Free Agency NBA 2016: The Top Players

The 2016 NBA Free agency period is upon us, and there are a number of big name players available. Here’s a look at the top free agents and where they might end up.

Kevin Durant

Durant will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, meaning he can sign with any team. The 27-year-old is coming off a season in which he averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5 assists per game while shooting 54.8 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from three-point range He was named to the All-NBA First Team for the fifth time in his career and was also named MVP of the All-Star game

Al Horford

Al Horford is a powerful 6’10” center who plays an important role in both rebounding and blocking, making him one of the most highly sought-after players in the NBA. He’s a 4-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2016.

Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade is a free agent shooting guard who most recently played for the Houston Rockets He played college basketball at Marquette University and was drafted fifth overall in the 2003 NBA draft by the Miami Heat He spent the first 13 seasons of his NBA Career with the Heat, winning three NBA championships and was named the 2006 Finals MVP and a 12-time NBA All-Star

Wade’s off-court commitments include working as vice president of marketing for Stance, co-founding Wade’s World Foundation, hosting the annual D. Wade CommUNITY Bike Ride and co-hosting D. Wade’s Summer Hangout with his cousin Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade Jr. In May 2011, Wade was ranked as one of the NBA’s all-time top 50 players by ESPN. In September 2016, he signed a deal to return to his original team, the Miami Heat

LeBron James

Lebron James is the most famous and most popular basketball player in the world, and he’s coming off one of the best seasons of his career. He’s also a Free Agent James has said he plans to take his time making a decision about his future, but there’s no doubt that he will be the most sought-after player on the market when free agency begins on July 1.

DeMar DeRozan

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Demar Derozan is an extremely talented player who is looking to cash in on his free agency this year. He is coming off of a very successful season with the Toronto Raptors where he averaged over 20 points per game DeRozan is a versatile player who can shoot from long range or take it to the basket and finish with a dunk. He also has the ability to create his own shot, which makes him a very dangerous player on offense.

Andre Drummond

Andre Drummond is one of the Top Players in the NBA and is a Free Agent in 2016. He is a very talented player and has a lot of potential. He is also a very good rebounder and shot blocker. He is only 23 years old and has a lot of room to grow.

Hassan Whiteside

One of the most talented and sought-after free agents this off-season is Hassan Whiteside The 27-year old center is coming off a breakout season in which he averaged career highs in points (14.2), rebounds (11.8) and blocks (3.7) per game. Whiteside is a physically imposing player who uses his size and strength to his advantage on both ends of the court. On offense, he is an excellent finisher around the basket and has shown gradual improvement as a jump shooter. Defensively, he is a true game-changer with his ability to block and alter shots at the rim. In addition to his physical gifts, Whiteside also has good instincts and timing, which makes him an even more valuable asset on defense.

Whiteside will undoubtedly have plenty of suitors this summer, but there are a few teams that appear to be better fits for him than others. The Miami Heat who currently have Whiteside under contract, will certainly try to retain him, but they will face stiff competition from other teams with more cap space available. The Los Angeles Lakers are one team that could make a strong push for Whiteside’s services, as they are in need of an upgrade at center and have the financial resources to sign him to a max contract The Dallas Mavericks are another team to keep an eye on, as they have already made it clear that they are targeting big men in free agency this summer.

Whichever team ultimately lands Whiteside will be getting one of the most talented and productive centers in the league. He has shown steady improvement over the course of his career and appears to be just scratching the surface of his potential. At 27 years old, he should be entering the prime of his career and should only continue to get better in the years ahead.

Mike Conley

Mike Conley is one of the top free agents in the NBA this offseason. The point guard is coming off a five-year, $45 million contract with the Memphis Grizzlies and he is expected to command a significant pay raise on his next deal.

Conley is 28 years old and he has established himself as one of the best point guards in the league. He is a talented scorer and playmaker, and he has shown the ability to play well in big moments. Conley has averaged 17.2 points and 6.0 assists per game over his career, and he was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2013.

The Grizzlies are reportedly interested in re-signing Conley, but they will have competition from other teams. The Dallas Mavericks Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons are all expected to pursue Conley in free agency

Kent Bazemore

Kent Bazemore is a small forward who most recently played for the Atlanta Hawks He is an restricted free agent for the 2016 NBA off-season.

Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard is one of the most dominant big men in the NBA, and at just 30 years old, he should have several more years of All-Star caliber play left in him. After an up-and-down 2015 season that saw him traded from the Houston Rockets to the Atlanta Hawks Howard will be an restricted free Agent this summer. Here’s a look at his career so far and what teams might be interested in signing him.

Dwight Howard was drafted first overall by the Orlando Magic in 2004. He quickly became one of the best players in the league, winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award three times and becoming a five-time All-Star. In 2008, he led the Magic to the NBA Finals where they lost to the Lakers in five games.

Howard’s time in Orlando came to an end in 2012 when he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers He spent one disappointing season with the Lakers before being traded to the Houston Rockets in 2013. Howard had a renaissance in Houston, averaging 18 points and 12 rebounds per game while playing some of the best defense of his career.

Unfortunately, injuries and clashes with Head Coach Kevin McHale limited Howard’s effectiveness in 2015, leading to his trade to the Atlanta Hawks at the trade deadline Howard bounced back with a strong finish to the season with his new team, averaging 13 points and 11 rebounds per game

Now a free agent Dwight Howard will have no shortage of suitors this summer. The Hawks are expected to make a strong push to re-sign him, but teams like the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks could also be in play for his services. Wherever he ends up next season, Dwight Howard will be one of the top players to watch.