He is the best player in the world and is going to figure out how to make the most money possible with the cap explosion coming next year. He will not leave Cleveland again. But imagine how fun it would be to see him leave for the Spurs or Lakers and win a title. He would be the greatest villain in NBA history.
What Will
Happen: Resigns with CLE
What Should Happen: Resigns with CLE. The city of Cleveland will implode if Lebron leaves again
Marc Gasol
He is the biggest difference-maker outside of Lebron on the market. However, he has no intention of leaving Memphis and will continue to help build on the foundation in place. With a few breaks, the combo of Gasol, Mike Conley, and Zach Randolph could win a title. Memphis' team has a similar look to that of the 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks. With some more shooting, they could go all the way.
What Will
Happen: Resigns with MEM
What Should Happen: Resigns with MEM and tries to win a championship
Kevin Love
Love is a giant question mark in the free agency landscape. It seems almost impossible for him to return to Cleveland after all of Lebron's instagram posts and stupid tweets. Love is an All-Star player and can contribute to a champion. He is not going to lead a team to the finals by himself. He is much more valuable on a good team than on a bad team. He needs to leave Cleveland, unless he is ready to fit IN and not fit OUT.
What Will Happen: Resigns with CLE
What Should Happen: Signs with BOS, along with Boston acquiring Noel from PHI or another defensive center and begin to form the next great Celtics team.
LaMarcus Aldridge
Aldridge is the biggest player that will undoubtedly switch teams. He is a superstar offensive player and is a guy that you can build an offense around. He is another All-Star player, who needs some help to reach the playoffs and the finals. He should give the Mavericks and Lakers a look but the Spurs make the most sense. He would provide a bridge from old to new and form a new big three of Aldridge, Kawhi Leonard (assuming he resigns), and Tony Parker. If Houston has the cap space to do it, they would be an even better fit.
What Will Happen: Signs with SA
What Should Happen: Signs with SA, keeping the Spurs dynasty alive.
DeAndre Jordan
Jordan is an All-Star caliber player and is worth the max, especially with the cap rising next year. He is a defensive anchor for years to come and continues to improve offensively. He needs to learn how to shoot free throws to reach his max potential. He should stay with the Clippers, where he is the third part of an improving big three. The Mavericks are not as good as the Clippers now, but have more flexibility to build around him. However, Dallas has been chasing free agent stars since 2012 and has captured zero of them.
What Will Happen: Resigns with LAC
What Should Happen: Resigns with LAC
Goran Dragic
Dragic is an All-Star player. He is the best point guard available and teams actually have a shot at luring him away from the Heat. However, there are not a lot of landing spots more enticing than Miami. He should stay in South Beach with Bosh and hope Wade leaves rather than taking up all the cap room. Justice Winslow could become a replacement for Wade and help take the Heat back to the playoffs.
What Will Happen: Resigns with MIA
What Should Happen: Resigns with MIA and form a new big three
Paul Millsap
Millsap was the biggest bargain in the NBA the past two years and is looking to make more money this time around. He is a good starting forward in the league but he is getting older. He should go for more long term security if it means a little less money. Resigning with the Hawks and staying in their system is the best move for him.
What Will Happen: Resigns with ATL
What Should Happen: Resign with ATL
Greg Monroe
Monroe is a borderline All-Star but will get max money. He is a slow big man who plays below the rim. He is the exact player that small ball teams are trying to make obsolete. So who will give him a max contract? Why not the one man in the NBA, who thinks that 3 point shooting is silly and doesn't lead to winning, Phil Jackson. He'll sign Monroe to pair with Carmelo Anthony as Jackson sticks it to the NBA that he knows better than everyone else.
What Will Happen: Signs with NYK
What Should Happen: Signs with NYK as a way to appease Carmelo for drafting Kristaps Porzingis
Brook Lopez
Lopez can be an All-Star, when he is healthy. However, he is seemingly never healthy. He is not a max player but he will demand it. Unfortunately for the Nets, they have mismanaged the roster so badly they have no options to improve the team. Lopez is the one remaining player with upside on the roster. They have to sign him because tanking is not an option, since they do not own their draft pick.
What Will Happen: Resigns with BKN
What Should Happen: Resigns with BKN
Dwayne Wade
Wade is still a borderline All-Star player. He is no longer the superstar he was when he won his first title and when he formed the big three. He has never been the highest paid player on any team he played for. He gave up money to help the Heat rebuild their roster and bring in other superstars. Now, Wade wants to get paid and recoup the money he lost. He is Mr. Heat and losing him would be a blow, but it might be best for the franchise. They should let him leave and go get overpaid somewhere else. Wade should hope that the Knicks or Lakers strike out and are desperate to bring in a big name and pay him crazy money.
What Will Happen: Resigns with MIA
What Should Happen: Signs with LAL
Jimmy Butler
Butler has the chance to be a franchise player. He is already an All-Star and has the potential to be even better. He needs to get paid but as a restricted free agent his options are limited. He can stay with the Bulls for the five year max but with the cap rising, he should try to get a second big contract. Because of the Bulls' offer, any contract Butler signs must have at least three years. Butler should sign a three year deal with an option for year 4, so they he can exercise it if he continues to improve.
