NBA Free Agency News, Predictions and Analysis

Deandre Ayton (Phoenix, Restricted Free-agent)

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft averaged 17.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 1.4 apg for the Phoenix Suns team, which won a league-best 64 games last season. Ayton did not receive the maximum contract extension he wanted the previous fall, which caused some friction between him and the Suns front office. As a restricted free agent, he now has one of four options:

• re-sign with Phoenix

• sign an offer sheet elsewhere, which Phoenix can match

• look for a sign-and-trade deal

• honoring the final year of his rookie contract and becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Ayton is an interesting case because it's difficult to tell out how much he matters to Phoenix and how much Phoenix means to him. Meanwhile, he seemed like a good asset to be traded to the Nets in a potential Kevin Durant trade, but Brooklyn isn't interested in him. The 6'11 center, who will be 24 next season, has already proven he can be a reliable two-way center for a championship calibre team. We'll see if he finally lands the max contract the Suns didn't want to offer him.

Prediction: Stays in Phoenix one more year.

Collin Sexton (Restricted Free-agent)

The 23-year-old dynamic combo-guard who averaged 24.3 points per game only two seasons ago was on his way to a big contract until tearing his meniscus 11 games into the 2021-22 season and missing the rest of the campaign.

Although he is coming off a significant injury, he has already proven that he could be one of the more explosive guards in the league, and he could be a precious piece on a team on the brink of playoff contention. Cleveland would love to have him back to pair with Darius Garland in the backcourt, but the bidding war may scare them away. In addition, with Sexton still young, he will want to get paid as he enters his prime.

Prediction: Re-signs with the Cleveland Cavaliers

Montrezl Harrell (Unrestricted Free-agent)

The 2020 Sixth Man of the Year became a journeyman since he won the award while playing for the Clippers. The 6-7 center has played for the Hornets, Wizards, and Lakers in the past 24 months. Apart from his minutes and shot attempts, he's been the same player. He can still crash the offensive boards, finish around the rim, and hit from mid-range. After all, he's only 28 and can be a solid contributor. However, it wouldn't be surprising if his suitors would wait for more clarity surrounding Harrell's legal situation as he's facing a felony drug charge from a traffic stop in May.

Prediction: Signs with Boston

Dennis Schröder (Unrestricted Free-agent)

The German point guard spent last season between the Celtics and the Rockets. The speedy 28-year-old's days as a starter on a playoff team might be over, but he might be a good match for a number of clubs looking to bolster their backcourt depth. In 64 games last season, he averaged 13.5 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per outing.

Prediction: Signs with the Dallas Mavericks

Carmelo Anthony (Unrestricted Free-agent)

The ninth-leading scorer of all-time in NBA history, who recently turned 38, is still unemployed. Melo averaged 13.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in 26 minutes per game for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, and he can still be a vital bench piece for a contender seeking an instant scorer.

Prediction: Signs with the New York Knicks

Kemba Walker (Unrestricted Free-agent)

Kemba Walker, a four-time All-Star, is no longer the player he once was. Injuries and father time have caught up with the former lottery selection.

This is not to say that Walker, 32, cannot contribute to a legit contender. Over the last two seasons, he's averaged 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists on 36 percent shooting from long range.

Prediction: Signs with the Golden State Warriors

DeMarcus Cousins (Unrestricted Free-agent)

After signing a 10-day deal with Denver in January, Cousins averaged 8.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per game, shooting 45.6 percent from the field and 32.4 percent from three-point land. He played important minutes off the bench against Golden State in the first round of the playoffs, averaging 10.6 points and 3.4 rebounds on 65.5 percent shooting. Cousins' All-Star days are behind, but he is still important enough to land a backup center spot on any club in the NBA.

Prediction: Signs with the Dallas Mavericks