With the 2019 NBA free agency knocking on the front door, it’s always fun to whack together a bunch of predictions to see which ones hit and miss – that’s if I can hit any.
Kawhi Leonard – Toronto Raptors
Kawhi Leonard is the biggest question mark this free agency and will be what everyone is talking about once he puts pen to paper. The two-time finals MVP has raised the question as to whether he’s the best player in the world and he very well could be. But where does this superstar land? I reckon he stays in Canada – and why wouldn’t he?
The Klaw just won a championship and his second finals MVP, plus the Raptors organisation handled his health super well throughout the season while still having a lot of upside with a fairly young core. He is already up there as the most beloved athletes in Raptor history after one season, and he seems to embrace it. Plus – who wouldn’t want all the free things offered up to him?
Sure, he won’t get the warm sun and flashy beaches of California but there is a long offseason for that. The Clippers are an attractive free-agent destination, but he wouldn’t be going there for the purpose of winning – and I would like to see Kawhi defend his title in Toronto.
Kevin Durant – New York Knicks
Someone close to Kevin Durant is Jay Williams, and from his reaction to KD’s injury in Game 5 of the NBA finals, I think there is a slim chance the two-time finals MVP returns to Golden State. Despite the rumours lately surrounding Durant and Kyrie Irving heading to Brooklyn, I’m a believer the Knicks will be the next home for the superstar.
I don’t think Durant will want to be perceived as a follower again during free agency and become his own man. Rather than following Kyrie to Brooklyn, I’m a believer he will give the New York Knicks their first true superstar player. Sure, Patrick Ewing was great – but Kevin Durant is Kevin Durant.
Plus, rehabbing for a year will give the RJ Barrett and the Knicks young core a greater time span to develop, rather than the ‘win now’ style of basketball which doesn’t always work for young players – just look at the mess in Los Angeles last season. Durant becoming a Knick makes sense to me.
Kyrie Irving – Brooklyn Nets
This is all but confirmed to happen. There has been expensive reporting on Kyrie’s interest to take his talents to Brooklyn and I reckon it will be put to paper in the opening days of free agency. Having said that, I don’t like it as a move for Brooklyn. I think D’Angelo Russell has a ton of upside plus a few fewer knee surgeries.
Russell has matured since being traded east and Kyrie showed in Boston and Cleveland how quickly things can go wrong when he doesn’t like the situation, he is in. However, he is insanely talented and I expect Brooklyn to unload their pockets and add him to the roster.
Klay Thompson – Golden State Warriors
You can’t split up the Splash Bros. Klay has made it clear on his intention to stay put and I expect him to remain a Warrior. We saw how good Klay, Steph and Draymond can still be, beating the Rockets twice, sweeping a good Portland team and going six games with the Raptors – and should have made it seven if Klay didn’t tear his ACL.
If Durant does part ways with the organisation, I reckon Joe Lacob will make some smart moves to add depth to the roster – he has proven to be one of the better executives in the league. Never count Dub Nation out.
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Jimmy Butler – Philadelphia 76ers
In the first-time during Jimmy’s stardom, it seems he has found a home in Philadelphia. Despite the lack of time to build team chemistry last season, Jimmy had a great playoff run, and found his niche and role in the team. With Joel Embiid being the primary option and Ben Simmons the playmaker, Jimmy emerged as the closer and secondary playmaker.
Most plays called during the fourth quarter and clutch time was for him, because Brett Brown knew he could deliver in those moments, and he did that. The 76ers were a bounce away from being potential NBA champions. Reckon they’ll run it back, despite the latest Houston Rockets rumours.
Kemba Walker – Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets are stuck in a very tough situation, but I reckon they throw a bucketload of cash at their franchise player Kemba Walker. He has publicly declared his intentions to stay and I think that will come to fruition fairly early in free agency. He may take a few meetings with some other teams, however, I expect him to take a max deal to stay in Charlotte.
D’Angelo Russell – Los Angeles Clippers
I could see Russell make a return to LA – but for the Clippers. This is presuming Brooklyn let him walk if they sign Kyrie Irving, if they don’t there is no doubt they will match an offer sheet. There are two ways I could see Russell becoming a Clipper.
If they strike out on a major free agent such as Kawhi Leonard, they could bring in Russell to play alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Clippers’ promising core. Or if they do land a Kawhi Leonard, there would be teams out there willing to take on Danilo Gallinari, therefore giving the Clippers the space to sign Russell and pair him with a max guy – that would be dangerous.
