NBA Free Agency 2015: Latest Rumors and Predictions for Kevin Love and More

It's safe to say the landscape of the NBA changed during Thursday's draft, but it might also be safe to say it will prove minute in the shadow of the impending free-agency period thanks to names such as Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Make no mistake, it's exciting when top-tier rookies like Karl Anthony-Towns take the league by storm, but they are a few years out from possessing league-altering talent and picking where they end up on the open market.

This year seems more important than the last few, with rebuilders like the Los Angeles Lakers nearing the end of their strategy. Even the San Antonio Spurs seem to be in on the action.

It's important, then, to keep up with the latest from the rumor mill. 

Knicks Landing a Key Big Man?

The New York Knicks had themselves a great draft when it comes to building their triangle offense, landing forward Kristaps Porzingis and following up with point guard Jerian Grant.

It sounds like the new-look offense might get a whole lot better, too, with the addition of a key free agent by the name of David West.

Bleacher Report's Jared Zwerling shares the details:

West shocked many when he opted out of his contract with the Indiana Pacers. The 34-year-old veteran was due to make a large chunk of change one season removed from averaging 11.7 points, 6.8 boards and 0.7 blocks.

The news is great in a wild number of ways for the Knicks. West is a leader and a veteran who can knock down shots and play defense. He's liable to come at a cheap cost, too, considering that a report from Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star says, among other things, "West will not command the same salary that would've been waiting for him next season with the Pacers."

To top it all off, it sounds like West views the Knicks as contenders. The Pacers weren't in a horrific spot by any means, but it seems the veteran views the Knicks as a better chance at winning a ring before he hangs up the sneakers.

If he does, other key free agents might feel the same.

Prediction: West signs with New York.

A Favorite for LaMarcus Aldridge Emerges?

Shocker alert—teams around the league continue to line up for Aldridge, who seems 100 percent done with the Portland Trail Blazers.

ESPN.com's Marc Stein and Chris Broussard reported on the reasons Aldridge doesn't figure to return: "They said that he doesn't believe the Blazers can attract top free agents to improve the team, that he feels somewhat underappreciated by the organization and that he simply is looking for a new environment to live in."

One place Aldridge might feel appreciated? With the San Antonio Spurs.

Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix shares a few of the vibes around the league on the matter:

It's no secret the speculation surrounding this year's most important free agent centers on his desire to perhaps return to the state of Texas, according to Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher.

San Antonio seems like a natural fit with the speculation now featuring some legs. Regardless of what the future holds when it comes to Tim Duncan, Aldridge seems to fit the mold of a Spurs player and would create an obvious impact next to Kawhi Leonard and others.

There is the matter of San Antonio finding the cap space to bring on Aldridge, but it's not an impossible feat by any means. Making a few sacrifices to land one of the league's bona fide superstars comes with the territory, and if this presumed paring comes to fruition, competing for titles right away will also come with the territory.

Prediction: Aldridge signs with San Antonio.

The Long Line for Kevin Love

Only in a market led by Aldridge could Love play second fiddle.

It's interesting, too, because it seems most didn't expect Love to get out of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Here he is, though, and in a nugget from Stein concerning a few teams interested in his services, Aldridge's old team sneaks into the blurb near the end:

"

Sources tell ESPN.com that the Los Angeles Lakers and the Celtics are among the teams planning ‎to make a run at Love in free agency. Sources say that the Portland Trail Blazers, furthermore, are likely to pursue the former Oregon high school star in the event that LaMarcus Aldridge -- as many league executives expect -- flees the Blazers in free agency.

"

It's a lot of information, but wow at the mention of the Blazers, right?

While impossible to know if Love would have an interest in filling Aldridge's old spot, it does seem like an obvious choice for a landing spot for a guy who didn't enjoy playing third fiddle behind LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.

It's worth noting, though, that the Blazers swung a trade for Mason Plumlee on draft night, which may or may not influence their pursuit of star big men.

Then again, the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics would make sense, too. Los Angeles doesn't feature overwhelming star power anymore and just used the second pick in the draft on guard D'Angelo Russell. Likewise, Boston needs a superstar player like Love to push things over the edge.

No matter where Love lands, it's going to be a long, long recruiting process for one of the league's better players. He wants to be a centerpiece, and more than a few teams are sure to offer him such a role.

While the big two and a surprise third seem to be public knowledge, expect more contenders to come out of the woodwork soon, creating one of the offseason's most interesting scenarios.

Prediction: Love signs with Boston.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.