NBA Free Agency Predictions 2016

With July 1 creeping up along with the 2016 NBA free agency beginning here are some of the most notable free agents and where I believe they will land.

Kevin Durant (Unrestricted)
From: Oklahoma City/ To: Oklahoma City/ Contract: 3 years/ $90M
KD is without a doubt the most notable free agent to hit the market this summer and many teams will want interviews with him including my New York Knicks. For him to leave OKC would take a lot and I personally do not see him going anywhere else besides the franchise who he has played his entire career for. I can see him getting the max money at $30M per year but only for 3 years and not 7.

LeBron James (Player option)
From: Cleveland/ To: Cleveland/ Contract: 1 year/ $30M
Not a big surprise here as King James is 100% guaranteed to return to his hometown team. I believe he’ll continue signing one year deals in order for him to get the max money since the salary cap will continue to increase in the next few years. I don’t expect to ever see the King put on a uniform other than the Cavaliers for the remainder of his career.

Andre Drummond (Restricted)
From: Detroit/ To: Detroit/ Contract: 4 years/ $100M
This ex-UConn stud has proven the past two years that he is an elite big man in this league and exactly a player that Detroit has been waiting to get since Ben Wallace. Since he is restricted the Pistons have the ability to match any contract that Drummond is given so be ready to see Andre ink a long term deal with the Pistons this summer.

Hassan Whiteside (Unrestricted)
From: Miami/ To: Los Angeles Lakers/ Contract: 5 years/ $120M
When Hassan first came into the league he looked to be a promising raw talent with an attitude problem out of Marshall University which is not very notable for it’s basketball. When Miami signed him in 2015 he emerged onto the seen as one of the NBA’s best dirty players and rebounders. The Lakers have a ton of salary cap and can afford to pay Hassan big money in hopes that he will continue his reign of dominance in the paint.

DeMar DeRozan (Player option)
From: Toronto/ To: Toronto/ Contract: 4 years/ $104M
DeMar has always been a loyal player throughout his career so it is no surprise that he intends on re-signing with the Raptors. Many other teams will definitely be interested in DeMar’s elite scoring ability but expect him to sign a long term deal with the team he helped bring to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in team history.

Mike Conley, Jr. (Unrestricted)
From: Memphis/ To: Dallas/ Contract: 5 years/ $105M
Conley has flown under the radar for many years now and is quietly one of the NBA’s most reliable and consistent point guards. Many teams are interested in him since he is the best point guard in this free agency but I believe since Dallas will have a lot of money freed up in salary space this will be the best and most probable spot for Conley to sign.

Al Horford (Unrestricted)
From: Atlanta/ To: Atlanta/ Contract: 3 years/ $48M
Horford has been one of the NBA’s best scoring big men for many years now and seems to just keep getting better with age. Many landing spots could definitely be possibilities for Horford but the most probable is him re-signing with the team he has spent his entire career with for around $16M per year.

Dwight Howard (Player option)
From: Houston/ To: Charlotte/ Contract: 4 years/ $56M
At one point not too long ago Dwight was one of the best players in the entire NBA playing for the Orlando Magic. Times have changed and Howard has proven to be a detriment to teams over the past few years since leaving Orlando. He will almost definitely not return to Houston and will not get payed nearly as much as his previous contract had him being worth but I can see him going to a young contending team with a bright future like the Charlotte Hornets.

Bradley Beal (Restricted)
From: Washington/ To: Washington/ Contract: 1 year/ $10M
Beal is a young talent who has had injury problems the past few years. I believe Beal is one good season away from getting payed big cash and since he’s restricted will probably sign a one-year extension with Washington so he can become unrestricted next year and get payed big money for whomever he wants to sign with.

Dwyane Wade (Unrestricted)
From: Miami/ To: Miami/ Contract: 2 years/ $22M
Wade has always been dedicated to the Miami Heat and has made himself a hall of fame worthy career in South Beach. I don’t think this year will be any different than the past and I believe Wade will return to Miami since his career is winding down to his final prime years. But on the other hand his friendship is very strong with LeBron James that a possible D-Wade signing in Cleveland should not be ruled out either.

Harrison Barnes (Restricted)
From: Golden State/ To: Golden State/ Contract: 2 years/ $16M
Barnes has been an overlooked role player in the recent dynasty of a team that the Warriors have created but is still capable of cashing in big in free agency. If the price is low he would likely prefer to re-sign with Golden State but may very well leave if a team offers him a huge deal that the Warriors can’t match.

Pau Gasol (Player option)
From: Chicago/ To: Dallas/ Contract: 3 years/ $45M
As Pau ages he continues to put up terrific stats and proves to still be a prolific scoring big man in the NBA. But with Chicago’s recent tank of roster and hints that they are looking to rebuild, Pau’s career as a Bull looks to be over and the Dallas Mavericks would probably like to add another down low presence to contend for a championship.

