First, we all know the guy everyone wants - Kevin Durant - but there are some other dudes that could be the difference between a first round exit or winning an NBA championship.
But, we gotta start with KD.
Now, everyone is talking about the Warriors blowing a 3-1 series lead in the NBA Finals, so they are going to be super aggressive trying to get the seven-time All-Star, and in my opinion they are on the short list of teams that have a legitimate shot at landing the former MVP.I look at it this way, if you aren't from Golden State, San Antonio, or Oklahoma City, you have no chance at landing Durant. He wants to win championships and these three teams EASILY give him the best opportunity.
Before the NBA Draft I would have told you all three of these teams have a good shot at landing KD but after Sam Presti pulled off a blockbuster deal sending Serge Ibaka to Orlando for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova, and Domantas Sabonis, that puts the Thunder in the driver seat.
First off, they landed the best player in the deal in Oladipo, and he's still only 24. Secondly, him and Kevin Durant are boys. They are both from the Washington D.C. area and KD has been kind of a mentor for the youngster, and back in 2015 he told the media that Dipo' reminds him a ton of Dwyane Wade, so it's safe to say he thinks highly of the three-year veteran.
KEVIN DURANT PREDICTION: KD stays in OKC and signs a two-year deal with an opt out after the first season.
Wait...
Do people really think LeBron James would even think about leaving Cleveland after bringing the city their first championship in 52 years. If you do, you need to stop doing drugs.
THERE IS NO WAY LeBRON JAMES LEAVES.
If he does I will do exactly what Michelle Beadle did.
Now, lets take a look at the other big-name unrestricted free agents and since everyone loves "Top 10" lists lets break it down that way.
1. Hassan Whiteside (C - Miami Heat)
2. Dywane Wade (SG - Miami Heat)
3. Mike Conley (PG - Memphis Grizzlies)
4. Dwight Howard (C - Houston Rockets)
5. Pau Gasol (PF - Chicago Bulls)
6. Al Horford (C - Atlanta Hawks)
7. DeMar DeRozan (SG - Toronto Raptors)
8. Dirk Nowitzki (PF - Dallas Mavericks)
9. Rajon Rondo (PG - Sacramento Kings)
10. Chandler Parsons (SF - Dallas Mavericks)
HASSAN WHITESIDE
Whoever lands Hassan Whiteside is getting one of the top centers in the game. The 27-year old seven-footer has posted back-to-back seasons averaging a double-double and this past year he was tops in the league averaging nearly four blocks per game and he finished tied for third in the association averaging nearly 12 rebounds per game.
The major players for Whiteside in my opinion are Miami, Dallas, and Portland with the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers being the dark horses.
PREDICTION: The Dallas Mavericks don't get DeAndre Jordan'd again and sign Whiteside to a four-year max deal.
DYWANE WADE
Wade is hoping I am wrong with my first prediction and if there are two guys who can convince Whiteside to stay it's Mr. Wade and Pat Riley. Now, I really shouldn't of even put Wade on this list because I would be SHOCKED if he even thought about leaving Miami.PREDICTION: Dywane Wade stays in Miami, and trust me, he will only play with one franchise during his NBA career.
MIKE CONLEY
The nine-year veteran has played his entire career with the Memphis Grizzlies and that stint could be coming to a halt this summer. Conley will be a big-time pickup for any team that swoops him up because he is one of the best all-around point guards in the game. I think the three teams to watch out for are the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, and the Memphis Grizzlies. PREDICTION: The San Antonio Spurs convince the veteran point guard he is the missing piece to their sixth NBA championship, but don't be shocked if he brings his talents to Dallas.
DWIGHT HOWARD
The eight-time All-Star and three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year award winner opted out of 23.2 million dollars to become a free agent, and I think that shows how much he wanted to get away from James Harden and the Houston Rockets. While Howard has been labeled as a team cancer after his one-year stint in Hollywood and three years in Houston, he can still be a guy who can get your team over the edge.
Throughout his 12-year career he's put up big-time number: 17.8 PPG, 12.7 RPG, and 2.1 BPG, while shooting nearly 60% from the floor.
In my opinion it will come down to these three teams: New York, Charlotte, and Portland.
