets)

7.     Harrison Barnes (R) – Golden State Warriors- He had a disappointing finals performance but still has been getting better each year. The Warriors will likely try to upgrade by trying to get Durant, but if they can’t they will likely bring back Barnes. (signed with Dallas Mavericks since GS got Durant)

8.      Al Jefferson- Charlotte Hornets- The big man has had injury problems, but a lot of talent to offer a team as either a starter or it might be time for him to become a big man off the bench. Either way he can contribute and is partially responsible for Charlotte’s rise.(signed with Indiana)

9.      Luol Deng- After replacing Lebron in Miami the last couple of years, he will likely move on. At this point of his career will be looking for a contender, or perhaps back to Chicago? (signed with LA Lakers)

10.   Deron Williams- Dallas Mavericks- He had a bounce back year but is still injury plagued and past his prime. Still has the chance to be a starting point guard in the league though and will very possibly stay in Dallas.(resigned)

Other Free Agents That Will Help A Team

1.      Jeff Green- LA Clippers- Green came over midseason and played well at times, but is nowhere near where he was thought to be when he first came into the league. He will likely move on to another team could be anywhere.  (signed with Orlando)

2.      Nicolas Batum-Charlotte Hornets- Was a key part of their success last season after being traded in the previous offseason. He will look for a good situation and is a starter that can bring a large skill set. (resigned)

3.      Chandler Parsons-Dallas Mavericks- He has been hurt, but had a couple of good seasons beforehand and could still bring a lot to a team needing a starter without paying the big bucks.(signed with memphis)

4.      Leandro Barbosa- Golden State Warriors- He has been a great backup guard the past couple of seasons for the Warriors and a key part of their bench success. He will probably try to stay with the Warriors, but if not he could be a great backup for another team. (signed with Phoenix Suns)

5.    Bismack Biyambo- Toronto Raptors- The big man made a name for himself in these playoffs and now will likely get a pay raise and an opportunity to play minutes for another team.(signed with Orlando Magic)

6.      Timofy Mozgov- Cleveland Cavaliers- Coming off a championship in which he didn’t have a major role, Mozgov will not be looked at right away. He can be a big man off the bench for a good team though.(signed with LA Lakers)

7.      Wesley Johnson- LA Clippers- Johnson had a good year for the Clippers and will almost certainly get more than the minimum, if the Clippers offer him enough he will likely stay.(resigned)

8.      Roy Hibbert- LA Lakers- Another year another downfall. If he could be what he was like a few years ago he would get the big bucks. But he will probably just disappoint another team.(signed with Charlotte Hornets)

9.      Joe Johnson- Miami Heat- After coming over midseason he really helped the Heat in the second half of the season making it seem he still has room in the tank. Might stay in South Beach.(signed with Utah Jazz)

10.   Evan Turner- Boston Celtics- He was gonna be a superstar. And we will just have to settle on contributor. Could definitely contribute to a team though.(signed with Portland Trail Blazers)

They Can’t Hurt

1.     David Lee- Dallas Mavericks- Came over and couldn’t do much. Still has some talent though.

2.     Gerald Henderson- Portland Trail Blazers- He can start in this league…. On a bad team (that might happen, signed with Philadelphia 76ers)

3.      Matthew Dellavedova (R) – Cleveland Cavaliers- He was a starter in the finals just last year. How he has fallen since then.(signed with Milwaukee Bucks)

4.      Jordan Hill- Indiana Pacers- He is a quality big man that is better when he comes off the bench.

5.      Josh Smith- Houston Rockets- Went back to Houston and he has a problem.

6.      Aaron Afflalo- New York Knicks- Has his times and then he doesn’t. If he comes cheap then why not? (signed with Sacramento Kings)

7.      Ish Smith-Philadelphia 76ers- Was seen as a hero for coming to Philadelphia and helping them win about 5 games. (signed with Detroit Pistons)

8.      Dion Weiters- OKC Thunder- Is a quality bench player, but tough to handle as a player.

9.      David West-San Antonio Spurs- Will he take another pay cut and return to the Spurs? (took another pay cut and went to the Golden State Warriors)

10.   Kent Bazemore- Atlanta Hawks- He has gone from fringe to starter. Don’t know if that will continue though.

Bye Bye Bye

1.     Kobe Bryant- LA Lakers- After a long career it’s over now. Unless he MJ’s.

2.    Tim Duncan- San Antonio Spurs- While there is a chance he will return for yet another season he is getting pretty old and his play is deteriorating. Will probably return for one more year though.

3.    Manu Ginobili- San Antonio Spurs- In the same boat as Duncan, but has been playing worse, he is more likely to retire, but probably won’t. Reports are he signs for one more year then retire

4.    Elton Brand-Philadelphia 76ers- Came midseason to help the clubhouse, but they needed a lot more than that and after a great career it is most likely over.

5.   Richard Jefferson- Cleveland Cavaliers- Announced after winning the other day he will likely retire and it would be harder to go out on top then this way. Had a nice career. (but resigned for 2 years)

6. Nazr Mohammed- OKC Thunder- I think He has been in this section for a few years and somehow keeps coming back. I'm not gonna doubt him making a roster at some point this year anymore.