Top 10 unrestricted NBA free agents
theScore's NBA team breaks down where they think the top unrestricted free agents in the 2019 class will sign this summer.
Kevin Durant, Warriors
The entire free-agent class was thrown upside down when Durant pulled up clutching his Achilles in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The summer's top target is now expected to miss the entire 2019-20 campaign but still figures to command a max contract, even if it means paying him roughly $38 million to sit on the sidelines next season.
Durant's been closely linked to the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, and his incumbent Warriors. Golden State can offer him the most money and an extra year, but it's unclear if he wants to remain with the team following its controversial handling of his injury.
Prediction: The Knicks will gladly stomach a year with Durant on the bench, especially considering it would give No. 3 overall pick RJ Barrett a season to acclimate to the NBA. Whether they add another max free agent is another question entirely, but the Knicks won't miss their shot to lock up Durant long term.
Kawhi Leonard, Raptors
Leonard re-established himself as the NBA's best two-way player in 2018-19 and led the Toronto Raptors to a championship. He averaged career highs in points (26.6) and rebounds (7.3) during the regular season before turning in one of the most dominant playoff runs in recent memory.
The two-time Finals MVP's 732 points was the third-highest scoring total during a single NBA postseason run, trailing only Michael Jordan (759) and LeBron James (748).
While load management drew some skepticism, the results speak for themselves. Leonard was ready when it mattered most and established a trust with the Raptors that was lost with the San Antonio Spurs.
Prediction: Leonard re-signs on a one-year deal with a player option for a second to better assess how the Raptors and Clippers are shaping up long term.
Kyrie Irving, Celtics
It was a tumultuous second season in Boston for Irving. His leadership on a young squad was questioned throughout the campaign, as he often appeared to be at the forefront of the club's locker-room issues.
As a result, the All-Star guard has reportedly had little dialogue with the Celtics in recent weeks after seemingly committing to the team long term at a season-ticket holder event in October.
However, all things considered, Irving remains the best point guard available in this year's free-agent class. The former No. 1 overall pick shot 40.1 percent from distance while averaging 23.8 points, 6.9 assists, five boards, and 1.5 steals per contest across 67 appearances this past season. He can break any defender down with his speed and shifty ball-handling. There are very few guards in the league with Irving's skill set, but does he need another superstar to keep him in check?
Prediction: All signs point toward Irving bolting to the Nets on a max deal.
Klay Thompson, Warriors
Thompson made his fifth straight All-Star appearance this past season, averaging 21.5 points on 57 percent true shooting. He's established himself as one of the best sharpshooters in the game; his 40.2 percent mark from distance in 2018-19 was his second-lowest mark across eight NBA seasons.
The 29-year-old is also one of the league's best two-way guards, earning NBA All-Defensive second-team honors for the first time in his career last season. Unfortunately, Thompson suffered a torn ACL in Game 6 of the NBA Finals and should miss a majority, if not all, of next season. Nonetheless, the L.A. native will still command a max contract and will have no shortage of suitors - including the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers.
Prediction: Thompson isn't going anywhere, assuming the Warriors offer him a max deal.
Jimmy Butler, 76ers
Jimmy Buckets is healthy, fully available for next season, and will be heavily pursued as a key option after Leonard and Durant. Multiple teams are already carving paths to pursue Butler - including the Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, and Lakers - in an effort to pry him away from the Philadelphia 76ers' grip.
Butler remained effective despite being an awkward fit with the Sixers, averaging 18.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and four assists in 55 appearances with Philadelphia. He's done enough to warrant a max deal despite turning 30 before the 2019-20 season begins.
Prediction: Butler ultimately takes Philly's max offer and remains the secondary scoring option behind Joel Embiid as the 76ers aim to dethrone the Raptors.
Kemba Walker, Hornets
Walker has been plying his trade with the Charlotte Hornets on a bargain deal ($12 million annually) for the last four years. Now, Charlotte can offer him a five-year, $221-million super-max. Will he take it, or will he bolt elsewhere?
The Lakers, Knicks, and Celtics have all been bandied about as potential suitors, but it's Boston that has reportedly emerged as the front-runner for the All-Star guard. While Walker has previously expressed a willingness to take less than the super-max from the Hornets, there are apparently sizable gaps in negotiations between the parties.
Prediction: The Celtics replace Irving and sign Walker to a max deal.
Tobias Harris, 76ers
The Sixers appear ready and willing to re-sign both Harris and Butler. They also have another key free agent in JJ Redick.
Harris wasn't a great fit with Philly - his 3-point percentage dropped to 32.6 percent in 27 games with the Sixers, although he was more successful in catch-and-shoot situations - but that could change if Butler leaves.
The Long Island native has been linked to both New York City teams. He's an effective combo forward who has eight years of NBA experience despite only being 26.
Prediction: Harris will be a Plan B for several teams. If Butler bails on Philly, Harris re-signs at the max. If Butler stays, Harris will land in either Brooklyn, with the Clippers - depending on the decisions of Durant and Leonard, respectively - or with the Dallas Mavericks.
Al Horford, Celtics
Though father time will inevitably catch up with the aging Dominican big man, Horford remains an effective two-way presence who could be a difference-maker for a championship contender. He proved that by playing a valuable part in the Celtics' back-to-back Eastern Conference finals appearances.
Horford took a massive risk by reportedly declining his $30.1-million player option. However, it's rumored the 33-year-old has a valuable deal looming as he looks to escape Beantown amid Kyrie Irving's uncertain future with the franchise. Despite his seemingly limited impact as a scorer, Horford remains a floor spacer (36 percent on three 3-point attempts last season) and a versatile defender.
Prediction: The Mavericks sign Horford to a four-year, $100-million deal.
Khris Middleton, Bucks
Middleton is the Milwaukee Bucks' second-best player and is about to get paid accordingly. Re-signing the All-Star swingman is imperative for Milwaukee, given the team's salary cap restraints and absence from desired free-agent locations.
There are legitimate questions as to whether Middleton is a max player, but his elite 3-and-D skills are in demand in the modern NBA. There have been reports the Indiana Pacers have interest in Middleton, something that figures to further drive up his price.
Prediction: The Bucks re-sign Middleton to a max contract.
Nikola Vucevic, Magic
Few helped their stock more than Vooch this past season, as he put up career-best numbers while helping the Orlando Magic break their seven-year playoff drought. His offensive impact has made him one of the top secondary options in a deep free-agent crop.
Although the Magic looked to be paving the way for the Montenegrin star's departure - drafting Mo Bamba sixth overall in the 2018 draft - Vucevic's averages of 20.8 points, 12 rebounds, and 3.8 assists last season arguably made the case that he's an integral part of the team.
Prediction: The market will be hot for Vucevic as soon as the marquee free agents find their homes. There's a good chance the Magic panic after making the playoffs for the first time since the end of the Dwight Howard era and give Vooch a hefty pay raise to remain in Florida.