NBA: Free Agency Predictions

LeBron James: We all know the story with the great LeBron James. He spent the first eight years of his career with his hometown, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and was only able to reach the NBA Finals once, and proceeded to be swept by the San Antonio Spurs. So he made The Decision to take his talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat, along with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. He went on to win another ring in 2016 with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in Cleveland, but still lost the last two Finals against the Golden State Warriors. So where will the best player in the world go? He has endless options, but it seems like forming a Big 3 in Los Angeles along with Paul George and possibly Kawhi Leonard is the best possible destination.

Heningburg: Lakers.

Post: Lakers.

Taylor: Lakers.

Wejinya: Cavaliers.

Paul George: PG13 requested a trade from the Indiana Pacers last summer and they dealt him to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but most people believed it would be a one-year rental. A year later, though, and it seems like the Thunder may still have an opportunity of hanging on to George. But the place that still seems the favorite has to be the Los Angeles Lakers. George grew up in California and then went to Fresno State for college, so it's clearly a state that has been a huge part of his life. It wouldn't surprise anyone to see PG13 sign with Magic Johnson and the Lakers. I think it would be a huge step towards bringing LeBron to L.A. too. It seems like the decision has come down to the Lakers, Thunder, and possibly the Philadelphia 76ers.

Heningburg: Thunder.

Post: Lakers.

Taylor: Lakers.

Wejinya: Lakers.

Chris Paul: Paul spent the first part of his career with the New Orleans Hornets and then was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite being one of the best point guards in the league for each of his runs with those teams, he was never able to get over the hump and clinch a spot in the Western Conference Finals. That, along with an NBA Finals appearance, were really the only things left off his resume. Last summer, he requested a trade and the Clippers obliged by sending him to the Houston Rockets. Joining with James Harden in Houston, the Rockets were able to reach the conference finals, but they couldn't defeat the Golden State Warriors. Does it make sense for CP3 to leave and join a different contender? Probably not, but it's not impossible.

Heningburg: Rockets.

Post: Rockets.

Taylor: Rockets.

Wejinya: Rockets.

Demarcus Cousins: This has to be one of the more difficult predictions because of Cousins' injury. He was set for a max deal (possibly a super max deal from the New Orleans Pelicans), but then he injured his Achilles and missed the last couple months of the year. During his absence, New Orleans actually played pretty well as Jrue Holiday earned a larger role, and Anthony Davis took over in the low post. Now Cousins' future is uncertain. There seems to be only three possible destinations for Cousins. After playing with the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans for his entire career, we may see him in a different uniform. We have him leaning towards going to play for the Washington Wizards, but the Los Angeles Lakers are still in play, as are the Pels.

Heningburg: Lakers.

Post: Wizards.

Taylor: Pelicans.

Wejinya: Wizards.

DeAndre Jordan: Jordan averaged 12.0 points and an incredible 15.2 rebounds per game last season, and added 0.9 blocks. He is a one-time NBA All-Star and has led the league in rebounding twice. Jordan can be a very good player on a contending team as we saw when he was at his best with the Los Angeles Clippers. But ever since he flirted with leaving in 2015, it hasn't quite been the same. Jordan opted out of his contract with the Clippers yesterday, and it's become obvious that he's going to leave this offseason. He'd be the final piece of Los Angeles' former Big 3 of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and Jordan to leave. According to Sporting News, the Golden State Warriors will go after him, but it seems like the Dallas Mavericks are the obvious choice.

Heningburg: Mavericks.

Post: Mavericks.

Taylor: Mavericks.

Wejinya: Mavericks.

Other Free Agents:

Clint Capela: Rockets.

Aaron Gordon: Magic.

Julius Randle: Spurs.

Isaiah Thomas: Mavericks.

Jabari Parker: Jazz.

Trevor Ariza: Warriors.

Tyreke Evans: Sixers.

Zach LaVine: Bulls.

Avery Bradley: Thunder.

Derrick Favors: Jazz.

Photo Credit: Sporting News.