NBA Free Agents 2012 Predictions: Best Landing Spots for Top PG Talent

The biggest buzz surrounding the 2012 NBA free agency market right now is all about where the top point guards—specifically Steve Nash, Deron Williams and Jeremy Lin—will end up playing next season.

It's no surprise, either. Elite point guards in the NBA are the equivalent of having a top-flight quarterback run an offense in the NFL. It's tough to win without them, unless you're the Miami Heat.

Using all the information at my disposal and my own deductive reasoning, I'll predict where these top point guards will land this summer.

Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets

Whether you agree or disagree with the Nets' handshake agreement with the Atlanta Hawks to trade for Joe Johnson (I happen to love the deal), there is no doubt that the franchise is dedicated to winning sooner rather than later.

Combined with the rumors that they are once again hot to trot for Dwight Howard, I don't see Williams skipping town for greener pastures.

Plus, there's the issue of money. 

The other team in the running to land Williams is the Dallas Mavericks. According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the Nets have more money to offer Williams than the Mavericks do. 

Then, there's this, from ESPN's Chris Broussard:

"

Source: Deron Williams is working out at the Nets practice facility right now.

— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 3, 2012"

The Nets are on their way up. Their move to Brooklyn this year is going to produce a ton of hype, and Williams will want to be a part of the new look, new attitude franchise. 

Steve Nash, Dallas Mavericks

Sure, the Toronto Raptors have offered Nash a boatload of cash—three years, $36 million—to finish out his career in Canada, but I don't see him taking the money to play for a mediocre team.

The New York Knicks have been rumored to be wrangling for a sign-and-trade deal that would bring Nash to their roster, but recent developments regarding the Raptors' deal to obtain Landry Fields from the Knicks may have just killed it, according to CBS's Ken Berger:

"

Knicks getting Steve Nash in sign-and-trade was "on life support" before, source says. Fields' agreement with Raps may have "killed it."

— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) July 3, 2012"

That leaves the Mavericks. As long as Williams ends up staying in Brooklyn, Nash will end up in Dallas. He'll make them one of the favorites to win the West, too, as his addition to the roster makes their offense nearly unstoppable.

Jeremy Lin, New York Knicks

The news from July 2 around the league was that Lin to the Knicks may not be a foregone conclusion.

This was due to a report by ESPN.com's Chris Broussard that indicated the Toronto Raptors may be targeting Lin on a backloaded four-year contract known as a "poison pill" that would pay him up to $15 million a year after the first two years of $5 million. 

Since then, MSG's Alan Hahn has made it clear that the Knicks are prepared to re-sign Lin regardless of how much any other team offers, via Sulia.com:

"

Meanwhile, one thing that seems abundantly clear is Jeremy Lin will be re-signed regardless of what another team offers him as a restricted free agent. The pursuit of a veteran PG is not just to help the team win now, but also to invest in Lin's development. You can't find anyone in the organization that doesn't believe in Jeremy Lin. He is, and will remain, a Knick.

"

This isn't the last word on the subject, but it seems clear that the Knicks aren't going to let Lin go without a fight. He'll end up staying in New York for the foreseeable future.

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