2015 NBA Free Agency Predictions

Here are my predictions for the top players in 2015 NBA Free Agency.

1. LeBron James- Cleveland Cavaliers: Duh. He's not going anywhere.

2. LaMarcus Aldridge- San Antonio Spurs: All indications are that Aldridge is leaving Portland. The Spurs, who have the cap space to sign him, would in my opinion become the team to beat along with Golden State. Aldridge is taking meetings with the Lakers, Knicks, Rockets, Mavericks, Suns, and Raptors. Teams like the Celtics and Pistons are dark horses to join the sweepstakes.

3. Marc Gasol- Memphis Grizzlies: Gasol is not taking meetings with other teams. He will go back to Memphis, who is all but a lottery team without him in the Western Conference. The Knicks, Celtics and Lakers would love the big-man but they won't sniff a meeting.

4. Kevin Love- Cleveland Cavaliers: About a month ago, most people would say he would leave Cleveland. Now, most people, including myself believe he will go back to the Cavs. The Lakers, Rockets, Celtics, Suns, and Trail Blazers are possible landing spots.

5. Kawhi Leonard- San Antonio Spurs: Leonard is the best player on the Spurs and arguably a top-10 player in this league. San Antonio can't afford to lose him and they will match any offer another team makes to keep him. I have no idea who will make an offer for the Spurs to match but if I had to guess it would be a big market team like the Mavericks, Celtics, or Lakers.

6. Jimmy Butler- Chicago Bulls: Chicago cannot afford to lose the reigning Most Improved Player of the Year. The Bulls did offer Butler the max and I believe he will take the max. If there's a team that offers Butler a contract the Bulls would have to match it's the teams I mentioned for Leonard.

7. DeAndre Jordan- Los Angeles Clippers: Jordan is likely to leave the Clippers, but I believe he likes being on a winning team with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. The Mavericks and Knicks poise the biggest threat to the Clippers and the Celtics, Lakers and Bucks are dark horses to sign him.

8. Brook Lopez- Brooklyn Nets: Lopez is most likely to stay with the Nets. Brooklyn can't afford to lose him now that they traded away Mason Plumlee to Portland.

9. Paul Milsap- Atlanta Hawks: Atlanta had a great year last season, and Milsap was a big part of their success. I think the Hawks keep him although many teams such as the Raptors, Knicks, Celtics, Wizards, Pistons, Pacers, Bucks, Spurs, Rockets, Mavericks, Pelicans, Jazz, Trail Blazers, Lakers, Clippers, Suns, and Kings can't be ruled out. Wow, that's a lot of teams.

10. Draymond Green- Golden State Warriors: Green was a big part on a championship team and I don't see him leaving a team that just won a title. Teams like the Rockets, Pistons, and Celtics will show interest.

11. Goran Dragic- Miami Heat: I believe Dragic will keep his talents in South Beach, despite opting out. Miami and Pat Riley can't afford to lose someone they traded for at the deadline last February. The Mavericks, Lakers, Knicks, and Rockets will show interest.

12. Tim Duncan- San Antonio Spurs: Not going anywhere, expect Duncan to take a significant pay cut.

13. Dwayne Wade- Miami Heat: I can't believe Wade and Pat Riley seem to not be working things out. Miami will find a way to bring back the face of their franchise.

14. Brandon Knight- Phoenix Suns: Phoenix will bring back Knight thanks to reports that say that their already close to an agreement.

15. Greg Monroe- New York Knicks: Monroe is the player the Knicks are targeting and they are the front-runners to sign him, mainly because he would fit in their triangle offense they want to use. The Celtics, Lakers, and Bucks are also interested in the big-man.

16. Khris Middleton- Milwaukee Bucks: Middleton was a big success to the Bucks turnaround this past season. They'll match an offer sheet to bring him back.

17. Tobias Harris- New York Knicks: The Knicks also need a wing player along side Carmelo Anthony that plays on both ends and can shoot the 3-ball. Harris is that guy and he's only 22 years old! The Pistons and Celtics will be in the mix for him too.

18. Tristian Thompson- Cleveland Cavaliers: Thompson was so valuable for the Cavs, especially in the playoffs and they will match any restricted offer that's out there.

19. Thaddeus Young- Brooklyn Nets: Like for Brook Lopez, Brooklyn is expected to bring back Young, who will have plenty of suitors.

20. Wesley Matthews- Dallas Mavericks: Dallas can use another wing to pair with Chandler Parsons since I believe Monta Ellis will leave. Matthews will have a ton of suitors, even coming off an injury. The Lakers, Knicks, Celtics, Raptors, Pacers, Thunder, Pistons, Heat, and Hawks will be among the teams in the hunt for the winger.

21. Monta Ellis- Indiana Pacers: Indiana needs a winger that can score to play next to Paul George and Ellis would be a nice addition. Don't rule out some of the teams I listed for Matthews to be in play for Ellis.

