NBA matchmaker: Linking 10 free agents with their next teams
With what's expected to be a frenzied NBA free-agency period set to kick off, several prime candidates could switch allegiances ahead of next season.
Here's a look at 10 restricted (RFA) and unrestricted free agents (UFA) and the teams we think they'll match best with.
2024-25 stats with Pacers:
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | 48.1 | 39.6 | 77.3 | 6.5 | 2 | 15.6 |
Team that should sign Turner: Indiana Pacers
Potential contract: 4-year, $120M deal
It makes the most sense for the Pacers to bring back their longest-tenured player on the roster after a commendable playoff showing. Turner played an important role in Indiana's run to the Finals - averaging 13.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in the postseason. He has also been a key floor-spacer, shooting 40% on threes in the playoffs.
Turner is also considered the best center on the market. Given the other options available, losing the 29-year-old for nothing would be the worst-case scenario. With Indiana's ownership reportedly more willing to enter the luxury tax, re-signing Turner will be the organization's top priority.
2024-25 stats with Pistons:
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 43 | 41.6 | 67.9 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 16.3 |
Team that should sign Beasley: Detroit Pistons
Potential contract: 2-year, $36M deal
The Pistons have a dilemma. Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Dennis Schroder are all free agents. Bringing back two of the trio could force the team to dip into the luxury tax. Beasley stood out among the three, shattering Detroit's single-season mark for 3-pointers (319), one short of the NBA lead. He was also second in Sixth Man of the Year voting. Not bad for a one-year, $6-million deal.
The 28-year-old will likely demand at least three times that amount, and despite the flaws in his game, he was instrumental to the Pistons' spacing. Since the Pistons own Beasley's non-Bird rights, they can only offer him a maximum starting salary of $7.2 million without requiring cap space, or the non-taxpayer mid-level exception valued at $14.1 million.
2024-25 stats with Timberwolves:
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 43.8 | 38.1 | 78 | 3.2 | 2.7 | 9.4 |
Team that should sign Alexander-Walker: Miami Heat
Potential contract: 4-year, $66M deal
Alexander-Walker is a player that embodies Heat culture. One of the most tenacious perimeter defenders in the Association, the versatile wing bolstered the Timberwolves' defensive effort as a feisty point-of-attack option against top scoring options. Alexander-Walker rose in the playoffs as well with two 20-point outings.
Minnesota faces major decisions regarding Julius Randle and Naz Reid, as the pair can decline their respective player options for free agency. The Timberwolves also have wing prospects like Jaylen Clark and Terrence Shannon Jr. that will eventually need minutes and could help make up for Alexander-Walker's absence. Miami could use NAW's veteran presence to help bring the team back to a competitive state.
2024-25 stats with Warriors:
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | 45.4 | 30.5 | 66.8 | 4.6 | 2.2 | 15.3 |
Team that should acquire Kuminga: Chicago Bulls
Potential contract: 4-year, $110M deal
RFAs don't switch teams in free agency as frequently as their unrestricted counterparts since parent clubs can match any offer sheet, but after Kuminga's mercurial season and sporadic usage by Steve Kerr, the 22-year-old would be wise to look elsewhere, even if the Golden State Warriors try to sell him on an increased role in a rapidly aging squad.
If they do re-sign Kuminga, that basically ties their hands in terms of other moves. The rebuilding Bulls step in and offer previous Warriors target and much-needed frontcourt help Nikola Vucevic plus Lonzo Ball and a pick for Kuminga in a transaction that abides by the league's convoluted sign-and-trade rules.
2024-25 stats with Hawks:
| GP | FG% | FT% | REB | BLK | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 55.9 | 53.6 | 8.5 | 1 | 1.1 | 8.9 |
Team that should sign Capela: Los Angeles Lakers
Potential contract: 3-year, $36M deal
Signing Capela would help the Lakers address their biggest positional need. After swapping out Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic, the team ended the season with Jaxson Hayes and Christian Koloko playing consistent minutes. The Lakers were dominated in the paint in their first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, prompting GM Rob Pelinka to say that the team will add another big in free agency.
While the Swiss center transitioned into a reserve and missed time with a hand injury, playing with Doncic and LeBron James could help Capela return to his previous form - a stout pick-setter and lob threat for two of the NBA's most lethal playmakers.
