As all NBA fans know, the league has been plagued with consistent deep playoff runs from the same teams with little disparity over the last few years. After watching Round 4 of the Golden State Warriors taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals last year, fans were all but thrilled. A shake up in the league last offseason with the King moving to the Lakers pulled Cleveland out of contention. And although we did see another run from Golden State, the Toronto Raptors were able to bring home their first NBA Title with newly acquired Kawhi Leonard leading the pack. What we also saw might be the beginning of a new era in NBA history as many players look to shake up the league in this years stacked free agent class. With rumors of Kyrie leaving Boston, KD leaving Golden State and Kawhi potentially going back home to the LA area, we might have a new duel next year atop the league’s best. Here are my predictions on where this years top Free Agents will land come June 30th at 6 pm.
Kawhi Leonard
2x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 3x All-Star, 2x All-NBA 1st Team, All-NBA 2nd Team, 2x DPOY, 3x All-Defensive 1st Team, 2x All-Defensive 2nd Team
Age: 27, Small Forward
Player Option/ From: Toronto/ To: Toronto/ Contract: 5 years, $190m (Super Max)
Other Teams in the Race: LA Clippers, LA Lakers, New York, Brooklyn
Probably this years number one free agent is 2019 Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. Kawhi started his career in San Antonio where he won a championship and had initial success alongside all-time greats like Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker. After a series of devastating injuries, and growing frustration with the way his injuries were handled by the medical staff, Kawhi requested a trade last summer after missing mostly all of 17-18 from injuries. San Antonio dealt him to Toronto where team president Masai Ujiri was looking to shake up the roster of a team that was good but needed that extra push to get over the top. Well Kawhi was just that and after having one of the most historic playoff runs in NBA history, he lead Toronto to their first NBA Title over Golden State. Now, Kawhi will hit free agency and will undoubtedly receive a max contract from whoever he signs with. There is a lot of intriguing possibilities for him to return home to California and sign with the Clippers or Lakers. But after all the love he has received with this historic run, I can’t see him turning down a reunion in Toronto, where he has become the most beloved man in the city and who can also offer him a much larger contract than any other team can.
Kevin Durant
2x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, NBA MVP (2014), 10x All-Star, 6x All-NBA 1st Team, 3x All-NBA 2nd Team, 4x Scoring Champion, 2x NBA All-Star Game MVP, Rookie of the Year
Age: 30, Small Forward
Player Option/ From: Golden State/ To: New York/ Contract: 4 years, $160m (Max)
Other Teams in the Race: Golden State, Brooklyn
Maybe it’s just bias from being a tortured Knick fan but I still do believe KD will receive, and is willing, to sign a max deal with the Knicks. After suffering a torn achilles during the NBA Finals, KD will likely miss all of the 19-20 season and critics are wondering if he’ll ever be the same player after such a gruesome injury. Well there are a couple of potential scenarios for the 30-year-old all-time great, he can re-sign a super max with Golden State that will pay him roughly $220m over five years or he can take his talents to New York and try to lead a team plagued with underperformance throughout this century. In doing so, KD could change his reputation from a man who joined the enemy to win rings to an all-time great that turned the laughable Knicks franchise around. But remember all of this won’t begin until the 20-21 season and we’ll see if it takes even longer for him to return to KD form from this injury. Look out for it to be either Golden State, New York, or Brooklyn unless some mysterious team emerges out of nowhere.
Kyrie Irving
NBA Champion, 6x All-Star, 1x All-NBA 2nd Team, 1x All-NBA 3rd Team, All-Star Game MVP, Rookie of the Year
Age: 27, Point Guard
Player Option/ From: Boston/ To: Brooklyn/ Contract: 4 years, $140m (Max)
Other Teams in the Race: New York, LA Lakers
As one of the best PG’s in the league, Kyrie spent a very dysfunctional year butting heads with teammates and management in Boston. After requesting a trade from Cleveland in the summer of 2017 where he won a championship and created a dynamic duo with LeBron James, Kyrie has struggled being the face of the franchise in Boston over the past two seasons. It seems like all love is lost and after opting out of his contract, no expectation of Kyrie to even consider a return to Boston is expected. As a New Jersey kid, the likely scenario is Kyrie would return home to either play for the Nets or Knicks and even possibly team up with his best friend Kevin Durant. The Nets have emerged as the most likely landing spot for Kyrie and although the Knicks will heavily pursue him, Irving seems to have a desire to play in Brooklyn. The most interesting case will be to see if KD decides to join him, do his own thing, or convince him to come to NY which is where KD prefers to land it seems. Some around the league also wonder if Kyrie is even worth a max deal after the problems he caused in Boston this past season. No matter what you’re getting one of the league’s best who is passionate for the game of basketball in Kyrie Irving.
