NBA Free Agency 2015: Latest Predictions and Rumors for Remaining Impact Players

Since the NBA's July moratorium ended early Thursday morning, teams have been quick to lock up their agreed-upon free agents with official contracts.

Most of the players still on the market are end-of-the-benchers, but not all of them. Potential impact players remain unsigned, and at this point, they should be willing to take modest salaries.

Let's look at three of those difference-making free agents, the rumors swirling around them and then predict which team they'll choose in the coming days.

Josh Smith

Josh Smith has game-changing talent when he can harness it, and a few teams around the league are hoping the veteran power forward can do just that for their squads.

ESPN's Marc Stein reported Friday that the Los Angeles Clippers are looking to add Smith to their big-man rotation:

This comes just one day after the Sacramento Bee's Jason Jones reported another California team had its eye on Smith as well:

The Houston Rockets, Smith's current team, will also factor into the equation here. The 29-year-old had somewhat of a renaissance in Houston, emerging as a versatile weapon off the bench for the Rockets. He even started knocking down threes (33.0 percent during the regular season for Houston, 38.0 percent in the playoffs), a skill he's been maligned for throughout his career.

So who ends up with Smith's services?

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Money should be a factor, and the Kings have a leg up there. Per House of Houston's Brian K. Patterson, Sacramento has about $7 million remaining in cap space to scrounge up a contract for Smith, although that figure doesn't take into account Caron Butler's two-year, $3 million contract signed Thursday. As Patterson notes, the Rockets and Clippers can both offer only about $2.5 million.

Even though Smith will also still be paid $5.4 million next season by the Detroit Pistons, I think the higher salary and a more featured role will entice the forward to head to Northern California. 

Prediction: Smith signs with the Sacramento Kings

Kevin Seraphin

Kevin Seraphin is more of a sleeper free agent, but he can contribute decent production when given minutes. In his sophomore season of 2012-13, Seraphin averaged 11.8 points and 6.0 rebounds in 26.3 minutes on 55.3 percent shooting after the All-Star break for the Washington Wizards.

According to Sheridan Hoops' Michael Scotto, the 25-year-old big man has received some interest from teams in both conferences:

Seraphin has expressed interest in an expanded role for next season, per CSN Washington's J. Michael. The five-year veteran said he "definitely [wants] a chance to be a starter" on his 2015-16 team.

Right off the bat, we can cross the San Antonio Spurs off the list. They have LaMarcus Aldridge, Tim Duncan, David West and Boris Diaw as their clear-cut top four big men.

With the other four teams, however, there are minutes to be had. The Suns probably have the biggest role to offer. Tyson Chandler, Alex Len and Markieff Morris are the three most prominent post players on the Phoenix roster, and Morris is reportedly on the trade block:

With a craving for minutes, Seraphin will go to the place he can get the most playing time. However, the Lakers' shallow big-man rotation will also be tempting for the athletic power forward.

Prediction: Seraphin signs with the Phoenix Suns

Darrell Arthur

For a team looking for a reserve stretch 4 on the cheap, Darrell Arthur is a great option. He's more of a mid-range shooter, but he's proved in the past that he can hit threes on occasion, as well.

Naturally, the Los Angeles Clippers are looking at Arthur, per the Los Angeles Times' Brad Turner:

The Clippers will start Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan as their starting posts in 2015-16, but there's a decent amount of open playing time behind them. Both Griffin and Jordan should play around 35 minutes per game next season, so the 27-year-old Arthur would be getting a lot of reps next to one of the two starters.

Since both Griffin and Jordan command attention down low with their finishing abilities and point guard Chris Paul is a pick-and-roll maestro, Arthur would get a bunch of open looks from mid-range.

A nice 15-minute-per-game role for a title contender at around $2.5 million per year should be the best offer Arthur gets.

Prediction: Arthur signs with the Los Angeles Clippers