The authorized tampering interval for NBA free agency begins on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET, which implies groups can conform to offers with free brokers, who will probably be allowed to formally signal contracts on July 6.
Though a number of gamers have already agreed to contracts to return to the groups they performed for final season, there must be loads of notable names who will discover new properties this offseason. With that in thoughts, listed here are our predictions for the place the highest NBA free brokers will find yourself this offseason.
(Be aware: For this record, we’re not together with gamers who’re both coming into restricted free company or have already agreed to new offers.)
Paul George
Prediction: Indicators with the Philadelphia 76ers
The largest domino of the offseason, George might’ve opted into the ultimate season of his four-year, $176M contract to pressure a commerce out of Los Angeles. Nonetheless, the nine-time All-Star declined his participant possibility on Saturday and can enter free company. Whereas a return to Los Angeles can’t be dominated out, George and the Clippers seem headed for a divorce after the staff reportedly determined to not supply him a max contract, based on ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
One might argue that Philadelphia can be higher off defending its long-term monetary safety by strictly signing function gamers this offseason. Even so, contemplating Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey just lately mentioned his aim is “to be the perfect staff within the East subsequent 12 months,” making a splashy transfer like signing George feels just like the extra possible final result. With a trio of George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers are again within the combine with the Celtics and Knicks as the highest contenders within the Jap Convention.
LeBron James
Prediction: Re-signs with the Los Angeles Lakers
After not taking part in a job in his podcast co-host getting employed as head coach or the staff drafting his son, James re-ups with the Lakers on a deal to complete his historic profession in Los Angeles. The 20-time All-Star declined his participant possibility however is anticipated to re-sign with the Lakers to play alongside Bronny James this season, making them the primary father-son duo in NBA historical past to share the courtroom collectively.
James, 39, stays one of many high gamers within the Affiliation and is coming off a season the place he averaged 25.7 factors, 7.3 rebounds and eight.3 rebounds whereas capturing a career-high 41% from three-point vary. With the Lakers sitting 20th in cap house this offseason and needing to make some huge upgrades to their barely above-average roster, it’s going to be fascinating to see if James takes a team-friendly deal in free company.
James Harden
Prediction: Re-signs with the Los Angeles Clippers
Regardless of dropping George, staff proprietor Steve Ballmer is aware of he cannot launch a full-scale rebuild, particularly with the Clippers’ new dwelling, the Intuit Dome, set to open this season. Los Angeles acquired Harden in a blockbuster take care of the Philadelphia 76ers final season, and though the staff failed to achieve the second spherical of the playoffs, the previous MVP performed nicely for the Clippers.
In 72 video games final season, Harden averaged 16.6 factors, 5.1 rebounds and eight.5 assists. Contemplating Los Angeles will lose 22.6 factors per recreation, assuming George heads elsewhere, as we predict, Harden could possibly be requested to shoulder extra of the scoring load in 2024-25. In flip, this might make Harden the most effective worth signings of the offseason, relying on the value of the contract he indicators.
DeMar DeRozan
Prediction: Indicators with the Los Angeles Clippers
With George headed to Philadelphia, the Clippers deliver the Compton, California native DeRozan dwelling, forming a brand new “Huge 3” with Harden and Kawhi Leonard. DeRozan, 34, spent the final three seasons because the star of the Chicago Bulls however isn’t engaged in talks with the staff relating to an extension, per Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes.
Though DeRozan is not the identical degree of expertise as George at this stage in his profession, he is solely continued to enhance with age, which ought to give the Clippers optimism about signing him to a long-term deal. Throughout his time in Chicago, DeRozan averaged 25.5 factors, 5.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds per recreation whereas making two All-Star Recreation appearances within the course of.
Klay Thompson
Prediction: Lands with the Denver Nuggets
In response to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, contract discussions between the Warriors and Thompson “are basically frozen,” and “it is extra possible than ever” that the four-time champion will depart the one NBA staff he is performed for. There is no denying that Thompson is declining, as he averaged the third-fewest factors per recreation of his profession final season (17.9) whereas capturing an uncharacteristic 38.7% from three-point vary.