Kemba Walker
3x All-Star, 1x All-NBA 3rd Team
Age: 29, Point Guard
Unrestricted/ From: Charlotte/ To: Charlotte/ Contract: 5 years, $221m (Super Max)
Other Teams in the Race: New York, LA Lakers, Boston, Brooklyn
As a late bloomer in the NBA, Kemba has flipped the switch over the last couple of years from a solid NBA player to a franchise leading talent. Putting up another all-star season, Kemba has flown under the radar a bit while playing his entire eight year career in Charlotte. After making the All-NBA 3rd Team this season, he is now eligible for a super max contract from the Hornets. But in classic Kemba fashion he’s not in it for the money. Walker has made it clear he intends on re-signing with Charlotte and even possibly taking less than the super max so the team can afford to sign other free agents. Kemba’s loyalty to being that face of the Hornets is evident and as long as Charlotte feels mutual, I don’t see him going anywhere else this offseason. Kemba is already the Hornets all-time leading scorer and plans to establish himself as the greatest player to ever where Charlotte blue.
Klay Thompson
3x NBA Champion, 5x All-Star, 2x All-NBA 3rd Team, 1x All-Defensive 2nd Team
Age: 29, Shooting Guard
Unrestricted/ From: Golden State/ To: Golden State/ Contract: 5 years, $190m (Max)
Other Teams in the Race: NO ONE
Let’s be clear, Klay Thompson will be returning to Golden State on a max contract for five years. If there’s any player I can bet money on that goes somewhere this offseason it would be Klay returning. Not only does he have zero interest in leaving Golden State, Klay suffered a torn ACL in the NBA Finals and will miss all of the 19-20 season and most likely would not receive a max contract anywhere else. Golden State already announced they will offer Klay his max so he will be staying in The Bay on a fresh five-year deal where he will rehab his ACL injury throughout next year. As one of the greatest 3-and-D guys the game has ever seen, Klay has been a staple in the dynasty we have watched from the Warriors over the past five years. If there are any two guys in the NBA I don’t plan on seeing play in any different jerseys any time soon it’s Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.
D’Angelo Russell
1x All-Star
Age: 23, Point Guard
Restricted/ From: Brooklyn/ To: LA Lakers/ Contract: 4 years, $110m
Other Teams in the Race: Minnesota, Brooklyn, Phoenix, Indiana
It’s that time where the top picks of the 2015 draft class hit the free agent market for the first time and DLo is one of the top. Russell struggled his first couple of years in LA but after being traded to Brooklyn to make room in LA for Lonzo Ball, Russell bloomed into the star we thought he could become. Now that LA has abandoned the Lonzo train and shipped him out to New Orleans in the Anthony Davis deal, a need at Point Guard has opened again and it might be a perfect fit. As strange as it sounds and as hurt as DLo was when LA gave up on him, a return to the Lakers to team up with LeBron and AD next year is not only highly likely but probable. But the Brooklyn Nets still control his destiny, he is a restricted free agent meaning the Nets can match any offer he receives and he would have to return. If the Nets sign Kyrie like everyone thinks they will, they will most likely renounce Russell and let him go anywhere he wants in free agency. But if the Nets somehow don’t land Kyrie, expect them to match any offer Russell receives. The Suns and Timberwolves are two teams with desperate needs at PG and can be dark horses to land Russell. You can expect those two to pursue DLo and maybe even make him an offer of or close to the max this summer.
Jimmy Butler
4x All-Star, 2x All-NBA 3rd Team, 4x All-Defensive 2nd Team, Most Improved Player (2015)
Age: 29, Shooting Guard
Player Option/ From: Philadelphia/ To: Philadelphia/ Contract: 5 years, $188m (Max)
Other Teams in the Race: Houston, Brooklyn
Another one of the best two way players in the game, Butler famously stated a while ago that he will get a max contract wherever he decides to go this offseason. Realistically only two teams seem to be in the race and that’s the Sixers and Butler’s hometown Houston Rockets. Philly can offer Butler more money than anyone else can and I think it’s going to be top priority for the front office to keep Butler in Philly long-term to play alongside Simmons and Embiid. Recent reports have the Rockets potentially working out a sign-and-trade with Butler where he signs his five year max and is then dealt to Houston. This is also probably a realistic scenario if Butler decides he’d rather play with Houston over Philly. It’s going to be an interesting one to see what amounts with Jimmy. Either way I assume he will sign the five-year extension with the Sixers. As for him therefore getting dealt to Houston? Well we’ll see what happens.
