Predicting Where NBA Free Agents Land This Summer
by Liam Willerup
With the draft tomorrow and all the anticipation around that, there's also the looming free agency where the leagues biggest names will be signing new deals in one spot or another. With names like DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, Kawhi Leonard, and Lonzo Ball all in the mix, guys like these can make huge impacts on the league landscape with their free agency decisions. So, here are my predictions for all of these players.
Kawhi Leonard, Dallas Mavericks
It truly does make sense with the fit that Kawhi would want to go to Dallas. A smaller market which fits well for a player who has seen his greatest success in markets like San Antonio and Toronto. With Dallas having the cap space to do so, a duo of Luka and Kawhi will be a force to be reckoned with in the West. Luka has offensive capabilities unlike anyone in the league, and Kawhi has one of the best two way games in the league's history. This duo would be so much stronger if they could receive just an 18 PPG efficient Kristaps Porzingis, allowing them all to space the floor and provide their unique talents. If he doesn't end up in Dallas, I'd imagine he simply returns to the Clippers on a small deal where he can run it back with the Western Conference runner ups.
Kyle Lowry, Miami Heat
Still a Top 10 Point Guard in this league, Kyle Lowry can be the piece these Heat need to make another run. Hoping Herro takes a jump, you can have a good lineup of Lowry, Herro, Butler, Bam and who ends up at the four. His ability to defend, shoot, and play make is what Miami needs. Pat Riley needs to make sure the deal for Lowry is one that isn't too long in length, to avoid having seasons of Lowry being rostered and paid well over his production. Other teams I could see are New York and Philadelphia with a Ben Simmons sign and trade.
Mike Conley, Utah Jazz
After making his first All Star team late into his career, Conley should be a priority for the Jazz. A veteran guard who's craftiness should make him valuable well into his 30s, a Conley departure from the Jazz will drop the Jazz far down the rankings in the West without a secondary ball handler to Donovan Mitchell. With bird rights to him, Utah should be able to sign him without going too far into the luxury tax. Utah's only other option with Conley would be a sign and trade so Utah can acquire some form of a PG replacement.
DeMar DeRozan, Los Angeles Lakers
A huge paycut this would come at, but by using the contracts of KCP and Kuzma the Lakers can help them land the hometown star. One of the most underrated players of his era, DeRozan is a very well rounded player. Really just lacking in three point range, DeRozan would be an excellent addition to the Lakers. The trio of DeMar, Bron and AD would be atop the Western Conference. If the Lakers are looking to help with the aging process of LBJ, bring in DeMar this offseason. If he doesn't end up in LA, wouldn't be surprised if he and buddy Kyle Lowry team up somewhere.
Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls
After escaping the bright lights of Los Angeles, Lonzo Ball has began to blossom into a player virtually any NBA would love to have on their roster. A respectable three point jumper, elite defense, playmaking, and flare that makes your team that much more exciting. The Bulls will need to let some players go, but I think they could workout a sign and trade where New Orleans receives stretch four Lauri Markkanen in exchange for Lonzo Ball. The Bulls could delegate Coby White to a 6th man role, or use him as a trade piece to acquire a solid power forward to play alongside Nikola Vucevic. Lonzo would help improve the backcourt defense, and would also allow from LaVine to work off ball going around screens. If not Chicago, I could see New York or Miami swooping in.
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