2012 NBA Free Agents: What Experts Are Predicting for Most Coveted Stars
The 2012 NBA season isn't even over and there is already speculation as to where some of the NBA's top free agents will go this summer.
We've seen predictions and speculation as well as rumors that have things all over the map, both literally and figuratively. Here are what some of the experts are saying in regards to the futures of some of the top free agents in the 2012 class.
Steve Nash
Nash certainly qualifies as one of those aforementioned players whose rumors have them going all over the map.
According to Tom Haberstroh of ESPN, Nash himself started his own rumors when asked about the possibility of joining LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
""I would listen," Nash said. "He's phenomenal. I love what they're doing there. A lot of people don't like them because they put all that talent there. But they're professional, they play hard, they play together. Their coaching staff has done a great job, so I have a tremendous amount of respect for them.
"I would definitely listen."
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The next rumors is slightly more recent and a little more out there. According to Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun, Nash even has his options open to the lowly Toronto Raptors from his home country.
"Nash said he has not had much time to think about his next NBA destination - but indicated he is keeping his options open. That includes the Raptors, who are expected to aggressively pursue him.
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Deron Williams
I would say it's a safe bet that two teams have a great chance to land Williams, one of which is the team he is already on. For different reasons, the Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets are thought to be the two options for the all-world point guard.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, both the Nets and Mavs have a "50-50" chance of getting Williams in the offseason.
"One source well-acquainted with Williams' thinking told ESPN.com this weekend that the Mavericks, in their current state, have no better than a "50-50 shot" of getting D-Will's signature in July ... despite the fact that the Nets aren't any closer to landing Howard than they are.
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Roy Hibbert
With Hibbert's size, he is automatically one of the most sought-after free agents in the NBA this summer. The Pacers have the money to re-sign him if they wish, and according to the Washington Post (via Associated Press), owner Herb Simon is happy with how Larry Bird has built this team around Hibbert and Danny Granger.
"Simon said Bird has done a good job of rebuilding the team around Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert. The key moves before this season were adding George Hill on draft night, trading for Lou Amundson and picking up free agent David West. The final touch was adding guard Leandro Barbosa at the trade deadline.
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That will most likely mean the Pacers will do what they must to keep him and will be stiff competition for anyone interested in the young center.
At this point in his career, it's hard to imagine KG playing for anyone else other than the Celtics. While it's been reported that coach Doc Rivers wants his center back in Boston, Garnett has been linked to the New Jersey Nets as well, according to Colin Stephenson of The Star-Ledger.
"What the Nets are thinking— reportedly — is that they need to upgrade the roster and power forward is one place they feel they can do better. The team reportedly plans to chase after Boston’s Kevin Garnett as they try to add star power for when they move into the Barclays Center.
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