NBA Free Agents 2012: Where Dwight Howard and 7 Other Stars Could End Up

With the second-half stretch of the 2011-12 NBA season underway, we continue to approach a free-agent class that could provide the league with a major shakeup this summer. 

The moves made by the March 15 trade deadline could certainly change who is available come free agency; but for teams that cannot make a splash at the deadline, the offseason is the time to make a splash.

While the NBA's summer acquisitions are speculation at best in the middle of the year, it's never too early to take a look ahead and think about where some of the league's big names could end up come next season.

Dwight Howard

Projection: Dallas Mavericks

Dwight Howard has said that rather than being dealt to the New Jersey Nets this season, he would prefer to wait and sign with the team this summer.

If the Orlando Magic are smart, however, they will send Howard away this season and bring back any level of talent they can obtain before the big man has the opportunity to walk away.

Howard could be traded before the deadline, sign long-term with a team and eliminate himself from the highly anticipated free-agent class of 2012. 

If he doesn't end up signing a deal, though, it's been rumored that he could choose to sign with the Dallas Mavericks alongside one of the best point guards in the league, Deron Williams.

The trend of superstars coming together has reshaped the league over the last few seasons, so don't be surprised if Howard finds a way to make the same thing happen this summer in one city or another.

Deron Williams

Projection: Dallas Mavericks

If Dwight Howard ends up in a New Jersey Nets uniform by the March 15 trade deadline, don't expect Deron Williams to leave New Jersey for anywhere other than Brooklyn.

If he doesn't, however, Williams' future with the Nets has to be considered questionable at best.

It's possible that New Jersey's general manager Billy King could sign Howard in the offseason, and if that's the case, Williams should be considered locked-in as a Net long-term.

With Williams being a Dallas area native, though, his affinity for playing in front of family and friends might be enough to draw him to American Airlines Center—with or without Howard.

Tim Duncan

Projection: San Antonio Spurs

There's a reason nobody is mentioning Tim Duncan as a part of the upcoming free-agent class.

Duncan has spent his entire 15-year career with the Spurs, has already won four NBA Championships and is with a team that has looked like one of the best in the league at times this season.

Is it possible Duncan will retire? Maybe.

But with all the time Gregg Popovich spends resting his star players, don't be surprised if Duncan gives it one more go-around with the team that drafted him way back in 1997.

Jeremy Lin

Projection: New York Knicks

If Jeremy Lin did anything for himself this season, it was earning a nice paycheck come free agency.

Lin will attract offers come this offseason as there will probably be some young teams with cap space that will do their best to pry him away from the Knicks.

Luckily for New York, Lin is a restricted free agent, and the team can match any offer sent Lin's way this summer.

Assuming the organization wants to keep the fans happy inside Madison Square Garden, they won't let Lin out of their sights the way the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets did in the not-so-distant past.

Steve Nash

Projection: Miami Heat

Despite currently being completely out of the playoff picture, Steve Nash has remained loyal to the Phoenix Suns and their fans by not requesting a trade this season.

Once this season concludes, though, Nash will become one of the most coveted point guards on the market, and his loyalty just might take a backseat to his desire to win a championship.

While there are a number of teams that need a point guard, the one that might have the highest chance of giving Nash his first championship ring could be the Miami Heat.

LeBron James did his part to try and recruit Nash during the lockout, but this summer could prove to be a more reasonable attempt. 

If the Heat use their amnesty on Mike Miller, a player who has averaged only 5.9 points and 3.1 rebounds this season, they could bring in Nash to complete the backcourt and allow James and Dwyane Wade to take the pressure off of the aging superstar throughout the course of a long season.

Chauncey Billups

Projection: Los Angeles Clippers

Chauncey Billups' season came to an end just 20 games into his stint with the Los Angeles Clippers, but during that short time he was able to average 15 points and four assists despite playing alongside NBA megastars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

In his 15th season in the NBA, Billups is still a productive point guard who can shoot, dish out assists and lead a team to victory night in and night out.

His ability to play the 2-guard early this season makes him a great fit to remain in Los Angeles come next year.

The Clippers are going to miss his big-shot abilities come playoff time, and if they bring him back for another run next year, the team will have an even better shot at reaching their goal of an NBA Championship.

Ray Allen

Projection: Los Angeles Clippers

The chances of Ray Allen to the Clippers become less likely this summer if the team ends up re-signing Chauncey Billups, but their interest in the 36-year-old veteran could very well carry over into free agency this summer.

Allen has to be at a point in his career where winning becomes the most important factor in choosing a team, and as the Clippers find themselves nearing the top of the West this season, they might be able to come up with a dollar amount that helps them both get what they are looking for.

Allen's three-point scoring and clutch shooting would certainly help boost the Clippers into the top level of championship contention next season.

Kevin Garnett

Projection: Los Angeles Lakers

With Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge willing to break up the Big Three sooner rather than later, chances are the team will hold on to Kevin Garnett through this season and let his $21.2 million walk this summer in a move to save money and begin rebuilding with an open pocketbook. 

Garnett is no longer the young superstar that he once was, but his passion and enthusiasm don't appear to be going anywhere anytime soon—something Kobe Bryant would surely welcome to the Los Angeles Lakers.

With the Lakers struggling at times this season, their championship chances seem slim without some kind of acquisition in the near future.

The offense isn't as prevalent as it once was in Garnett's game, but defense, leadership and a consistent 15-foot jumper would all provide a decent short-term solution for the Lakers—a great team on which the 35-year-old veteran could finish out his illustrious NBA career.