Welcome to the circus.
Thanks to an incredible increase in the salary cap, more teams than ever are heading into free agency with money to spend.
That bodes well for the players, who can expect bidding wars for their services, but also the NBA, which will see teams stuck on the outside of the league's elite spending big money — money they might not usually have — in an effort to reach it.
Big names can expect record deals, restricted free agents should expect more offer sheets, and we should expect more chaos.
With that in mind, here are the top 15 free agents available this summer and our best guesses on where they land.
The rumors are already flying. The fun gets underway, in earnest, July 1.
Kevin Durant
One of the most prolific and gifted scorers in NBA history, Durant is the most coveted free agent since, well, the guy who comes after him on this list. Where he goes will have massive ramifications on the league as a whole as he makes any team an instant title contender.
Most likely destination: Oklahoma City
The salary cap is going to make another massive leap next year when Serge Ibaka and Russell Westbrook hit the open market. The Thunder were one game away from the NBA Finals, and Durant could sign a one-year deal and take another crack at winning a title with this elite OKC team before the team could be broken up in 2017.
The salary cap is going to make another massive leap next year when Serge Ibaka and Russell Westbrook hit the open market. The Thunder were one game away from the NBA Finals, and Durant could sign a one-year deal and take another crack at winning a title with this elite OKC team before the team could be broken up in 2017.
Watch out for: Golden State
The Warriors have money to spend and could create a four-man core of Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Durant that would be poised to dominate the NBA for the better part of the next decade. If Durant wants to win a title, going to the Bay Area is the best possible move.
The Warriors have money to spend and could create a four-man core of Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Durant that would be poised to dominate the NBA for the better part of the next decade. If Durant wants to win a title, going to the Bay Area is the best possible move.
Arguably the greatest player to grace an NBA floor, James has a one-year player option to return to Cleveland for the 2016-17 season. Having just completed the greatest accomplishment of his incredible career —€” bringing a title to Cleveland —€” there's a newfound (though currently unsubstantiated) belief that he might leave "The Land" having delivered on his promise.
Most likely destination: ClevelandIt's hard to believe that James would leave Cleveland a second time, particularly considering the amount of influence he has in the organization. As long as he's on the Cavs, the team will contend for titles.
Watch out for: Los Angeles LakersLeBron has spoken about his desire to form a super team with his friends Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul. While creating that team would be incredibly difficult and is more likely than not a pipe dream, the Lakers could theoretically make it happen. LeBron also recently purchased a home in Los Angeles.
Al Horford
Perhaps the most underrated player in the NBA, Horford is a versatile and reliable big man who has thrived as pace-and-space has taken over the league. While the possibility of re-signing with Atlanta is high, Horford might pursue greener pastures in search of the NBA title that appears more distant for the Hawks moving forward into 2016-17 and beyond.
Most likely destination: BostonThe Celtics are poised to challenge the Cavs in the Eastern Conference next year —€” they're one piece away. Horford might be that piece. The system perfectly fits him, and the Celtics can sign him and use their prolific draft assets to further bolster Brad Stevens' roster to create a sustainable title contender.
Watch out for: MiamiHorford is a native of the Dominican Republic who played his college ball at Florida. For him, the Heatcan offer the best balance of lifestyle, money (no state taxes), and title contention.
Mike Conley
The no-flash, just-results point guard has the class and poise to lead a team to a title, and given the hard-luck run he's had in Memphis, he might be keen to look for a new place to call home. The Grizzliescan give him the most money, but it might not be about that for the nationally underappreciated Conley.
Most likely destination: MemphisThe Grit and Grind era might be over, but the Grizzlies' roster is still strong and Conley is still a revered figure in West Tennessee. There aren't a lot of playoff teams looking to add a point guard like Conley (the Spurs could get into the mix, but it'd take a lot of maneuvering) —€” a little change might be enough to keep him in Memphis.
Watch out for: New YorkPhil Jackson needs to get a point guard to give the ball to Kristaps Porzingis and Carmelo Anthony if the two ever want to see the playoffs while wearing blue and orange. The Knicks have money to spend, and Conley would be a near perfect fit with that lineup and market.