The Best And Worst NBA Markets For Free Agents This Summer

The NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat has concluded, and the Denver Nuggets are your 2023 NBA champions, marking the end of another fantastic basketball season. For basketball fans, the fun is just getting started as the NBA offseason will be in full swing by the first week of July when one of the most exciting times off the court begins. I am talking, of course about free agency. The NBA’s free agency period is one of the most chaotic times during the NBA offseason as players decide their future and teams desperately scramble to make deals that will hopefully improve their roster.

NBA players have a major decision ahead of them when free agency falls into their laps. They are not only choosing a place for them to play basketball but where they and their families are going to live for the next few years of their lives. They have to take into account all of the other variables that go into a free agency decision, and a lot of those variables have nothing to do with basketball. Today, we also take all of these variables into account as we count down the best and worst free agency destinations in the NBA. Climate, taxes, and overall atmosphere will be considered in these rankings, as will the basketball implications of joining a specific team, such as coaches, teammates, and the road to a championship for that franchise.

These are the best and worst NBA markets ranked as free-agent destinations.

30. Utah Jazz

The NBA market set to be ranked as the worst in the NBA is the Utah Jazz. There are definitely some extenuating factors away from the game of basketball that contribute to their failure to bring in big free agents. First, their fans have a horrible reputation among players in the league due to highly publicized incidents where players have claimed racist insults were hurled their way. Another is that unless you enjoy skiing, snowboarding, or hiking, activities tend to be limited in Utah, especially for a family.

Now, on the court, Utah began to head for a rebuild in the 2022 offseason when they traded both Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell away. The Jazz have the seventh-lowest market as far as television goes and one of the smaller populations in the NBA. Sure, Lauri Markkanen had a newsworthy season as the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2022-23 and Walker Kessler showed a lot of promise as a rookie, but that isn’t enough for any free agents to be attracted to uprooting their lives if they’re trying to compete for an NBA championship.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder

Over the last several seasons, Sam Presti has done wonders for the Oklahoma City Thunder to make it a place that free agents will at least consider. That being said, the Thunder have a long way to go to make it a premier destination for pending free agents. One, Oklahoma, and specifically Oklahoma City, are right in the middle of this place called Tornado Alley, where severe thunderstorms that produce catastrophic tornadoes often develop. Not exactly the weather I would want to reside in, even if it only lasts a few months.

Also, Oklahoma is much more into football from the high school and especially college levels. I would hate to find out more people are attending a football game played by teenagers than my 2023-24 home opener. On the court, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander is probably the one star that could bring some attention to them as a free-agent destination. We have yet to see Chet Holmgren step foot on the court, and Josh Giddey looks like he is developing into a solid complementary piece. The Thunder still have a long way to go to build something as attractive as they had when it was the Durant/Westbrook era or when they were in Seattle.

28. New Orleans Pelicans

Right now, the talk of the town in New Orleans is Zion Williamson’s extracurricular activities. We can only guess that this is the biggest story in New Orleans because their basketball on the court hasn’t been all that great over the past few seasons. The market is so bad in New Orleans, the team was giving away tickets not too long ago in order to fill their stands. Apparently, with a purchase over a certain amount at Smoothie King, you got free Pelicans tickets with your meal. Would you want to play for a team that gives tickets away and still can’t get fans to show up?

On the court, this team should be competing at a high level. Injuries have been a killer for New Orleans, with Zion’s inability to stay healthy as well as injuries keeping out Brandon Ingram for an extended period of time. The reason New Orleans isn’t in one of the two spots lower is because of the roster they are building and have built. In 2021-22, they proved they could be a playoff team and compete at a high level with this core they have now, making it somewhat attractive to free agents, but all of the negative energy has to outweigh the good, right?

27. Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers have not yielded a roster worthy of competing since Paul George left in 2017. For potential free agents, Indiana will not seem all that attractive to the people that don’t know anything about the state. The climate is normal, with harsh winters due to their close proximity to Lake Michigan. The state is an industrial one with ties to services and agriculture being their main sources of income. Plus, have you ever heard anyone say, “Hey honey, pack up the kids and load the car, we’re going to Indiana on vacation!”? Didn’t think so.

On the court, Indiana has been trying to get back to their winning ways for quite some time now. They haven’t been to the NBA Finals since 2000 and have not been to the playoffs since 2019-20. They have one of the brightest young players at point guard in the NBA with Tyrese Haliburton, who will represent Team USA at the 2023 FIBA World Cup this summer, and some other solid pieces such as Buddy Hield, Myles Turner and Bennedict Mathurin. Although, with the number of trade rumors that surround those players, I wouldn’t think any other player would like to experience that constant state of not knowing what is coming next.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves

Earlier this season, we ranked Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor as one of the worst owners in the NBA. Selling a large part of his franchise to an ownership group that includes one of the most hated baseball stars ever was not a great start to the transition. The best bet for Minnesota has to be to build a competitive product on the court, considering the popularity of other sports franchises such as the Vikings and Twins are more popular, and Minnesota isn’t exactly a comfortable place to live during basketball season. Temperatures can reach well below zero in the height of winter, making their on-court product their main chance at attracting big-name free agents.

Unfortunately, outside of Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, nothing has been very attractive about that either. Toward the end of the season, teammates Kyle Anderson and Rudy Gobert got into a physical altercation on the bench during a timeout. It wasn’t one of the worst teammate fights ever, but it was enough for everyone watching to take a step back and wonder what in the heck is going on in Minnesota. It seems that Karl-Anthony Towns will be on his way out this summer as well, meaning they have chosen to go ahead with Gobert at center and build around him and Edwards moving forward. As far as I am concerned, that would not be enough for me to move to Minnesota when I know they aren’t ready to compete for a title yet.

25. Memphis Grizzlies

There isn’t a lot that I can say negatively about Memphis. Some may question their laws about guns but that isn’t for me to question anyone’s politics or what they believe in. If you like country music, Memphis is the place for you as one of the biggest country music hibs in the United States. That, and Nashville isn’t too far away. The weather is nice as well, with more warm months than cold months to enjoy.

Anyone that has turned on a television in the last six months knows all about the current situation in Memphis. They are a young and confident team but sometimes way too overconfident and out of control. Ja Morant is looking at a serious suspension to open the 2023-24 season, meaning they will be without their best player for quite some time. Dillon Brooks is on the way out as well after poking the bear one too many times in his young career. All of this boils down to leadership. Where are the coaches and organization when things begin to spiral downward? If we have to ask, what do you think potential free agents are thinking to themselves? Everyone wants to take down the villain and be the hero. Only a few select people can handle being the villain themselves.

24. Portland Trail Blazers

Now we get to a relatively small market NBA team who will be making a ton of headlines this summer. Right now, the franchise has no clear direction and has yet to lay out a plan they have in order to retain Damian Lillard, who has stated more than once that he wants to compete for an NBA championship. As much as he is actively trying to recruit free agents to come to play with him, there are some hurdles they need to overcome. Frankly, the City of Portland has turned somewhat rough over the last few seasons with crime, homelessness, and substance abuse on a steep incline which isn’t going to attract many players who either have families or are looking to start one.

If you enjoy hunting and fishing, Portland would be a perfect place for you, although the rainy season may bring you down just a bit. As for on the court, Portland is at a crossroads. If they decide to keep Lillard, they will most likely surrender many valuable assets to keep him happy such as Anfernee Simons and the third overall pick in 2023. A core of Lillard, Nurkic, and Shaedon Sharpe, plus whoever they can get in a deal for those assets, say Deandre Ayton, is not going to be enough to compete at a championship level. If they lose Dame, they lose most of what makes playing in Portland remotely attractive. A franchise at a standstill is never a place players have toward the top of their list.