Chandler Parsons (Player option)
From: Dallas/ To: Miami/ Contract: 3 years/ $36M
When Parsons came into the league as an athletic forward from Florida he quickly made a name for himself in Houston. Now after a couple of mediocre seasons in Dallas he will probably look to move on from the team and could take the spot of Luol Deng in Miami. (Luol Deng’s prediction is listed further below)

Dirk Nowitzki (Player option)
From: Dallas/ To: Dallas/ Contract: 2 years/ $14M
It is certainly difficult to imagine this man who is one of the NBA’s all-time greatest scoring big men not in a Dallas Mavericks jersey and I don’t expect to see him sign with anyone else soon. Dirk probably only has a couple of good years left in him so with his career winding down and championship number two looking less likely in Dallas for another few years don’t count out the possibility of him signing for less money to play for a contender.

Rajon Rondo (Unrestricted)
From: Sacramento/ To: Brooklyn/ Contract: 4 years/ $52M
It’s no secret that Rondo has gone down hill from his former self over the past fews especially when he was traded from Boston to Dallas. But after having a very underrated season this year he’ll be looking to get a pretty big pay day and with a team like Brooklyn who has a lot of cap room and in need of many positions he could find his way back to the Atlantic division this summer.

Nicolas Batum (Unrestricted)
From: Charlotte/ To: Detroit/ Contract: 2 years/ $34M
Batum is probably the biggest sleeper in this free agent class and will likely see a pretty big pay day this summer. Batum put together a very good season this past year for the Hornets and I can see a team like the Pistons trying to bring in Batum to add to their lineup along with Drummond and Reggie Jackson.

Al Jefferson (Unrestricted)
From: Charlotte/ To: Portland/ Contract: 4 years/ $40M
Another big Hornet free agent is Big Al who has been putting together great seasons in the NBA since his early days in Utah. The Portland Trail Blazers snuck into the playoffs last year led by stud Damian Lillard and Comeback Player of the Year C.J. McCollum so they will be looking to upgrade their big men which consisted of just Meyers Leonard and Mason Plumlee last season. Al Jefferson definitely could be a great fit in Portland as the big man this team has been searching for.

Ryan Anderson (Unrestricted)
From: New Orleans/ To: New Orleans/ Contract: 3 years/ $45M
Anderson has proven over the past few years to be one of the NBA’s best bench shooters and a lethal one at that. Anderson will definitely be getting a big pay day this summer and I’m assuming with New Orleans cap room they will try to avoid letting this diamond in the rough go.

Luol Deng (Unrestricted)
From: Miami/ To: Atlanta/ Contract: 4 years/ $60M
Deng has been one of the NBA’s most consistent players throughout his entire career and you always know you’ll get great defense and 100% effort every time he hits the floor. Miami in my opinion will probably lose at least a couple of valuable pieces this free agency and with the great play of Josh Richardson in last years playoffs, Luol Deng’s spot on the team may be gone. Atlanta could use a valuable forward like Deng and definitely will pursue and I believe sign him.

Jordan Clarkson (Restricted)
From: LA Lakers/ To: LA Lakers/ Contract: 4 years/ $48M
Clarkson has become one of the valuable pieces to a young and talented backcourt for the Lakers. With the amount of salary cap the Lakers have they will most likely match any contract given to Clarkson and probably plan on giving him several years in this contract.

Joakim Noah (Unrestricted)
From: Chicago/ To: New York/ Contract: 4 years/ $60M
Joakim quickly became a stud when he entered the league as a tenacious rebounding big man from Florida. Joakim’s dirty play and great athleticism led him to 2 all star appearances and finishing in fourth place in MVP voting in 2014. After being plagued with injuries last year and being sent to the bench in favor of Taj Gibson at the beginning of the season, Joakim will definitely be looking for a fresh start somewhere else and no better place for him to land than alongside Porzingis and Melo in the big apple.

Bismack Biyombo (Player option)
From: Toronto/ To: Washington/ Contract: 4 years/ $76M
This former seventh overall pick in 2011 was looking like he would be a bust for the first few years in his career until this past seasons playoffs came around. Bismack put up big stats for the Raptors during their push to the Eastern Conference Finals this year and played some big minutes when starting Center Jonas Valanciunas was out due to injury. Biyombo will definitely be cashing in for that great postseason and Washington is just the landing spot that Biyombo will probably be looking for.

Festus Ezeli (Restricted)
From: Golden State/ To: Miami/ Contract: 5 years/ $75M
Ezeli has become very well-known around the league as being a part of the magnificent bench in Golden State. Festus has created himself a decent career as the backup to Andrew Bogut during his time in Golden State and can very well cash in this summer with a big contract. Miami will most likely lose Whiteside and can offer Ezeli more money than Golden State can afford to match, therefore leading Ezeli to most likely play alongside Bosh next year in South Beach.

Evan Turner (Unrestricted)
From: Boston/ To: New York/ Contract: 2 years/ $18M
Turner has had a good career over the years in Philly and Boston and is a good scoring guard/forward. New York will most likely not be bring Arron Afflalo back and could definitely give a similar contract to Evan Turner that they gave to Afflalo to become their starting Shooting Guard.

