With many of the top free agents already deciding their new homes, with the obvious exception being LeBron James. However, everyone in the world, myself included, have already given their opinions on where LeBron will call home next season. That's why I've decided to write another edition of NBA free agent predictions with the remaining guys. Below are the Top 15 free agents left on the market and where I think they'll land (LeBron excluded):
(Rank)(Name)(Predicted Destination)
15. Udonis Haslem - Miami Heat. If Haslem is willing to come back for a reduced price, I think he will definitely be returning to the Heat this season. Pat Riley has constantly maintained that he would like to bring him back, but the team is monitoring their finances until the top free agents have decided where they will play this year. The Heat have already kept Dwyane Wade and added Chris Bosh, making them a strong contender and a tough situation to pass up.
14. Brad Miller - Houston Rockets. With Yao Ming almost constantly injuring himself when he is actually able to play, Houston desperately needs to add a quality big man that can start or come off the bench. Miller is one of the most overlooked free agents of the summer and can still contribute solid scoring and rebounding despite being 34. He is also an excellent three point shooter for his size and will help stretch the floor.
13. Tyrus Thomas - Charlotte Bobcats. I expect Thomas to sign an offer sheet with a different team, but unless the deal is massively bloated, I expect the Bobcats to match the offer. Thomas hasn't quite lived up to his potential considering he was the 4th overall pick of the 2006 Draft, but he is still a quality player. The Bobcats need his athleticism and rebounding and I'm pretty sure he will end up being there this season.
12. Josh Childress - Washington Wizards. While it's no guarantee that Childress will return to the NBA this season, I think he will end up with the Wizards. Washington probably won't be contending for at least a few more seasons, but with his addition, they would definitely be a better team. With Miami already picking up two of the best free agents of the summer, the Wizards need to add more talent to have any hopes of winning their division in the near future.
11. Al Harrington - New Jersey Nets. Harrington could sign with a contender for less money, but New Jersey will likely put out several large offers out for various free agents and Harrington could be one of them. He has the ability to explode offensively and is more than willing to play off the bench if it helps the team win. While he could receive other offers, I think he ends up being one of Prokhorov's biggest acquisitions.
10. Mike Miller - Los Angeles Lakers. This is probably going to be Los Angeles' second acquisition to go along with PG Steve Blake. Miller is one of the most desired free agents left in the eyes of several teams, and he will likely be picked up sooner rather than later. While he could definitely make more money by signing with a different franchise, no one has a better chance at winning a title next season than the Lakers.
9. Brendan Haywood - New York Knicks. Haywood would be a solid addition for a team looking to move up in the Eastern Conference. After acquiring Amare Stoudemire, landing Haywood would only further strengthen their frontcourt. The Knicks are unlikely to land LeBron, with his decision almost certainly narrowed to Cleveland and Miami. Haywood helped lead the Mavericks to the second seed in the Western Conference and would likely bring a nightly potential for a double-double to New York.8. J.J. Redick - Los Angeles Clippers. Redick is likely on his way out of Orlando, and if so, I think he will be the Clippers only catch of the summer. He has steadily improved over the past few seasons and is looking to cash in this summer with a solid contract. While he has stated that Orlando has an advantage in keeping him, I see him leaving if the team decides not to pull the trigger on a deal involving Vince Carter. While he's a solid player, Redick could potentially get overpaid by the Clippers as well, considering their history of poor business decisions.
7. Jermaine O'Neal - Dallas Mavericks. O'Neal is rumored to be considering Denver, Dallas, and Boston as possible destinations. While he would be in a good position with the Celtics, the Eastern Conference might be getting harder to get off than the West. While there is the increasingly difficult task of beating the Lakers to make it to the Finals, beyond that it is very a wide open fight in the Western Conference. If O'Neal agrees to terms with the Mavericks, he will only add to an already strong contender that landed the 2nd seed in the playoffs last season (although they suffered a shockingly quick exit).
6. Raymond Felton - New York Knicks. The Knicks are said to be very interested in signing Felton and I believe they will make him a good enough offer to entice him to come to the Big Apple. While he's not quite on the same level as Steve Nash, Felton should mesh pretty well Amare Stoudemire. They have the potential explode offensively, but I'm not sure if this team will be able to play enough defense to make it deep into the playoffs under head coach Mike D'Antoni.
5. Luis Scola - New Jersey Nets. New owner Mikhail Prokhorov will not let his team completely strike out in free agency if they can't land LeBron. While Scola isn't one the best players in the free agent class, he will come for a lot less than a maximum offer and give the Nets a quality power forward that brings a lot of energy. There is a decent chance he will be back with the Rockets, but in my opinion, he should get out while he can. Yao Ming isn't leading that team anywhere and they aren't close to being in contention for an NBA title.
4. Shaquille O'Neal - Boston Celtics. The Big Diesel could end up with the Hawks, but I personally seeing him sign a two year deal with the Celtics. It's no guarantee when Kendrick Perkins will be 100% after the knee injury he sustained in the Finals, and Shaq would provide veteran leadership for the team as well as a suitable replacement in his absence. This deal makes more sense for O'Neal than going to Atlanta because Boston will likely give him the best chance at another title.3. Richard Jefferson - Miami Heat. If he is willing to accept less money to chase a title in a captivating environment, Jefferson may very well end up with Heat. They are going to make strong pitches to a lot of veteran players and if he is willing to accept a smaller contract, he could further add to a growing contender in the Eastern Conference. If Jefferson is motivated and in a good situation, he has the potential to put down 20 points per game for whichever team he signs with.
2. Ray Allen - Chicago Bulls (Darkhorse: Miami Heat). Ray Allen will likely follow Tom Thibodeau to the Bulls if he does indeed leave Boston. After reportedly being shopped over the entirety of the last year, he may not be too willing to pass up a huge offer from Chicago if they don't land LeBron. Look for the Heat to also make a run at Allen's services after LeBron makes his decision as well. I think Allen will eventually end up as Chicago's second big catch along with Carlos Boozer.
1. David Lee - Golden State Warriors. There have been reports surfacing late this afternoon that if LeBron signs anywhere other than New York, there is a deal in place between the Knicks and Warriors involving Lee. New York would sign and trade Lee to Golden State in exchange for Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike or Ronny Turiaf, and the expiring contract of Vladimir Radmanovic. While the Knicks won't be prying away Monta Ellis, they will land quality players and cap space for a run at Melo or another top free agent next summer making this a very intriguing deal for them.
