TLM’s Jon Elliot and I got together for a joint piece, wherein I took the odds, Elliot the evens. As most are already aware, non-playoff teams typically receive very little love from free agents during the month of July, as the best and brightest usually sign with squads who have a quality core in place beforehand. Based on Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post‘s Top-50 NBA Free Agents list, here’s where the available players might sign if forced to choose a franchise from outside of last year’s playoff pool.
1. Kevin Durant – Zero (count ’em) non-playoff teams from 2015-16 made KD’s short list for FA meetings. The Wizards would’ve been a good homecoming story, but an abysmal basketball fit. On the other hand, the Wolves could already be title contenders if they had Durant in the fold. That’s how ready to roll Karl-Anthony Towns and company are already.
2. LeBron James – It’s close to a foregone conclusion that King James will re-sign in Believeland, but for the sake of dreaming, just about any lottery team could use him. The Wizards are on the verge of the playoffs or in the playoffs each year, and small forward is the only hole they’ve really had for the past few years. James should stay in the East and can take them back to the Finals with a talented Beal and Wall.
3. Andre Drummond – It’s all but certain that Drummond will re-sign a full five-year max deal to remain in Detroit. However, he should probably pack his bags for New Orleans in order to play alongside another A.D. Drummond doesn’t make much sense in Alvin Gentry’s offense, which is predicated on constant ball and player movement, but a core of Drummond, Davis, Jrue Holiday, and Buddy Hield isn’t half bad.
4. Al Horford – The Lakers make too much sense for Horford. Imagine him with Randle and Ingram in the frontcourt and you start to see the picture. Horford has a unique skillset, veteran leadership, and is young enough to carry the Lakers into the better years ahead.
5. Nicolas Batum – Batum is a safe bet to stay in Charlotte, and for good reasons–he just had the best year of his career and is set to make mounds of money. It is fun to picture him on the Magic though, as the young core of Elfrid Payton, Evan Fournier, Mario Hezonja, Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic, and Serge Ibaka doesn’t lack much beyond a true small forward.
6. Dwight Howard – Chicago has prided itself on defense, something that Howard can still provide. Losing Gasol, as they most likely will, as well as Noah, means the Bulls will be low on interior defense and rebounding. Howard can solve that issue in the near-term.
7. Mike Conley – Conley is also a long-shot to leave his current home team given that he can make much more money if he remains in Memphis. Still, a pairing with DeMarcus Cousins and former Grizzlies’ coach Dave Joerger could help Sacramento put together its best season in the last decade.
8. DeMar DeRozan – Anthony Davis needs another running mate. DeMar DeRozan provides a lot of talent and athleticism to a Pelicans squad that is on the verge of the playoffs with this roster. DeRozan is also an All-Star, which could also help lure the crowds.
9. Bradley Beal – Beal is reportedly ready to meet with Washington in hopes of reaching a quick agreement on a new contract. Nevertheless, the New York Knicks need a shooting guard more than anything. Derrick Rose and Beal might only stay healthy for a month, but it’d be the best stretch of hoops in several seasons for Carmelo and company.
10. Hassan Whiteside – The Bucks will likely move on from Greg Monroe if they can, and Whiteside could be the perfect replacement. Milwaukee has thrived on length and athleticism, and having the 7-0 Whiteside with his 7-7 wingspan should play right into their system.
11. Chandler Parsons – Recently I made a case that the Jazz should consider trading for Atlanta’s Paul Millsap. However, is it possible that Parsons could be Utah’s stretch four of the future? They certainly have plenty of cap space should they look past Parsons’ injury history and decide that this is the summer to start spending.
12. Luol Deng – Sacramento needs a power forward and shooting. Luol Deng provided both for the Miami Heat in their impressive run to almost reach the Conference Finals. With Deng, Conley, Rudy Gay, and DMC, Sac-town could finally reach the playoffs, and earn their respectability once again.
13. Marvin Williams – Williams is one of the top priorities for Charlotte, who benefitted brilliantly by moving Marvin to power forward this past season. Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards would warmly welcome Williams’ two-way versatility since Jared Dudley’s days in D.C. may be numbered.
14. Bismack Biyombo – Orlando has an established offensive presence in Nikola Vucevic. However, rim protection is a definite need off the bench. Biyombo is one of the elite rim protectors and rebounders in the league, especially for a backup.
