NBA Free Agency 2012: Where Will Deron Williams and Other Top Veterans Land?

With the 2012 NBA draft now in the rear view, 30 teams must now capitalize on where championship value truly lies: free agency.

From the young guns whose rookie contracts are coming to a close, to aging veterans with a couple years left in the tank, there are players throughout this class of free agents who could turn a franchise's fortunes around.

Here are the predicted destinations for the top 10 veteran players in the class. 

Jamal Crawford, Player Option

Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard

Age: 32

Experience: 12 Seasons

Close to the trade deadline, news broke that numerous teams had expressed interest in acquiring Jamal Crawford. Those teams included the Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors.

Just over one month later, news broke that the Phoenix Suns would join the fray in the pursuit of Crawford's services.

With the offseason officially upon us, Crawford has once again caught the eyes of many. The Timberwolves, Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers are actively calling for Crawford to join their respective teams.

Just imagine how they would react if he turns down his player option.

With Lou Williams a free agent and the Sixers in need of a veteran guard, expect Philadelphia to emerge victorious in the hunt for Crawford.

Predicted Destination: Philadelphia 76ers

Kris Humphries, UFA

Position: Power Forward

Age: 27

Experience: Eight Seasons

Slowly but surely, Kris Humphries has established himself as one of the best statistical performers that the crowded power forward position has to offer. He has ranked in the top five in terms of rebounds per game in each of the past two seasons, firmly establishing himself as one of the best interior big men in the game.

According to Brooklyn Nets general manager Billy King, that value has not been lost or forgotten. In fact, it is King's belief that Humphries will play a key role in the Nets' future. Mitch Lawrence of the NY Daily News, however, doesn't see Humphries making the move to Brooklyn.

Sorry, Mitch, but I'm with Billy King making another questionable decision.

Predicted Destination: Brooklyn Nets

Andre Miller, UFA

Position: Point Guard

Age: 36

Experience: 13 Seasons

Andre Miller has made two things perfectly clear: He can still school the young guns and the only way he will be giving out lessons is if he's wearing a championship contender's uniform. That desire could be met by the Miami Heat, who have reportedly expressed interest in bringing in the veteran facilitator.

Though the rumor mill gas yet to churn out this pairing, the best fit for Miller may just be the Los Angeles Lakers, where the floor general can thrive alongside the best front court in the league—of Pau Gasol remains with the purple and gold, of course.

This signing would bode well for all involved, as Miller helped make stars out of big men like LaMarcus Aldridge and JaVale McGee while running point with their respective units.

Predicted Destination: Los Angeles Lakers

Lou Williams, UFA

Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard

Age: 25

Experience: Seven Seasons

According to Matt Moore of Pro Basketball Talk, longtime Philadelphia 76ers combo guard Lou Williams has opted out of the final year of his contract. According to Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Inquirer, however, Williams does want to return.

Team president Rod Thorn has the reasoning behind Williams' decision.

"

We'd like to sign him, if at all possible. He wants to test the waters. To become an unrestricted free agent doesn't happen often, maybe once or twice in a career. He wants to see what's out there. He has said he wants to stay with us, but we'll have to wait and see what happens.

"

Curious as to who might go after Williams? Thorn has the answer to that, as well.

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The natural inclination is for teams who have money to spend some of it, of course. The last couple of years, there are a lot of teams that have gotten way under the salary cap and I'm sure that Lou [Williams] will get some interest from teams.

"

Indeed he will, Mr. Thorn. Unfortunately for the 76ers, that interest will be enough to pull Williams away from his home of seven seasons.

Expect a dark horse to win the Lou Williams sweepstakes.

Predicted Destination: Phoenix Suns

Gerald Wallace, UFA

Position: Small Forward

Age: 29

Experience: 11 Seasons

The Brooklyn Nets paid a hefty toll to bring Gerald Wallace to town, giving up what would have been the sixth overall draft choice to land him. Wallace didn't exactly return the favor, opting out of the final deal of his contract.

The fact is, general manager Billy King still wants to give G-Force a multi-year deal. King is blessed with a wealth of cap space, enabling him to offer Wallace whatever he wants to have him help usher in a new era of Brooklyn basketball.

As for what Wallace will do, there is no reason for him to leave this kind of money on the table. Due to his age, this is likely to be his final long-term deal. For that reason alone, the Nets become the small forward's best option.

