NBA Free Agency Predictions

By Michael Schneid

With 3 hours till NBA free agency begins, here are a few guesses as to where some of the top names could be headed this summer. 

 

More predictions, rumors, analysis, and trade thoughts still come.

 

Rockets sign Dwight Howard
This is the team most linked to Dwight and I believe GM Daryl Morey will do anything it takes to convince Dwight to sign in Houston. James Harden will be used as a recruiting tool too. A team with Harden and Howard has a real chance of being a top 3-4 team in the West.

Spurs sign Al Jefferson

The Spurs have reportedly long liked Jefferson and have been linked to trade rumors about him for a long time. Tiago Splitter is a RFA and the Spurs could still resign him, but Jefferson makes sense and could even move over to PF when Tim Duncan finally retires.

(If the Spurs do not sign Al Jefferson, expect them to take a long look at Jason Maxiell)

Pistons sign Andre Iguodala

Detroit drafted a guard, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, which  means their own major need is SF, after trading away Tayshaun Prince during this past season. Iguodala fills that need and may also give Detroit the boost it needs to playoff contention. With Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond down low, Brandon Knight and Caldwell-Pope in the backcourt, an athletic wing play to help spread the floor is exactly what Detroit needs.

Pelicans also make a lot of sense to re-unite Iggy with his former Philly PG Jrue Holiday

 

Mavs sign Tyreke Evans

Evans is a combo guard that can shoot and drive to the basket. After drafting PG Shane Larkin and likely losing OJ Mayo to free agency, Evans fits a new, improved young backcourt for Dallas.

Other Options: Wolves, Thunder

Mavs sign Josh Smith

After missing out on Dwight, Mavs continue to spend and sign an athletic big man. Smith can play some SF with Dirk at PF.

Hawks sign Monta Ellis

The Hawks will strike out on Dwight Howard. Ellis is from Mississippi so he's a southern boy who could fit in in Atlanta. The Hawks need a pure scorer like Ellis, who along with Al Horford, provides the Hawks with a decent 1-2 combo. Ellis is certainly a better scorer than Josh Smith but lacks the defensive intensity and rebounding Smith has.

Other Options:

Hawks sign Andrew Bynum

After missing out on Dwight Howard, the Hawks will sign Bynum to a much cheaper deal, with lots of incentives revolved around his health.

Pacers resign David West

Everyone saw how good and how valuable West was during the Pacers run to the Eastern Conference Finals and there is no way Indiana lets him get away.

Bucks re-sign Brandon Jennings
The Bucks have made it clear time and time again that they will match any offer sheet for Brandon Jennings. Several teams will pursue him and one (maybe the Hawks?) will offer him a big contract but the Bucks probably will and should match it to retain their 23 year old point guard

Bucks sign JR Smith
After losing Monta Ellis, Milwaukee signs the reigning 6th man of the year and will immediately make him a starter. Smith has a chance to take a lot of shots with Ellis gone and a front court built around defense and rebounding.

Wolves sign OJ Mayo
Minnesota has long been linked to OJ Mayo. After drafting Shabazz Muhammed in the first round, GM Flip Saunders says the team won't rush him into a starting role and will likely pursue a veteran. Mayo on a short term deal makes sense while Shabazz gets acclimated to the NBA.

Nuggets sign Kyle Korver
Denver was a bad three point shooting team in 2012-13 and with Danilo Gallinari out for half of next season, that shooting likely won't improve internally. Korver is one of the best three point shooting options available and makes sense for Denver on the mid-level exception.

Knicks re-sign Chris Copeland
Despite being linked to the Pelicans, Bucks, Celtics among a dozen or so teams, Copeland has said, through his agent, he might be willing to take a less lucrative offer to stay in New York. The most money the Knicks can offer is $3.1 million a year and that will be their off for 3-4 years. Copeland is likely a better investment long term than JR Smith so NYK will prioritize keeping him as a scoring option off the bench.

Pelicans sign Kevin Martin

The Thunder have Jeremy Lamb waiting in the wings, so OKC may not need to spend big on K-Mart. The Bucks and Pistons could be options but we have JR Smith and Iguodala signing with both teams respectively and the Mavs signing Tyreke Evans. Pelicans could use Martin as 6th man or at SG or they trade Eric Gordon for a forward.