The 2023-24 NBA season is slowly coming to an end with both the Western and Eastern Conference Finals matchups in place as we look ahead to the NBA Finals. However, there is plenty of work for teams to do this summer as we predict the landing spots for the 15 best NBA free agents in the 2024 offseason.
- 1. LeBron James – Los Angeles Lakers
- 2. Tyrese Maxey – Philadelphia 76ers
- 3. Paul George – Philadelphia 76ers
- 4. Pascal Siakam – Indiana Pacers
- 5. OG Anunoby – New York Knicks
- 6. James Harden – Los Angeles Clippers
- 7. DeMar DeRozan – New York Knicks
- 8. Klay Thompson – Golden State Warriors
- 9. Tobias Harris – Detroit Pistons
- 10. D’Angelo Russell – Orlando Magic
- 11. Nic Claxton – Brooklyn Nets
- 12. Malik Monk – Sacramento Kings
- 13. Miles Bridges – Charlotte Hornets
- 14. Jonas Valanciunas – Utah Jazz
- 15. Immanuel Quickley – Toronto Raptors
1. LeBron James – Los Angeles Lakers
Best Deal: $163 Million, 3-Year Contract
Why Los Angeles Is The Best Destination For LeBron James: Retire With The Greatest Franchise Of All-Time
LeBron James is one of the greatest players of all time and he still has a lot to offer for the Lakers. He won’t retire just yet and wants to win an NBA title as soon as next season. With the Lakers interested in drafting Bronny James, it makes sense for LeBron to accept a three-year deal and stay with the franchise he won the 2019-20 NBA title with.
James has Anthony Davis in Los Angeles, a rampant fanbase, and a chance to live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. LeBron won’t find a lifestyle that suits him better than what he has in L.A., and the roster can still compete for a title over the next two or three seasons if they make improvements by targeting All-Star players. Expect James to reject his $51.4 million player option to sign a long-term deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
2. Tyrese Maxey – Philadelphia 76ers
Best Deal: $207 Million, 5-Year Contract
Why Philadelphia Is The Best Destination For Tyrese Maxey: Supermax Money And Joel Embiid
Tyrese Maxey is very likely going nowhere. He has a deal over $200 million waiting for and a superstar teammate in Joel Embiid who wants him by his side. The 76ers fans adore him and his growth from a prospect to an All-Star and Most Improved Player has been incredible to watch. There is even more to come from Maxey who is only 23 years old.
Posting 25.9 points per game this season, Maxey has a chance to make the 76ers legitimate title contenders next season especially if the team targets one of the best available free agents this summer. The guard is dedicated to being a better playmaker and the 76ers recognize this, which is why he will sign for a little over $200 million this summer.
3. Paul George – Philadelphia 76ers
Best Deal: $212 Million, 4-Year Contract
Why Philadelphia Is The Best Destination For Paul George: A Chance To Create A Strong Big Three
Paul George’s time in Los Angeles is likely over. The Clippers have not offered George a max contract and that signals an end to a rather failed experiment. George struggled to stay healthy and the Clippers struggled almost every season to reach their goals because of it. The furthest the team made it was to the Western Conference Finals in 2021 and failed to meet expectations other than that.
George is still an elite two-way wing player who posted 22.6 points per game on 41.3% from the three-point line. As a result, he is a perfect fit for the 76ers. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey need a wing player who can defend and score and he would be the perfect upgrade over the departing Tobias Harris.
4. Pascal Siakam – Indiana Pacers
Best Deal: $247 Million, 5-Year Contract
Why Indiana Is The Best Destination For Pascal Siakam: Continuity And Potential In The East
It is unlikely that the Indiana Pacers will let Pascal Siakam walk. He was the major acquisition this year and has led the team to the Eastern Conference Finals alongside Tyrese Haliburton this year. Siakam is one of the best power forwards in the NBA and the Pacers will likely bring him back.
Earning over $200 million will make it tough for Siakam to walk away from the Pacers. The team is well coached under Rick Carlisle and Haliburton is a tremendous playmaker, so the Pacers will likely have a top-five offense going forward and Siakam can’t miss being a part of it.