15. Jordan Clarkson – Clarkson figures to rake in a lot of cash to re-sign with the Lakers this summer. However, a sign-and-trade with Philadelphia for Nerlens Noel might satisfy both parties.
16. Dwayne Wade – Yes, I’ll go sentimental. With LeBron (fictitiously) heading to the nation’s capital, why not have D-Wade team up with him again? Washington will be missing a shooting guard in our fantasy since Beal is in New York, and Wade plus LeBron has equaled a 50 percent chance of a championship so far.
17. Dirk Nowitzki – Marc Stein stated that there is no chance that Nowitzki leaves in free agency on Zach Lowe’s recent podcast episode. That’s good enough for me, but for sake of fun: imagining the German Moses as the small-ball center for the Bucks, who barfed up his draft rights for Robert Traylor, is more than enough to make this guy giddy.
18. Tim Duncan – Chicago makes too much sense. They’re in the suburbs of playoff city, and Duncan won’t be 40 forever. He’ll want a chance to win and a combination of Howard/Duncan down low should definitely resolve any defensive liability issues they might have inside the paint.
19. Joakim Noah – Noah reuniting with Tom Thibodeau is a tantalizing thought to consider, but his defensive energy would help change the entire atmosphere in New Orleans. Noah also projects as a near-perfect fit at center in Alvin Gentry’s offense.
20. Pau Gasol – Speaking of Chicago, Gasol will be on the move as well (RE: fantasy free agency). A pairing of Horford and Gasol in Los Angeles, as well as the recent draft of Ingram, should set Luke Walton up for a successful rookie head coaching season (and lure Phil Jackson back perhaps?).
21. Harrison Barnes – The Philadelphia 76ers are rumored to be interested in offering Barnes a max deal. Personally, I’m not convinced that Barnes is better than Robert Covington, but the former Tar Heel is a week and change away from a big payday despite his struggles in this year’s NBA Finals. There’s also no shame in the Sixers spending some money on a versatile wing player now that the tanking is finally finished.
22. J.R. Smith – Denver is in need of shooters, and JR Smith just so happens to be a shooter. Unfortunately, outside of a few minutes in the Finals, that’s all he happens to be. Even so, he should fit nicely in with a young Denver squad.
23. Kent Bazemore – Bazemore and Jimmy Butler would have more swag than any other starting wing duo in the NBA. Nuff said.
24. Jeremy Lin – Lin wants to start. It makes sense after his breakout candidacy for Sixth Man of the Year in Charlotte, and Wisconsin seems like a good fit. Not only can he improve their outside shooting, but MCW has had his chances.
25. Courtney Lee — Courtney Lee could probably suit up as the de-facto point guard for the Milwaukee Bucks since they don’t exactly need a traditional point guard. A lineup of Courtney Lee, Khris Middleton, Giannis, Jabari, and a mobile starting center would strike serious fear into the deer’s opponents.
26. Deron Williams – Being a backup in Utah just seemed like too much of a sad story. Chicago is likely looking for a point guard unless Jerian Grant impresses, and Williams would probably still want to start. I don’t know how far they could go, but Williams could remain in the playoff hunt with this team.
27. Evan Fournier – All signs point to Fournier being retained by the Magic since Victor Oladipo was traded to OKC. Nevertheless, Fournier would be a fine fit in Philly, who similar to Milwaukee has no real need for a traditional point guard now that they have Ben Simmons operating as the point forward.
28. Jared Dudley – Always the consummate professional, Dudley can help mentor whomever the Nets have on their roster. Also, three-point shooting and defense is the most valuable role-player type out there.
29. Eric Gordon – Assuming the Knicks strike out on Bradley Beal and other top two-guards, Gordon might a good option. Theoretically, he provides the three-point shooting touch that Arron Afflalo lacked. Gordon would also give Melo, Porzingis, and a hopefully healthy Rose some extra space with which to work on offense.
30. Ryan Anderson – Anderson is one of the best stretch fours in the game, and the Kings would be remiss for not signing one after inexplicably trading Marquese Chriss on draft night. Plus, he could shine with Conley as the point guard.
31. Manu Ginobili – Ginobili and Duncan would only leave the Spurs if they chose to retire. This much is known. But Manu should consider taking his talents to Brooklyn so he can learn what it’s like to play for a team that struggles to win 20 instead of lose 20.
