2015 NBA Free Agents: Analyzing How Biggest Stars Will Fit with New Teams

Frontcourt players have dominated headlines thus far in 2015 NBA free agency.

LaMarcus Aldridge's decision to bolt from the Portland Trail Blazers in favor of the San Antonio Spurs has been the biggest news. According to Odds Shark, the Spurs are now co-favorites with the reigning champion Golden State Warriors to represent the Western Conference in next year's NBA Finals.

But how exactly Aldridge fits in as he changes teams for the first time will be determined on the court months from now. The same is true for the other familiar faces in new places.

Let's break down how Aldridge figures to jell with the Spurs and what the other big stars from the open market bring to the hardwood for their new squads.

LaMarcus Aldridge, PF, San Antonio Spurs

Aldridge's new legendary teammate in Tim Duncan may be the best power forward of all time and has won five NBA championships. He's not a bad man to learn from, though Duncan figures to flex to center to accommodate for Aldridge sliding into the starting five.

All indications are that Aldridge is pleased with his decision to sign a reported four-year, $80 million deal, per Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski:

"

I'm happy to say I'm going home to Texas and will be a Spur!! I'm excited to join the team and be close to my family and friends.

— Lamarcus Aldridge (@aldridge_12) July 4, 2015"

The good vibes Aldridge will have returning to his home state, where he also played college hoops for the Texas Longhorns, won't upstage the value he'll bring to an aging Spurs core. The following analysis relayed by Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy fits well in that vein:

Some may look at the high 30 percent usage rate Aldridge commanded in 2014-15, per NBA.com, and believe it's a bad fit for San Antonio's team-oriented style. But the reality is quite the contrary.

Those possessions where Aldridge either backs down his opponents or uses his devastating mid-range face-up game in isolation situations will give San Antonio's veterans some needed rest on the offensive end.

This will help the Spurs maintain an elite defense that ranked third in points allowed last season (97.0 per game). The team was already in good hands with the presence of 2014 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard on the wing.

Turner Sports' David Aldridge referred to how David West took far less money to join the Spurs once he saw Aldridge commit to one of the NBA's pre-eminent organizations:

One of the few negatives of Aldridge's arrival is the cap space San Antonio has to clear to make way for his big contract. Many veteran perimeter players may be inclined to sign with the Spurs for the minimum and a chance at the Larry O'Brien Trophy, though.

Whatever the Spurs ultimately lose in terms of outside shooting, they do still have Danny Green, Leonard, Manu Ginobili and Patty Mills, all capable of filling it up from beyond the arc. Those still in the fold will also get cleaner looks from long range when Aldridge passes out of double-teams.

The decision to delay thumb surgery and gut through an impressive 2014-15 campaign showed Aldridge's willingness to win. He will fit right in with the Spurs culture and ought to garner respect right away despite acclimating to a new locker room.

DeAndre Jordan, C, Dallas Mavericks

Another homecoming of sorts was secured when Jordan opted not to return to the Los Angeles Clippers and landed in his native Lone Star State to play for Dallas.

Between Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons, the Mavs have one of the Association's elite frontcourts. The latter two are unique offensive playmakers, while Jordan patrols the paint and crashes the glass better than just about anyone.

CBS Sports' Zach Harper succinctly described how Jordan will help the Mavs in key areas:

The league's reigning rebounding champion can help keep possessions alive and complement Nowitzki's perimeter-oriented game. Pending free-agent signing Wesley Matthews, per ESPN.com's Marc Stein, is coming off an Achilles tear. Dallas will lean on Matthews heavily to provide firepower from the outside, so Jordan's rebounding will be all the more vital.

ESPN Stats & Info highlighted how steady of a contributor Jordan was in Los Angeles, which ought to translate to a big impact on his new team:

Still just 26 years of age, Jordan—who will make a reported $80 million over four years, according to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times—has upside to explore as a scorer. 

Jordan's free-throw shooting is poor, but with how high he can play above the rim thanks to his unique athleticism, he has shot 66.4 percent from the field for his career, including a 71.0 percent showing last season. There's at least an opportunity for him to capitalize on his size to get more baskets of his own.

Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix indicated what Jordan's free-agent decision could mean for Dallas in the 2016 offseason:

The Mavs may not be ready to contend right away, but Jordan at least gives them a chance with his elite skills in certain areas. As strong as Dallas is up front, its backcourt is a dubious bunch featuring the likes of Raymond Felton and Devin Harris.

Having a force like Jordan on the inside can compensate for a lot of shortcomings. If he can just find a way to keep opponents honest from the charity stripe and improve his offensive arsenal, there's no telling what heights the Mavs could reach in the next few seasons.

Tyson Chandler, C, Phoenix Suns

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Since Jordan is headed to Dallas, his veteran predecessor is seeking greener pastures in the desert, per Wojnarowski.

An obvious, critical part of Chandler's role with the Suns will be to help 2013 No. 5 overall draft pick Alex Len, who is still acclimating to the pro game. It will be interesting to see how that dynamic unfolds, because Chandler will be the starter without question.

The center spot wasn't productive for the Suns last year, per ESPN Stats & Info:

Len also has an understanding of his role with Chandler coming to town but is focused on what he can control.

"Obviously he's going to start," Len said about Chandler on Tuesday, per ArizonaSports.com's Bryan Gibberman. "He's an All-Star-caliber player. My mentality right now is trying to get better every day, trying to come early and trying to get ready for the season."

Chandler averaged 10.3 points and 11.5 boards this past season. Despite being a newly minted member of the Suns, he was part of Phoenix's pitch to Aldridge, according to USA Today's Sam Amick.

This seems to be an indicator of how much confidence Chandler instilled into the Suns brass in such a short period of time.

A defensive leader is something the young Suns badly needed. Now, they also have an emotional leader in Chandler, who won an NBA title with Dallas and can function as the true center on a roster filled with tweener position players and a constantly fluctuating backcourt situation.

The Suns also played at the league's third-fastest pace last season without a center who could get back on defense and have the stamina to sustain success at such a quickened tempo. Chandler won't wow anyone with his post moves, but he can at least help Phoenix slow the game down.

Although the reported four-year, $52 million deal Chandler inked, per Amick, may seem to be a bit of an overpay, he's exactly what the Suns need in so many ways. In recent years, he's been an NBA champion (2010-11), the league's Defensive Player of the Year (2011-12) and an All-Star (2012-13).

Look for Chandler to live up to his gaudy contract and perhaps serve as the missing ingredient to push Phoenix into the postseason after two relatively promising years under its new regime.