NBA Free Agents 2011: Predictions for Who Will Land Where

The NBA free-agency period is set to begin December 9th, and with it will come a flurry of movement.

As teams make last-ditch efforts to sign impact players before the season, expect a whirlwind of rumors to ensue regarding who will land where.

This year's free-agency class is nothing compared to the summer of 2010 and will not hold a candle to what goes down next summer, but there are still some incredibly important athletes to be had.

Once teams can officially make offers, the top players on the open market will be bombarded with phone calls and contract pitches. We will be left to watch as the events unfold.

However, while there is still some time left before free agency officially opens, we do have some idea of who will be going where.

Aaron Brooks

Aaron Brooks is a restricted free agent who has already been extended a qualifying offer from his Phoenix Suns.

Teams like the New York Knicks showed interest in acquiring Brooks last season, and the Sacramento Kings were considering a play for the point guard via free agency as well. Other teams in need of a backup point guard could enter the fold as well, but it is unlikely Brooks leaves Phoenix.

The Suns can match any offer Brooks receives, and the volatile guard currently has the luxury of playing under Steve Nash's tutelage. With Nash entering the tail end of his career, Brooks could be in line to take the reins very soon.

Prediction: Aaron Brooks re-ups with Phoenix Suns. 

T.J. Ford

T.J. Ford's stint with the Indiana Pacers wasn't nearly as productive as either party hoped it would be, and now the 28-year-old point guard is left with the task of rejuvenating his career.

There will be a number of teams amenable to giving Ford a second chance. When he was expected to be bought out by the Pacers last season, the Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat and Knicks were all thought to be interested.

The aforementioned teams could come into play once again, but Miami is the only team that would hand Ford the starting job and make him the unquestioned floor general.

Given the current state of Ford's career, there isn't a pay cut too steep worth passing up that opportunity.

Prediction: T.J. Ford signs with Miami Heat.

Jamal Crawford

Jamal Crawford has an interest in returning to the New York area, which makes both the New Jersey Nets and the Knicks viable options.

The Knicks would love to have an offensive guru like Crawford on the roster, but unless he is willing to take a major pay cut, Crawford will not find himself in a Knicks jersey again.

LeBron James showed an interest in bringing the shooting guard to Miami, but unless the Atlanta Hawks are open to a sign-and-trade involving Mike Miller, such an occurrence remains a long shot.

While New Jersey may not want to spend much of its cap space on Crawford, the market for competent players to pair with Deron Williams will dry up fast, and the veteran combo guard will seem as enticing as ever.

Prediction: Jamal Crawford syncs up with New Jersey Nets.

Jason Richardson

Jason Richardson provides instant offense on the perimeter, which will make him appealing to numerous organizations.

The Chicago Bulls are a team in desperate need of acquiring a competent 2-guard and are thought to be interested in Richardson's services.

Additionally, back in July, it became evident that the shooting guard would be willing to take a pay cut to play with a contender. This means that aside from the Bulls, teams like the Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Heat could come into play.

While a ring seems to be at the top of Richardson's priority list, playing time is going to prove immensely important to him as well, and Chicago has a clear vacancy at his position.

Prediction: Jason Richardson inks a deal with Chicago Bulls.

Arron Afflalo

Arron Afflalo and the Bulls seem to have a mutual interest in each other, but such a pairing isn't likely to occur.

Afflalo would be a great fit for Chicago, but other teams will also make a strong push for the young shooting guard. With the Nuggets bound to suffer some severe losses via free agency, they could cling to the most promising one of them all.

The penny-pinching Nuggets may be apt to toss major money at the 26-year-old, especially if Nene finds a home elsewhere. Combine this with the fact that they can offer Afflalo an increased role now that Carmelo Anthony is no longer part of the team, and you have a deal just waiting to be signed.

Afflalo is still relatively young, and further establishing himself as a key player may prove to be more important than contending for an immediate title.

Prediction: Arron Afflalo re-signs with Denver Nuggets.

Caron Butler

Despite lacking significant cap space, the Heat are linked to a plethora of notable free agents, and Caron Butler is no exception.

While Miami has some interest in Butler's services, it may not have enough money to sign him and may not be so apt to take a chance on an injury-riddled perimeter player after the Mike Miller debacle.

Butler is sure to draw league-wide interest for his scoring potential, but he has noted he remains loyal to Dallas. He was not a part of the Mavericks' championship run, but that ring could prove to be a major factor in his decision-making process.

Mark Cuban's tendency to throw money at talented offensive players will probably come into play as well.

Prediction: Caron Butler stays with the Dallas Mavericks.

Grant Hill

After being hindered by injuries in what was supposed to be the prime of his career, Grant Hill has somehow managed to age rather well, thus ensuring there will be no shortage of interest in the small forward when the free-agency period opens.

To no one's surprise, the Heat are interested in Hill's services, and he might be interested in playing for them as well. Aside from Miami, the Celtics are also considered to be in the market for Hill.

The 39-year-old has shown a willingness to re-sign with the Phoenix Suns as well.

At this juncture in Hill's career, the pursuit of a ring is likely to trump any other goals he may have, and that includes financial preferences. Expect to see Hill take his offensive prowess to the team that presents the best opportunity to compete for an NBA title.

Prediction: Grant Hill takes his talents to the Miami Heat.