23. Charlotte Hornets

Playing for the Charlotte Hornets, as miserable as it may seem, definitely has its perks as well. First, the climate is great, with a normal four seasons minus the extreme cold of winter that is prevalent in some places. The summers are gorgeous in North Carolina, and the rich history of the area is certainly enticing as well. Then, there is the prospect of playing for and being mentored by Michael Jordan, as long as he remains the owner of the team. With Jordan, that appeal may start to fade as younger generations come in and fail to understand the magnitude of what that means.

The Hornets also have a ton of question marks pertaining to their own free agents this season. I am sure they would love to bring back P.J. Washington and they are fully invested in their young point guard LaMelo Ball. However, the rest of the team seems uncertain and, honestly, a below-average roster at best. In order for Charlotte to begin to attract big names, losses in the play-in and missing the playoffs are not going to help. Neither will the lack of discipline within their organization, considering how many of their players have been in trouble with the law over the past few seasons.

22. Detroit Pistons

I mean no offense by what I am about to say because the Pistons have to be one of my favorite franchises ever. Right now, Detroit has to be in the top 10 worst free-agent markets for many reasons. One, the city is located a stone’s throw away from Canada, meaning extremely cold weather is imminent during basketball season. Two, ever since the automotive industry took a dive and the city lost a ton of money, it has become almost desolate in Detroit, with homelessness, drugs, and negligence to inner cities being their biggest issues. If a city can’t take care of its people in 2023, chances are no one is actively seeking to play basketball there.

As for their talent on the court, it was said that the Pistons were on their way back up after drafting Cade Cunningham first overall in 2021. Due to injuries and poor leadership, that has yet to come to fruition. Now, with Monty Williams at the helm, players will be much more intrigued to consider Detroit as a destination they could play and help bring the team out of the proverbial basement. The Pistons also have $29 million in cap space they can use to lure free agents their way if they so choose. One thing is for sure, the Pistons will not go down without a fight if Tom Gola and their new regime have anything to say about it.

21. Cleveland Cavaliers

Joakim Noah said it best. “I haven’t heard anyone ever say they were going on vacation to Cleveland.” Cleveland is a tough place to love, but it is also easy in many ways. They have a great and passionate fanbase that will ride or die for their sports teams and the players who represent them. The Ohio weather may seem a bit rough around the edges, especially during basketball season but is pretty steady year-round.

As for the play on the court, the Cavaliers have a ton of talent I am sure players would consider strongly as their next teammates. The arrival of Donovan Mitchell made them a serious playoff contender, while Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen have all begun to blossom into young stars after arriving in Cleveland. The Cavaliers are only one piece away from being contenders once again, but the market is a bit too small for anyone trying to maximize their income in a big city. If a player wants to win, they can choose Cleveland. If they want to get rich, they will be off somewhere else.

20. Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic break the top 20 for the first time in quite some time as a more attractive free-agent destination. Located in sunny Florida, Orlando has always been filled with wonder and entertainment, from Disney World to Universal Studios as great places for families to enjoy. The Weather is amazing as well, especially if you are not a fan of cold weather. Their basketball team is on the upswing too, and no, we are not being sarcastic.

The Magic have a very young team that has shown flashes of improvement over the last several seasons. In 2022-23, they welcomed No. 1 overall pick and Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero into the equation who showed he is ready to be an NBA star in a short amount of time. Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony are two other young players that could attract some free agents with their team-first mentality and desire to lead Orlando into the future. I would say in three or four seasons, we will be talking about Orlando as a legitimate contender. Why wouldn’t a star want to join the fun and help speed up the process?

19. Washington Wizards

There are definitely pros and cons to signing with any NBA team as a free agent, but when the cons outweigh the pros, things can look much worse. The Washington Wizards have not seemed to get much right over the last 45 years, which is how long ago they won their last NBA championship. Washington, D.C., is an odd location because although it is rich in its history, there has always been a stigma around the area due to heightened gun violence and social issues. Not to mention, the traffic is horrendous, and the weather is just so-so compared to other locations.