Now, I think the perfect fit for D12 would be Golden State, but the risk is too big for the Dubs. But, he would be the perfect piece playing in their pick-N-roll offense and he is the rim protector the Warriors need.
PREDICTION: Man, this one is tough but I think the Portland Trailblazers are the winners here but don't be shocked if Phil Jackson convinces the former All-Star to come ball in the Big Apple.
PAU GASOL
From one former Laker to another, the six-time All-Star enters free agency with one thing on his mind: another NBA Championship. And, if that is the case all signs point towards Gasol bringing his talents to San Antonio, especially if the best power forward we have ever seen hangs em' up - Tim Duncan. And, it seems like David West and Boris Diaw are done in San Antonio so adding some bigs will be a priority for coach Pop. Some other teams to keep tabs on are Dallas, New York, and Atlanta but I'd be surprised if Gasol doesn,t go to San Antonio, and even his younger brother thinks they are a perfect fit.
PREDICTION: Pau Gasol signs with San Antonio and instantly gives the Spurs the best frontcourt in the NBA - Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Pau Gasol.
AL HORFORD
One of the most underrated bigs in the game is hoping to get a huge payday this summer and check that, will get a HUGE PAYDAY. The four-time All-Star has been a vital piece to Atlanta's success over the past few years and you know they want to make sure he doesn't bounce this summer.
The former Florida Gator will have a lot of suitors, the Warriors have shown interest, the Lakers want to add a veteran piece, Dallas, San Antonio, Portland, Boston, and New York will all be in on the nine-year veteran.
PREDICTION: Horford stays in Atlanta after they offer him a max deal.
DeMar DeRozan
The second best shooting guard in free agency enters this summer as a lock to get a max deal. A lot of people are chirping the two-time All-Star will go back home and ball for the Los Angeles Lakers but I am not sure if the feeling is mutual, and no, it's not that D-squared doesn't want to go back home, but the Lakers haven't shown much interest in the former star from Compton high school. I think this is a two-team race: the Lakers and Toronto. If the Lakers offer DeRozan a max deal he's going back home, if they don't he's staying up North in Canada.
PREDICTION: The Lakers don't go after DeRozan and he stays in Toronto to ball with his boy, Kyle Lowry.
DIRK NOWITZKI
The 18-year NBA veteran enters the summer with one last chance to make a nice payday before hanging them up, but the big question is - does Dallas have enough to give him one last shot at a ring? What the Mavericks do this offseason will play a vital role in the 13-time All-Star's decision. The only other team I could see Nowitzki playing for is the Golden State Warriors, and the only way that happens is if the Warriors strike out on Kevin Durant.
It's remarkable now-a-days that one guy plays his entire NBA career for one franchise and it's hard to imagine Nowitzki playing in any other jersey.
PREDICTION: Nowitzki ponders a move to Golden State but ends up re-signing with Dallas after they land a couple big free agents this summer to give the Mavericks one last run at a title.
RAJON RONDO
The four-time All-Star quietly had a big-time season for the Sacramento Kings in 2015-16. He quickly reminded teams he is one of the best point guards in the game after his horrible stint in Dallas. Last year he led the NBA in assists (11.7) and he was one of four guys to average at least 10-assists per game last season.
He also finished third in the NBA with six triple-doubles.
But, the thing you gotta love about Rondo is his competitiveness and work ethic. There might not be a harder worker in the entire association than Mr. Rondo.Also, the guy knows how to win. He learned how to play the game under Doc Rivers and played with three Hall of Famers - Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen that helped teach him what it's all about.
Now, all signs were pointing towards Rondo going to New York but those rumors came to an end when Phil Jackson landed former-MVP Derrick Rose.
In my opinion I think it will be hard for Rondo to go back to Sacramento, and when he said he has never dealt with that much tension in a locker room during his 10-year career, I just don't see him going back, but with George Karl now gone, the Kings could still convince the four-time All-Star to give it another try with Dave Joerger.
PREDICTION: The 10-year veteran point guard heads back to the East Coast and inks a deal with the Brooklyn Nets.
Chandler Parsons
The five-year veteran enters free agency as arguably the most underrated dude this summer. Parsons has had a solid NBA career so far with career numbers of 14 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 3 APG, while shooting nearly 50% from the floor, and I think he is about to take that next step into becoming an All-Star type of player.