2024-25 stats with Nets:
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58 | 39 | 31.4 | 83.4 | 2.8 | 5.1 | 12.6 |
Team that should sign Russell: Brooklyn Nets
Potential contract: 2-year, $34M deal
Russell's second stint with the Nets wasn't as impactful as his 2018-19 All-Star campaign, but he did average 12.9 points and 5.6 assists while providing a veteran voice for a young group. If the Nets select a primary ball-handler with one of their four first-round picks, Russell could still be useful in a mentorship role on a short-term deal.
The Nets could also look at several other well-versed point guards on the market - like Paul, Schroder, and Tyus Jones - if another team tables a lucrative offer for Russell. A handful of teams in win-now mode like the Orlando Magic could use his expertise, but without an obvious successor for Russell on the Nets' roster, and no guarantee that the draft bears fruit, Brooklyn could do worse than welcome back the 29-year-old on a team-friendly pact.
2024-25 stats with Spurs:
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 42.7 | 37.7 | 92.4 | 3.6 | 7.4 | 8.8 |
Team that should sign Paul: Los Angeles Lakers
Potential contract: 1-year, $5.7M deal
After adding Capela, the Lakers make another move by signing a friend of LeBron. Paul fulfills two prophecies by joining the team. He completes the "Banana Boat" tandem by being the last of the crew to play with James, and he reverses the nixed Lakers trade from 2011. The 40-year-old also reunites with ex-teammate JJ Redick, his former Clippers backcourt partner.
Paul could take less money to end up with Los Angeles, as he has publicly stated his desire to be close to his family. The Lakers can offer him their non-tax mid-level exception and still have flexibility to move salaries in a trade. Paul's presence would give L.A. another ball-handler to ease LeBron and Luka's workload.
2024-25 stats with Bucks:
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 50.9 | 37.3 | 82.6 | 5 | 1.9 | 13 |
Team that should sign Lopez: Atlanta Hawks
Potential contract: 2-year, $16M deal
The Milwaukee Bucks could look vastly different next season, especially with four UFAs (Brook Lopez, Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, and Jericho Sims) and three rotation pieces with player options (Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, and Kevin Porter Jr.). The Giannis Antetokounmpo situation heightens this. Lopez is obviously declining, but he'll still have suitors.
Lopez, 37, remains a reliable presence, missing only nine games across the last three seasons. He's also a top-tier screen-setter and a functional rim-protector. Considering Capela's departure will leave the Hawks with only one center (Onyeka Okongwu), and the organization has a mere $146 million on its books, Lopez would make sense for a team that should attempt to capitalize on a weakened Eastern Conference.
2024-25 stats with Bucks:
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74 | 43.1 | 41.6 | 84.8 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 11.1 |
Team that should sign Trent: Milwaukee Bucks
Potential contract: 2-year, $18M deal
After signing a team-friendly one-year, $2.6-million deal with the Bucks last summer, Trent will be looking for a raise. For a Bucks team that could be hitting the rebuild button on the heels of a potential Antetokounmpo departure, re-signing Trent after a respectable playoff showing against the Pacers where he averaged 18.8 points and 2.6 steals could be the move.
The Bucks have a non-taxpayer mid-level exception in the neighbourhood of $14 million that they could use on Trent, and if the two parties were to agree to a deal in the range of $8 million-$10 million, they would still have enough left to retain Porter or potentially seek reinforcements in free agency. Even with the roster in a state of flux, the Bucks could do worse than prioritize re-signing Trent.
2024-25 stats with Cavaliers:
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 51.6 | 43.9 | 87.2 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 12.5 |
Team that should sign Jerome: Atlanta Hawks
Potential contract: 3-year, $40M deal
Jerome is an interesting option for teams that need to bolster their backcourt. The 27-year-old was one of the best reserves last season, shooting more than 40% from deep while finishing third in Sixth Man of the Year voting.
Cleveland may be motivated to keep Jerome because Darius Garland might miss the start of next season with a toe injury. However, the Cavs face a massive luxury-tax bill and would pay more if they retained Jerome. If the Hawks added Jerome to improve their bench, it could help push them closer to being truly competitive in a weaker Eastern Conference.