Biggest NBA Free Agents For The Off Season

The off season is a notorious time for trades, free agent signings, and most importantly the usual name dropping.

So far this season, we have seen many upcoming stars starting to take an important role towards their team, as well as big signings who were nothing but disappointing. Others like Russell Westbrook started off horribly, but ended the season on a high.

Russell Westbrook:

As mentioned, Russell Westbrook started off the season with the Lakers poorly. He came off the bench to add that grit the Lakers thought they needed. Now on the Clippers, he was traded to the Jazz where he had the opportunity to sign for the other LA team. While on the Clippers, the team rose in the west while Kawhi and Paul George traded injuries. Westbrook was an essential part of the postseason, winning game 1 vs the Suns thanks to him as he dropped 23.6 points per game, 7.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.4 blocks in the series. Unfortunately the Clippers fell to the Suns in 5 games as they entered the next season.

For Westbrook, it's currently looking like he will stay with the Clippers, showing how efficient he was during his time there, and adding chemistry and a gritty mentality to the locker room.

James Harden:

This one is a tricky one.

Since leaving the Rockets to form a super team in Brooklyn, nothing went well for James Harden. He was still putting up impressive numbers, going from the main scoring option on a team, to the facilitators and the second man to KD on the Nets, or Embiid on the Sixers.

Now having been eliminated in the second round one too many times, the Sixers will look to either keep, or get rid of Harden.

Since Ime Udoka joined the Rockets prior to the draft lottery, 3 of the Boston assistant coaches left Joe Mazzula to team up in Houston. With that in mind, many are speculating James Harden to make a comeback to the Rockets, where he could possibly find an in between for facilitating and being the scoring option on the team.

Chris Middleton:

Middleton unfortunately suffered a season-long injury, coming onto the court within the last 20 or so games in the regular season. And even on the floor, he barely played more than 30 minutes.

Despite having suffered a long injury, he still managed to put up helping numbers for the Bucks, which earned him the right to many options this off season. The All Star player has been linked with many young teams, such as the Rockets, the Thunder, the Magic, the Kings and the Mavericks.

He could also sign an extension deal for 178 million, but seeing how the Bucks are looking to reconstruct their current team, it would not be surprising to see him elsewhere next season.

I personally think the best fits would be in Dallas, if they have enough cap space. And if not a trip to Houston could mean Harden and Middleton could team with Ime Udoka.

Finally, the Kings have a great option to get him as well, as they will aim to make another playoff run next season.

Draymond Green:

This was the last year for the Warriors with their main squad in Curry, Thompson, Iguodala and Draymond Green.

Going into the 2022-23 season, the locker room situation was rough as Draymond Green was not offered an extension going into the season. Instead, Golden State opted for young stars Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins to keep as they went into their “Last Dance”.

Draymond Green is a great leader and player to add to any team. With the addition of having one of the most outrageous players in NBA media, any team who acquires him would be in the spotlight.

Green has been linked with the Jazz, the Lakers and OKC so far. These are the biggest names, and personally the best fits in my opinion.

Heading to the Jazz would add depth and a much needed defensive presence to help Walker Kessler and Lauri Markkanen. He could mentor the team defensively as well as bring a championship mindset to the Jazz to try to make a playoff run next season.

If Green goes to the Lakers, he would achieve his dream of playing with LeBron. With Green on the Lakers, the team would be more than set to make the playoffs next season, as they were the favorites to get out of the west after eliminating the Warriors in the second round this postseason. Green could add mentorship to Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt which could be the game changers for this LA team.

Lastly, a run for OKC would mean mentoring the young players they consist of. Jaylin Williams is an up and coming big man who stands at 6 foot 9. A small big man like draymond, where he could learn a lot from a 4 time champion.