The NBA season is over. The Raptors are champions, and the Warriors dynasty is presumably done for. As we enter into the 2020’s, the NBA’s landscape has dramatically shifted, in a turn for the better. The Anthony Davis trade has already shaken both the league, as well as the Lakers cap space. Kawhi Leonard won a championship for Toronto, but does that mean he’s going to stay there?
Khris Middleton
Best Landing Spot: Milwaukee Bucks
There’s no reason why Khris Middleton needs to leave the Milwaukee Bucks. He’s in the perfect situation playing alongside Giannis, and I’m not sure too many teams would be able to pay him as much as he wants. This team is exactly what Middleton needs. Giannis can easily drive-and-kick to a wing shooter like him. He’s been in Milwaukee for 6 years, and I don’t see him leaving any time soon.
Tobias Harris
Best Landing Spot: Utah Jazz
Tobias Harris is rumored to go back to Philadelphia, but being paired with Rudy Gobert in Utah would make perfect sense. First of all, their starting power forward, Derrick Favors, is a free agent this summer as well. If he doesn’t return, Tobias Harris can slide right into the starting lineup. Even if Derrick Favors does come back, he’s starting to ease into the backup center position, anyway. Shooters and floor spacing are needed in the modern NBA, and with the rim protector Rudy Gobert at center, a versatile stretch four is needed in Utah. Harris fits the bill.
Nikola Vucevic
Best Landing Spot: Boston Celtics
Oh, how the tables have turned. Just days ago, the Celtics had aspirations of stealing Anthony Davis from the Pelicans, and now, they are dreaming of picking up Nikola Vucevic on a max deal in the free agency. After the news that Al Horford wants to leave broke, immediately connections were made between Vucevic and the Celtics. He can slip right in at the 5 for Boston and take over Horford’s role. They’re pretty similar players, too.
Al Horford
Best Landing Spot: Los Angeles Lakers
This one’s interesting: Horford has just opted out of his $30.1 million player option and will become an unrestricted free agent. If you opt out of $30 million, then you’d think he’d have a better idea of who to play for. In my mind, the ideal situation here is the Lakers. He’s clearly not in free agency this year for the money. He wants a change of scenery and to win. In Los Angeles, alongside Anthony Davis and LeBron James, he can do just that.
Jimmy Butler
Best Landing Spot: Philadelphia 76ers
For the 76ers, I don’t see a reason why they wouldn’t bring Jimmy Butler back. He carried the 76ers through the playoffs, and he plays very well along Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. I don’t see why Butler would be so inclined to playing for a team in Los Angeles vs. the 76ers. Philadelphia has an almost clear path to the finals, barring any crazy offseason moves. On the Lakers, he’ll make less money and have a tougher path throughout the west.
Kemba Walker
Best Landing Spot: Los Angeles Lakers
No matter how much money he wants, L.A. is the optimal destination for Kemba Walker. He needs to play around other superstars. I don’t think Kemba excels as a first option, and him playing alongside Anthony Davis and LeBron James will only benefit his playing style. The Lakers won’t be able to give him the supermax, but I could easily see him taking a 1+1 to try to win now. He needs actual teammates, not Michael Kidd-Glilchrist.
Klay Thompson
Best Landing Spot: Golden State Warriors
After Klay’s injury, I have no doubt that he will return to the Warriors. He loves Golden State, and there’s no reason to leave. He doesn’t want to join a new team that will rush him back late in the season. I would put all my money on him staying put, and it will end up being the right decision.
Kyrie Irving
Best Landing Spot: Brooklyn Nets
D’Angelo Russell and Kyrie Irving are very similar players, so if you’re Brooklyn, why not take the risk on Irving? With another max slot, the Nets could pair Irving with another star. Immediately, Brooklyn could be a top 4 seed in the east. Kyrie is a slightly better shooter than D’Angelo, and I think that in itself could pay off for both sides.
Kawhi Leonard
Best Landing Spot: Toronto Raptors
After bringing Toronto a championship, there’s no better thing for Kawhi to do than stay. Obviously, going to L.A., either the Clippers or the Lakers, would give him better publicity, but in Canada, he’s a national hero. I was seriously considering putting the Clippers as the best destination, but after consulting with my fellow basketball experts, Toronto is the definitely the most likely choice.
Kevin Durant
Best Landing Spot: New York Knicks
Yes, I know about the injury. However, putting Durant in New York will not rush him back to full health, but will also get him paid. I don’t see why Golden State would pay for Durant. I would assume he’s emotionally attached to the Bay Area, but he’s been wanting to lead a time for a while now. The Knicks can get one year of tanking, with no playoffs in sight. Then, they can take another top prospect in the draft and build around R.J. Barrett, a slightly worse Durant, and this prospect. The Knicks can throw four years at him, or give him a short-term 1+1 if he wants to leave after possible turmoil in this upcoming year. I just think that him staying in Golden State might cause some issues eventually. Having that much money tied up to two players who can’t play for a year is risky. The safest bet for Durant is to opt in, but, to be honest, I think he knows his value is more than the $31.5 million that the player option offers.
Shout-out to Bleacher Report for the idea.
