NBA Free Agents 2011: Predicting Final Destination of Top 25 Free Agents

While the free agency frenzy this summer (if it even gets to happen with the NBA locked out for the time being) is not expected to be anywhere near as exciting as it was last year with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Amar'e Stoudemire and more all serving as key players, there are still some quality guys expected to be on the move. 

The big fish this time are players like David West, Nene Hilario and J.J. Barea. They're guys you can build around, but not upon. 

So, read on to see both who the top 25 players available in free agency are and which team I expect them to land on when the 2011-2012 season rolls around. 

J.J. Barea

The sparkplug for the Dallas Mavericks recently said that while he expects to re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks, the team that just helped him earn a championship ring, he would like to play for either the New York Knicks, Miami Heat or Los Angeles Lakers. 

Prediction: Re-signs with Dallas Mavericks

Shane Battier

A veteran locker-room presence with plenty of on-the-court skills left, Shane Battier is still in search of that first ring. Although he's been in the news later for joking about the lockout on Twitter and suggesting that NFLPA head Billy Hunter cut his salary to $1, Battier will be in the news a lot more as a member of a contender next year. 

Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers

Aaron Brooks

A restricted free agent, Aaron Brooks is never going to repeat his marvelous 2009-2010 season, but he'll still be a very viable backup point guard. It is in both his best interest and the best interest of his maybe-former, maybe-still current team to re-sign him. 

Prediction: Re-signs with Phoenix Suns

Caron Butler

Caron Butler rehabbed from a terrible knee injury very quickly, but it wasn't quite quick enough to allow him to fulfill his dream and actually be on the court when his Dallas Mavericks brought home the title after beating the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. 

Prediction: Re-signs with the Dallas Mavericks

Mario Chalmers

The young point guard improved dramatically as the season went on, leaving this member of the Miami Heat as a rather hot commodity at his position in a weak class during this offseason. Chalmers has stated that he wants to remain in Miami and the Heat should absolutely do everything they can to keep the restricted free agent, a process they started by extending a qualifying offer to him a few weeks ago. 

Prediction: Re-signs with Miami Heat

Wilson Chandler

A very versatile offensive player, Wilson Chandler may be slightly overrated because he played in the major media market known as New York City and then was a key figure in the Carmelo Anthony trade, but he would still be a valuable addition to any team. When it's all said and done, Chandler will end up completing his move all the way across the country to a team located in Los Angeles. But which one will it be?

Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers

Tyson Chandler

Tyson Chandler was one of the true heroes in the NBA Finals. The Dallas Mavericks probably would not have been able to defeat the Miami Heat if it wasn't for his play down low on both offense and defense. Both he and the Mavericks want to remain together. 

Prediction: Re-signs with the Dallas Mavericks

Jamal Crawford

A threat to score whenever he's on the court, Jamal Crawford is as dynamic an offensive player as you can find in free agency this offseason. While he was a valuable member of the Atlanta Hawks, I think it's time for Atlanta to make a change and let him go. 

Prediction: Chicago Bulls

Samuel Dalembert

Samuel Dalembert wanted to sign an extension with the Sacramento Kings, but wasn't given that option and then fell out of love with the team, instead desiring to go to a contender. I can think of one real contender that has a rather large need for a big man in the paint. 

Prediction: Miami Heat

Glen Davis

The Big Baby is now ready to potentially leave the Boston Celtics and sign a big contract now that he's eligible for free agency and made a bit of a name for himself. That said, he believes it's good for both his game and psyche to remain in a green uniform and play for Doc Rivers. 

Prediction: Re-signs with the Boston Celtics

Marc Gasol

One of the real prizes in this year's free agency sweepstakes, Marc Gasol has the ability to become a true franchise player at the center position. He's going to be in for a rather large payday, one so big that the Memphis Grizzlies will probably not want to match the offer and keep him on their team, but he's good enough that they really won't have a choice.

Prediction: Re-signs with Memphis Grizzlies 

Jeff Green

After the Boston Celtics dealt Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a somewhat controversial midseason move, they almost have to sign him to a lengthy contract. Danny Ainge and the Celtics brass have hinted at Jeff Green's ability to help the team transition out of the Big Three era as Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett are all starting to show signs of wear and tear. 