5. OG Anunoby – New York Knicks
Best Deal: $160 Million, 4-Year Contract
Why New York Is The Best Destination For OG Anunoby: To Help Make The Knicks Great Again
The Knicks almost made it to the Eastern Conference Finals without Julius Randle who was out with a major injury. Pushing the Pacers to seven games before crashing out, the Knicks have an exciting roster led by superstar Jalen Brunson. OG Anunoby is a key part of what the Knicks want to do going forward.
The swingman is one of the best on-ball defenders in the NBA and can also space the floor well. He shot 38.2% from three this season and no doubt enjoys being a key player for one of the most iconic franchises in sports. Anunoby is loved by Knicks fans and a $160 million deal could see him running it back for the long term.
6. James Harden – Los Angeles Clippers
Best Deal: $60 Million, 2-Year Contract
Why Los Angeles Is The Best Destination For James Harden: Lack Of Interest From Title-Contenders
James Harden is no longer the player who can carry an offense single-handedly and win a scoring title let alone win an MVP award. However, he is still one of the game’s best playmakers and his high basketball IQ means he can get others involved and play a key role for a franchise looking to contend for an NBA championship.
The Beard won’t find a better place to play than in Los Angeles and only the Clippers will bring him on a deal that could pay him $30 million per season. Harden does not have interest from other contenders around the NBA since he burned bridges with three franchises to date. The Clippers will likely let go of George and could keep Harden as a result.
7. DeMar DeRozan – New York Knicks
Best Deal: $110 Million, 3-Year Deal
Why New York Is The Best Destination For DeMar DeRozan: A Chance To Be An All-Star In The Big Apple
The Knicks want a player of LeBron James’ caliber but that is unlikely at this moment. The player they can acquire realistically is DeMar DeRozan and he could have a major impact alongside Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. At 34 years old, DeRozan is no longer in his prime but can still post 20 points per game in his sleep. The fact that DeRozan rejected a two-year deal up to $40 million per season proves that the All-Star wants a longer term on his next deal.
Posting 24.0 points per game this season, DeRozan is an elite mid-range scorer and has plenty of playoff experience to help the Knicks achieve their goals. New York will have Alec Burks ($10,489,600) off the books and will look to trade Bojan Bogdanovic ($19,032,850) and Mitchell Robinson ($14,318,182), making space for a DeRozan acquisition.
8. Klay Thompson – Golden State Warriors
Best Deal: $80 Million, 3-Year Contract
Why Golden State Is The Best Destination For Klay Thompson: Staying At Home And Eventually Retiring A Splash Brother
The Golden State Warriors want to keep Klay Thompson on a reasonable deal and Thompson wants to retire as Stephen Curry’s shooting guard. That means this partnership has to continue and it likely will. The Warriors will continue building a roster to contend for the foreseeable future which is why they re-signed Draymond Green last offseason.
As long as the Warriors have Curry, Thompson, and Green under Steve Kerr, they will have a chance as long as the rest of the roster improves. Jonathan Kuminga might be the only player who has earned his spot on the team, but that means trading Andrew Wiggins will be the priority instead of moving on from their future Hall of Famer Klay Thompson. Thompson hasn’t been offered a contract just yet but the Warriors are probably gauging the market for Thompson before submitting an offer.
9. Tobias Harris – Detroit Pistons
Best Deal: $80 Million, 4-Year Contract
Why Detroit Is The Best Destination For Tobias Harris: Money And Being Wanted
Tobias Harris is no longer wanted by the Philadelphia 76ers and he was made somewhat of a scapegoat in recent seasons. He isn’t an All-Star but an above-average player who can help any team ascend in their conference. There is one team that wants him more than any other team and it is the ranking Detroit Pistons who suffered through 14 wins this season.
Harris would make the Pistons more relevant since he can score inside and outside and would form an interesting partnership with budding star Cade Cunningham. Detroit might also be the only team willing to shell out $20 million per season on a long-term deal for the 31-year-old forward.
10. D’Angelo Russell – Orlando Magic
Best Deal: $85 Million, 4-Year Contract
Why Orlando Is The Best Destination For D’Angelo Russell: Becoming The Missing Piece To An Improving Team
D’Angelo Russell had an excellent regular season with the Lakers this season, posting 18.0 points and 6.3 assists per game but his numbers dropped in the playoffs to 14.2 points and 4.2 assists. Despite not being the long-term star for the Lakers, that doesn’t mean Russell can’t be part of a long-term core with the Orlando Magic. The point guard can space the floor and score consistently, and the Magic could use him.