22. DeMarre Carroll- Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers need a two-way wing that can shoot the 3-ball along with the aging Kobe Bryant. A lot of teams will also be in play such as the Celtics, Knicks, Heat, Wizards, Pistons, Mavericks, Rockets, Trail Blazers, Lakers, Clippers, and Suns. A return to Atlanta can't be ruled out either.

23. Danny Green- San Antonio Spurs: Many people think Green is leaving, but I see him returning to the Spurs for a discount. He is very underrated to what San Antonio has done over the last few seasons. Teams that are in the hunt for other wings such as Ellis, Matthews, and Carroll should be in the hunt for Green.

24. Tyson Chandler- Dallas Mavericks: Chandler was rejuvenated in Dallas for his second tenure with the team after the team traded for him from the Knicks. I don't see D'Andre Jordan signing in Dallas, so I can see Mark Cuban signing him after losing him once already. Among teams that will show interest in the big-man will be the Clippers, Bucks, and the Celtics.

25. Enes Kanter- Milwaukee Bucks: Milwaukee is desperate and determined to sign a big-man in free agency. They will be in play for Jordan, Monroe, and Chandler, but I don't see any of them signing with the Bucks. I can see Kanter signing a huge offer sheet with the Bucks, which the Thunder probably won't match since they don't have the cap space. The Celtics, Lakers, and Mavericks are among those teams who can make an offer sheet as well.

26. Reggie Jackson- Dallas Mavericks: Dallas needs a point guard because Rajon Rondo is not going back there after the disaster that was. I can see the Mavs make an offer sheet because of the cap space they have and Detroit might not match and plus, Brandon Jennings is coming back for Detroit. The Knicks, Rockets, Lakers, and Kings can't be ruled out for the young point guard even though I can see Detroit matching an offer sheet.

27. Rajon Rondo- Sacramento Kings: The NBA's most dysfunctional franchise is now the Sacramento Kings, who have a crazy owner in Vivek Ranadive and his coach in George Karl and star player in DeMarcus Cousins don't get along. Something tells me they trade Rudy Gay to clear the cap room for a player that's coming out of a bad situation. Only the Kings would do such a thing but hey, can it rejuvenate Rondo?

28. Josh Smith- Houston Rockets: I don't see the Rockets signing Love or Aldridge, so I see them re-signing Smith, who pretty much rejuvenated himself in Houston and was a big part for their run to the Conference Finals. The Celtics, Kings, and Suns are teams that can make a play for Smith.

29. Paul Pierce- Los Angeles Clippers: Since the Clippers traded Matt Barnes away, I see them signing Pierce, who will be an excellent fit on the Clips and will hit the big shot with the game on the line. The Wizards think they can re-sign him, which is possible. A reunion with the Celtics is in play.

30. Lou Williams- Portland Trail Blazers: Its clear with the trade acquisitions of Mason Plumlee, Noah Vonleh, and Gerald Henderson that the Blazers are heading in a different direction. I see Portland adding Williams to this new core. Expect the Knicks, Nets, Wizards, Pacers, Mavericks, Rockets, Jazz, Nuggets, Lakers, and Kings in the mix. A return to the Raptors is possible too.

31. Aaron Afflalo- Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder need a two-way wing that shoots 3's to play with Kevin Durant. Afflalo is the answer and Anthony Morrow is not. I see OKC clearing cap room to sign Afflalo somehow. The teams that I listed for the other wingers such as Matthews and Carroll are the teams that are in the hunt for Afflalo.

32. David West- Boston Celtics: This is my surprise pick. Boston has a nice young core with Marcus Smart leading the way. They need a rim protection big and a veteran presence and West provides both. Head coach Brad Stevens would like this signing. Teams like the Knicks, Nets, Raptors, Heat, Hawks, Wizards, Bucks, Pistons, Spurs, Rockets, Mavericks, Thunder, Trail Blazers, Clippers, Lakers, and Suns. I wouldn't rule out a return to the Pacers, yet.

33. Omer Asik- Los Angeles Lakers: This is the Lakers constellation prize after missing out on the marquee free agent big-men. It's actually not a terrible constellation prize considering Asik brings offense and rim-protection. The other teams likely interested are the Celtics, Knicks, Nets, Raptors, Bucks, Mavericks, and Trail Blazers. A return to the Pelicans is possible as well.

34. Patrick Beverley- New York Knicks: Despite drafting Jerian Grant, the Knicks can use another point guard. Beverley is a proven starter that can play both ways. He would be a nice addition to a team that is desperate. The Mavericks, Lakers, and Kings will show interest. A return to the Rockets is possible as well.

35. Jeremy Lin- Toronto Raptors- I feel that Lin would come at a lesser expense than Lou Williams, who excelled in Toronto last season backing up Kyle Lowry. The Raptors and their fans would love Lin and they already love him. The Nuggets are another possible landing spot for Lin and a reunion with the Knicks or Rockets would be interesting too.

36. Robin Lopez- Boston Celtics: I see Boston signing the center on a reasonable contract to join a team that's on the upswing. Lopez is very underrated and he gives you some offense and good rim protection. The Knicks, Bucks, Mavericks, and Lakers should show interest too.