The big knock on Parsons though is can he stay healthy? The 27-year old was having the best stretch of his career before his season-ending injury last season. During a two-month stretch he was putting up 18.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, and 3.2 APG, while shooting 52% from the floor and nearly 50% from deep.
If Dallas can't land Whiteside and/or Conley expect them to offer Parsons a max deal but if he doesn't go back to the Mavericks expect a ton of teams to be interested.
PREDICTION: The Los Angeles Lakers come out of left field and steal Chandler Parson but don't be surprised if he goes to Indiana or Portland.
THE BEST OF THE REST
NICOLAS BATUM - The eight-year NBA veteran is one of the best all-around players in the game, he was one of 12 players in the association to have multiple triple-doubles in 2015-16.
He signs with the Golden State Warriors after they let Harrison Barnes walk and miss out on Kevin Durant and Dirk Nowitzki.
RYAN ANDERSON - Arguably the best shooter on the free agent market will help what ever team he signs with. The eight-year veteran has knocked down nearly 40% of his threes and I think the Sacramento native will come back home to Northern California, and no, not for the Sacramento Kings, but he will sign with the Golden State Warriors. Don't be shocked if he goes to Washington either though.
JOAKIM NOAH - We have all forgot how good Joakim Noah is. The nine-year veteran just went through an injury plagued season but trust me, he will sign a max-deal with someone this summer. The big question is will it be with New York, Washington, Milwaukee, or Minnesota? I think it will come down to Washington and New York, but Phil Jackson and Derrick Rose will convince the New York native to come back home.
JAMAL CRAWFORD - The reigning Sixth Man of the Year award winner enters free agency as the best bench option this summer. The 16-year NBA veteran has let it be known he prefers to stay in Los Angeles but the New York Knicks are hoping they can convince him for round two in the Big Apple.
However, it won't be enough to convince the three-time Sixth Man of the Year award winner to leave Hollywood.
LUOL DENG - The two-time All-Star enters free agency as a viable option to help be that final piece for a contending team. He really emerged last year after Chris Bosh's season came to an end and he will ride that momentum into a nice contract this summer. The Clippers, Celtics, Hawks, Heat, and Wizards will all factor in here but I think the Clippers finally land the three they have desperately needed since Doc Rivers took over.
And, before we get out of here lets take a look at the top restricted free agents this summer, and once again, the difference between a restricted and unrestricted free agent is the team they previously played for has the right to match any offer sheet.
ANDRE DRUMMOND - There is no way possible the Detroit Pistons let him walk. They will match any offer a team throws at the best young center in the game.BRADLEY BEAL - It will be hard to see the Washington Wizards not match any offer thrown Beal's way. Him and John Wall help form one of the best young backcourts in the NBA and expect Beal to stay put in D.C.
HARRISON BARNES - The four-year veteran out of North Carolina has been a solid piece for the Golden State Warriors during his NBA career but the big question mark is he a max-contract type of talent? In my opinion the answer is easy - No.
But, he has proven to be a viable piece for the Warriors, yes, he had a terrible final three games in the NBA Finals but his versatility he brings to the court is hard to match. Barnes is one of the best role players in the association and wherever he goes he will be a nice piece to have.
It's hard to imagine the Warriors matching a max offer sheet and I think Barnes will stay up in Northern California, but it will be with the Sacramento Kings. But, don't be surprised if him and Festus Ezeli follow their former coach, Luke Walton, to Los Angeles though.
JORDAN CLARKSON - The steal of the 2014 NBA Draft has had a nice two-year start to his NBA career in Hollywood. He has been the only bright spot in Los Angeles over the last couple years averaging 14 points per game and he let it be known he wants to stay with the Lakers. Expect Brooklyn to try and land the talented young guard but I think he will be back in Hollywood in 2016-17.
EVAN FOURNIER - The four-year veteran is coming off back-to-back productive seasons in Orlando after a two-year stint with the Denver Nuggets. Last year he posted career bests in PPG, RPG, APG, SPG, 3-pt. %, and FT%. With the departure of Victor Oladipo to Oklahoma City it's hard to imagine the Orlando Magic not matching any offer that is thrown Fournier's way. The French-native will stay put in Orlando.
Tweet me @zpoff13 to tell me all the things I get wrong. #ZPC
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