Prediction: Re-signs with the Boston Celtics

Nene Hilario

In my opinion, Nene is the gem of this free agent class and is one of the more underrated players in the history of this game. Now choosing to opt out of his contract and end his time in Denver, Nene is a very safe pickup and will make a big impact for any team. I'm definitely hoping Atlanta takes a long look his way, but he'll probably choose to either make a lot of money or play for a sure-fire title contender. 

Prediction: Boston Celtics

Kris Humphries

Kris Humphries hasn't given us any hints about where he'd like to go next season, preferring instead to talk about other things, like his fiancee Kim Kardashian. He's talented enough though that Mikhail Prokhorov and the Nets management will have to attempt to keep him in New Jersey. 

Prediction: Re-signs with the New Jersey Nets

DeAndre Jordan

Athletic centers who are clearly on the rise are always very enticing for almost every team in the league. Such is the case with DeAndre Jordan this year. But, what is more enticing that re-signing for more money than you could get elsewhere while remaining on an exciting team and playing alongside Blake Griffin?

Prediction: Re-signs with Los Angeles Clippers

Andrei Kirilenko

Andrei Kirilenko is one of those players who you can't really picture in another jersey because he's spent so long in his current one, in this case 10 years with the Utah Jazz. Kirilenko is looking to test the waters overseas in case of a lockout, either in Russia or Spain, but he still wants to remain in the NBA. 

Prediction: Toronto Raptors

Carl Landry

Carl Landry is one of the toughest players in the league, having recovered from literally being shot in the leg and de-toothed (is it a word? No, but just go with it.) by Dirk Nowitzki's elbow. He's a great fit on a certain hard-nosed team from Indiana. 

Prediction: Indiana Pacers

Kenyon Martin

The former No. 1 overall pick's best days are clearly well behind him as he's been slowed by both injuries and old age in recent years, but he's still a solid veteran presence both on the court and in the locker room. A contender would be very happy to have him on its bench. 

Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers

Tayshaun Prince

The longtime Detroit Pistons has seen better days, but Tayshaun Prince still has a lot of talent and could be a very valuable player off the bench for a contender. While he's won a ring before, Prince is going to be eager to taste that type of success one more time before his career comes to a grinding halt. 

Prediction: Miami Heat

Jason Richardson

Not quite the player that he used to be, Jason Richardson is still one of the league's premier three-point shooters. The Orlando Magic may still re-sign him, but all indications point towards Richardson joining another team and leaving behind Dwight Howard and the rest of the perennial not-quite-true contenders behind. 

Prediction: New York Knicks

Rodney Stuckey

The Detroit Pistons offered a $3.8 million qualifying offer to Rodney Stuckey, giving them the right to match any offer that the restricted free agent receives from another team. And why wouldn't they do that? Stuckey is after all a young guard on the rise who will mature along with incoming rookie Brandon Knight.

Prediction: Re-signs with the Detroit Pistons

Marcus Thornton

Even the Sacramento Kings backcourt is already crowded enough with Jimmer Fredette and Tyreke Evans competing for playing time, Marcus Thornton is going to be back. The Kings have publicly declared that re-signing him is a top priority this offseason and they will do everything they can to ensure that this happens. 

Prediction: Re-signs with Sacramento Kings

David West

David West is one of the elite players in this year's free agency class, so he'll need to go to a team that has a shot at contending in the near future, has the money to bring him in and has the ability to offer him a lot of playing time. A few teams have all three of those things, but one stands out. 

Prediction: New Jersey Nets

Nick Young

The Washington Wizards' selection of Jan Vesely in the 2011 NBA draft complicated the Nick Young picture, but it still looks like the Wizards will retain the rights of the restricted free agent. After all, Young is a key component in the building of this young and talented team that will feature Vesely, Jordan Crawford, JaVale McGee and John Wall. 

Prediction: Re-signs with the Washington Wizards

Thaddeus Young

Thaddeus Young is a very talented young forward who would love to remain on the Philadelphia 76ers. As a restricted free agent, he has the ability to do that, but it's not certain that Philly will be able to afford his services in a long-term deal. In the end, I think the organization is committed to him. 

Prediction: Re-signs with the Philadelphia 76ers