NBA Free Agents 2016: The Most Likely Signing for Every NBA Team
This year's crop of NBA free agents isn't brimming over with talent at the top, but that doesn't mean teams won't be able to acquire someone who can help them.
Kevin Durant is the gem of the class, though LeBron James could join him in that upper tier if he decides to opt out of his current contract's second year. Other notable names include Al Horford, Hassan Whiteside, DeMar DeRozan and Mike Conley.
But where will they end up?
That's what we want to figure out by looking at who's the most likely signing for each squad. We don't know all the details yet, but we can use informed speculation to provide an accurate picture of this year's foray into free agency.
Atlanta Hawks: Al Horford
1 of 30
Current Team: Atlanta Hawks
Age: 30
Position: C
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 15.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.5 blocks
"I've set up here with my family," Al Horford told Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "We all live here. We live here in the summer. We live here year-round. I'm very grateful for all the people here. They have taken me in from the very first day, even though I was a Gator. They loved me. I really love the city."
That and the Atlanta Hawks' ability to offer more money than anyone else—thank you, Bird rights—should give Horford more than enough motivation to remain in Georgia's capital city. And the Hawks should want him back as well.
Giving up on Horford would be akin to entering a full-fledged rebuild—something Atlanta doesn't need to do after earning strong playoff positions in each of the last few seasons. Running it back may seem ill-advised on the heels of the beatdown the Cleveland Cavaliers inflicted in this year's postseason, but the Hawks can make smaller changes—shopping Kyle Korver and Jeff Teague, for example—designed to increase the organization's limited upside.
Horford and Paul Millsap are the foundation of the Hawks' success. Especially when other teams begin making their interests known, Atlanta should realize just how important the former is to the future.
Of course, if they successfully complete the potential trade first reported by The Vertical's Shams Charania, which would send Teague to the Philadelphia 76ers for Nerlens Noel, Kent Bazemore suddenly becomes the player most likely to earn a new contract this summer since Noel would seemingly replace Horford up front.
Boston Celtics: Festus Ezeli
2 of 30
Current Team: Golden State Warriors
Age: 26
Position: C
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 7.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.4 steals, 1.1 blocks
The Boston Celtics need a big man who can help protect the paint. Many have long thought the Celtics to be in pursuit of DeMarcus Cousins, and it wouldn't be shocking to see them chase after Al Horford or Hassan Whiteside during the upcoming free-agency period.
But Festus Ezeli is a cheaper option, even if he's a restricted free agent who the Golden State Warriors could choose to retain. Offer him a large enough salary, and the C's can likely poach him away, asking him to shut down the restricted area while finishing a few plays around the basket.
The 26-year-old center would be a nice complement to Kelly Olynyk and Jonas Jerebko, both of whom can stretch the court with their perimeter shooting. He wouldn't fulfill the glamour quotient, but newly extended head coach Brad Stevens cares more about production than style.
That is something Ezeli can provide.
Brooklyn Nets: Rajon Rondo
3 of 30
Current Team: Sacramento Kings
Age: 30
Position: PG
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 11.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 11.7 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.1 blocks
The Brooklyn Nets have previously loved nothing more than attempting to expedite their rebuilds with quick fixes. No player on the free-agent market fits this Band-Aid mentality better than Rajon Rondo, who produced glamorous statistics during his one-year contract with the Sacramento Kings but didn't actually help the team win.
Brooklyn doesn't have many ways to improve. It's devoid of early draft picks throughout the foreseeable future, doesn't boast many high-upside youngsters waiting to break out and lacks free-agent appeal as a result of the franchise's overall putridity in recent years.
Signing Rondo makes sense—he would help other players get easier opportunities and lend some legitimacy to the rebuild, even if that stems almost solely from the name-brand luxury of the former All-Star. The Nets need a point guard, and they're not going to land the prized jewel of the 1-guard class (Mike Conley). Prowling for second-tier options is their best strategy, and Rondo fits that.
Charlotte Hornets: Nicolas Batum
4 of 30
Current Team: Charlotte Hornets
Age: 27
Position: SG/SF
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.6 blocks
The Charlotte Hornets have no reason to do anything more than re-sign their own key free agents and try to improve internally. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist should be healthy for the 2016-17 season, no longer affected by the shoulder injuries that limited him to just seven appearances this year. Frank Kaminsky, Cody Zeller and the other young guns will all be more valuable contributors after gaining extra seasons of NBA experience.
