Predicting landing spots for every NBA free agent and trade target
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2023-06-14 23:59
Today on The Whiteboard, we're making a prediction for every NBA free agent and trade target, digging into NBA Draft prospects and more.As the playoffs wore on, the rumor mill drew more and more players into the offseason picture as possible trades emerged. Between actual free agents, expec...

Today on The Whiteboard, we're making a prediction for every NBA free agent and trade target, digging into NBA Draft prospects and more.

As the playoffs wore on, the rumor mill drew more and more players into the offseason picture as possible trades emerged. Between actual free agents, expected free agents, disgruntled stars and players who could be dangled in trade discussions and we now have a huge list of players who could be on the move.

So, I tried to guess where they all will land.

On the list below, I tried to include every possible impact free agent — restricted, unrestricted and player or team options that could be declined — as well as any player mentioned in plausible trade rumors. I haven't actually run the numbers on each of these predictions and they're based on a blend of gut reactions, rumors and my read of the larger NBA landscape. That is to say, I believe they are all mutually compatible and they should all be taken with a giant pile of salt.

NBA free agent and trade target predictions:

Anfernee Simons: Traded to the Pelicans with the No. 3 pick for Brandon Ingram

Austin Reaves: Re-signed by the Lakers

Bradley Beal: Retained by the Wizards, not traded

Brandon Ingram: Traded to the Trail Blazers

Brook Lopez: Re-signed by the Bucks

Bruce Brown Jr.: Opts out, re-signed by the Nuggets

Cam Johnson: Signs offer sheet with the Pistons, offer matched by the Nets

Caris LeVert: Re-signs by the Cavs

Chris Paul: Waived and stretched by the Suns, signed by the Lakers

Christian Wood: Signed by the Bulls

D'Angelo Russell: Signed by the 76ers

Deandre Ayton: Traded to the Toronto Raptors

Derrick Rose: Team option declined by Knicks, signs with Bulls

Draymond Green: Player option declined, re-signs with Warriors

Dejounte Murray: Retained by the Hawks, not traded

Dennis Schroder: Re-signed by the Lakers

Dillon Brooks: Signed by the Heat

Fred VanVleet: Signed-and-traded to the Phoenix Suns, for Deandre Ayton

Gabe Vincent: Re-signed by the Heat

Gary Trent Jr.: Player option declined, signs with Magic

Grant Williams: Signs offer sheet with the Pistons, offer not matched by the Celtics

Harrison Barnes: Re-signed by the Kings

Jakob Poeltl: Signed by the Oklahoma City Thunder

James Harden: Player option exercised, signed by the Rockets

Jaylen Brown: Retained by the Celtics, not traded, extension signed

Jerami Grant: Re-signed by the Trail Blazers

Jevon Carter: Re-signed by the Bucks

Josh Hart: Player option exercised, re-signed by the Knicks

Karl-Anthony Towns: Traded to the Knicks

Kelly Oubre Jr.: Player option exercised, signed by the Rockets

Kevin Love: Signed by the Lakers

Khris Middleton: Player option exercised, re-signed by the Bucks

Kristaps Porzingis: Player option exercised, re-signed by the Wizards

Kyle Kuzma: Player option exercised, re-signed by the Knicks

Kyrie Irving: Re-signed by the Mavs

Lonnie Walker: Signed by the Mavs

Malik Beasley: Team option declined by the Lakers, signed by the Magic

Matisse Thybulle: Re-signed by the Trail Blazers

Max Strus: Re-signed by the Heat

Nikola Vucevic: Re-signed by the Bulls

Pascal Siakam: Retained by the Raptors, not traded

P.J. Washington: Signs offer sheet with the Pacers, offer matched by the Hornets

Rui Hachimura: Re-signed by the Lakers

Russell Westbrook: Re-signed by the Clippers

Seth Curry: Signed by the Trail Blazers

Trae Young: Retained by the Hawks, not traded

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