{"id":34509,"date":"2020-10-29T09:00:12","date_gmt":"2020-10-29T13:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=34509"},"modified":"2020-10-28T17:38:45","modified_gmt":"2020-10-28T21:38:45","slug":"veteran-ring-chasers-best-free-agency-landing-spots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2020\/10\/29\/veteran-ring-chasers-best-free-agency-landing-spots\/","title":{"rendered":"Veteran Ring Chasers: Best Free Agency Landing Spots"},"content":{"rendered":"

There still isn’t a clear date as to when NBA free agency will start, but due to the nature of what should be a short offseason, there will be plenty of veteran ring chasers who will sign with contending teams in order to win a championship before retirement. Some of these players in the backcourt include\u00a0D.J. Augustin<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Goran Dragic<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Kyle Korver<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Jeff Teague<\/a><\/strong>. The frontcourt players include\u00a0Carmelo Anthony<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Aron Baynes<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Jeff Green<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Dwight Howard<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Paul Millsap<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Best Free Agency Landing Spots for Veteran Ring Chasers<\/h2>\n

Backcourt<\/h3>\n

Augustin is a great fit for the Golden State Warriors<\/a>.\u00a0Stephen Curry<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>will be healthy again, and the Warriors could use a back-up.\u00a0Ky Bowman<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Jordan Poole<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>are not going to cut it for a contending team. Augustin has experience, is calm on the ball, and can lead a bench unit.<\/p>\n

Dragic will be a hot name due to his playoff performances before his Finals injury. Due to this, he will have a lengthy list of suitors as one of the premier veteran ring chasers. With this being said, the Miami Heat<\/a> still present the best fit. Even with other teams making moves this offseason, the Heat will remain a contender. Dragic is still a great starter, and it gives the Heat more time to allow\u00a0Kendrick Nunn<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>to grow.<\/p>\n

The Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> desperately need shooting, and new head coach Mike D’Antoni<\/a> loves his shooters. They make for a perfect match with Korver. This will also serve as a homecoming for Korver, who started his career in Philadelphia. Due to the fact that he’s 39-years-old, his next contract is likely to be his last, and it’d be a great farewell for him to help the 76ers into a deep playoff run.<\/p>\n

Teague is a solid fit for the Utah Jazz<\/a>.\u00a0Mike Conley<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is in a decline, and\u00a0Jordan Clarkson<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is not a clear-cut starter. If\u00a0Emmanuel Mudiay<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>departs in free agency, the Jazz can roster a solid three-man rotation at point guard with Conley, Clarkson, and Teague. This can also allow Clarkson to feature as a back-up shooting guard, while Teague backs up Conley.<\/p>\n

Frontcourt<\/h3>\n

Anthony’s comeback last season was a sight to see, and it came with the Portland Trail Blazers<\/a>. It’s not hard to picture him re-signing. Portland looked like a major threat in the bubble, but injuries and fatigue clearly played a role in their first-round series loss. Anthony already has a nice niche on a fringe-contender.<\/p>\n

Baynes is quietly one of the better back-up centers in the league. He’s a hustle player, plays great defense, and is actually a reliable three-point shooter. The Boston Celtics<\/a> are a great fit for him.\u00a0Daniel Theis<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>carved out a solid role in Boston last season, and rotating him with Baynes gives the Celtics a strong rotation that doesn’t need a star at the position.<\/p>\n

Green became reinvigorated under D’Antoni with the Houston Rockets<\/a>. Due to this, the 76ers present a good fit for him. They need better bench options at all positions, and he can also help with their shooting woes.<\/p>\n

Like Anthony, Howard’s comeback to relevancy with the Los Angeles Lakers was a great story last season. Playing primarily as a back-up center, Howard managed to average 7.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game in just 19 minutes. He’s not a starter anymore, but there’s no reason for him to consider leaving the reigning champions if they want him back.<\/p>\n

Millsap can still be a starter in today’s league, but the majority of contending teams will likely view him as one of their first options off the bench. Due to this, the Dallas Mavericks<\/a> are a great landing spot for him. The Mavericks can score in bunches against anybody but need toughness, defense, and more veteran leadership. Millsap brings all of this. In addition, due to a shortened offseason, it’s unlikely that Kristaps Porzingis<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>will be at full health to start the season. Millsap is a great fill-in for some time and will become one of the team’s top players off the bench.<\/p>\n

Main Image:Embed from Getty Images<\/a>