What Will Happen: Resigns with CHI
What Should Happen: Resigns with CHI
Kawhi Leonard
Leonard is another player who could be a franchise player. He is the future of the Spurs. He is a defensive stopper and currently the best Lebron killer in the world. He can also score. The Spurs must keep him. Every day should want him. The Knicks, Lakers, and Mavericks should all max him out. Even the 76ers should think about offering him a max contract. He is ready to lead a team now and the 76ers are starting to finally form a real team. The Spurs don't lose the guys they want and they will keep Leonard.
What Will Happen: Resigns with SA
What Should Happen: Resigns with SA
Draymond Green
Green was the biggest pick the Warriors have made in forming their championship team. He was a second rounder and was the biggest value they got. He is a defensive stopper and good shooter. He can guard five positions and is the glue in the Warriors defense. Losing Green would kill the Warriors and they will not have a chance to repeat without him. Someone should sign him to a poison pill contract just to screw with the Warriors.
What Will Happen: Resigns with GS
What Should Happen: Resigns with GS
Tyson Chandler
Chandler is still a very good defensive anchor. He does little on offense other than score put-backs and alley-oops. He is extremely valuable to a contender. The Mavericks should resign him to cover Dirk on defense if they strike out on Jordan. A re-union with the Knicks also could make sense on a short deal. Boston is a dark horse here. Chandler could provide as the defensive anchor to an up and coming Celtics team. With Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley, R.J. Hunter, and Terry Rozier in the back court, they need to build up the front court. Signing Chandler, Love, and a small forward like Danny Green, Demare Carroll, or Tobias Harris would make them instance contenders.
What Will Happen: Resigns with DAL
What Should Happen: Signs with BOS
Brandon Knight
Knight has been an enigma most of his career. However, he really came into his own this year. He showed the potential that people saw in him at Kentucky. Knight and Eric Bledsoe form a good scoring back court. Phoenix has an exciting young group of talent. With the addition of Kentucky guard Devon Booker, Phoenix has a young back court that could grow together.
What Will Happen: Resigns with PHX
What Should Happen: Resigns with PHX
Khris Middleton
Middleton is intriguing as a young shooting guard, who can actually shoot. He played well last season for the Bucks and is part of their young core. The Bucks have a solid group of young players and they made a surprise playoff run last year. Middleton will grow with the core of Michael Carter-Williams, Jabari Parker, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and John Henson.
What Will Happen: Resigns with MIL
What Should Happen: Resigns with MIL
Demare Carroll
Carroll is an interesting free agent. He is a prototypical 3-and-D wing, who is a good starter for a contender. No one knew who he was before this year. He should resign with the Hawks and try to build on what they did last year. He knows he can succeed in the Atlanta system. Team chemistry is the Hawks' greatest asset and they should hold onto that. Atlanta does not draw big name free agents, so they should hold onto their own free agents.
What Will Happen: Resigns with ATL
What Should Happen: Resigns with ATL
Danny Green
Green is another 3-and-D wing that will excel on a contender. He is a better shooter than Carroll. He is a perfect fit on the Spurs but the Spurs are chasing bigger fish. It will be hard for the Spurs to sign Green and Aldridge, but they can do it. Green could be a good played for Phoenix as a small forward that is missing from their roster. Portland is also intriguing as he could pair with Lillard, McCollum, Plumlee, and Vonleh. Green might not want to play for teams that are on the edge of the playoffs and might want to join a more proven contender. The Hawks, as a replacement for Carroll, or Memphis.
What Will Happen: Signs with PHO
What Should Happen: Resigns with SA
Tobias Harris
Tobias Harris is a young player and should get a manageable contract. He is a solid player and should help the Magic continue to improve. Orlando has the cap room to resign him. He fits in with their young core of Aaron Gordon, Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo, Nikola Vucevic, and now Mario Hezonja. There is the possibility that the Lakers, Knicks, Celtics, or even 76ers give him a max contract, and sign him away.
What Will Happen: Resigns with ORL
What Should Happen: Resigns with ORL
Monta Ellis
Monta Ellis is one of the most exciting players in the NBA. He is a shoot first, ask questions later, type of player. Monta being Monta is the best part of any game. He can score in bunches and is a good playmaker. He provided offensive firepower for Dallas. Monta going to the Lakers makes sense. The Lakers have two heat check players in Kobe and Swaggy P. Monta would be a good option of offense as Kobe ages.
What Will Happen: Signs with LAL
What Should Happen: Signs with LAL
Rajon Rondo
Rondo went from being one of the top point guards in the game to a disaster in less than a year. He can't shoot but he is a gifted passer. He was supposed to bring Dallas a lock down defender as well as a distributor but he just messed everything up and was ineffective. No one knows where Rondo will end up. Will he reclaim the talent he had with the Celtics? That is the risk someone will take. That team is likely to be the Kings. They need to try and make good use of Cousins, while he is still a King.
What Will Happen: Signs with SAC
What Should Happen: Signs with SAC
J.R. Smith
J.R. Smith is THE heat check guy. When he is hot, he scores like no one else in the league. When Smith goes cold, he kills the offense and is unplayable. He never stops shooting. He can be a valuable contributor off the bench but he has to know his role.
What Will Happen: Resigns with CLE
What Should Happen: Signs with LAL
Comment below on what you think will happen in NBA free agency.
