With the league in hiatus, fans can return to future speculation. Free agency always proves to be wild, and the NBA offseason tends to often be a circus of nonstop entertainment. Now, where will the top 10 free agents this summer land?
Predicting Landing Spots for Top Free Agents
First Five
10. Serge Ibaka – Los Angeles Lakers
Ibaka has enjoyed great success in Toronto. He’s still capable of being a major game-changer for a title-contending team. With that said, there’s no better player to play with than LeBron James.
If Ibaka is hungry for another title, landing in Los Angeles would only improve one of the most feared frontcourts in the league. The fit is there with Dwight Howard and DeMarcus Cousins set to be free agents.
9. Bogdan Bogdanovic – Sacramento Kings
Bogdanovic has the potential to be a star elsewhere, but he’s entering the summer as a restricted free agent. His name was thrown around during the trade deadline, but he stayed in Sacramento and even became a starter.
The Kings have plenty of youthful talent and keeping Bogdanovic would be key for their first playoff appearance in years.
8. Gordon Hayward– Boston Celtics
Hayward has shown improvement this season after his horrific injury. He’s been crucial to the Celtics’ surge as one of the league’s top teams.
With a player option for $34 million at hand, Hayward will be returning to Boston.
7. Danilo Gallinari – Miami Heat
The Heat pushed for Gallinari during the trade deadline but were unable to finalize a deal. The Italian international has continued his hot play, however, and has been a key factor in the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s rise in the playoff standings.
His shooting will be welcomed in a young line-up alongside veteran leader Jimmy Butler.
6. Fred VanVleet – Toronto Raptors
VanVleet has emerged as a star in Toronto after the 2019 playoffs and his play this season. He’s a fan-favorite as well and has shown no desire to leave.
At only 26-years-old, he’ll sign a long-term extension with the Raptors and eventually form an elite duo alongside Pascal Siakam once Kyle Lowry leaves.
Top Five
5. Andre Drummond – Cleveland Cavaliers
First off, Drummond has said that he plans on picking up his player option. With that in mind, the Cavaliers showed improvement after the Drummond trade. They traded for the big man for low value, but he should be in their plans.
With Collin Sexton‘s improved play and what should be a top-five pick in the draft, the Cavs have a chance to build something.
4. DeMar DeRozan – Atlanta Hawks
Don’t forget about DeRozan. Sure, the San Antonio Spurs won’t make the playoffs this season, but the former All-Star is averaging just about 22 points, six rebounds, and six assists per game.
Trae Young is entering star status, and the Hawks should surround him with more talent before the other lower-tier Eastern Conference teams finish their rebuilds.
3. Montrezl Harrell – New York Knicks
Harrell is excelling off the bench this season, but he’s ready for a major starting role. The Knicks’ experiment of signing as many power forwards as they could this past offseason was yet another failure, but Harrell is different. He comes from a winning environment and is actually a piece to build around.
The Knicks have a decent young core and Harrell would be a much better fit than Julius Randle.
2. Brandon Ingram – New Orleans Pelicans
Ingram is having a break-out season and even secured his first All-Star appearance. In addition, his fit with budding star Zion Williamson has been superb. The two have a chance to form one of the league’s top duos, so look for Ingram to sign a long-term extension.
1. Anthony Davis – Los Angeles Lakers
Like Ingram, Davis isn’t going anywhere. The Lakers have been the top team in the Western Conference, and arguably the favorite to win the championship. Davis will stay alongside James and eventually make the Lakers his own team.
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