Orlando needs an upgrade at the point guard position and Russell won’t have the burden of having to be an elite star for the franchise like he has with Los Angeles. The former No. 2 overall pick could benefit from playing alongside budding star Paolo Banchero and under Jamahl Mosley who maximizes the presence of his players. To earn $85 million and get out of the L.A. spotlight, Russell could find solace in Orlando.
11. Nic Claxton – Brooklyn Nets
Best Deal: $100 Million, 4-Year Contract
Why Brooklyn Is The Best Destination For Nic Claxton: Money And Being A Key Player
Nic Claxton might never be an elite scorer or dominant big man, but he can start for the Brooklyn Nets and contribute as a lob-catcher and shot-blocker. At 6’11”, Claxton has the size to be a starting center for a franchise over the long term and is only 25 years old. The Brooklyn Nets could use Claxton’s presence even if it might cost them $100 million.
The youngster has spent the first five seasons of his career with the Nets and might not get a bigger contract anywhere else except Brooklyn. Claxton finished fifth in the Most Improved Player of the Year rankings last year, and could only get better as he has more years under his belt.
12. Malik Monk – Sacramento Kings
Best Deal: $78 Million, 4-Year Contract
Why Sacramento Is The Best Destination For Malik Monk: A Chance To Continue Being One Of The Best 6th Men In The NBA
The Sacramento Kings won’t be able to replace Malik Monk easily which is why they might shell out close to $80 million for the runner-up to Naz Reid in this year’s Sixth Man of the Year race. Monk posted a career-high 15.4 points per game this season and is only 26 years old, meaning he could see an elevation in his numbers going forward.
Monk is a key fire-starter for the Kings off the bench and losing him would hurt the team’s offense considerably. Unless Monk wants out of Sacramento to live in a city of his choosing, he won’t find many better deals than the one the Kings can offer him this summer and he should accept it.
13. Miles Bridges – Charlotte Hornets
Best Deal: $100 Million, 4-Year Contract
Why Charlotte Is The Best Destination For Miles Bridges: Money And Playing Alongside LaMelo Ball
Miles Bridges is the type of player the Charlotte Hornets could use to ascend in the Eastern Conference. He is only 26 years old, has an unrelenting motor, and plenty of athleticism to catch lobs from All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball. Posting 21.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game this season, Bridges has a chance to get even better.
The question is: will Charlotte be willing to overlook Bridges’ off-court issues? The forward has been dealing with some personal issues of late and it isn’t the best look. The forward is still playing in the NBA at a high level so it seems he is focused on playing basketball which means he could earn $100 million this summer.
14. Jonas Valanciunas – Utah Jazz
Best Deal: $54 Million, 3-Year Contract
Why Utah Is The Best Destination For Jonas Valanciunas: Create An Interesting Frontcourt With Lauri Markkanen
The Utah Jazz are interested in Jonas Valanciunas to help form a dynamic frontcourt with Lauri Markkanen while Walker Kessler continues to develop. A couple of teams will be interested in the big man, but playing in Utah could be interesting for the Lithuanian. Posting 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, the big man can certainly play a role.
A chance to earn a little over $50 million could be more than interesting for Valanciunas as well because the market for powerful bigs isn’t as strong as it used to be. He can space the floor enough and is a solid rebounder, so expect Valanciunas to leave New Orleans for a chance to play elsewhere no matter where he goes.
15. Immanuel Quickley – Toronto Raptors
Best Deal: $100 Million, 4-Year Contract
Why Toronto Is The Best Destination For Immanuel Quickley: Solidifying Future And Playing A Key Role
The Raptors acquired Quickley before this season’s trade deadline and he had a strong start to the team by averaging 18.6 points and 6.8 assists per game on 39.5% from three in 38 games. The Raptors seem to be fond of the guard’s quick handles and shooting ability, which is why he will likely remain with the team.
Giving up OG Anunoby was not an easy move for Toronto so they will hold onto RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley for as long as possible to provide support to Scottie Barnes. Even if he isn’t a star just yet, Quickley has a chance to develop with the Raptors for the long term and could get $100 million as well.
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