NBA Free Agency 2017 Predictions: Where Will The 10 Best Available Players Sign?

The NBA offseason is often more exciting than the league’s regular season, and things will get even crazier with the start of 2017 free agency. Multiple superstars have the ability to sign contracts with new teams, and rumors have been swirling for weeks regarding where some of the NBA’s best players might end up.

Five All-Stars are free agents this offseason, and another unrestricted free agent could command a max contract this month. Here are predictions for the destinations of the top 10 players in free agency:

READ: Boston Celtics Trying To Become NBA's Next Super Team

Kevin Durant

Not only will Durant remain with the Golden State Warriors, but he’s even going to take less money so the team has more flexibility under the salary cap. He’ll still make more money than most players, but the 2017 NBA Finals MVP is doing what he can to make sure the Warriors become one of the great dynasties in league history.

Prediction: Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry

This is another easy one. Curry isn’t going anywhere after Golden State steamrolled the rest of the league on their way toward their second title in three years. He might not be the best player on his team anymore, but Curry will easily be the highest paid after he signs a five-year contract worth more than $200 million.

Prediction: Golden State Warriors

Gordon Hayward

It’s a three-team race for the best free agent that has a legitimate chance to change teams. Hayward will meet with the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz this weekend to weigh his options. Utah can offer him an extra year of guaranteed money, but the chance to play under former Butler head coach Brad Stevens and form a team that can challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers might be too much for Hayward to pass up.

Prediction: Boston Celtics

Kyle Lowry

The Toronto Raptors are the favorites to re-sign Lowry since they can offer him the most money and he’s had so much success in five seasons. However, Toronto might have qualms about offering a 31-year-old a max contract, and there have been rumors that Lowry will consider going out West. Jimmy Butler is reportedly recruiting Lowry, and the San Antonio Spurs would give him his best chance to win a title. He could even join the Philadelphia 76ers, who have a wealth of cap space and young talent. Ultimately, the Raptors will probably find a way to keep the player that’s been most responsible for Toronto averaging 51 wins over the last four years.

Prediction: Toronto Raptors

Blake Griffin

There’s no question that the Chris Paul trade affects the Los Angeles Clippers’ pursuit of Griffin, but there are differing opinions regarding whether it makes Griffin’s return more or less likely. Does Griffin want to re-join a team that has no chance to compete in the West next year? The Oklahoma City Thunder would be an option if they had any cap space, and it isn’t likely that Griffin will pull a Paul and opt into the final year of his contract and force a trade. The Phoenix Suns will meet with the forward, and Boston could make a hard play for Griffin if they miss on Hayward. Miami, however, might be in on the forward from the jump. Pat Riley is a master at recruiting high-level talent, and he might convince Griffin to join the Heat and a team that barely missed the playoffs in South Beach.

Prediction: Miami Heat

Paul Millsap

Millsap’s free agency hasn’t gotten the same buzz as other players since he opted out of his contract with the Atlanta Hawks, but he’s probably one of the NBA’s most underrated players. A great defender with size that can score, he’ll get a lot of money from someone. If he doesn’t return to the Hawks, a young team like the Phoenix Suns or Denver Nuggets that’s looking to add a talented veteran could open up their checkbooks to Millsap.

Prediction: Denver Nuggets

Serge Ibaka

The Raptors traded Terrence Ross and a first-round pick for Ibaka before February’s deadline, hoping to compete with Cleveland. The move didn’t do anything to help them stop LeBron James from reaching the finals as the Cavs swept the Raptors in the second round of the playoffs. Toronto has indicated that the trade wasn’t only made for last year, and the Raptors’ core in 2018 could look identical to that of the 2017 team.

Prediction: Toronto Raptors

Otto Porter

Porter finally realized his potential last season, making more than 43 percent of his three-pointers and averaging a career-high 13.4 points. Add in his ability to defend and the Washington Wizards aren’t losing Porter, who is a restricted free agent. The small forward will draw interest from other teams, but Washington should match an offer and keep him as part of the Wizards’ relatively young, talented core.

Prediction: Washington Wizards

J.J. Redick

It would still make sense for the Clippers to re-sign the 28-year-old Griffin after trading Paul to the Houston Rockets. The same can’t be said in regard to Redick, who just turned 33 years old. There are rumors that the 76ers are going to make him a big offer, and his veteran presence and ability to make threes could turn Philadelphia into a playoff team.

Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers

READ: Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan Could Leave Clippers After Chris Paul Trade

George Hill

It’ll be interesting to see what kind of contract Hill commands as a 31-year-old that has played less than 50 games in two of the last three seasons. Hill isn’t an All-Star caliber point guard, but he’s made better than 40 percent of his three-pointers in the last two seasons and has plenty of playoff experience. Hill might leave Utah if Hayward does, as well. The New York Knicks have some interest, according to ESPN’s Ian Begley, but a reunion with the Spurs might make the most sense as the team looks for point guard help.

Prediction: San Antonio Spurs