NBA Free Agents 2015: Latest Rumors and Predictions for Top Remaining Players

We're less than a week into NBA free agency, and there has already been plenty of player movement through the Independence Day weekend.

Perhaps the biggest free-agent signing came when Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported that LaMarcus Aldridge agreed to a deal with the San Antonio Spurs. Putting Aldridge next to Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker and possibly Manu Ginobili makes the Spurs serious contenders in the Western Conference again.

ESPN.com suggests the Spurs remain optimistic about Ginobili returning to the team.

Many of the other big-name free agents have already signed (Kevin Love with the Cleveland Cavaliers, DeAndre Jordan with the Dallas Mavericks), causing teams to set their sights on the next group of available players.

Let's round up the latest rumors surrounding the top remaining free agents and make some predictions on where they could end up.

East Champs Getting Stronger?

Despite signing Love to an extension, the Cavaliers are still on the market for additional help. After all, LeBron James still hasn't signed a new deal. While it's expected he will remain in Cleveland, the Cavaliers still have other moves to make before inking James.

One such move could be to get additional help in the post.

According to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal, the Cavs are interested in David West of the Indiana Pacers. While Lloyd reports the interest is mutual, USA Today reports West is also considering the Spurs and Golden State Warriors.

Wherever West signs, it would be for considerably less than the $12 million he turned down in Indianapolis. Per Lloyd, the Cavs, Spurs and Warriors could all only offer West minimum contracts, but West said he is more interested in winning.

"At this point in my career, it’s all about winning," he said, per Bob Kravitz of WTHR. "I don’t want to be in a position where we’re just fighting to make the playoffs. I want to be in a spot where we can legitimately taste the Finals."

Brandon Dill/Associated Press

If West does indeed choose one of these three teams, he would be providing support off the bench and veteran leadership on the floor and in the locker room.

Cleveland, in particular, could use another veteran alongside James to help lead the team. The allure of playing with James probably wouldn't hurt either.

Joining a newly restocked Spurs squad or the freshly minted NBA champs would also be nice, but playing with James in the Eastern Conference gives West his best chance at getting to the NBA Finals.

Prediction: Cavaliers.

Portland Looking for Aldridge's Replacement?

After losing Aldridge, the Trail Blazers now find themselves with a gaping hole in the frontcourt and some salary-cap space to work with. Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today reported the Blazers "are monitoring" Enes Kanter's talks with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

As Kanter is a restricted free agent, the Thunder have the right to match any offer sheet he agrees to.

As Vincent Goodwill of Comcast SportsNet Chicago reported, the Thunder have a contract offer ready for Kanter and are prepared to do whatever it takes to keep him:

Even if they think the Thunder will match, the Blazers should offer Kanter a max deal or something close to it. Their best-case scenario is he accepts and the Thunder decide not to match, which lands them a talented offensive center.

If they get him, it would weaken a division rival, which could make it harder for the Thunder to keep Kevin Durant once he becomes a free agent next year.

Even if the Blazers don't think they will get him, they should put the pressure on the Thunder with a big-money offer for Kanter. The Thunder just traded for him, so it would be tough to lose him after only half a season.

Prediction: Kanter agrees with Blazers, Thunder match.

Josh Smith on the Move Again?

After being waived by the Detroit Pistons, Josh Smith landed with the Houston Rockets. Now Smith is a free agent, and he's garnering interest from at least one other team.

Per Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated, the Sacramento Kings are having discussions with Smith. The report also states the Kings were interested in Lou Williams, but Wojnarowski reported that he agreed to a deal with the Lakers.

If Smith signs with the Kings, he would join former high school teammate Rajon Rondo as new additions in Sacramento. However, Smith and Rondo are both notoriously hard to deal with, and teaming them up with DeMarcus Cousins might cause headaches for coach George Karl. 

However, some Kings players are doing their best to recruit Smith. According to James Herbert of CBSSports.com, Rudy Gay posted a picture on Snapchat with Smith with the caption, "He a king next." 

While Sacramento could be appealing, the best basketball situation for Smith is a return to the Rockets. The Kings are struggling as an organization, so if Smith values stability and the potential to make a run in the playoffs, the Rockets are his best bet.

Prediction: Flirts with the Kings but ultimately returns to Houston.