Plus, these Hornets were already legitimate threats, posting top-10 finishes in both offensive and defensive rating. Don't be fooled by their first-round exit against the veteran-laden Miami Heat.
But Charlotte has four key free agents it needs to retain (five if Jeremy Lin opts out). Courtney Lee is the most replaceable, and his shooting will cement him as a sexy signing for squads seeking spacing. Marvin Williams has become a deadly stretch 4—always a modern commodity worth pursuing. Al Jefferson played a big role in head coach Steve Clifford's frontcourt, but there are plenty of teams out there who could try to poach the hardworking center.
Finally, there's Nicolas Batum. The French swingman played well enough in 2015-16 to deserve All-Star consideration, and the Hornets were a different team when he wasn't in the lineup. With him, the net rating jumped by 4.7 points per 100 possessions. Losing him isn't an option.
Chicago Bulls: Ian Mahinmi
5 of 30
Current Team: Indiana Pacers
Age: 29
Position: C
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 9.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.1 blocks
The Chicago Bulls need to replace Joakim Noah this offseason, which makes finding a defensive center the top priority. Though plenty of bigs are hitting the open market, none offer better value than Ian Mahinmi, who still doesn't have much name recognition despite playing fantastic defense for the Indiana Pacers.
According to NBA Math's total points added metric, Mahinmi saved 120.62 points on the defensive end in 2015-16. That gave him a prominent spot in the center hierarchy:
- DeAndre Jordan, 197.03 defensive points saved
- Rudy Gobert, 175.82
- Pau Gasol, 159.88
- Andrew Bogut, 150.1
- Tim Duncan, 150.1
- Hassan Whiteside, 140.9
- Al Horford, 138.37
- Nerlens Noel, 136.27
- Mason Plumlee, 125.04
- Ian Mahinmi, 120.62
Top-10 production without a top-10 price? The Bulls front office should be chomping at the bit.
Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James
6 of 30
Current Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Age: 31
Position: SF
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.6 blocks
The cap has gone up, so LeBron James will sign a new contract.
Regardless of whether the 31-year-old wins or loses a title against the Golden State Warriors, he knows it would be career suicide to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers yet again. Expect to see him sign a deal similar to the last one—a two-year max contract that gives him an opt-out clause after the first season.
The Cavs will make other moves. Timofey Mozgov, James Jones, Richard Jefferson, Matthew Dellavedova and Dahntay Jones are all on expiring contracts heading into the offseason, so they'll need to restock their bench with new veteran presences.
But nothing else is this obvious.
Dallas Mavericks: Dwight Howard
7 of 30
Current Team: Houston Rockets
Age: 30
Position: C
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 13.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.6 blocks
"At the top of the Mavericks' wish list this year is Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard, who plans to opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent this summer," Dwain Price recently reported for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "Howard, it would seem, has absolutely everything the Mavericks need from a center."
Denver Nuggets: No One
8 of 30
Unless the Denver Nuggets start consolidating their depth in exchange for stars and space, don't expect the team to make even the tiniest modicum of free-agent noise. There simply aren't enough available roles, whether we're talking about marquee starters or bench players who will eventually starve for minutes.
D.J. Augustin and Mike Miller have expiring contracts, and Darrell Arthur could feasibly opt out and pursue a bigger deal with more long-term security. Assuming the Nuggets let those three walk, they have 13 players with continuing contracts (some non-guaranteed).
Included among that group is Joffrey Lauvergne, who looks like a keeper big-man prospect, and the Nuggets went out of their way to poach forward JaKarr Sampson after he was cut by the Sixers midseason. Axel Toupane is only 24 and was recently the NBA D-League's Most Improved Player.
Plus, the Nuggets boast five picks in the 2016 NBA draft—three of which come within the first 19 selections. There's just no room in Denver right now.
Detroit Pistons: Matthew Dellavedova
9 of 30
Current Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Age: 25
Position: PG
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 7.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.1 blocks
Though Reggie Jackson is firmly entrenched as the starting point guard for the Detroit Pistons, head coach Stan Van Gundy needs a better backup. When Jackson wasn't on the floor in 2015-16, his team's net rating plunged from 2.4 to minus-2.8—thanks largely to a horrible show of offensive incompetence.
