Landing Spots for Top NBA Free Agents in the Summer

With the Conference Finals about to begin, only four teams remain in contention for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. While these teams are enjoying their playoff runs, others sit at home planning for next year. 

These teams are mainly focusing on free agency, as plenty of big names such as LaMarcus Aldridge and Marc Gasol are up on the open market for any team to sign. With that being said, let’s take a look at the top free agents and where they will end up.

1. Paul Millsap, PF

Millsap has made back-to-back All Star games, yet is not a household name, since he plays for the Hawks. He has never been one to be well known throughout his career, or one to be the best player on his team. 

That trend will continue, however. The Sacramento Kings have been looking for years for a forward to play alongside budding star DeMarcus Cousins.  After the Jason Thompson experiment failed, Millsap is the guy that they should be looking at.

The Prediction: Millsap signs a two-year deal with the Sacramento Kings.

2. Al Jefferson, C

Al Jefferson has experienced a down year in 2015, as he struggled to stay healthy and did not put up the numbers that was expected of him.

He still has a player option for $13.5 Million next season, and I really don’t see him getting any more than that on the open market.

The Prediction: Jefferson takes his option for next season and will play for the Hornets for one more year.

3. Jimmy Butler, SG

The Bulls have already let the world know that they are matching any offer Butler signs this offseason. 

As a restricted free agent, the 25-year-old All Star is staying in Chicago with a max contract.

The Prediction: Butler resigns with the Bulls on a five-year max contract

4. Kevin Love, PF

This one depends on several factors. Love has a player option for next year, but he isn’t expected  to accept it. 

However, if the Cavaliers win the championship, I doubt that Love is going anywhere.

To make things interesting, let’s say the Cavaliers don’t win it all. Love didn’t have the best year, but when he played, he was productive on the glass, averaging 9.7 rebounds per game. He did get injured during the playoffs, but that will not hurt his value on the open market.

The Lakers have been itching to acquire Love since he was put on the trade block, and in free agency, will look for the same desire from the UCLA product.

The Prediction: Love signs a three-year deal for around $15 million a year for the Lakers.

5. Rajon Rondo, PG

Well, at least we know that Rondo isn’t going back to Dallas. They have already parted ways and Rondo is going into the free agent market with teams looking at him as either the All Star from the Celtics, or the mediocre guard on the Mavericks. 

Teams will likely look at him as the Celtics version, and I am going back to the Lakers on this one. All due respect to Jordan Clarkson, but the Lakers need more of a pass-first point to play along Kobe Bryant in his final year, rather than a ball dominant point.

The Prediction: Rondo signs a two-year deal for $12 million a year for the Lakers.

6. Greg Monroe, PF

Is it obvious? Monroe already said that he wants to go to New York, and New York wants him. They need a power forward who can shoot and rebound, making Monroe a perfect fit in the Big Apple.

The Prediction: Monroe signs a three-year deal worth around $11 million per year to play for the Knicks, with an opt-out clause.

7. Draymond Green, SF/PF

As a restricted free agent, Green is not going anywhere. The runner-up for the Defensive Player of the Year Award is going to be locked up by the Warriors who have loved the yearly improvement by the former second rounder.

The Prediction: Green stays in Golden State with a four-year max contract.

8. DeAndre Jordan, C

The Clippers were one game away from going to the Western Conference Finals, but they couldn’t close it out and they lost the series in seven games. 

That still won’t sway Jordan from leaving the Clippers. The team needs his defense and they will be willing to shell out big bucks for the star rim protector.

The Prediction: Jordan resigns with the Clippers on a five-year max contract.

9. Goran Dragic, PG

Another guy who isn’t leaving the team he is on, when Dragic was traded to the Heat, the Heat were not looking for a rental player. 

They REALLY want to resign Dragic, who will likely decline his player option just to get a longer deal, worth more money in Miami.

The Prediction: Dragic resigns with Miami on a three-year deal worth $12.5 million per year.

10. Brandon Knight, PG

Coming off of a phenomenal year, Knight must be licking his chops at all the offers he will receive. 

The former Kentucky Wildcat has plenty of teams lining up for his services, and I don’t see the Phoenix Suns matching any offer sheet for the budding star. 

One team that stands out for me is the New York Knicks. They need an upgrade at point guard, and Knight alongside Carmelo Anthony will be a deadly shooting duo.

The Prediction: Knight will sign a four-year max contract with the New York Knicks.

11. Kahwi Leonard, SF

The Spurs, like the Bulls with Jimmy Butler, have essentially let the world know that they are matching any offer sheet that the Defensive Player of the Year signs.

The Prediction: Leonard resigns with the Spurs on a five-year max contract

12. Marc Gasol, C

Gasol is arguably the best center in the NBA. The All Star is no longer just a lockdown defender and a great passer, but can shoot as well. 

Gasol has a great running hook shot and an above average mid range shot. While all of these attributes scream out that he will get a max contract, I see him taking a hometown discount to stay in Memphis, keeping the Grit ‘n Grind front court of him and Zach Randolph together.

The Prediction: Gasol resigns with the Memphis Grizzlies on a four-year contract worth $14.5 million per year.

13. Lamarcus Aldridge, PF/C

Aldridge is one of the most underrated MVP candidates every year. He is almost always in the conversation due to his ability to spread out the offense with his outstanding jumper, but can also crash the boards to grab the rebounds. 

If Aldridge had decided to have thumb surgery during the season, who knows how the Blazers would have finished the season? Instead, he played through the pain and brought Portland to their second straight playoff appearance.

Bad news for the Blazers, after they lost in the first round to the Memphis Grizzlies, it looks as though their superstar power forward is leaving Rip City. 

As an unrestricted free agent, teams will be lining up to sign the 29-year-old. Although Aldridge may want to leave Portland, they might make an offer convincing enough for him to stay. 

On the other hand, the University of Texas product may want to return to play in the heart of Texas with a team that can afford to pay him a hefty salary. 

That team is the San Antonio Spurs, who are looking to make one final championship run with their big three of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker

The Prediction: Aldridge signs a six-year, $124 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs.