Atlanta Hawks: John Collins
The Atlanta Hawks made an improbable run to the Eastern Conference Finals this season, led by Trae Young and the team’s young core. John Collins was key in the team’s success in 2020-2021 and he is set to be a free agent this offseason.
The good news for the Hawks is that Collins is a restricted free agent, which means they can match any offer another team extends to Collins. After a quiet rookie season in 2017-2018, Collins has averaged 19.1 points, nine rebounds, and one block per game in the past three years.
Also, Collins has improved his shot-making from outside, nailing 40 percent of his threes in the past two seasons, making him a priority for the Hawks to re-sign.
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Boston Celtics: Patty Mills
While the playoffs were still going on, the Boston Celtics traded Kemba Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Boston acquired Al Horford in the trade and the Celtics recently acquired Josh Richardson from the Dallas Mavericks, giving them little wiggle room to sign free agents this summer.
What Boston needs — with the departure of Walker — is a point guard that can excel with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Whether they sign him as a starter or a bench contributor, Patty Mills would be an ideal addition for the Celtics.
Mills is a career 38.8 percent shooter from deep and he doesn’t need the ball to be effective, making him a perfect fit alongside Tatum and Brown.
Brooklyn Nets: Jeff Green
When you have an All-Star trio like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, you aren’t going to have much cap space to address the other spots on the roster. The Brooklyn Nets are one of the contending teams that veteran players could turn down more money for in free agency to chase a ring.
Jeff Green was a pivotal player for the Nets this season and Brooklyn should do what they can to retain the veteran forward. While playing 27 minutes per game this season, Green recorded 11 points per game on a career-high 41.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc. There are other mid-tier forwards available in free agency, but none of them would fit the Nets as much as Green does.
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Charlotte Hornets: Richaun Holmes
For months, Richaun Holmes has been considered a prime target for the Charlotte Hornets in free agency. The Hornets used both Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo as their starting centers this season, with both of them set to hit the open market.
Charlotte did complete a trade with the Detroit Pistons to acquire Mason Plumlee recently, but that shouldn’t prevent them from pursuing Holmes. Holmes had a career year with Sacramento Kings in 2020-21, posting career-best marks in points (14.2), rebound (8.3), and blocks (1.6) per game. Adding Holmes to the core of LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, Miles Bridges, and P.J. Washington seems like a solid foundation.
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Chicago Bulls: Lonzo Ball
It’s no secret that the Chicago Bulls are going to be targeting point guards in free agency in the coming days. The Bulls believe they have something with the duo of Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic and adding a point guard that meshes well with both is a priority for the franchise.
Lonzo Ball has been mentioned as a potential target for Chicago. Ball is a restricted free agent, but the New Orleans Pelicans haven’t shown any signs of matching offers he receives.
A point guard with the playmaking ability and defensive prowess of Ball would be a welcomed addition to a Bulls team that is looking to make the playoffs next season. Chicago may need to conduct a sign-and-trade to ensure they win the Ball sweepstakes.