Van Gundy is already on the record about the importance of a backup 1-guard, per MLive.com's David Mayo:
"We'll just have to see who's available to us and everything else. But I certainly think those kind of guys, you can see the impact they have made, whether it's (Lin or Schroder), or (Toronto's) Cory Joseph -- there's a lot of those guys, especially when they've been able to play with the other point guards, too. Josh Richardson's another one, coming out of the draft in Miami.
So those guys have been, yeah, very effective and the more guys you can have that can put the ball on the floor and create offense I think is very good in today's game.
"
Matthew Dellavedova won't ever challenge for a starting gig, but his shooting ability and knack for throwing lobs would play well in Detroit. A restricted free agent, his skill set would play alongside the second unit, but his primary attributes would also mesh perfectly with the athletic Andre Drummond, a center who always requires as much spacing around him as possible.
And yes, Drummond is such an absolute lock to return that we're choosing to focus on one of Detroit's other needs, even if we didn't do that for teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have fewer important holes to fill.
Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes
10 of 30
Current Team: Golden State Warriors
Age: 24
Position: SF
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.2 blocks
Will the Golden State Warriors pursue Kevin Durant? Absolutely.
If they fail in that endeavor, will they go after other big-name wings such as Luol Deng, Nicolas Batum and Chandler Parsons? Sure.
But the most likely outcome remains re-signing Harrison Barnes, even if the restricted free agent first inks a max contract with another organization. We're talking about a team that won a record-setting 73 games during the regular season and then advanced to the NBA Finals for the second consecutive season, this time by surmounting the Oklahoma City Thunder's insurmountable 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals.
Barnes has struggled during the postseason, but that shouldn't dissuade the defending champions. He still fits his role as a rebounding threat, spot-up sniper and versatile defender. Most importantly, he knows exactly what that role is, thereby preventing an adjustment period Golden State would have to survive if he were replaced.
Houston Rockets: Ryan Anderson
11 of 30
Current Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Age: 28
Position: PF
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.4 blocks
The Houston Rockets have searched and searched for a modern power forward who can help space the court and maximize James Harden's incredible driving ability. But all their pursuits have been at least somewhat unsuccessful.
Now, each of the three most recent experiments—Donatas Motiejunas, Josh Smith and Terrence Jones—are hitting the open market. It's time for the Rockets to move on, and they can do so by adding one of the league's better perimeter marksmen.
Even during a down season for the New Orleans Pelicans, Ryan Anderson took 5.4 three-point attempts per game and connected at a 36.6 percent clip. He wasn't a natural fit coming off the bench, but he still posted a career-best 20.2 points per 36 minutes, largely buoyed by that sniping ability.
Anderson is by no means a perfect player. He's a limited rebounder, struggles to score around the hoop and often serves as a turnstile on the defensive end. But his shooting alone makes him rather valuable, and the Rockets have been searching for their own version of him for a while now.
Indiana Pacers: Mike Conley
12 of 30
Current Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Age: 28
Position: PG
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 15.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.3 blocks
"Mike Conley would seem to be what Larry Bird is looking for in a point guard. He is a fast, slick-passing, true point guard who can penetrate and dish with the best of them," William Furr wrote for FanSided while advocating the Indiana Pacers throw a max contract at the 28-year-old.
Given the dearth of talent at point guard scheduled for free agency this summer, that's not unrealistic. To continue improving, the Pacers must upgrade at the 1.
George Hill is a fine stopgap option, but he's by no means the star guard necessary to compete at the highest level in today's NBA. Seriously, the last four point guards alive in this year's playoffs were Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, Kyle Lowry and Kyrie Irving.
Move Hill to the 2. Let him come off the bench and lead the second unit. Trade him if you must. The Pacers are one of those teams that not only need an upgrade at point guard, but can also afford one while pursuing an option who's a strong stylistic fit.
Los Angeles Clippers: Luol Deng
13 of 30
Current Team: Miami Heat
Age: 31
Position: SF
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 12.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.4 blocks
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers and Luol Deng have always seemed to be linked together, even if the latter has never played for the former.
"Both of them deserve it, especially with their record," Rivers told K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune in 2013, advocating that both Joakim Noah and Deng represent the Chicago Bulls as All-Stars. "I'll be surprised if both of them are not on it."
