NBA Free Agency 2022: Latest Rumors and Predictions for Bradley Beal and More

The 2022 NBA draft was completed on Thursday night. Now, it's almost time for the next notable event on the league's offseason calendar: free agency.

On July 1, the moratorium period will begin, meaning players can start negotiating and agreeing to deals with teams. Those contracts can't be finalized until July 6, but many of the top available free agents will essentially be off the market by that point.

There's the potential for some big-time movement to occur over the next couple of weeks. Top players could test the free-agent market, and the NBA landscape could greatly change if some of them move to new teams.

Here's some of the latest buzz surrounding several top potential free agents, along with predictions for where each will end up prior to the 2022-23 season.

Will Beal Be Returning to Washington?

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Washington. The Celtics won 116-87. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

If Bradley Beal ends up back with the Washington Wizards next season, it appears he and the team will need to work out a new deal. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Beal will be declining his $36.4 million player option and will hit the market as an unrestricted free agent.

Once that happens, there are a lot of possibilities for where Beal could go. The 28-year-old shooting guard has spent his entire 10-year NBA career in Washington, but it could be time for a change. However, it's also possible Beal will be back in a Wizards uniform next season, and the reason for him declining his player option will be so he can negotiate a larger salary.

At this point, nobody knows what Beal will do. In fact, according to Wizards insider Quinton Mayo, it doesn't seem even Beal knows what he will do.

"Bradley Beal is truly undecided as to what is next for him," Mayo recently said on his podcast (h/t HoopsHype). "Now a lot of people would come back to that comment and say, 'Well, he has a very large incentive to return to the team in D.C.' He also has made a ton of money already through 10 years of NBA basketball."

Any prediction at this point could be way off considering Beal's reported uncertainty. However, don't be surprised if he takes off for a fresh start. One team that could be a great potential fit? The Miami Heat, where Beal could form a talented trio with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.

Prediction: Beal signs with Heat

What Will Happen If Ayton Hits Market?

AP Photo/Matt York

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) looks away after being fouled during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Western Conference playoff semifinal against theDallas Mavericks, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

The Phoenix Suns remain in control of Deandre Ayton's future. The 23-year-old center is a restricted free agent this summer, so the team holds his rights and can match any offer sheet that he may receive from another team.

But will the Suns be willing to spend big to retain Ayton? That remains to be seen. If they're not, there appear to be plenty of interested suitors for the 2018 No. 1 overall draft pick.

The Athletic's James L. Edwards III reported that the Detroit Pistons are "heavily expected" to pursue Ayton. The Pistons could be poised to take a big jump forward now that they have both Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey in the backcourt. Ayton could be a huge addition to their frontcourt that takes them to the next level.

The Atlanta Hawks may also be a potential suitor for Ayton, as The Athletic's Chris Kirschner reported that the team could pursue him. However, Kirschner noted that Atlanta's interest in Ayton "would be contingent on landing him for less than a max contract."

While there are plenty of possible scenarios, it's hard to imagine Phoenix letting Ayton go, especially with the success it's had in recent seasons. The Suns are poised to contend for a championship again in the near future, and Ayton will be back to try to help them capture a title.

Prediction: Ayton re-signs with Suns

Knicks Looking Like Favorite to Land Brunson

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson dribbles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series Tuesday, May 10, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

The New York Knicks' ongoing problem at point guard may soon be fixed. On Thursday, they traded Kemba Walker to the Pistons after the 32-year-old didn't end up being a great fit in New York. And now, the Knicks have their sights set on a replacement.

According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, New York is "gaining major momentum" in its bid to sign Jalen Brunson this summer. The 25-year-old is coming off a huge season with the Dallas Mavericks, and he'll be an unrestricted free agent.

Now that the Knicks have gotten rid of Walker's 2022-23 salary ($9.2 million), Stein noted that sources believe they'll be able to shed more, which will help their pursuit of Brunson. This past season, he averaged a career-high 16.3 points and 4.8 assists in 79 games for the Mavs while shooting 50.2 percent from the field.

New York is going to find a way to sign Brunson. Its struggles at point guard have gone on for too long, and it will get a deal done with Brunson to try to alleviate those issues.

Prediction: Brunson signs with Knicks