Tayshaun Prince

Last season, Tayshaun Prince caught the attention of the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers, two teams in need of a proven veteran to help strengthen the perimeter.

Both the Warriors and Clippers could come into play for Prince's services, but we can also not rule out a return to the Detroit Pistons, as they are interested in retaining him as well. The Heat will also find a way to stay relevant.

Miami may present the best chance of competing for a title, but Prince's career is far from over, so expect him to ink a deal with a franchise on the rise that can also offer him the full mid-level deal, perhaps more.

Prediction: Tayshaun Prince teams up with Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon on Los Angeles Clippers.

Shane Battier

Jack of all trades, master of none, Shane Battier is likely to draw a wealth of league-wide interest when the NBA officially reopens its doors.

Once again, the Heat remain linked to a veteran perimeter player as they look to add some depth to the roster. Other teams that could be interested in Battier's services are the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Celtics.

We cannot rule out a return to Memphis either.

With the Grizzlies being a team on the rise, Battier may be reluctant to leave now, and the organization could be even more interested in retaining him than it is now if it winds up dealing O.J. Mayo or Rudy Gay.

Battier's consistency was a large part of Memphis' postseason success last season, and it may prove to be something the team is not comfortable walking away from.

Prediction: Shane Battier remains with the Memphis Grizzlies.

David West

David West's decision to opt out of the final year of his contract may just be the beginning of the end for New Orleans, as Chris Paul doesn't seem too far behind him.

While the Hornets will attempt to retain West—especially since Carl Landry is an unrestricted free agent as well—there are other teams that are going to give him a long, hard look.

Two teams strongly interested in the power forward are the Pacers and Nets. West grew up in the New Jersey area and would serve as a solid replacement should another organization overpay Kris Humphries.

While West would be a good fit in Indiana too, the Nets are looking to stockpile assets both to entice Deron Williams to stay while remaining in play for other superstars.

West would serve as a great option for Williams but could also prove to be valuable in any Dwight Howard or Josh Smith negotiations.

Prediction: David West joins Deron Williams and the New Jersey Nets.

Kris Humphries

After averaging a double-double last season, the newly single Kris Humphries is set to sign the biggest contract of his career.

The Nets are sure to be interested in bringing the power forward back, but thanks to his impressive numbers last season, they are going to have competition. The Magic have been named as a team interested in Humphries, but they do not even have full use of the mid-level exception and probably cannot afford him.

While Humphries has been deemed a priority for New Jersey, the Nets are not about to overpay for him.

The Pacers, on the other hand, might be willing to pay top dollar for his services, as his bill of health is cleaner than potential target David West.

Prediction: Kris Humphries receives an offer he cannot refuse from Indiana Pacers.

Carl Landry

New Orleans is not going to want to watch both of its capable power forwards walk away, but it may have no choice.

While the Hornets would be interested in bringing Landry back, all signs point to Chris Paul leaving and the team imploding.

That may not be something Landry wants to be a part of.

Landry has already mentioned that he would like to play for the Blazers, and while the team may not be in the market for a power forward per se, LaMarcus Aldridge has already endorsed such a move.

It seems playing for a title contender is Landry's end goal, as he has also named the Celtics as a team he would like to play for. This means a return to the Hornets is basically out of the question.

Prediction: Carl Landry chases title as LaMarcus Aldridge's backup with Portland Trail Blazers.

Tyson Chandler

The reigning champion Mavericks ultimately hope to keep Tyson Chandler, but they are going to have their work cut out for them.

Chandler has piqued the interest of many teams around the league, including the Celtics, Nets, Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors. 

In a center-starved league, Chandler is a hot commodity and is likely to obtain a fairly lucrative contract as a result.

That being said, his preference is to remain with the Mavericks, and it is not inconceivable that his best offer could come from the team he just helped to a title.

Prediction: Tyson Chandler opts to stay with the Dallas Mavericks.

Nene Hilario

One of the league's best-kept secrets is finally poised to receive the attention he deserves thanks to a shallow center pool in this year's free-agency market.

The Nuggets want to keep the center and may have had the opportunity to do so had they offered him a contract extension last season. Due to Denver's inaction, Nene is set to hit the open market on December 9th and seems to be leaning toward leaving the team.

At 29, Nene is going to draw an incredible amount of interest from around the league. Currently, the list of teams who will make a push for him includes the Nets, Rockets, Clippers, Pacers, Heat, Mavericks and Blazers.

The most notable of the teams on said list is the Rockets, as they seem prepared to go "all out" in order to obtain the athletic big man.

With Houston, it seems that Nene would receive the appreciation the Nuggets failed to exhibit for far too long.

Prediction: Nene agrees to a contract with Houston Rockets.

Marc Gasol

Marc Gasol is one of the premier available free agents, and after the type of season he had, there will be a plethora of teams ready to offer him a contract.

Luckily for the Grizzlies, they have a ton of cap space and the right to match any offer sheet Gasol may receive. The team has already committed money to Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay, and it seems it is poised to do whatever it takes to keep Gasol in Memphis.

The closest the Grizzlies will ever come to watching Gasol play elsewhere is the time he spent toying with the idea of playing overseas.

Prediction: Marc Gasol Signs a lucrative deal with the Memphis Grizzlies.

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @Dan_Favale.