One year later, The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Deng was "intrigued" by the possibility of a sign-and-trade that would make Rivers his head coach.
Now that we're in 2016, the Clippers still need a small forward, and Deng can be acquired through the typical free-agent process. He remains a natural fit alongside Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, as he'd aid defensive efforts while serving as the wing shooter that Paul Pierce and Jeff Green were expected to become.
Los Angeles Lakers: DeMar DeRozan
14 of 30
Current Team: Toronto Raptors
Age: 26
Position: SG
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.3 blocks
"There's a lot of presumption about DeRozan and I'm told the Lakers aren't that high on him," Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding reported, via CineSport's Noah Coslov.
Repeat after me: smoke screen.
"He's made it very, very clear that he wants to be in L.A.," Stephen A. Smith of ESPN's First Take said earlier this week, as relayed by Lakers Nation's Ryan Ward. "He has family out there. He's from out there. He wants to be in L.A. He wants to wear the purple and gold."
Before Smith, ESPN.com's Zach Lowe connected DeRozan to L.A.: "A bunch of teams, including DeRozan's hometown Lakers, are prepared to offer him a max deal starting at $25 million per season, and the Raptors know they will have to spend big to keep him."
This fit just makes too much sense. The Lakers are desperate for scoring and star power after Kobe Bryant's retirement, and DeRozan, flawed as he may be, can fill both those needs by going home.
Memphis Grizzlies: Deron Williams
15 of 30
Current Team: Dallas Mavericks
Age: 31
Position: PG
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.2 blocks
If the Memphis Grizzlies move on from Mike Conley, the pickings will be rather slim. That's even more true on Beale Street, where the only incumbent point guards will be...well, no one.
According to HoopsHype.com, the following 1-guards stand out as the best free agents. We've also included their 2015-16 TPA scores, per NBA Math, so you can see how few of them were above-average players—indicated by positive scores:
- Mike Conley, 61.58 TPA
- Rajon Rondo, 52.85
- Jeremy Lin, minus-44.92
- Deron Williams, minus-4.14
- Brandon Jennings, minus-23.52
- Ty Lawson, minus-128.36
- Matthew Dellavedova, minus-58.07
- Raymond Felton, minus-38.76
- Mario Chalmers, 37.2
- Randy Foye, minus-114.4
That's hardly an inspiring crop, but Deron Williams should fit in well without imposing a massive financial burden. The 31-year-old, who has a player option, is still a solid outside shooter who can create opportunities for both himself and his teammates, and the defensive ability of everyone else in Memphis would ease his two-way burden, (theoretically) allowing him to stay healthier.
The Grizzlies have to pursue cheap dice rolls. Though Williams may be getting long in the tooth for a point guard, it's not out of the question that he could turn back the clock to his All-Star days in the right environment.
Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade
16 of 30
Current Team: Miami Heat
Age: 34
Position: SG
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 19.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.6 blocks
Don't believe any speculation you might hear that Dwyane Wade is interested in going to the Cleveland Cavaliers, teaming up with best friend/fellow superstar LeBron James. Pay similar inattention to anything that discusses his desire to join one of the Association's other teams that aren't in the Miami area.
Wade is the Miami Heat.
He serves as the unquestioned face of the franchise, and he's become one of those rare players who could never suit up in a different uniform. Doing so wouldn't just be impractical; it would actively taint the impressive legacy he's earned during his time in South Beach.
That, combined with the fact that the 34-year-old shooting guard completed a resurgent season and looked like vintage Wade throughout the playoffs, makes him a lock to sign a new deal with the Heat.
Milwaukee Bucks: Joakim Noah
17 of 30
Current Team: Chicago Bulls
Age: 31
Position: C
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 4.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.0 blocks
The Milwaukee Bucks must make some significant changes after last season's disaster, and many of them begin in the frontcourt. Greg Monroe posted strong individual numbers, but his limited performance on the defensive end hampered his actual impact on the team.
Miles Plumlee is now hitting free agency. John Henson is under contract ad infinitum, but that won't matter if he can't find his way onto the court. The Bucks don't seem committed to him, granting him just 16.8 minutes per game on the heels of signing him to a four-year, $44 million extension.
Milwaukee needs a defensive presence to anchor the frontcourt, and Joakim Noah would fit the billing. His injury history may prevent him from filling too large a role, but that's why he could be paired with Monroe in an offense/defense tandem, allowing head coach Jason Kidd to react to the demands of each individual matchup.
Minnesota Timberwolves: None
18 of 30
This is a question of math for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In decreasing order of salary, Ricky Rubio, Nikola Pekovic, Kevin Garnett, Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns, Nemanja Bjelica, Zach LaVine, Shabazz Muhammad, Adreian Payne, Gorgui Dieng and Tyus Jones are all under contract for the 2016-17 campaign.
That's already 11 players, even with Damjan Rudez likely to work out a new deal in a new location rather than stay and have his team option picked up, per Bosnian and Croatian websites reporter Igor Marinovic. Only Tayshaun Prince and Greg Smith are guaranteed to come off the books, and those players should be replaced before the free-agency process begins in earnest.
With the No. 5 pick of the 2016 NBA draft, the Wolves will surely select someone who can make an immediate impact rather than going the draft-and-stash route. And that already brings us up to an even dozen.
If Minnesota does add a 13th member to its roster, it will be a low-impact player, and that's basically impossible to predict.
New Orleans Pelicans: Solomon Hill
19 of 30
Current Team: Indiana Pacers
Age: 25
Position: SF
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 4.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.2 blocks
This isn't just because Candace Buckner of IndyStar.com tweeted before the trade deadline that the New Orleans Pelicans were interested in acquiring Solomon Hill from the Indiana Pacers. While that previous report certainly helps, Hill makes sense for a number of different reasons.
The 25-year-old small forward doesn't enjoy much name recognition, so it's unlikely the asking price will rise too high. Even with Anderson and Eric Gordon coming off the books, the Pelicans don't have as much money to spend as many other organizations, and they have plenty of spots to fill. Getting a bargain is a big deal as this franchise attempts to get over the hump.
But Hill isn't just a cheap addition. New Orleans was an adequate offensive team in 2015-16, and it should grow far stronger in its second year operating under the tutelage of head coach Alvin Gentry. It's the defense that was so problematic, and Hill's presence on the wings would help shore up that.
During this last season with the Pacers, Hill had an impressive 1.3 defensive box plus/minus, and that marks the third time in three professional campaigns he's graded out as an above-average stopper.
New York Knicks: Allen Crabbe
20 of 30
Current Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Age: 24
Position: SG
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 10.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.2 blocks
The New York Knicks must find a wing player who can fill the role Arron Afflalo was supposed to occupy. Although there's a chance the veteran could bounce back in 2016-17 (if he opts to stay at all), adding a young contributor such as Allen Crabbe to push (or replace) him can only help.
With no first-round pick to fortify the roster during the NBA draft, the Knicks need to hit a home run in free agency. As such, Crabbe's two-way ability could pay off nicely, even if he's completely unproven and makes for a rather risky investment.
The former California standout began to break out during his third season, playing a big role off the Portland Trail Blazers bench—even briefly moving into the starting lineup during the middle portion of the campaign. The restricted free agent knocked down 39.3 percent of his triples while attempting 3.5 per game and became a far better mid-range shooter.
Crabbe's defensive shortcomings could be problematic, but we don't yet know just how good he'll be on the point-preventing side. Weak as he was in 2015-16, he was equally strong in an admittedly smaller sample from 2014-15, per his DBPM stats.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant
21 of 30
Current Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Age: 27
Position: SF
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.2 blocks
We're not going to know about Kevin Durant's free-agency status for a while.
"I want some time to really decompress and reflect on the season so I can move on with the summer and move on with this whole process," he said after elimination at the hands of the Golden State Warriors, per ESPN.com's Royce Young. "So it may seem like I'm not talking, I'm not giving information or whatever, but I'm just really trying to make sure I tie everything up properly and make this thing right."
Others sound more sure.
"I have confidence," Serge Ibaka told Young. "Where he going to go? Tell me. After what we did in the playoffs this year, where? If he gonna go somewhere, where?"
The Oklahoma City Thunder's success in taking the Dubs to the brink of defeat should bode well for Durant's return. He saw just how dangerous this team could be with the current pieces, even if it didn't result in his first experience holding the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
Expect Durant to return. Just not on a long-term deal. It wouldn't be surprising if he went for the LeBron James strategy, signing a two-year contract with an opt-out clause after the first season.