Tobias Harris
Age: 26, Small Forward
Unrestricted/ From: Philadelphia/ To: Brooklyn/ Contract: 3 years, $75m
Other Teams in the Race: Philadelphia, Sacramento, Utah
The market for Tobias Harris is going to be a very interesting one on whether teams consider him to be a max contract caliber player. I personally don’t think so, but I think he will still land a 3 or 4 year deal roughly $20m-$25m per year. It will be very unlikely that Philly will be able to maintain both Harris and Butler and I think their first priority would be to bring Jimmy back. If Jimmy does decide to leave, Philly will become a highly likely landing spot for Harris to return. In my opinion if Brooklyn lands Kyrie and no other max deal, signing Harris to a 3 year deal could be a great move. Not only is he from NYC but is a player that could fit well as a second option alongside Kyrie. But one team I really want to see go after Harris is the Utah Jazz. A potential Conley, Mitchell, Harris, Ingles, Gobert starting five is one that I think would work so well and put Utah in a great position to really compete in the West. There is no doubt going to be several teams on the radar to land Tobias but those four are ones I like a lot.
Khris Middleton
1x All-Star
Age: 27, Shooting Guard
Player Option/ From: Milwaukee/ To: Milwaukee/ Contract: 5 years, $190m (Max)
Other Teams in the Race: Philadelphia, Brooklyn
One of the league’s most underrated guards, Middleton earned his first all-star nod this past season. In doing so, Khris bolstered himself onto global notice as being one of the key players anchoring Milwaukee’s great season alongside the MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Middleton will opt out of his $13m player option and will most likely look to re-sign with the Bucks. The feeling will definitely be mutual as Milwaukee cannot afford to lose Middleton in what could be a great shot of winning the East next year. Milwaukee will also have to worry about Brook Lopez and Malcolm Brogdon as free agents this offseason but will have Middleton on the top of their to do list. I think more than likely Middleton will land the five-year max he is capable of receiving or extremely close to it. Middleton not re-signing with the Bucks could only happen if, for some reason, Milwaukee becomes skeptical of giving him a long term extension.
Kristaps Porzingis
1x All-Star
Age: 23, Power Forward
Restricted/ From: Dallas/ To: Dallas/ Contract: 5 years, $158m (Max)
Other Teams in the Race: NO ONE
Another gem from the 2015 Draft Class hits the market, and even though Kristaps has not touched the floor in a year and a half, he’s been in the media as much as ever over the past few months. The NBA community was shocked when Porzingis, it seemed out of no where, demanded a trade from the New York Knicks, leading them sending him to Dallas in return for a package of Dennis Smith Jr. and draft picks. Now Porzingis will hit the market as a restricted free agent and it has already been announced that Dallas will offer him the max once free agency opens which he will gladly accept. Kristaps will continue rehabbing this offseason and look to create a new duo in Dallas alongside the reigning Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic.
DeMarcus Cousins
4x All-Star, 2x All-NBA 2nd Team
Age: 28, Center
Unrestricted/ From: Golden State/ To: Boston/ Contract: 2 years, $50m
Other Teams in the Race: New York, LA Lakers, Golden State
As arguably the league’s most dominant big man over the past several seasons, Boogie hits the market again after having a very disappointing year in Golden State after returning from a torn achilles. When Cousins went down with the achilles injury in the 17-18 season in New Orleans, it caused him to have to settle for a 1-year deal in Golden State last offseason. Now Boogie might be looking at a similar scenario as teams are skeptical on signing him due to his struggle to get back to old form last season after the injury. A team like the Boston Celtics could really make a push to add Cousins to replace the highly likely losses in Al Horford and Kyrie Irving this offseason. The Knicks will also look to add Cousins if they end up striking out on a max with either KD or Kawhi. A reunion in Golden State or a reunion of playing alongside Anthony Davis with the Lakers are other possibilities that can’t be ruled out. It will be an interesting market for Cousins as he will probably look to sign wherever he gets the most money.
