Predicting the Landing Destinations for Top NBA Free Agents

by Matt George – Sports 1140 KHTK Reporter

There are a lot of major names potentially headed to new homes this summer. With the NBA Draft in the rear-view mirror and free agency beginning in just a few days, it’s time to bust out the crystal ball and pick where the biggest names will be playing next season.

LeBron James – Philadelphia 76ers

Everyone is talking about the Lakers. LeBron’s son is rumored to be going to school in Los Angeles. Magic Johnson, the Hollywood spotlight, and the prestige of the Laker brand is sure to be appealing to the NBA’s biggest star right? Sure, but maybe not as appealing as we would think.

LeBron is looking for championships. His ring count, and NBA Finals record, is ultimately what’s holding him back from being considered the greatest of all time. As it stands, the Lakers are far from contending. Sure they have the money, and of course they have a plan to land LeBron, Paul George, and every other big name in the NBA, but that’s a lot of hypothetical.

Report: Space Jam 2 trailer to launch after LeBron James' free agency announcementhttps://t.co/A7Xnp3hOMZ pic.twitter.com/Nf1mJvTgD8

— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) June 26, 2018

What is real is the fact that the Western Conference is topped by two incredible teams; the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets, neither of whom are looking to slow down any time soon. LeBron taking his talents to the west means an even tougher road to just make it to the Finals, let alone win it. Not to mention, LeBron will be playing most of his games in the Staples Center, under the retired jerseys of Kobe, Shaq, Kareem, and Magic. Legacy matters to LeBron, and even if he won three straight titles in LA, he still wouldn’t be at the top of the Laker history pedestal.

LeBron has said that he is looking to play off the ball more as he gets older. If that truly is a factor into his decision, the Philadelphia 76ers make the most sense. Stay in the east, join an established and young core, and play off of the handles of Ben Simmons. LeBron on any roster makes them a contender, but in Philly, that team is immediately a favorite.

Paul George – Oklahoma City Thunder

The other golden boy in the Los Angeles Lakers evil plan. Fans have hung their hat on the fact that George grew up a Lakers fan. Despite their money and market, USA Today’s Sam Amick told Damien Barling and Jason Ross on The Lo-Down that George is expected to re-sign with the Thunder.

Woj says on Sportcenter that Paul George became “comfortable” playing in OKC. Added he likes Sam Presti, Billy Donovan, and playing with Russell Westbrook. Woj says a year ago it was assured he was going to LA. Woj added, PG’s “thinking has changed” since then.

— Dylan Buckingham (@DylanBuckingham) June 27, 2018

With Russell Westbrook locked up and Carmelo Anthony exercising his (way too freaking expensive) player option, the Thunder core would remain intact. Despite their struggles last season, a roster featuring those three names has to be considered dangerous. George and Westbrook appear to get along well, and could form a formidable foundation for OKC’s future.

DeMarcus Cousins – Washington Wizards

It’s really down to three teams for DeMarcus Cousins; the New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, and my pick, the Washington Wizards. Maybe I am putting to much into the relationship between Cousins and all-star point guard John Wall, but that pairing is due for an NBA hookup. After trading Marcin Gortat to the Los Angeles Clippers for Austin Rivers, Washington is in need of a big man who can help boost the Wizards to the next level in the east.

Dallas could create as much as $26M in cap space, which would include declining $5M option on Dirk and re-signing him to lower number, per @BobbyMarks42. Mavericks could be players for UFA's DeMarcus Cousins and DeAndre Jordan, and RFA's Julius Randle, Clint Capela, Aaron Gordon. https://t.co/it4bQRZ3W2

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 27, 2018

Due to his season ending injury, a max deal is probably off the table for Cousins. Washington would need to move another contract, ideally Ian Mahinmi’s $15.9 million, to have a shot at affording the big man. But if they can, they might just become the favorite.

Kevin Durant – Golden State Warriors

No surprise here. I will take Durant at his word, that he will stay with that super team in The Bay. He would be a fool to leave and the Warriors will do everything in their power to lock him up.

Chris Paul & Clint Capela – Houston Rockets

I chose to lump these two together because they aren’t going anywhere. The Rockets were so close to knocking off the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals before Chris Paul went down with an unfortunate, but all too common, injury. Any beef that he allegedly had with Houston’s ownership and front office was dissolved quickly at the NBA Awards Show this week.

Chris Paul says he's "beefing" with Daryl Morey. 😂 pic.twitter.com/Q4B3cvr5eI

— Rockets Nation (@Rockets__Nation) June 26, 2018

As for Clint Capela, the latest athletic center to cash in on the brilliance of Chris Paul’s playmaking, he has to decide if he wants to try and go for a title or a paycheck. His play last season is good enough to earn him a massive payday from some team out there, however, based off of how far Houston made it in the playoffs, it makes sense for him to stay with that Houston core and try to dethrone the Warriors.

Isaiah Thomas – Los Angeles Clippers

Isaiah Thomas has been the victim of the dramatic NBA money swings. Someone expected to receive a massive contract from Boston after an MVP-caliber season, only to get hurt, traded to Cleveland, and then Los Angeles, who has missed out on a lot of deserved money and praise. The former last pick in the draft is in need of a showcase season.

Expect Thomas to look for a one year deal where he can go to a team and show why he deserves big money. There are two locations that make the most sense; the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clippers.

.@isaiahthomas got a quick late-night workout in at the @Lakers facility post-draft. (via @NotoriousOHM) pic.twitter.com/nNSdKqRbF1

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 22, 2018

Initially, the Magic were the top choice, a team that Thomas could lead in scoring every single night with no real expectation around them. They may lose games, but I.T. could get his 20+ points a night and try to cash in next summer. But Isaiah is a competitive guy, and is hungry to prove his worth in a competitive market.

The Los Angeles Clippers, now in need of a scoring guard, could pair Thomas with Lou Williams and have a potentially explosive scoring backcourt. The Clippers just missed the playoffs by a few spots, and assuming they hold onto DeAndre Jordan, Thomas could immediately push them over the hump.

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