On the court, Washington has fully invested in Bradley Beal for the long term with an outrageous $50 million annually by 2024-25. With all of that invested in Beal, the Wizards are already at a standstill with how much they can really offer pending free agents in the future. Kristaps Porzingis can opt into his player option for 2023-24 as well, which means another $36.1 million will be invested in him unless the Wizards can find a trade partner. Those two aren’t enough to attract stars to Washington anymore as they are both seemingly past their primes as players at this point, but Washington D.C remains a top 20 free agent destination regardless.

18. Milwaukee Bucks

Anyone who has been paying attention to how the Milwaukee Bucks have been operating over the last few years knows that the Bucks have become a true basketball city during that time. Bucks President Peter Feigin was at the forefront of the push to improve the community around Fiserv Forum and accomplished that in just a short amount of time. In 2021, they built a championship roster as they captured their first NBA title since 1971. The only negative I see with Milwaukee is a potential ownership change and extremely cold winters during the season that could hinder the weak at heart from signing with them.

The on-court positives are glaring. The chance to play with a player such as Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of those chances that is extremely rare in today’s game. Most superstars want to force their way out the minute things don’t look as good as they once did. Giannis seems committed to the Bucks for the long term, which makes outsiders believe Milwaukee is doing something right. They have built a championship culture in Milwaukee both on and off the court, making Milwaukee an above-average free-agent destination for now.

17. Toronto Raptors

The first thing anybody wants to talk about when it comes to Canada is the frigid temperatures they experience during the height of winter. As someone who resides here, I can tell you that those temperatures are very real and very cold. However, we don’t walk around with Eskimos and get ready to lay our heads down in our igloos at night. Canada is a beautiful country that offers free healthcare and has some of the nicest residents in the world, with Toronto being one of the biggest cultural hubs in North America.

Diversity is one thing, but how about what they are trying to accomplish on the court? Well, the Raptors are led by mastermind Team President Masai Ujiri and have ushered in a new era with the hiring of Darko Rajakovic as their new Head Coach. They clearly have a lot of questions they need to answer when it comes to veterans such as Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam, but their core is strong and ready to compete once again. With the addition of some key free agents, they are not far away from that contention.

16. Atlanta Hawks

There are plenty of reasons why anyone looking for a new home would give Atlanta a serious look. When it comes to taxes, Georgia is right in the middle relative to the other 49 states in the U.S. The weather is amazing for most of the year, considering the state is located just before you enter Florida when driving south from New York. The entertainment aspect is another thing that will attract many big names, with many hip-hop artists and moguls calling Atlanta and Georgia home.

The Hawks are just two seasons removed from their deep run to the Eastern Conference Finals and have made some adjustments to their lineup that could attract some free agents to come to play with them. The backcourt of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray performed well in their first season together, leading the Hawks back to the playoffs by way of the play-in tournament. Young has proven to be an unselfish playmaker, while Murray has unleashed his competitive side in full force. If they are able to retain those two, I do not see a reason why many would turn down the chance to play in such an area.

15. Sacramento Kings

Taking our spot in the middle at number 15 is the Sacramento Kings. Obviously, playing in California attracts the biggest stars and biggest names throughout Hollywood and the music industry. That also applies to athletes as more and more continue to flock to California even if they do not play for a team that resides there. For years, the Kings were an irrelevant franchise in the NBA in the midst of a 17-year playoff drought. In 2022-23, that all changed.

The 2022-23 season for the Kings was led by All-Star duo Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox. They broke the dreaded playoff curse this season with a berth in the playoffs as the third seed in the Western Conference. In one of the best first-round series in recent memory, the Kings then went toe-to-toe with the defending champion Golden State Warriors in a seven-game series they ended up losing. The Kings were impressive even in defeat and showed they are going to be an issue for opponents in the West for a long time. Free agents may just be flocking to Sacramento before we know it to play for Coach Mike Brown and with their young core that has impressed the last two years.

14. Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are one of those teams who has been a laughingstock of the league since James Harden left at the beginning of 2020-21. The reality is that many, many celebrities and athletes are choosing Texas as their next home state, where the Rockets happen to be, along with two other NBA franchises in search of free agent help. Houston would rely on its growing nightlife scene and the way they have set itself up for the future as leverage over those other two if need be.

First, their young squad on the court is nothing to be ashamed of. Alperen Sengun has emerged as a superbly talented playmaking and scoring big man in just two NBA seasons, almost like a Baby Jokic prototype. Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green have also begun to settle down and mature as their role together as a backcourt gains more and more experience. Also, free agent James Harden seems to be torn between a return to the Rockets and remaining with the 76ers. They went as far as to hire Ime Udoka as their next head coach as well, despite his controversial departure in Boston. The last piece to the puzzle for the Rockets could be the plethora of high-level role players they have been linked to this summer.

13. Dallas Mavericks

For some reason, the Dallas Mavericks have always had a difficult time selling their team to pending free agents and always seem to lose out to bigger markets in that regard. I do not understand it. The weather is beautiful in Dallas, and the city is one of the better sports cities in the country. Dallas fans are unforgivingly loyal to their sports teams which include an NHL and NFL franchise as well. No state taxes and a sizable income sounds like a great deal to me.

One thing remains Dallas’ biggest asset on the court and that is the prospect of playing with one of the game’s best young stars today, Luka Doncic. Although the pressure has been on Luka to perform at a high level in spite of his teammates over the last five seasons, Doncic has emerged as an elite offensive threat in today’s NBA. The other thing looming for Dallas is the potential re-signing of Kyrie Irving. If I am a forward or big man looking for a new home, it honestly doesn’t get any better than that if I want to maximize my own potential on the court and compete for a championship.

12. Philadelphia 76ers

When it comes to all things Philadelphia 76ers, there is a state of confusion within the franchise right now. Nobody knows the direction the team is heading after yet another disappointing loss in the second round of the 2023 NBA playoffs. They made a huge splash by bringing in one of the better available head coaches in the NBA, Nick Nurse, and already have the reigning MVP, Joel Embiid, to build around. I would say they are waiting on Harden’s decisions before considering any bigger moves at this time, but they have a player in Tyrese Maxey who has already proven he can step up in those situations.

The City of Philadelphia is beautiful as well, rich in American history and even richer when it comes to its sports. Philadelphia fans often get a bad reputation for their harsh nature in which they criticize their own players and coaches. Still, the passion and support you will feel when a player is on their good side is second to none in the NBA and a big reason why a player could opt to go to Philly with their free-agent choice. The weather is typical northeastern weather, with four normal seasons and a relatively short winter compared to other locations on this list.

11. San Antonio Spurs

The final team from Texas on this list ranks the highest of the three due to various reasons pertaining to both their history and their future. We have already covered the reasons why Texas itself is an attractive place to live on its own with no state taxes and an influx of people making the move there from California, New York, and other big markets. The basketball reasons are too good to ignore when it comes to the Spurs.

The first thing I will say is the rich history of winning instilled by the Spurs has earned them the right to be heard by almost every big name that becomes a free agent. Coach Gregg Popovich is another factor considering every NBA player would love to play for Pop at one point in their careers. The win of the NBA Draft Lottery and the presumed rights to Victor Wembanyama is the icing on the cake. The French basketball phenom is the real deal and will be an attraction that makes the Spurs appealing to many outsiders at this point. Wembanyama has even brought out Spurs legends Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili to serve as special advisors to the team moving forward. Spurs basketball could very well be back and the league should be concerned in a big way.