Orlando Magic: Evan Fournier
22 of 30
Current Team: Orlando Magic
Age: 23
Position: SG/SF
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 15.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals
"Big priority," Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan said about re-signing Evan Fournier, per Orlando Magic Daily's Philip Rossman-Reich. "One of our biggest if not our biggest priority this summer is to make sure Evan stays with us. We're confident we'll be able to do that.”
There's no reason to doubt him.
Fournier is a restricted free agent, and the Magic can match any contract he signs with a different organization. The roster's youth has enabled them to swim in cash this summer, but it'll be hard to spend it in large chunks given the lack of star power at the top of this free-agency class and the lack of appeal the lottery-dwelling franchise currently boasts.
Unless some cap-rich team is willing to throw a max contract at Fournier, he's staying in his old stomping grounds for at least another year.
Philadelphia 76ers: Dion Waiters
23 of 30
Current Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Age: 24
Position: SG
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 9.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.2 blocks
"He wants to come home," an anonymous source told Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer in November. "Plus, he knows that he could be the missing shooting guard they need. And he could possibly get a [very lucrative] contract with the Sixers."
Dion Waiters has since denied those rumors and recently said he'd like to return to the Oklahoma City Thunder, per the Oklahoman's Anthony Slater. Nonetheless, they do make sense.
The Philadelphia 76ers need an offensive threat on the wings, and Waiters thrives when he's able to control the ball and create his own looks. Even though he hasn't earned the opportunity, he'll surely be looking for a landing spot where he can serve as one of the featured options. Plus, he'll be seeking lots of money—something the Sixers have plenty of, given their youth-laden roster.
Don't be surprised when Waiters is taking far more shots in front of his hometown crowd.
Phoenix Suns: Eric Gordon
24 of 30
Current Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Age: 27
Position: SG
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 15.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.3 blocks
"After visiting the Suns, the impression the organization made on me was incredible," Eric Gordon said after signing a four-year max deal with the Phoenix Suns in 2012, per ESPN.com's Chris Broussard. "I strongly feel they are the right franchise for me. Phoenix is just where my heart is now."
A lot has changed since then. The New Orleans Pelicans matched that contract and retained him, then watched as he failed to pan out. Set back by injuries and a lack of development, the once-promising guard devolved into a glorified marksmen who didn't always help his team get victories while operating with an albatross contract.
Now, it's time to complete the cycle.
The Suns could use his sharpshooting ways as either a sixth man or an undersized starting 3, stealing back his heart from the bayou. Gordon, still only 27 years old, needs a chance to prove himself in a new location, operating under far less pressure. Phoenix could, and should, give it.
Portland Trail Blazers: Maurice Harkless
25 of 30
Current Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Age: 23
Position: SF
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 6.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.4 blocks
The Portland Trail Blazers will make a significant effort to sign many of their incumbents. Meyers Leonard, Crabbe, Gerald Henderson and Maurice Harkless are key pieces, but they're all young and talented enough to garner interest from other organizations eager to poach up-and-comers.
Crabbe's price tag could rise too high, and despite his scary injury history and overall backsliding in 2015-16, Leonard is an overpay risk as a convincing stretch 5. That leaves Henderson and Harkless, and the latter is just more valuable to the cause.
Even putting aside Henderson's age (he'll turn 29 during the upcoming campaign), he was more of a liability on each end of the court. Harkless asserted himself as a quality defender and an improving offensive player, while Henderson's mid-range stylings didn't turn into positive production in Rip City. Portland simply can't allow this type of youth and two-way upside to get away.
Sacramento Kings: Ty Lawson
26 of 30
Current Team: Indiana Pacers
Age: 28
Position: PG
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 5.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.1 blocks
It's a match made in heaven.
The Sacramento Kings desperately need help at point guard after Rajon Rondo failed to leave a lasting impression during his first—and potentially only—season in SacTown. Please, do not just look at his league-leading assist totals at the expense of his offensive limitations and putrid defense. Darren Collison's recent arrest on domestic violence charges only compounds the situation, though we should note he isn't due in court until July.
Meanwhile, Ty Lawson is desperate for (yet) another chance.
