Sports Illustrated Predicts Destinations for 10 Unsigned NBA Free Agents

3 articles · Updated · Sports Illustrated · Aug 19

10 unsigned NBA free agents remain in limbo deep into August, and Sports Illustrated projects several headline outcomes rather than a quiet finish to the market.
Peyton Watson is forecast to leave Denver in a four-year, $92 million sign-and-trade to Cleveland because the second-apron Nuggets cannot meet his price after reportedly offering four years and $70 million.
Jalen Duren is projected to stay in Detroit on four years and $140 million, while James Harden is expected to finalize a three-year, $108 million return to Cleveland after declining his $42.3 million option.
Jonathan Kuminga is predicted to reach the Lakers via sign-and-trade for one year and $10 million, with his roughly $20 million annual asking price and suitors' lack of cap space complicating a deal.
Other calls include Bennedict Mathurin taking an $8.8 million qualifying offer with the Clippers, DeMar DeRozan joining Toronto, Kevin Love returning to Miami, Bruce Brown rejoining Denver, Brandon Williams landing with Golden State and Cam Thomas going overseas.