NBA Free Agents 2016: Rumors, Predictions for Al Horford, Joakim Noah and More
With NBA free agency on the horizon, rumors are running rampant regarding the top names on the open market, and their decisions could very well shift the balance of power in what has been a top-heavy league for the past several years.
Stars such as Al Horford, Joakim Noah and Mike Conley are all set to gauge their value. While returns to their respective teams are not out of the question, they all figure to generate a ton of interest across the NBA, and they are all in line to land massive contracts as well.
Before the signing frenzy commences, here is a look at the latest rumors surrounding some of the best available players and predictions for where they will land.
Al Horford
Despite being a four-time All-Star and one of the most consistent big men in the NBA, it can be argued that Horford is one of the league's most overlooked stars.
The longtime Atlanta Hawks center is a steady contributor at both ends of the floor, and he is coming off another strong season that saw him average 15.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 blocks per game.
He is still very much in his prime at 30 years of age, and with quality bigs being so difficult to come by, Horford figures to be in line for a max contract whether he decides to re-sign with Atlanta or try his luck elsewhere.
According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers are all expected to make pitches to the former University of Florida standout.
While Horford's impressions of those teams aren't known publicly, the Pistons are clearly best equipped to win right now.
Both the Magic and Lakers appear to need much more seasoning before they can contend, but Detroit made the playoffs this past season. Although the team was swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round, it gave the Cavs some trouble in every game of that series.
A core of center Andre Drummond and point guard Reggie Jackson along with complementary pieces such as Tobias Harris, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Marcus Morris could make the Pistons a force to be reckoned with in 2016-17 and beyond.
Adding Horford to the mix could make them one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference immediately, especially since he expanded his game beyond the three-point arc last season and would represent a great contrast to the inside game of Drummond.
Horford will have no shortage of options to consider, but if winning immediately is near the top of his wish list, look for him to sign on the dotted line with the Pistons.
Joakim Noah
Since making the Eastern Conference All-Star team in both 2012-13 and 2013-14, Noah has been on a steady decline.
His numbers have dropped significantly, and he is coming off a 2015-16 campaign that saw him miss all but 29 games with the Chicago Bulls due to injury.
Noah was also largely ineffective when he was on the floor, averaging just 4.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while shooting a paltry 38.3 percent from the field.
A change of scenery would likely serve the former NBA Defensive Player of the Year well, and early indications are that several teams have interest in signing him despite his decline in recent seasons.
According to Michael Scotto of the Associated Press, both the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets figure to pursue Noah. Also, per Darren Wolfson of KSTP-TV, the Washington Wizards are expected to make a pitch for the 31-year-old veteran.
Even though Noah's offensive play has dipped since averaging a career-high 12.6 points per game in 2013-14, he remains an asset defensively when healthy due to his toughness on the glass. New York, Brooklyn or Washington would benefit from his contributions in that regard.
The Knicks suddenly look like a team that could compete for a playoff spot in 2016-17 after acquiring point guard Derrick Rose in a trade with the Bulls last week. Noah has a great deal of familiarity with Rose, and that could potentially draw him to the Big Apple.
New York needs a defensive presence inside after sending Robin Lopez to Chicago as part of that deal, and pairing Noah with Kristaps Porzingis inside to go along with Rose and Carmelo Anthony would give the Knicks a talented starting lineup.
The Knicks are under a great deal of pressure to win now, and while Noah's recent struggles and injury issues make him a risk, signing him could pay big dividends. The partnership makes a lot of sense for both sides, and it appears to be Noah's best option.
Mike Conley
Conley has been the lifeblood of the Memphis Grizzlies for the past nine seasons, but with free agency calling, he could very well move on and bring his heart-and-soul brand of basketball to a different organization.
According to ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon, the Dallas Mavericks could be in the mix due to Conley's favorable opinion of head coach Rick Carlisle.
MacMahon also reported that the San Antonio Spurs are in the mix for Conley, but they could be at a disadvantage in comparison to Dallas since Tony Parker remains on the roster and is entrenched as the starting point guard.
Conley put up 15.3 points and 6.1 assists per game last season, but he was limited to just 56 contests due to injury. He also missed 12 games the previous season and nine in 2013-14, but from 2008-09 through 2012-13 he never missed more than four games in a single season.
While Conley is approaching 29 years of age, his recent injury woes may simply be a case of bad luck.
When he is healthy and playing, he puts up solid numbers, contributes at both ends of the floor and provides leadership that is seemingly matched by few point guards in basketball.
Matt Moore of CBSSports.com is of the mind that whoever ends up signing Conley won't come to regret it:
"I don’t know how anyone is a fan of the Memphis Grizzlies and thinks Mike Conley will not be worth his next contract https://t.co/t93FszdnWD
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) June 23, 2016"
While San Antonio would give Conley the best chance to win, Dallas may represent the best fit in terms of allowing him to run the show and be one of the top offensive options.
With Deron Williams opting out, the path is clear for Conley to be the unquestioned leader of the backcourt in Dallas.
Add in the allure of Carlisle and persuasiveness of owner Mark Cuban, and Conley to the Mavs looks like a strong bet this offseason.
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