Imagine yourself as a free agent looking to sign with one of the NBA franchises. Whom should you look to sign with? Golden State Warriors, right? Well, it’s not that simple. While there are some teams that have much better chance to win the title even before the first tip-off, that doesn’t mean that it’s the best opportunity for any player.
Team leaders and superstars look to be paid as one and usually can fit under one (or few) umbrellas. While other franchises might be in the dreaded tanking mode and looking to rebuild their roster for future success, young or unheralded players might actually play for them and make a name of themselves.
Don’t forget that market and city size or city location also can play a role in deciding whom to sign with. It’s not as significant as in the past, yet it still exists. Then there’s tradition, closeness to home/family, coaching staff or players ties. Of course, the business contract, money and other related benefits should play the most important role, so acting by the other motives usually happens when the terms of agreement are similar between the teams.
The free agency clock is ticking loud, so the teams are looking at the players, and the players are surely trying to find what works for them best. Let’s take a look at which franchises might be perfect for certain group of players.
Atlantic Division
| team | ambition | cap space | organization | roster | market | play time | location |
| BOS | 10 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 5 |
| TOR | 6 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 2 |
| NYK | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 6 |
| PHI | 4 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| BRK | 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 5 |
table 1 – team appeal by category, Atlantic Division
The Boston Celtics are a rare great organization with ambition and relatively healthy cap space, making it attractive location for the players who believe they could join them to knock off the Cavaliers. They can’t give much minutes to the young players, not even their No. 3 draft selection Tatum.
The Toronto Raptors don’t have the same appeal as some of the teams south of the border and with the low cap space and the look like they’re about to blow things up, they can attract players who can step in for the leaving free agents.
The New York Knicks have fired Jackson from their top executive position, ending his unsuccessful reign. That’s usually the first step in the right direction, but you never know with Dolan. Their trump card is that they play in the center of the world and that there isn’t much competition for the court minutes.
The Philadelphia 76ers have emerged as a desirable location due to young talent as large cap space. The NBA players who won’t mind losing for a couple of years, or battling for a playoff spot, but would welcome a big number on the paycheck will surely talk to the Sixers. There aren’t any significant drawbacks.
The Brooklyn Nets are attractive for the wannabe stars and younger players looking for playing time at the expense of joining what seems to be an NBA franchise that is rebuilding the foundation and the roster at the same time. You get to play in NY, though.
Central Division
| team | ambition | cap space | organization | roster | market | play time | location |
| CLE | 10 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| MIL | 7 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
| IND | 4 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 4 |
| CHI | 2 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 5 |
| DET | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 3 |
table 2 – team appeal by category, Central Division
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be attracting veterans chasing a ring as long as James stays with the franchise. They can’t offer much outside that.
The Milwaukee Bucks are a small market NBA team with an upside and they should hope it lasts long enough for the young roster to blossom. Role players could thrive with the team, as long as you don’t mind the tundra.
The Indiana Pacers current appeal is less than usual due to expectations of Paul George leaving. Outside of that, they’ve been a team that has had very little stability at the top since Miller retired. Up seasons were followed by downs, and it seems the wave is coming down at this point. The good news is that if they go into rebuilding, it will open up plenty of minutes to be had.
The Chicago Bulls obviously threw in the towel and the sweeping has just begun. It’s not a great time to join the Bulls as they are still looking to create cap space. The team lacks direction, quality coaching and the teammates to play with (assuming Wade and Rondo leave). It’s a great NBA organization and a sports city, so you know they’ll bounce back.
The Detroit Pistons need help but can’t afford to pay big bucks, so they’ll be a franchise to talk with role players, veterans who wouldn’t mind tutoring leaderless Pistons by example.
Southeast Division
| team | ambition | cap space | organization | roster | market | play time | location |
| WAS | 7 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
| ATL | 4 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| MIA | 4 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 9 |
| CHA | 6 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 5 |
| ORL | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
table 3 – team appeal by category, Southeast Division
The Washington Wizards have the ambition to challenge the pinnacle of the East. Nothing about this NBA franchise will turn you back, but they aren’t the most appealing location either. They need second unit players and can’t pay for more, so it’s the veterans and the youth again.
The Atlanta Hawks are another average NBA franchise, but with less appeal than the Wizards as they are on the down. They lose a starter or two each year and that’s impossible to overcome. Still, they’ve always managed to sign a good free agent, so expect a wide range of players strongly considering the Hawks.
Seriously, if the Bucks and the Heat give you same money, would you rather ice-skate to your car or play on the beach? Apart from the attractive location, the Miami Heat are a great NBA organization with top front office and coaching staff, can get you the money (as Bosh comes off the books) and will let you play. What’s not to love?
