NBA Free Agency Predictions: Next Team Picks, Odds for Offseason's Biggest Names

The NBA's 2023 free agency period will open Friday evening with teams being allowed to talk to and reach agreements with players. Ahead of the madness, here are all of our NBA free agency predictions below.

Though maybe not as exciting as the NBA trade deadline has become in recent years, the opening day of free agency is sure to bring plenty of activity after a rather quiet NBA draft. Beginning Friday, June 30, at 6 p.m. ET, teams can negotiate with pending free agents ahead of officially signing those contracts at 12:01 a.m. ET on Thursday, July 6.

Kyrie Irving and Draymond Green headline a deep and star-studded free-agent class, while James Harden is now among the plenty of other players who're widely reported to be on the NBA trade block, whether or not of their own volition.

Our best NBA betting sites have long had odds posted for these players' next team. We've been tracking the headliners throughout the offseason and below will look at each of our NBA free agency predictions.

NBA free agency predictions

Kyrie Irving (free agent)

The Mavericks are predictably heavy favorites to retain Irving after giving up a king's ransom for the mercurial guard near the trade deadline. This market was first posted while stating "if not the Mavericks" and we liked the Los Angeles Lakers at +200. Even with Dallas in the mix, L.A. could be worth backing at +550 to be Irving's next team.

Draymond Green (free agent)

This market also excludes a return to the Warriors and asks for Green's next team IF not the Warriors. While he's declining his 2023-24 player option with Golden State, there seems to be less steam around his departure after the team traded Jordan Poole for Chris Paul. Our Shane Jackson was backing a return to Golden State in the first place. 

Russell Westbrook (free agent)

The Los Angeles Clippers have long been the favorites to retain the former MVP and be Westbrook's next team but Shane Jackson has made the case for the Brooklyn Nets. The Memphis Grizzlies could also be worth a long-shot ticket following the season-opening suspension of guard Ja Morant, while the 76ers draw some intrigue at +4000 in the event Harden departs.

D'Angelo Russell (free agent)

Odds have been pulled for Russell's next team but our initial prediction was for the Mavericks, if he wasn't going to return to the Lakers. A union between Russell and Dallas would likely need to coincide with Irving's departure.

Dillon Brooks (free agent)

Before making himself Public Enemy No. 1 to LeBron James and much of the rest of the NBA, Brooks was best known for his excellent defensive play. He was then one of the first players to be listed in these next team markets after the Grizzlies quickly said he wouldn't be returning following their premature exit from the playoffs.

There's a familiar list of guard-needy teams on the oddsboard and the odds for the Sacramento Kings have climbed since our original predictions for Brooks' next team.

Fred VanVleet (free agent)

Though the Toronto Raptors reportedly remain focused on bringing back VanVleet, they may not be able to match the offer the Rockets reportedly intend to make as soon as Friday evening. Houston is a heavy favorite IF VanVleet doesn't stick with Toronto and it appears to be a two-horse race.

Austin Reaves (restricted free agent)

Reaves broke out in the 2023 NBA playoffs with 16.9 points per game to go with 4.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds for the Lakers. He's now sure to be a popular offer sheet target as a restricted free agent if the Lakers aren't first able to come to terms. The Spurs are favorites to sign the 25-year-old guard to pair with NBA Rookie of the Year frontrunner Victor Wembanyama.

NBA trade predictions

James Harden (potential trade)

Harden made a surprise move Thursday by reportedly opting into his 2023-24 player option with the 76ers. However, he and the team now intend to work together to find a trade partner, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Our best sportsbooks briefly pulled the odds for Harden's next team Thursday but reposted with the Clippers as the new heavy favorites. Lob City is also the favorite to bring back Westbrook so hedging in either market at inflated odds for the second team on the board wouldn't be a bad idea.

Damian Lillard (possible trade)

There was a lot of discussion around Lillard's next team in the days leading up to the NBA draft but a trade failed to materialize as the Trail Blazers reportedly shut down any interested trade partners. Shane Jackson is eyeing the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat should Portland eventually decide to move on from its long-time superstar.

Zion Williamson (possible trade)

Like with Lillard, there seemed to be a lot more discussion surrounding Williamson's departure from the New Orleans Pelicans prior to the draft. With trade packages likely to get worse, it seems as though the Pels will keep the former No. 1 pick after Jon Metler previously had the Charlotte Hornets as his top prediction for Williamson's next team.

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