2012 NBA Free Agents: Likeliest Landing Spots for Summer's Hottest Names

The 2012 NBA free agent class has plenty of gems who could turn struggling teams into contenders.

Or, if some stars leave their respective teams, they could turn contenders into pretenders.

The class may not be as strong as the summer of '10 group that included LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Amar'e Stoudemire and Chris Bosh, but it does include some All-Stars and a few future Hall of Fame players.

Here is an early look at where some of the top 2012 free agents will land in the offseason. There is a possibility that each of these players could return to their respective squads, but there is also a good chance they could be playing elsewhere for the 2012-13 NBA season.

5. Kevin Garnett, PF, Boston Celtics

Garnett has rejuvenated his career this season, and he looks like the KG of old so far in the playoffs averaging 20.3 points and 11.0 rebounds in nine games. Next year will be Garnett's 18th NBA season, but his performances as of late suggest that he has a little bit left in the tank to contribute to a contending team.

Whether that team is still the Boston Celtics or not is the ultimate question. Recent rumors have linked the New Jersey Nets with the former MVP, but Garnett doesn't have to worry about free agency until he is finished chasing another championship. 

Potential Landing Spots: Looks like either the Nets or Celtics. According to HoopsRumors.com, the Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks could also make a play for Garnett. 

4. Ray Allen, SG, Boston Celtics

Allen is still one of the best sharpshooters in the NBA at age 36. He set the NBA record this season for the most career 3-pointers made, and he is another piece of the Boston big three that could help a contending team next year.

Allen has battled injuries throughout the year, but he still managed to appear in seven playoff games and average 11.3 points. Allen still has one of the smoothest long range shots in the game, and if he proves that he is healthy enough to contribute next year, contending teams will be lining up for his services.

Potential Landing Spots: According to Yahoo! Sports, the Miami Heat plan on making a run at Allen. The Clippers flirted with the idea of trading for Allen mid-season. Boston may still re-sign him at the end of the day.

3. Eric Gordon, SG, New Orleans Hornets

Eric Gordon had an injury-filled season in what should be his only year in New Orleans. Gordon averaged 20.6 points in nine games in 2011-12, and he is arguably the best shooting guard of this summer's free agent class.

Gordon is just 23 and has a career scoring average of 18.2 points per game. He is an efficient outside shooter that a team could build its offense around, but he is a little undersized for a shooting guard at 6'3". Still, he could shoot the ball from anywhere on the floor and score with ease.

Potential Landing Spots: According to Sports Illustrated's Sam Amick, Gordon has been linked to the Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks and his hometown Indiana Pacers. Amick also notes that the Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers could be solid fits as well.

2. Steve Nash, PG, Phoenix Suns

The 38-year-old Nash showed that he has plenty of elite basketball left in him when he nearly carried the Suns to the NBA playoffs with a late-season run. The back-to-back MVP point guard still ranked second in the NBA in assists with 10.7 per game in 2011-12.

Nash has spent the last eight seasons in Phoenix in addition to his first two years as an NBA player. Whether Nash re-signs with the Suns might come down to how many years the team offers him, or if the organization decides to go into full-blown rebuilding mode by finding a new floor general.

Potential Landing Spots: The Suns are still in the mix, and other rumors have Nash linked to the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors and the Portland Trail Blazers. 

1. Deron Williams, PG, New Jersey Nets

Williams is the biggest prize of the 2012 free agent class, and the question of whether he will stay with the Nets has been raised since he was traded from the Utah Jazz to New Jersey. The Nets will need another superstar to lure Williams into a long-term contract.

New Jersey (next year Brooklyn) has been trying to trade for Dwight Howard for over a year, and now they have their sights set on an aging Kevin Garnett. Williams averaged 21.0 points and 8.7 assists per game in 2011-12 alongside a young supporting cast. He was also named an All-Star for the third straight season.

Potential Landing Spots: Williams has a player option for next season, but he intends to explore the free agency market. Whether the Nets re-sign him or not could depend on what other pieces they add around him. According to a recent report, Williams has "a 50-50 shot" of joining the defending champion Mavericks.