The Charlotte Hornets have an iconic owner and …, well that’s it. No cap space, no playing time and still a mid tier team at best, they hold appeal to the minimum-contract players.
The Orlando Magic are in a rebuild, but with a full roster, so it’s not the best time to join this team no matter how much you like the southern sun. Once they clear things out, they’ll be much more appealing.
Pacific Division
| team | ambition | cap space | organization | roster | market | play time | location |
| GSW | 10 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| LAC | 7 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 9 |
| SAC | 3 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 6 |
| LAL | 5 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 9 |
| PHX | 3 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 5 |
table 4 – team appeal by category, Pacific Division
The NBA Champions, Golden State Warriors, will tie up all their cap space and more to retain the current roster, so the players that would like to join them should not mind playing at a bargain deal. Undrafted rookies on a non guaranteed deals and ageless veterans are most probable targets.
The Los Angeles Clippers are restructuring their roster but won’t give in just yet. If they manage to re-sign Griffin, they’ll still have a playoff team. The Clippers have a determined owner, good coach and play in LA, but young players would probably have to defer too much to the greybeards, so the vets should be the ones more interested.
The Sacramento Kings have compiled some nice young players with Cousins trade and in the previous two NBA drafts. However, the roster talent will not awe anyone and a leader who loves being alpha dog and doesn’t mind doing it on a losing team should strongly consider them.
The Los Angeles Lakers are and will remain the Lakers and a few forgettable years won’t erase all the tradition, the Hollywood spotlight and the Caly sun. However, they are still years from competing, so players not yet in their primes should go for it. Others would probably look elsewhere.
The Phoenix Suns are young and bad, so they wouldn’t mind giving you an extra opportunity to shine. Bench players who had not been given much chance should visit the desert.
Southwest Division
| team | ambition | cap space | organization | roster | market | play time | location |
| SAS | 9 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| HOU | 9 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 8 |
| MEM | 6 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| NOP | 6 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 6 |
| DAL | 7 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 8 |
table 5 – team appeal by category, Southwest Division
The San Antonio Spurs have been exemplary organization that most of the pro sports franchises look up to. They are an annual contender despite the small market. They’ve also established a reputation as a Mecca for players with a lot of mileage, so these kinds of players have mostly been linked to. Now, the Spurs have shown a desire to turn things around, probably aware of the incapable roster. They’ll likely see Paul go to their state rivals, so it’s anyone’s guess what moves they pull out. NBA players who don’t mind a no nonsense approach outside the spotlights will thrive with the Spurs.
The Houston Rockets have reportedly managed to lure in Chris Paul, a great player but an awkward fit. Morey is probably looking to build a super team and such teams are generally highly appealing. The Rockets already have amazing depth, so the NBA players who sign up should be patient.
The Memphis Grizzlies are among the most overlooked franchises when it comes to the fundamentals of good business and attachment to their fans. It’s mostly due to their small team status. Players who will look to sign with them must be around long enough to understand the true values in the NBA league.
The New Orleans Pelicans are willing to finally make big move forward with their two big forwards (well, centers, but doesn’t sound that good). If they re-sign their own free agent Holiday, they are stuck with the current roster, which isn’t great despite Cousins and Davis. They do have an above average appeal, but with no money to show, they’ll look better to replacement level players who don’t mind taking bigger roles.
The Dallas Mavericks have the ambition and are well respected big market organization. It’s just a bad time to play for them. Dirk’s time is expiring and Cuban has shown willingness to go younger, so free agents who just played out their rookie contracts and still have springs in their legs would be the best fit for both sides.
Northwest Division
| team | ambition | cap space | organization | roster | market | play time | location |
| UTH | 6 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| OKC | 6 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| POR | 5 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| DEN | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| MIN | 5 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
table 6 – team appeal by category, Northwest Division
The Utah Jazz will need Hayward to resign to continue what’s been a methodic and strong rise to prominence. If he leaves, they are left as an average NBA franchise that will likely attract role players.
The Oklahoma City Thunder lack another star, but not many stars would like to play Westbrook’s sidekick. Also, if the Thunder would acquire one, it could only be on a trade, as they lack max cap space. Free agents looking for a minor role on a playoff team would be the most interested ones.
The Portland Trail Blazers aren’t very appealing at the moment. They are a small market team with set roster, very little playing time and no money to spend. They’ll attract only minimal-contract players this summer.
There’s a worse thing than playing for the Denver Nuggets. They have great depth of average or above average players, and aren’t a very attractive location or market. But everything is working smoothly and they have a decent young roster to grow with.
The Minnesota Timberwolves made an excellent trade for Jimmy Butler, but had to sacrifice most of their depth, which was problematic anyway, so they should be attractive location for the role players of the bench, especially if they don’t look for major minutes.