His dime-dropping ways should help replicate Rondo's offensive production, but he also brings scoring ability. Remember, it wasn't too long ago he was a fringe All-Star contender for the Denver Nuggets, prior to legal trouble of his own and a lack of production obliterating his reputation.
Lawson should come cheap, even given the available talent shortage at point guard. For a down-in-the-dumps franchise like the Kings, risky endeavors are necessary to break out of the funk.
San Antonio Spurs: Pau Gasol
27 of 30
Current Team: Chicago Bulls
Age: 35
Position: PF/C
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 16.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.6 steals, 2.0 blocks
"If I had to guess—not that I've talked to him about it—would be San Antonio," Marc Gasol said in April about his brother's free-agency prospects, per ESPN.com's John Martin. Pau Gasol later confirmed that the San Antonio Spurs could be an intriguing option during an interview with Marca, a Spanish newspaper.
At the end of May, he echoed that.
"It's interesting," Pau said about the Spurs to Eurosport, via Spurs Zone's Jeff Garcia. "I think every player who likes this sport would be interested in going to San Antonio, a team with the second best record this season, with tradition, with knowledge. We'll see."
This is by no means a lock, but it makes so much sense. The Spurs would be remarkably well-suited to utilize Gasol's specialized talents, allowing him to chase another ring during the twilight of his impressive NBA career.
What easier way to shift into the post-Tim Duncan era? Or, if Duncan returns, what easier way to continue the dominance of that earlier era?
Toronto Raptors: Jared Sullinger
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Current Team: Boston Celtics
Age: 24
Position: PF/C
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 10.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.6 blocks
Just imagine the sheer physicality of a frontcourt featuring both Jared Sullinger and Jonas Valanciunas. Every opponent on the calendar would need to prepare the ice bath as soon as the final buzzer sounds.
Sullinger doesn't look like the ideal fit at power forward for the Toronto Raptors, but his game would allow him to blend in nicely. The 24-year-old has shown flashes of shooting ability from the perimeter, and his interior defense improved drastically during this last season under Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens.
Don't be fooled by the fact that he knocked down just 28.2 percent of his triples in 2015-16. Throughout his career, he's connected on two-pointer jumpers from beyond 16 feet at a 42.2 percent clip, and that would still help space the court for the Canadian franchise.
Anderson will be Toronto's primary target this offseason, but his asking price will likely be too much. Though Sullinger offers a different type of production, he'd still be valuable.
Utah Jazz: None
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What exactly do the Utah Jazz need?
Trevor Booker is coming off the books, and no other member of the roster has an option on his contract. Though Shelvin Mack and Jeff Withey are on non-guaranteed contracts, they proved enough value to assume keeping (for now) at such cheap prices.
That leaves 14 players with valid deals for the 2016-17 campaign, and that's before we talk about the 2016 NBA draft.
The Jazz own the No. 12 pick as well as three in the second round (Nos. 42, 52 and 60). They're not going to travel down the draft-and-stash route with each selection, nor will they send each of the quartet down to the D-League. Plus, the Jazz are likely saving their cash for the free agencies of incumbents Gordon Hayward and Gobert in 2017, and the franchise rarely plays the free agency game anyway.
Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal
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Current Team: Washington Wizards
Age: 22
Position: SG
2015-16 Per-Game Stats: 17.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.2 blocks
Let's turn it over to Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post:
"The Wizards are expected to offer [Bradley] Beal a five-year deal for the maximum amount allowed under the salary cap as soon as the free agent negotiating period kicks off on July 1, according to people with knowledge of the situation. Based on the $92 million salary cap projection teams are working with, a max contract would pay Beal around $22 million next season.
"
This offseason was supposed to be about luring Durant back to his hometown, but that ship appears to have sailed a long time ago. Now, the Washington Wizards have to turn to endeavors they can actually undertake, and it wouldn't be shocking if Beal became the first player to agree to a new contract after the moratorium ends.
The 22-year-old hasn't developed into a superstar yet; he's been a rather limited player outside of his three-point abilities, and the constant stress injuries haven't exactly aided his progress. But Beal is still the best the Wizards can do, so they have to pounce.
Adam Fromal covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @fromal09.
Unless otherwise indicated, all stats are from Basketball-Reference.com or NBAMath.com.