32. Donatas Motiejunas – The Nets can afford to take a flyer on a player with recent injury concerns. Motiejunas is loaded with potential, and he can become a cornerstone for the Nets’ future if he works out.
33. Meyers Leonard – Maybe the Blazers have their sights set on a better center. Meanwhile, the Nets can afford to take a chance on Leonard, who would’ve made even more bread this offseason had he not suffered through such a tough 2015-16. It would take an overpay to pry him away from Portland, but Brooklyn needs to find some diamonds in the rough.
34. Gerald Henderson – The Jazz need more versatility and wing depth. Check and check. Hendo can play the two or the three, and he can fill in as a starter or come off the bench with no issues.
35. Arron Afflalo – I used to be jealous of Arron Afflalo. “Black Boy Fly” is still one of my favorite songs, and I could easily watch Kevin Harlan call Afflalo an assassin over and over again on loop. Here’s to hoping Afflalo rejoins the Nuggets now that Brian Shaw is long gone.
36. Joe Johnson – Denver, as with most teams in the lottery, needs shooting help. Joe Johnson, an annoyingly clutch shooter, could help big time in that regard. Besides, it’s rare to have a go-to shooter in late-game situations like Johnson.
37. Jamal Crawford – The Sacramento Kings badly need another veteran voice inside that locker room. Furthermore, Crawford gets buckets, and he’d have a chance to put up some impressive stats if he beat out Ben McLemore for a starting role.
38. Maurice Harkless – Harkless could fit well with what Minny is trying to do. Harkless has size at his position (as does everyone on this team), and he’s flexible to play small or power forward.
39. Langston Galloway – The former St. Joe’s Hawk should take a train back to his old stomping grounds in Philadelphia. Galloway has a 6-8 wingspan, plays hard as hell, and doesn’t need to have the ball in his hands to be effective.
40. Dion Waiters – The Nets need to load up on potential, and Waiters is bursting at the seams with it after an impressive playoff series against the Warriors. He’s also unfailingly confident, and that could help the attitude around Jay-Z’s former team.
41. Solomon Hill – The Pelicans’ history of players who have started at small forward is downright depressing. Hill would already be one of the most well-rounded threes to suit up in that position for New Orleans.
42. Matthew Dellavedova – What Derrick Rose may lack on hustle due to his injuries, Dellavedova surely makes up for it. Also, defense might be an issue for the New-Look Knicks, so having Delly in the Big Apple could prove useful in many ways. I would be wary of him tripping Rose in practice though.
43. Evan Turner – Since most of the non-playoff teams don’t have enough shooting to make them standout fits for Turner, I’ll say the Suns. He could come off the bench and be a major contributor, or maybe even slot in as the starting small forward alongside Eric Bledsoe, Devin Booker, P.J. Tucker, and Alex Len if the rookies open the year as reserves.
44. Allen Crabbe – Crabbe could provide great depth at small forward behind Ingram, and Los Angeles needs shooting. Crabbe is just under 40 percent from deep for his short career, so adding him would only help this young team.
45. Al Jefferson – Having already accepted a backup job in Charlotte last year, Orlando could do worse than adding Big Al as their third-most capable center behind its dynamic duo of Serge Ibaka and Nikola Vucevic.
46. Jared Sullinger – There are literally five players on the current payroll for the Knicks. Expect a lot of free agent noise from them. Sullinger would give them a starter-quality player that could come off the bench if they don’t sign another big.
47. Nene – The former All-Star caliber center actually had a decent year while playing limited minutes in Washington, yet his career seems to be coming to a close. Utah has more bigs than they know what to do with at the moment, but Nene would bring experience and leadership to a fairly young team that’s looking to push for a playoff spot in 2016-17.
48. David West – The Suns need veteran forward depth, and who better than David West? He can give shooting and a valuable few minutes at the end of the bench while contributing to a budding playoff contender.
49. Timofey Mozgov — Minnesota is essentially set at the five with Karl-Anthony Towns and Gorgui Dieng, but Mozgov could be a terrific third big man for Thibs’ Timberwolves.
50. Tyler Johnson – The guy behind John Wall needs to be able to carry his own weight. Tyler Johnson is an up-and-coming player who has starter potential. It’s all for naught though, because the Heat are expected to match any offers for him.
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