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Over the last month or so NBA free agency has provided basketball fans with just as much excitement as the season itself. The media coverage of LaMarcus Aldridge and later DeAndre Jordan was akin to a great film drama with plenty of defining moments and plot twists that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The massive NBA television deal that goes into action next summer will cause a spike in the salary cap, loading teams with plenty of cash to spend on a group of players who purposely signed contracts to end right when the cap goes up. Here are the 10 best NBA free agents available in 2016
10. Joe Johnson
It’s crazy to think that after this upcoming season, Joe Johnson will have spent 15 years in the NBA. The Nets’ sharp shooter has seen a small yet steady decline in his numbers over the past few seasons but the Nets expect him to have a great season now that Deron Williams is out of picture. He could be in for a huge contract year if he can show that he’s still got game.
Click “Next” for the ninth best available free agent in 2016!
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9. Al Horford
Horford has slowly improved his game to become one of the best big men in the game with the Atlanta Hawks, consistently putting up essentially double-double numbers over the course of his career. When Al hits free agency as an unrestricted F.A., their will be a number of suitors bidding for his services with hefty checks.
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8. Mike Conley
Mike Conley is one of the most underrated point guards in the NBA. When he’s been healthy, the guard is capable of helping the Grizzlies reach the Finals. This team has kept their core together over the last 5 years, but if they make another one-and-done or second round exit in the playoffs, the front office might make some changes and matching the huge offers that Conley is going to receive from a number of other teams probably won’t be one of them.
Click “Next” for the seventh best available free agent in 2016!
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7. DeMar DeRozan
DeRozan will be an interesting guy to watch when he hits free agency next summer. If he averages over 20 points a game for the third consecutive season and bolsters his assist/rebound totals just a bit, DeMar is going to be in for a huge payday that will be the envy of other great but not elite players in the NBA stuck in $10-12 million contracts.
Click “Next” for the sixth best available free agent in 2016!
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6. Kobe Bryant
Bryant has said this will be his last season with the Los Angeles Lakers but he hasn’t ruled out signing with another team for at least one more year. The Black Mamba is past his prime but that doesn’t mean he can’t ball any more. Somebody will take a chance on one of the best scorers in NBA history, even if the deal isn’t astronomical.
Click “Next” for the fifth best available free agent in 2016!
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5. Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard has a player option for the 2016-17 season and assuming his production stays at least close to what it’s been in the past, D-12 will opt out to sign a bigger deal with the Rockets or potentially somebody else. One thing we’ve learned from the past is that Howard has no problem with taking on a change of scenery if he feels it’s in his best interests.
Click “Next” for the fourth best available free agent in 2016!
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4. Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Wade is a huge name past his prime, but that doesn’t mean he can’t compete and lead a franchise. The Miami Heat would love to keep him in town, but Dwyane will go where the money and the best chance to win another title takes him.
Click “Next” for the third best available free agent in 2016!
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3. Joakim Noah
Joakim Noah has been with the Chicago Bulls since coming into the NBA, playing with an unmatched energy that fires up Chicago fans everywhere. It would be strange to see Noah leave the Windy City, but the rising cap is going to change some things.
Click “Next” for the second best available free agent in 2016!
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2. Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant isn’t the kind of guy who hits free agency every year. When healthy, Durant is perhaps the best pure scorer in the league alongside Steph Curry and his abilities in all facets of the game are top notch.
Every team is gearing up to offer Durant the best possible contract and situation
Click “Next” for the best available free agent in 2016!
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1. LeBron James
Ah yes, the yearly LeBron James free agency frenzy (well, 2014, 2015, and 2016). James will opt out of his player option for 2016-17 next summer to sign what will easily end up being the largest contract in NBA history and one of the most expensive in all of professional sports history.
Cleveland Cavalier fans dread the thought of the King leaving once again. Odds are that LeBron ends up staying with the Cavs but the rumors that are bound to swirl about James possibly signing with franchises from coast to coast will be fun to take in.