Now that the 2021 NBA Draft has concluded, we now eagerly await to see where some of the NBA’s premier free agents will call home next season. Here are the landing spot predictions of the 10 best players in NBA Free Agency.
2021 NBA Free Agency Landing Spot Predictions
Chris Paul
Chris Paul’s odyssey for an NBA championship did fall short this season in the NBA Finals. But, if he returns, the Phoenix Suns could run it back with the main core still on the roster. Paul has a player-option on his contract. At 36 years old. he would be wise to return to Phoenix in 2021-22.
NBA Free Agency Prediction: Opts-in to remain with the Phoenix Suns
Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard’s situation is unique, due to a partial tear in his ACL. Some have speculated Kawhi could miss the entire 2021-22 season. He will likely pick up the player-option on his contract and try to return in time to make a postseason push.
NBA Free Agency Prediction: Opts-in to remain with the Los Angeles Clippers
Mike Conley
Mike Conley is one of, if not the, best unrestricted free agent on the market. However, he may not be on the market very long. Rumors have swirled that the Utah Jazz want to bring him back. They rumors are supported by the fact that they traded away Derrick Favors to create more cap space. Could that extra cap space be used to bring back Conley?
NBA Free Agency Prediction: Re-signs with the Utah Jazz
Kyle Lowry
Kyle Lowry’s time in Toronto is likely over, after his eight years of service and a championship. There are many teams who should be interested in enlisting the 34-year-old’s services. For example, the Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers all have good reasons to pursue Lowry. The Pelicans will reportedly offer Lowry a massive amount of money in the hopes that he can be for the Pelicans what Chris Paul is to the Suns. The Dallas Mavericks would be interesting, but Luka Doncic already plays the point guard/floor general role in Dallas, which would not be conducive with Lowry’s play-style. Finally, Philadelphia would need to pull off a sign-and-trade to acquire Lowry, and the Raptors may not be looking for Ben Simmons to join their squad.
NBA Free Agency Prediction: Signs with the New Orleans Pelicans
DeMar DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan is sneakily one of the NBA’s top free agents this season. At 31 years old, DeRozan averaged 21.6 points per game and 6.9 assists per game. That will be worth a hefty contract from the right team this offseason, as DeRozan is an unrestricted free agent. DeRozan offers the size to play the SG, SF or PF positions, with the right team. The Chicago Bulls would be a great fit for DeRozan. The Bulls need to prove to Zach LaVine that they are willing to surround him with more than a perennial rebuilding team. DeRozan offers the ability to score in the midrange, which will pair nicely with LaVine’s three-point shooting and ability to finish at the rim.
NBA Free Agency Prediction: Signs with the Chicago Bulls
Otto Porter Jr.
Otto Porter Jr. needs to get the hell away from Orlando. The Magic are in the midst of a complete roster transformation and Porter is far too talented to be stuck with a team lacking identity. Porter would be a solid fit with the Los Angeles Clippers, should they lose players such as Reggie Jackson and Nicholas Batum in NBA Free Agency. His three-and-D play style could help cover the absence of Kawhi Leonard.
NBA Free Agency Prediction: Signs with the Los Angeles Clippers
Victor Oladipo
After turning down a maximum contract offer with the Houston Rockets, Victor Oladipo was promptly traded to the Miami Heat. Now that he will become an unrestricted free agent, Oladipo’s market outlook is not great. He will not likely command anything close to what Houston offered him. The Heat, Pelicans and Indiana Pacers (the team that originally drafted Oladipo) could all be in play here. With Lonzo Ball’s inevitable departure, the Pelicans may be looking for a more ball-dominant guard to possibly pair up with Kyle Lowry.
NBA Free Agency Prediction: Signs with the New Orleans Pelicans
Goran Dragic
The Miami Heat will likely not pick up Goran Dragic’s $19.4 million team option. However, the team may be interested in bringing back Dragic, if the price is right. If he does not re-sign with the Heat, the Mavericks may be interested, given Dragic’s shooting and defensive abilities to pair with Luka Doncic.
NBA Free Agency Prediction: Will re-sign with the Miami Heat
Tim Hardaway Jr.
There is a road map to the Dallas Mavericks keeping Tim Hardaway Jr. and bringing in Lowry. By pulling off a sign-and-trade for Lowry and using bird rights to re-sign Hardaway, the Mavericks could have an instant title contender brewing.
NBA Free Agency Prediction: Re-signs with the Dallas Mavericks
Dennis Schroder
Dennis Schroder’s future with the Los Angeles Lakers is up in the air, after the Lakers traded for Russell Westbrook. There is a chance that Schroder is dealt in a sign-and-trade, but reports are that he is looking for at least $100 million from his next team. The Chicago Bulls certainly have the cap space to pull of bringing in Schroder. The New York Knicks are also a team with a lot of cap space to give, as well as a big need at the point guard position.
NBA Free Agency Prediction: Signs with the New York Knicks
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