Predictions for Every Top NBA Free Agent

With the draft behind us, the focus of the NBA world now turns to free agency, where some of the best players in the world could change cities and and shift the balance of power in the entire league. Nobody is immune to the free agency rumors, with the NBA champion Toronto Raptors among the teams wondering if they'll lose a star this summer. Could Kawhi Leonard actually bolt after winning a title?

With Kevin Durant likely missing the entire season with a ruptured achilles, Kawhi is now the best free agent on the board this summer, but Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, Kemba Walker, Tobias Harris, D'Angelo Russell, and more can all switch teams in the next few weeks. The balance of power in the NBA is already up in the air with the KD and Klay Thompson's injuries, making this summer all that more important. The Lakers have already made their splash with the Anthony Davis trade, but will surely be active once free agency begins on June 30. Will the Nets make a big move? What do the Knicks have planned?

There's nothing like NBA free agency, and this year is sure to be one of the craziest we've ever seen. With free agency officially starting in under a week, the Complex Sports team got together to offer up our official predictions for where each top free agent will land this summer. Buckle up.

Free Agency Options: Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks

Chopz: Brooklyn Nets

I thought Kevin Durant to the Knicks was a sure thing all year, but his injury has assuredly shaken some things up. Returning to the Warriors makes more sense than it did before, but I still think KD is going to leave the Bay, but now, I think he's heading to Brooklyn. What I'm really looking for is if the Nets and Warriors might possibly work out a sign & trade for KD that sends some assets back to Golden State.

Adam Caparell: Brooklyn Nets

After seeing how the Warriors took care of DeMarcus Cousins as he rehabbed from his own Achilles injury, his familiarity with the Golden State medical staff, his apparent comfort with life in the Bay Area, and the extra money he can make, I think KD re-upping with the Warriors is his most logical choice. But consider this an “educated” guess that the Nets, as of right now, end up being his destination.

Angel Diaz: Golden State Warriors

The Warriors aren’t letting KD go anywhere. Bob Myers and company feel guilty about how everything went down, so they’ll be offering him a 5-year SuperMax contract that’ll pay him $57 million more than any other team. I just can’t see him taking a risk of that nature, seeing that he’s 32 coming off a torn achilles. Durant will make a comeback from that injury like Dominique did, he won’t have the lift anymore but his game has never been about finishing at the rim. KD will forever be hard to guard.

Free Agency Options: Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks

Chopz: Los Angeles Clippers

This one is probably the toughest to figure out because Kawhi is a tough guy to figure out. Winning a title and immediately leaving would be weird for anyone other than Kawhi, which makes me think the Clippers are the choice here. The wild card is obviously the Lakers, who could not only bring Kawhi back home, but pair him with LeBron and Anthony Davis.

Adam Caparell: Los Angeles Clippers

Clippers. But the Raptors made a strong, strong case to keep Kawhi— where else is he going to feel the love like up north since Toronto is probably going to put a statue of Kawhi in Jurassic Park. But who knows with Kawhi. Clippers would be a lot of fun with Leonard on board.

Angel Diaz: Los Angeles Clippers

Who the fuck knows what Kawhi is thinking. He’s been shedding his robot image by being a fun guy after carrying the Raptors to a championship so maybe he’s comfortable there. But home is home and the Clippers have a better situation with Jerry West overseeing it. Toronto and the Clippers have the same chance at Kawhi. Maybe he’ll consider signing a one and one like LeBron James and Kevin Durant were doing to stay in Toronto. Or maybe he’ll go back home in sunny Los Angeles and bring the other team that plays in the Staples Center a title before Bronny and AD do.

Free Agency Options: Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers

Chopz: Brooklyn Nets

This seems like it's happening, which is sort of wild. The Kyrie-to-the-Nets stuff started weeks ago and isn't going away. Since I predicted KD to the Nets, as well, there's no reason to send Kyrie anywhere else.

Adam Caparell: Brooklyn Nets

If Christopher Nolan ever does Inception 2 the plot should center on NBA executives hiring Leo and company to break into the minds of ballers they’re trying to sign. Infiltrating Kyrie Irving’s subconscious would be one hell of a job considering it would be a circus and feature more security than a Secret Service detail. All that being said, I want to be cute and say Boston but we know that’s not happening. I guess if I’m calling KD to the Nets that means Kyrie’s following. So Brooklyn it is, viciously crushing the spirit of Knicks fans.

Angel Diaz: Brooklyn Nets

The Nets are really about to let a younger, cheaper DLo walk to replace him with Kyrie Irving? Because he really did wonderful things for the chemistry up in Boston. I’m not sure why they would think this was the smarter move being that D’Angelo was an All-Star last season and becoming the player every thought he was when he entered the league. Kyrie should consider the Clippers with Kawhi instead.

Free Agency Options: Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers

Chopz: Los Angeles Lakers

Jimmy Butler is one of the hardest predictions to do because it feels like he's going to be in play for wherever Kawhi or KD don't go. This means the Clippers could be strong suitors or even the Nets if KD stays in Golden State or goes to the Knicks. I'm picking the Lakers here, but I don't feel great about it. Philly is obviously also a strong suitor to bring Jimmy back. This could go a number of ways.

Adam Caparell: Philadelphia 76ers

Jimmy spends a lot of time in Los Angeles so I wanted to peg either the Lakers or Clippers as the favorites to land his talents. But there's something gloriously lunch-pale and blue collar about Butler's game and doesn't that just fit best with the gritty Sixers who absolutely could use his veteran leadership? It also might be tough for Butler to turn his back on his budding bromance with Joel Embiid.