Tobias Harris – New York Knicks
I could see him returning to Philadelphia however I reckon the 76ers will prioritise Jimmy Butler and JJ Redick over Harris and that might see him walk. I reckon if he does walk, he will most likely end up in New York as a Net or Knick – however, a Knick is more likely. If the Knicks strike out on Kevin Durant, I could see James Dolan throwing a ton of money at a second-tier star like Tobias Harris.
Even if they do land Durant, the Knicks have 70 million dollars in cap space so Harris would be a good second option – and a good first option while Durant rehabs. A Knicks line-up featuring Kevin Knox, RJ Barrett, Kevin Durant and Tobias Harris would be a contender.
Jett Hatton
Roar Pro
Super unpredictable :)
mushi
Roar Guru
I love it. Horford is one of those few players who earns max money without the ball running through him. He can shoot so can clear space, hit a cutters (Simmons is nasty as a cutter after giving the ball up) and is a plus defender. They got better, but how much so will depend on Simmons offseason and Embeid's durability. I didn't like the butler trade to begin with and now, I'd still rather have Covington but overall they are better whilst the celtics have wasted an opportunity and the nets are a year away. Sorry for the late reply my account wasn't available for whatever reason.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
All power to you for putting your money where our mouth was. It was certainly an interesting trade period, with the final big power move one I think very few people saw coming (Kawahi getting George to the Clippers). So that leaves with 2 from 8.... ;)
astro
Roar Rookie
So looks like Philly almost did sign all 3 again! At least, they tried with Jimmy who preferred Miami (?)... What do you think of the Horford signing? Fit seems a bit odd...
Mushi
Roar Guru
Irving and Durant to Brooklyn apparently. DeAndre Jordan as well, just not sure he's much of a marquee signing. If Irving accepts second banana and they can keep the role players/chemistry they should be good in 2 years
mushi
Roar Guru
On Philly - why can't they re-sign those three Astro? They'd have two years before needing to make a move to avoid the repeater tax. If they don't I'd see it more as a value decision than a real cost constraint. Agree on the other prospects though. Knicks don't have much: I'm not sure on Knox, looks more highlight than scoreboard. Barrett isn't a sure thing. Lots of question mark's in NYC And a Nets team "led" by kyrie. Does that even exist. I said at the close of last year Boston was going to have chemistry issues and should have trade Irving to create room for their youngsters to grow. Now the nets are going to import that issue into their chemistry based success.... Kemba Walker going to the celtics is at least neutral at PG (90% of his shot making none of his ebola-ness) but losing Horford is a tacit thumbs down on Ainge's 2018/19. All those assets and what he's got to show - losing Horford, baynes and Rozier whilst Brown depreciated. Overall he's done a great job but last year was a huge miss. Funny thing that Sexton is probably going to be the most positively influential player from that trade if he becomes a career starter.
Davico
Roar Pro
Knicks is too much of a shambles to get anyone decent let alone KD and Harris. No way Russell stays with the Net if Kyrie goes there and think it would be a mistake for Brooklyn to sign him. Agree that Butler stays in Philly, can you imagine him, CP3 and Harden on the same team? Meltdown waiting to happen. Klay is not going anywhere. KD - Nets
Migos Sport
Roar Rookie
The New York Knicks, if they miss out on the top tier free agents, should not try to tie up all their flexibility with multi-year deals. They have been a horrible franchise for so long, but surrounding their young players with some veteran experience and even taking on some bad contracts for draft-picks would be a move forward for them.
astro
Roar Rookie
Kawhi must at some point, look at the East and think to himself that the path to another NBA Finals is pretty open if he stays with the Raps, especially with Gasol coming back. Philly wont be the same team, as I can't see how they re-sign all of Butler, Harris and Redick. The Celts have lost Irving and Horford, and will have to lean on their youngsters. And the Bucks will have to go over the cap to resign Middelton and Brogdon, which they might not do...especially if another team makes a big offer for Brogdon, which they wont match. No other team in the East has really improved...even if Kyrie signs with the Nets, for example, they wouldn't beat The Raps in a best of 7. And disgaree on KD...why sign with the Knicks? Unless at least one other star goes there first, why sign with a team which has one of the worst owners in the league, a terrible roster, won 17 games last year and a coach with 2 playoff wins to his name over staying at one of the best and most successful teams in NBA history?
Trevor
Guest
The Knicks have never had a superstar you star - Willis Reed, Earl Monroe and Walt Frazier all won championships there and each of those was a star and Reed was a superstar.