With or without Deron Williams. 

Predicted Destination: Brooklyn Nets

UPDATE: According to Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski, Wallace and the Nets have agreed to a four-year, $40 million deal.

Ray Allen, UFA

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 36

Experience: 16 Seasons

The moment every Boston Celtics fan has been fearing has finally arrived: Ray Allen and the Miami Heat have expressed interest in bringing the league's all-time leading three-point shooter to South Beach. ESPN's Brian Windhorst explains how the deal could go down.

"

According to multiple league sources, there is mutual interest between Allen and the Heat. The most the Heat can offer is a contract starting at $3 million per year, which is known as the taxpayer's midlevel. Allen could get more money elsewhere, but the Heat offer an attractive portfolio that goes deeper than cash.

"

At this point in his career, it's hard to imagine anything weighing on Allen's mind quite like an opportunity to win a second NBA championship. With Allen, Miami's title odds drastically improve.

All it will take is a signature on the dotted line. 

Predicted Destination: Miami Heat

Tim Duncan, UFA

Position: Power Forward/Center

Age: 36

Experience: 15 Seasons

In an interview with Matt Moore of CBS Sports, Tim Duncan made it perfectly clear that he plans to remain a member of the San Antonio Spurs. For fans of other organizations hoping that their team lands the sure-fire Hall of Famer, keep dreaming.

In response to a question of whether or not he would leave the Spurs, Duncan answered with an amiable but emphatic: "Though I shouldn't say that; I have to threaten them that I'll leave. No…I'm not going anywhere. You can print that wherever you want to. I'm here and I'm a Spur for life."

If that doesn't clear things up, I'm not sure what will.

Predicted Destination: San Antonio Spurs

Steve Nash, UFA

Position: Point Guard

Age: 38

Experience: 16 Seasons

The day the Phoenix Suns never believed would come has finally arrived: Steve Nash is officially a free agent.

The assist guru is "open to everything" this offseason, signaling that a change of scenery is certainly in play. In fact, FOX Sports Arizona's Randy Hill reports that one team has already set themselves up to lure Nash to its city: the Toronto Raptors.

Nash's home-country team has long been in search of a player who could bring its young talent together. Considering those players include dynamic scorer Andrea Bargnani, elite athlete DeMar DeRozan and potential star center Jonas Valanciunas, it's going to be hard for Nash to avoid the temptation. 

Playing alongside one of the few frontcourts with two seven-footers is enticing. The opportunity to finish your career in front of your home country is a dream come true.

Destination: Toronto Raptors

Kevin Garnett, UFA

Position: Power Forward/Center

Age: 36

Experience: 17 Seasons

At age 36, Kevin Garnett remains one of the most sought-after players on the open market. If Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers has it his way, however, he won't be available for long.

According to Celtics general manager Danny Ainge, Garnett's return to Boston is likely.

"

I think we'll talk within the next week, but I'm not so sure that's a decision day for him. He may want to wait and see what sort of team we have. I'm not sure...I know that he wants to come back. I know he likes Boston, and I know he loves playing for [coach] Doc [Rivers]. He loves everything about the team and the city and so forth.

"

While Ainge and Rivers are optimistic, they are far from the only team to express interest in Garnett's services. According to AOL Sporting News, the Brooklyn Nets will join Boston in the potential bidding war for Garnett's services.

Once again, expect the home team to emerge victorious.

Predicted Destination: Boston Celtics

UPDATE: Marc J. Spears of Yahoo reported on Saturday that KG has agreed to re-sign with the Celtics for $34 million over three years.

Deron Williams, UFA

Position: Point Guard

Age: 28

Experience: Seven Seasons

The question that everyone wants answered rests in the hands of Deron Williams: Which team will the best free agent available sign with? 

Allow me to end the speculation. It will be the same team he had been signed with this past season.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, the high-profile point guard has officially trimmed his list down to two teams. Those teams are his hometown Dallas Mavericks and the newly reborn Brooklyn Nets.

While Williams has to be excited by the prospect of playing alongside Dirk Nowitzki, Brooklyn is the better situation. The Nets have a clean slate to rebuild, a fresh new venue and a presence in the greatest city in the world.

D-Will is staying in the East. 

Destination: Brooklyn Nets