Some of the best players in the NBA will have the opportunity to choose where they will resume their basketball careers this summer when they become unrestricted free agents. The majority of them will consider situation, location and the potential to win but at the end of the day there is no doubt that money will be an important factor for each of those players. Here is a look at the top potential destinations for pending unrestricted free agents if money matters the most.
SF: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers can offer LeBron more money than any other potential suitors and with the big money TV deal set to kick in the following offseasonm there is a very good chance King James signs another one-year deal with Cleveland. LeBron doesn’t exactly need the cash after signing a lifetime deal with Nike that could be worth north of $1 billion, but it isn’t as though he is about to pass up some serious cash to move elsewhere at this point. A big part of LeBron’s brand is based on his return to Cleveland to win a championship. As of this moment, they’re struggling with the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference final. If he feels that he has a better chance to win elsewhere, he might – emphasis on ‘might’ – leave, but if money is the motivation, nobody can give him more than Cleveland.
Best Money Destination: Cleveland
SF: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
The most recent rumors have the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs set to make hard pushes for Durant, but the most favorable situation in terms of money will be remaining in Oklahoma City. Durant could sign a one-year deal with the Thunder and then re-enter free agency in the summer of 2017 when the cap leaps to a ridiculous $108 million. Durant would take in $40 million more if he waits another year to sign a major extension, so if money matters the most to him he will stay with Oklahoma City.
Best Money Destination: Oklahoma City
C: Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets
A potential return to the Orlando Magic has not been ruled out but if Howard wants to cash in with a long-term deal, he will have to go elsewhere. The Rockets may offer him some kind of mid-level deal on a short-term just to see how things go with the new coaching staff, but they won’t be investing long-term. He’s become an issue in the locker room and that’s playing a factor here. That means he’ll likely have to consider the Charlotte Hornets as one of his best options.
Howard is familiar with Hornets’ coach Steve Clifford, who coaches him in Orlando and Los Angeles, and Charlotte has shown in the past that it is desperate to land a big name. The Hornets threw a max offer at Gordon Hayward before the Utah Jazz matched it and then signed Lance Stephenson to a three-year deal worth more than $27 million. Charlotte’s search for a marquee name will continue this summer and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they went hard at Howard.
Best Money Destination: Charlotte Hornets
SG: DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors
DeRozan will have the advantage of being the best player at a relatively thin position when he hits the open market as a free agent this summer and it will be interesting to see what kind of money he commands. The Raptors can pay him more up front than any other team but there is reason to believe Toronto won’t be willing to offer him max money. The Lakers meanwhile won’t hesitate to throw big dollars at DeRozan in order to bring him back to his California roots. According to reports, LA is willing to offer DeRozan a max deal starting at $25 million. DeRozan will have to weigh his options based on what he considers most important but at this point, the Lakers appear to be the most likely fit if money matters the most to him.
Best Money Destination: Los Angeles Lakers
