NBA Free Agency 2022: Latest Rumors and Signing Predictions for Top Stars
NBA free agency is right around the corner. On Friday, the moratorium period will begin, and players can start negotiating and agreeing to deals with teams. Then, those contracts can be finalized once July 6 arrives.
There could be some notable movement around the league. Plenty of talented players are set to be on the free-agent market, and numerous stars could join them, as there are some standouts who have player options for the 2022-23 season that they may decline.
Who will be on the move, and who will be staying put with their current teams? We'll soon find out.
In the meantime, here's some of the latest buzz heading into free agency, along with predictions for where several top players will land ahead of the 2022-23 season.
If Irving Opts out and Leaves Brooklyn, What's Next?
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Kyrie Irving's time with the Brooklyn Nets may end after three seasons, during which he played only 103 games. The 30-year-old point guard has a $36.5 million player option for the 2022-23 campaign, but he could opt out and seek a new deal—either with the Nets or with another team.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, these are the teams that Irving would be interested in joining if he leaves Brooklyn: the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers. However, not all of those teams may be interested in Irving.
“The interest isn’t mutual in several of these places,” Wojnarowski said during a recent appearance on ESPN. “Obviously the Lakers are the ones that loom. And will Kyrie Irving walk away from a $36 million player option that he can just opt into and have that money guaranteed?"
It still seems possible that Irving and the Nets won't come to an agreement on a new deal, as Wojnarowski reported that those contract talks have become "acrimonious." Not to mention, the Nets haven't had as much success as they had hoped to when they formed their big three of Irving, Kevin Durant and James Harden (who has since been traded to Philadelphia).
That's why it wouldn't be surprising if Irving's time in Brooklyn is done. If that's the case, where will he end up? The prediction here is that he'll find a way to join the Lakers, who will move on from Russell Westbrook after his disappointing first season with the team. That will reunite Irving with his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate LeBron James.
Prediction: Irving opts out, signs with Lakers
Ayton 'Less Likely' to Be Pursued by Pistons?
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In recent days, there had been rumors of the Detroit Pistons making a push to sign Deandre Ayton this summer. The 23-year-old center is a restricted free agent, but it's been unclear whether the Phoenix Suns will pay him the type of deal he's likely to land.
If Ayton doesn't return to Phoenix, it seems like he won't be going to Detroit. The Athletic's James L. Edwards III reported that it appears "less likely" for the Pistons to pursue Ayton after they acquired two of the top players on their board during the 2022 NBA draft (point guard Jaden Ivey and center Jalen Duren).
"Detroit is eager to continue to build back toward playoff contention with the aforementioned young core, and the Pistons are expected to use the majority of their remaining cap space to add multiple veteran pieces rather than just one big swing this offseason, per sources," Edwards wrote.
So, if Detroit doesn't go after Ayton, where could he end up?
Don't count out Phoenix. Even though there's been plenty of speculation about Ayton joining a new team, the Suns remain in a window of contention as they look to capture the franchise's first NBA title. Ayton has been a big part of their recent success, and they may do what it takes to ensure he stays put.
Prediction: Ayton re-signs with Suns
How Much Will Knicks Be Willing to Pay Brunson?
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It hasn't taken long for the rumors of Jalen Brunson signing with the New York Knicks to heat up. That's unsurprising, too. The Knicks need a point guard who can bring stability to the position, and Brunson will be one of the best on the free-agent market.
New York appears ready to try to land Brunson with a big offer once free agency begins, according to Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer.
"The Knicks' offer is almost assuredly going to be four [years], $100 [million]. And I know people around the league who are preparing for his offer to end up being for $110 [million]," Fischer recently said on the Please Don't Aggregate This podcast.
Brunson would provide a big boost to New York's backcourt, and it could be hard for him to turn down an offer like that, especially if the Dallas Mavericks aren't willing to match it in their efforts to bring him back. It makes sense for Brunson to join the Knicks, and there's a good chance that will happen.
Prediction: Brunson signs with Knicks
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