Nikola Vucevic
1x All-Star
Age: 28, Center
Unrestricted/ From: Orlando/ To: Sacramento/ Contract: 4 years, $108m
Other Teams in the Race: Orlando, Boston
One of the most slept on and potentially most underrated players in this years free agency class is big man Nikola Vucevic. After a career year of averaging 21/12/4 this season in Orlando, Vooch earned his first all-star nod and became the leading force to push Orlando to the playoffs this season. The Magic are going to try everything in their power to keep Vucevic but they might have to offer him close to the max in order to woo him away from the big market he’s going to be attracting. Teams like the Sacramento Kings and Boston Celtics will be big players to offer him a big contract worth $25m-$30m a year this offseason. With the rumors that Willie Cauley-Stein wants out of Sacramento, the Kings might make an all out push to add Vucevic to their roster as a star big man.
Al Horford
5x All-Star, 1x All-NBA 3rd Team, 1x All-Defensive 2nd Team
Age: 33, Center
Unrestricted/ From: Boston/ To: Dallas/ Contract: 4 years, $100m
Other Teams in the Race: Indiana, Sacramento, Minnesota
At 33 years old, it seems crazy that someone would offer a declining Horford 4 years and $100m right? Well apparently Horford has found a “mystery team” that will offer him just that as Boston would only agree to an up to 3 year extension. Now trying to figure out who can be that team that is crazy enough to do it is going to be what everyone wonders until the day Al signs. If you’re an NBA junkie you know Al Horford and the kind of guy he is, he would not demand big money or a trade to go join a winner that wouldn’t respect his abilities. This is a man that stayed in Atlanta suffering many non-competitive seasons for the majority of his prime. So I’m going to base this off of teams that I can just see Horford playing for. I’m going to say the Mavericks add Horford to join the front court alongside Porzingis in an attempt to put together a respectable team that could squeak into the playoffs in the West. Other very Al Horford-like landing spots could be the Pacers, Kings, and Timberwolves.
Julius Randle
Age: 24, Power Forward
Player Option/ From: New Orleans/ To: Chicago/ Contract: 3 years, $66m
Other Teams in the Race: Brooklyn, New York
Another Lakers reject that had a great season elsewhere, Randle put up a very impressive 21/9/3 this season in Nola. Now hitting the market, Randle is going to get some hefty consideration by some contenders and some rebuilding teams looking for a veteran. The Chicago Bulls could be a nice fit to give Julius the money he wants and a chance to create a solid young starting five for the Bulls. A potential Dunn/ LaVine/ Porter/ Randle/ Markkanen starting five could be a good young core to move the momentum of the rebuild in the right direction in Chicago.
Other Notable Free Agents
Brook Lopez
1x All-Star
Age: 31, Center
Unrestricted/ From: Milwaukee/ To: Milwaukee/ Contract: 2 years, $12m
Other Teams in the Race: LA Lakers
DeAndre Jordan
1x All-Star, 1x All-NBA 1st Team, 2x All-NBA 3rd Team, 2x All-Defensive 1st Team, 2x Rebounding Leader
Age: 30, Center
Unrestricted/ From: New York/ To: New York/ Contract: 1 year, $12m
Other Teams in the Race: Brooklyn, LA Lakers, Golden State
Malcolm Brogdon
Rookie of the Year (2017)
Age: 26, Shooting Guard
Restricted/ From: Milwaukee/ To: Milwaukee/ Contract: 3 years, $36m
Other Teams in the Race: Indiana
Harrison Barnes
1x NBA Champion
Age: 27, Small Forward
Unrestricted/ From: Sacramento/ To: Miami/ Contract: 3 years, $75m
Other Teams in the Race: Sacramento, Brooklyn, LA Lakers
Danny Green
2x NBA Champion, 1x All-Defensive 2nd Team
Age: 32, Shooting Guard
Unrestricted/ From: Toronto/ To: LA Lakers/ Contract: 2 years, $20m
Other Teams in the Race: Toronto
Enes Kanter
Age: 27, Center
Unrestricted/ From: Portland/ To: Portland/ Contract:
Other Teams in the Race: LA Lakers, Boston
Terry Rozier
Age: 25, Point Guard
Restricted/ From: Boston/ To: Boston/ Contract: 2 years, $30m
Other Teams in the Race: Phoenix, New York
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