Angel Diaz: Philadelphia 76ers

Philly can’t afford to lose Jimmy. If he does bounce, I can see him going to the Clippers with Kawhi. They could be a poor man’s MJ and Scottie. Still, he stays with the 76ers because they desperately need his play on both sides of the ball. With Ben Simmons still not able to knock a 15-footer and Embiid’s inconsistent health, Philly could be a second round exit if Butler bounces.

Free Agency Options: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers

Chopz: Golden State Warriors

If Klay wouldn't have torn his ACl during the NBA Finals, this one could have maybe been a discussion about the LA teams, but nah, Klay is staying with the Warriors. Get that money, Klay.

Adam Caparell: Golden State Warriors

Why did we even bother putting Klay on here?

Angel Diaz: Golden State Warriors

Klay isn’t going anywhere. Golden State is going to give him the max contract while he recovers from his torn ACL.

Free Agency Options: New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets

Chopz: Minnesota Timberwolves

Throwing a real curveball out here, but I think D'Angelo Russell is going to join forces with his good friend, Karl-Anthony Towns in Minnesota. D'Angelo will obviously have to wait out the market to see where the top-tier free agents go, but I think this makes a lot of sense, especially since the Wolves passed on a point guard in the draft. Maybe they knew. Although, Russell going back to the Lakers would easily be the most hilarious outcome.

Adam Caparell: New York Knicks

Toughest to peg because he probably has to wait for a lot of dominos to fall before he signs. I think the Knicks are going to miss out on their top three targets and while they’re reportedly content to sit out free agency if they miss on KD, Kyrie, and Kawhi, I find it hard to believe they're not going to do something and wouldn’t it be funny if they signed Russell just to stick it to the Nets? Of course the Nets and their five day one fans aren’t going to care with KD and Kyrie on board.

Angel Diaz: Boston Celtics

Essentially a trade between Boston and New Jersey—I mean Brooklyn—that’ll work out better for the Celtics. Russell is again going to feel like an underdog and it’ll make him into an all-star next season. I can’t see Terry Rozier staying, and he’ll probably end up in LA if the Lakers decide to spread their remaining cap space around.

Free Agency Options: Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks

Chopz: Charlotte Hornets

This one is tough and I think the Lakers could be a real option to get Kemba, but I already picked Jimmy to go there, so it's the Hornets for Kemba, in my opinion. Take that SuperMax, my friend.

Adam Caparell: Los Angeles Lakers

We all know the Lakers need a point guard. They’re desperately trying to clear space for one more max slot after (most likely) screwing up the salary cap implications of the Anthon Davis trade. While Charlotte appears to be the most logical landing spot, I’ll veer from convention and say Walker heads to LA to be the third wheel to AD and LeBron.

Angel Diaz: New York Knicks

I really hope the Knicks don’t sign anyone since KD went down but I’m also not as delusional as other Knick dierhards. Kemba said he would be willing to take less than the SuperMax to help Charlotte build, except they don’t have enough room to sign anyone significant enough, anyway. I have the feeling the allure of coming back home is going to be too much to turn down. Kemba isn’t Kyrie, but he’s good enough to be second star on a championship caliber team. The Knicks sign Kemba and he brings back New York alongside RJ Barrett surrounded by Mitchell Robinson, Kevin Knox, a couple vets and shooters is my ideal scenario.

Free Agency Options: Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Indiana Pacers

Chopz: Philadelphia 76ers

I think Tobias Harris is going to stay in Philly, but this could go a number of ways depending on how things play out with the top-tier guys. Philly gave up a lot in the original trade for Harris, so my guess is they'll be extra motivated to bring him back, especially if Jimmy Butler leaves town.

Adam Caparell: Indiana Pacers

Harris is from Long Island and the Knicks and Nets would instantly be upgraded adding him to the roster. But it’s never been apparent that playing near home has been a priority for Harris and if the Nets go big, like I’m expecting, then they’re not going to have any room for Harris. How about landing in Indiana where he teams up with Victor Oladipo to make an underrated, but dangerous duo?

Angel Diaz: Brooklyn Nets

The Nets get their man. The Long Island native doesn’t quite fit with the Sixers or at least not enough for them to give him the contract he’s looking for. Brooklyn would be willing to pay Tobias along with Kyrie to add to their already impressive core. Irving was a chemistry killer last season but we have to bet that he’s learned from his past mistakes.

Free Agency Options: New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers

Chopz: Dallas Mavericks

This is an interesting one. Boogie showed some real heart during the NBA Finals, though he was obviously rusty. With extra time to get his game back, I think Cousins could be a real steal for someone. I'm going to predict he ends up with the Dallas Mavericks, but I could see a number of outcomes. It's unlikely that Boogie will be getting a max deal, so a number of teams could be in on him.

Adam Caparell: Oklahoma City Thunder

Cousins bet on himself by taking a one-year deal with the Warriors last summer. It didn’t quite work out like he hoped, of course. Here’s betting that Cousins does another team friendly pact with the Thunder—if Oklahoma City can shed the contracts of Steven Adams, Dennis Schroder, and Andre Roberson this summer.

Angel Diaz: Golden State Warriors

I think Boogie gives it another shot with the Warriors for the low. He’ll be depended upon more next season, though, and who knows if his body will hold up. It’s gonna be him, Steph Curry, and Draymond Green next year and we’re going to really see what Golden State is made of.