Jeremy Lin (Player option)
From: Charlotte/ To: Brooklyn/ 4 years/ $80M
Lin has been one of the NBA’s best stories over the past few years as an undrafted Harvard baller that got a chance to play for an injured New York Knicks team in 2012 and instantly became Linsanity. Since then Lin has bounced around playing for Houston and Charlotte and had a good season as Charlotte’s backup point guard this past year. He’s definitely not worth $20M per year but Brooklyn has the salary room to sign him and they desperately need guards so this may be an undercooked fit for Lin.

Kent Bazemore (Unrestricted)
From: Atlanta/ To: Orlando/ Contract: 3 years/ $18M
Bazemore is your typical backup shooting guard that can give you good minutes and a lot of effort throughout a game. Orlando definitely could use a guy like Bazemore and after just adding Serge Ibaka may look to add some other veterans to possibly make a run for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference this year.

Evan Fournier (Restricted)
From: Orlando/ To: Orlando/ Contract: 3 years/ $27M
Fournier has had a good last two years in Orlando and Orlando definitely will look to match any offer that’s reasonable given to him. I don’t expect Fournier to go anywhere unless someone surprises us all and offers Fournier a ridiculously big contract.

Jared Sullinger (Restricted)
From: Boston/ To: Boston/ Contract: 3 years/ $24M
Another young restricted free agent, Sullinger has been one of the main pieces of this young Boston team that made it into the playoffs last year as a very high seed. Boston will definitely look to match offers as long as he doesn’t get offered anything too excessive but I plan on seeing Sullinger in a Boston uniform again next season and possibly signing a several year deal this summer.

Jamal Crawford (Unrestricted)
From: LA Clippers/ To: New York/ Contract: 2 years/ $12M
The reigning sixth man of the year will definitely be looking for the best contract he can get and possibly the best situation to win now that he’s pushing towards the end of his career. I think for Jamal a reunion at the Garden definitely will be high on his list especially with the newly acquired talent and if they can add Joakim Noah.

Jeff Green (Unrestricted)
From: LA Clippers/ To: LA Clippers/ Contract: 4 years/ $48M
Green was one of the NBA’s most heart-warming stories when he overcame open-heart surgery to return to the NBA and play great for the Boston Celtics. Since then he hasn’t done much besides bounce around the league and fill in role player spots. I think Green may have found a home with the Clippers and can become the starting Small Forward so I can’t see LA not bringing him back since they may lose some other notable bench players.

Ian Mahinmi (Unrestricted)
From: Indiana/ To: Denver/ Contract: 4 years/ $24M
Mahinmi is a very unknown big man in the NBA and put together a quietly good season as the starting center for Indiana last year. Mahinmi could be looking for the most money and not the best fit this summer so I can see Denver giving him good money to be their backup to Nikola Jokic at center and since Myles Turner is ready to become the starter in Indiana next year.

Deron Williams (Player option)
From: Dallas/ To: Philadelphia/ Contract: 3 years/ $30M
It seems almost as if Deron Williams has fallen off the face of the earth since his elite days in Utah. Deron was then traded to Brooklyn and signed a huge contract with them as everything began to go downhill. At one point he was considered possibly the best point guard in the league and now will just have to hope he can get a deal that is 8 digits per year. Philadelphia I believe will be in the same spot that NY and LA Lakers were in last offseason that they will pursue many free agents but won’t be able to get any elite ones to sign with them since they had such a bad previous season. Philly could really use a real Point guard and not that D-League combo they had last year of Ish Smith and Isaiah Canaan. Deron will most likely get the most money from a team like Philly and may be playing alongside Ben Simmons next year in PA.

Brandon Jennings (Unrestricted)
From: Orlando/ To: Sacramento/ Contract: 1 year/ $9M
Brandon Jennings is another story of a guy who was once a huge talent and career-wise went downhill very fast. Jennings will probably just be looking for anywhere to play next year and will most likely sign a one-year deal with someone to try and prove his worth in this league so he can cash in bigger next summer similar to what Rajon Rondo did last year.

Arron Afflalo (Player option)
From: New York/ To: Denver/ Contract: 2 years/ $18M
Afflalo is coming off a very inconsistent year last year in NY and after opting out of his contract will most likely look for a new home. He’s not worth much more than he was worth last offseason so he will probably sign a similar contract with a team like the Denver Nuggets who could use a starting shooting guard.

Allen Crabbe (Restricted)
From: Portland/ To: Portland/ Contract: 3 years/ $33M
After having a very solid regular season last year and an even better playoffs, Crabbe will definitely be offered good money by several teams. Portland will probably not let him go very easily as he showed glimpses of starting material last year and could be Portland’s future small forward and top defender. I expect Portland to match almost any offer give to Crabbe this free agency.

Joe Johnson (Unrestricted)
From: Miami/ To: Miami/ Contract: 2 years/ $20M
With Whiteside and Deng almost definitely leaving and Wade possibly being on his way out, the Miami Heat are going to need to salvage some of the team they had last year. Johnson is that guy who they acquired at the deadline and showed even at his old age can still ball. I expect Miami to give Johnson more than any other team would to come back as their shooting guard and possibly even their best scorer (besides Bosh).