Nonetheless, his ability set completely enhances the Nuggets roster, particularly if ahead Kentavious Caldwell-Pope leaves this offseason. There are two completely different avenues for Thompson to land in Denver, as he might signal as a free agent or be acquired by means of a sign-and-trade. Seeing as if Golden State might supply him the upper deal, maybe the staff can be keen to facilitate an indication and commerce to repay Thompson for his service.
Isaiah Hartenstein
Prediction: Re-signs with the New York Knicks
The Knicks made a number of savvy offers to economize in the course of the 2024 NBA Draft in an try to re-sign their free brokers, and the efforts will not go to waste. Like OG Anunoby, Hartenstein realizes he could possibly be one of many ultimate items to bringing a championship again to New York and in the end indicators a four-year take care of the Knicks for lower than what he might’ve obtained elsewhere.
Tobias Harris
Prediction: Indicators with the Dallas Mavericks
Harris, who averaged 17.2 factors and 6.5 rebounds final season, by no means lived as much as the expectations that got here together with the five-year, $180 million deal he signed with the Sixers in 2019. After failing to attain in Philadelphia’s series-clinching first-round loss to the Knicks within the 2023-24 playoffs, Harris goals to show he could be a dependable contributor on a contending staff, signing with the reigning Western Convention champion Mavericks.
Regardless that Harris wasn’t the third scoring possibility Philadelphia wanted to recover from the hump, it is inconceivable to dispute he is a great match for Dallas, which is in want of extra 3-and-D wings. Mavericks guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving would arguably be the perfect facilitators Harris has performed with in his profession, so maybe he can develop into a extra environment friendly shooter in Dallas.
Miles Bridges
Prediction: Re-signs with the Charlotte Hornets
Bridges went unsigned for the 2022-23 season after he pleaded no contest to a felony home violence cost in November 2022 however returned to Charlotte final season. In 69 video games for the woeful Hornets, Bridges averaged 21 factors and seven.3 rebounds per recreation, each of which had been profession highs.
Given his previous authorized troubles, Bridges in all probability will not have a lot of a market in free company. However, since Hornets vp of basketball operations Jeff Peterson advised reporters he is “made it very clear” he desires Bridges to stay with the Hornets, don’t be shocked to see the previous first-round decide signal a long-term pact with Charlotte.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Prediction: Indicators with the Orlando Magic
One of many greatest surprises of this previous season, Orlando desperately wants so as to add some offensive threats to assist elevate its proficient younger core. Regardless of ending because the fifth seed within the Jap Convention in 2024, the Magic ranked twenty second amongst groups in offensive ranking (112.9) and twenty fourth in three-point proportion (35.2%).
Ideally, the Magic want to signal a lead ball handler this offseason, however with an underwhelming choice of lifelike choices obtainable, the staff decides to splurge on the veteran wing Caldwell-Pope. Apart from the championship expertise Caldwell-Pope — who received titles with the Lakers and Nuggets — will deliver, the 31-year-old will probably be a two-way pressure on the perimeter for Orlando. Final season, Caldwell-Pope averaged 10.1 for Denver whereas capturing 46% from the sector and 40.6% from past the arc.
Jonas Valanciunas
Prediction: Indicators with the Los Angeles Lakers
Assuming James takes a pay minimize to permit the Lakers to acquire the total midlevel exception, they will certainly have Valanciunas as one in every of their high targets. Anthony Davis reportedly advised the Lakers earlier than final season that he most popular to play fewer minutes at heart, which did not come to fruition, however signing Valanciunas would permit Davis to get his want.
Valanciunas (12.2 factors and eight.8 rebounds final season) is extra of a conventional massive man and one of many higher rebounders within the Affiliation. Nonetheless, Valanciunas has made strides lately to develop into extra of a flooring spacer, and that means would create a compelling partnership with Davis as his frontcourt mate.