10. Denver Nuggets

I would have zero issues with anybody arguing for the Nuggets to be higher on this list. The team just captured their first NBA championship, led by the duo of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic. In Denver, of course, you will get the extreme cold for an extended period of time than, say, New York or Pennsylvania, but the fact that winter sports are so big there makes up for it. Colorado, and Denver in particular, is a beautiful resort area that tourists flock to annually. On top of that, for the players that like to indulge in a certain leafy, green substance, it happens to be legal in Colorado, and with the NBA’s relaxed drug testing, players can enjoy their chosen lifestyles in peace.

It would be foolish to say that the current NBA champions and the market they present aren’t a top 10 free-agent destination. The core of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and others is one of the best in the NBA and players would be flocking to Denver to play with such an unselfish group of players with one goal in mind. Then, there is coach Michael Malone who has proven to be a player’s coach yet tough enough to push or punish his team when they need it most.

9. Boston Celtics

One thing that can always be said about the City of Boston is that they adore their sports teams and love them just as much, or more, than their own families. Boston is a notoriously passionate city when it comes to its sports teams and figures, making them an easy franchise to want to play for. The thing is, when those players are opponents, they are relentless in their heckling and screaming, which is a major turnoff for many NBA stars today.

The Celtics are clearly a contender every season for the last decade and have about as solid of a duo as any team in the NBA. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been exceptional during their short tenures in Boston, leading them to numerous Conference Finals appearances and an NBA Finals in 2022. Coach Joe Mazzulla had an incredible first season as coach of the Celtics and, despite his growing pains experienced in the playoffs, will be a great leader for them moving forward. Playing in Boston should be a dream for many students of the game of basketball that currently play in the NBA, and it will be for years to come.

8. Chicago Bulls

There is a lot to be said about the media and their coverage of the gun violence that sweeps Chicago annually. Sure, it is concerning and not something any human, let alone a basketball player, would want to subject their families to. Add that in with the frigid winters and harsh winds and you may be thinking what positives are there about Chicago that would make free agents so inclined to sign with them.

Well, let’s take a look at the history of the Bulls. The Bulls were once home to the greatest player in NBA history, which is enough for any player to consider the move. Many prominent NBA players in the NBA currently called Chicago homes once, too, before the NBA came calling. With six NBA championships to their name, being the player that helped the Bulls return to that form as a franchise would be more than fulfilling enough to cancel out the outside noise.

7. Los Angeles Clippers

We have already talked about one California team that should be a top destination for free agents in the future. Now that Steve Ballmer is at the helm of the ship, things may be turning the Clippers around toward the status of a big brother over the Lakers in the near future. Los Angeles has always been a top destination for prominent players due to their exorbitantly large market and Hollywood looming in the background. Any chance players get to increase the size of their pockets will be a good enough reason for any player to consider moving to L.A.

The Clippers have a ton to offer as a franchise as well. Sure, things have been tough lately due to injuries to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Those setbacks will not last forever, and both are still young enough to continue to push through. The team is set to open a new arena in the coming months, breaking away from its partnership with the Lakers at the current Crypto.com Arena. With Ballmer in charge, he will not let the Clippers continue their losing ways and is an owner that is highly engaged in what his team is doing on the court. Those reasons are good enough for the Clippers to sit comfortably in the top 10.

6. Brooklyn Nets

There is a reason the Brooklyn Nets were able to bring in so many big names over the last few seasons, such as Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. Brooklyn has a long and rich basketball history as far as New York goes and has been embraced by New Yorkers since their arrival just a few years ago. The market in New York is arguably the biggest in the NBA as well, with one of the country’s largest populations and normal weather, for whatever that is worth.

The business opportunities outside of basketball are endless in New York and so is the growth of the team moving forward. They have found a tremendous two-way star in Mikal Bridges to lead the way, as well as one of the premier defenders in the game today, Nic Claxton. The Nets may still be the “lesser” New York team at this time, but as we have seen before, that can change with the acquisition of just a few free agents.

5. New York Knicks

The New York Knicks are infamous for their ability to get fans’ hopes up for big offseasons before being spurned for other teams. Owner James Dolan has given the Knicks a bad reputation due to his oversensitive reaction to fan criticism and bouts with former Knicks players such as Charles Oakley and superfan Spike Lee. However, the history of the franchise is intriguing, as is the prospect of calling Madison Square Garden home.

The Knicks made a major splash last season when they were able to pry Jalen Brunson away from the Dallas Mavericks and insert him into their starting lineups. Behind his continued production and another All-Star season from Julius Randle, the Knicks went back to the playoffs and advanced to the second round for the first time in ages. The Knicks may have their issues, just like every team does, but there is no doubt that they deserve to be a top-five free agent destination.

4. Phoenix Suns

Phoenix, Arizona, is a hotspot these days, both in a literal and proverbial sense. Arizona has summers that are sweltering hot but winters that are mild and cool but rarely drop into freezing temperatures. As a basketball town, Phoenix has been much more prominent over the last few seasons as fans actually have a product they can be proud of for the first time since Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire were on the court.

After making the tough decision to let both coach Monty Williams and point guard Chris Paul go this offseason, the Suns look to build around their star duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. With average but not game-changing complementary pieces around them, the Suns are desperate for either a third star or decent enough roster fillers that can get them past the second round of the playoffs, which has been their ceiling since 2021.

3. Golden State Warriors

A winning culture and sunny California is a beautiful combination for any franchise, and the Golden State Warriors have both. Golden State has built something special within its organization over the last decade that has resulted in four NBA championships since 2015. Led by coach Steve Kerr and his trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, the Warriors have become a destination and culture that any NBA player should be chomping at the bit to be a part of.

Despite their rough exit at the hand of the Lakers in 2023, the Warriors have a lot to look forward to. They are still the most dangerous team in the West when healthy with their lights-out three-point shooting and attack. Even as a lower-seeded team in 2023, everyone feared Golden State because of their championship pedigree and experience. This offseason, they may not lose many, if any, of their championship core which is still strong enough to build around after all this time.

2. Miami Heat

The Miami Heat have done a tremendous amount of work over the last few years to instill a culture that would attract more talent to South Beach. Heat Culture is a real phenomenon since Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo arrived in Miami just a few seasons ago. Since 2020, they have either been a part of every NBA Finals or Conference Finals except one in 2021. Miami also brings its unparalleled nightlife scene and no state taxes into the mix that every NBA player looking for a new place to call home can appreciate to the fullest extent.

The Heat fell short of an NBA championship in 2023, but they are well within striking distance of an NBA championship in the near future. Miami has been to two NBA Finals since 2020 and lost both to a team who had much superior depth and big men in the series. If they can lure some more star power to Miami, they will undoubtedly be back there soon. Coach Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley have instilled something in Miami that every player should want to be a part of, and there will be a big splash in Miami this offseason. I guarantee it.

1. Los Angeles Lakers

I understand that many people may see the selection of the Lakers for our number-one spot as a joke, but hear me out. Once again, sunny California and the prospect of Hollywood right around the corner are huge positives for any player looking to carve out a legacy. The history of all-time greats wearing the Lakers’ uniform doesn’t hurt either when you take a look at the amount of talent and winning they have done over the years. The market is the biggest in the league, and the business opportunities away from basketball are endless in L.A., making it the premier destination in basketball right now.

Moving forward, we have seen what this Lakers team is capable of when fully healthy. LeBron James isn’t getting any younger but is still effective enough as a player and leader that others would want to play with him. Anthony Davis’ health is a big question mark, but when healthy, he has shown he is still a top 10 player in the NBA, especially on defense. The Lakers youth is getting better as well, with guys like Austin Reaves and Jarred Vanderbilt excelling in their roles along the way recently. The Lakers are just a few pieces away from truly being title contenders and if pending free agents had any basketball or business sense, they would make it their next home. 

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