Fox Sports article: Predicting where the NBA's top free agents will land

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One of the most prolific and gifted scorers in NBA history, Durant is the most coveted free agent since, well, the guy who comes after him on this list. Where he goes will have massive ramifications on the league as a whole as he makes any team an instant title contender.

Most likely destination: Oklahoma City
The salary cap is going to make another massive leap next year when Serge Ibaka and Russell Westbrook hit the open market. The Thunder were one game away from the NBA Finals, and Durant could sign a one-year deal and take another crack at winning a title with this elite OKC team before the team could be broken up in 2017.

Watch out for: Golden State
The Warriors have money to spend and could create a four-man core of Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Durant that would be poised to dominate the NBA for the better part of the next decade. If Durant wants to win a title, going to the Bay Area is the best possible move.

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Arguably the greatest player to grace an NBA floor, James has a one-year player option to return to Cleveland for the 2016-17 season. Having just completed the greatest accomplishment of his incredible career —?? bringing a title to Cleveland —?? there's a newfound (though currently unsubstantiated) belief that he might leave "The Land" having delivered on his promise.

Most likely destination: Cleveland
It's hard to believe that James would leave Cleveland a second time, particularly considering the amount of influence he has in the organization. As long as he's on the Cavs, the team will contend for titles.

Watch out for: Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron has spoken about his desire to form a super team with his friends Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul. While creating that team would be incredibly difficult and is more likely than not a pipe dream, the Lakers could theoretically make it happen. LeBron also recently purchased a home in Los Angeles.

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Perhaps the most underrated player in the NBA, Horford is a versatile and reliable big man who has thrived as pace-and-space has taken over the league. While the possibility of re-signing with Atlanta is high, Horford might pursue greener pastures in search of the NBA title that appears more distant for the Hawks moving forward into 2016-17 and beyond.

Most likely destination: Boston
The Celtics are poised to challenge the Cavs in the Eastern Conference next year —?? they're one piece away. Horford might be that piece. The system perfectly fits him, and the Celtics can sign him and use their prolific draft assets to further bolster Brad Stevens' roster to create a sustainable title contender.

Watch out for: Miami
Horford is a native of the Dominican Republic who played his college ball at Florida. For him, the Heat can offer the best balance of lifestyle, money (no state taxes), and title contention.

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One of four unrestricted free agents likely to command a max deal, DeRozan is a volume shooter who lives at the free-throw line. His lack of 3-point shooting makes him a bit of a throwback, but his high defensive ceiling makes up for that limitation in his game. The Raptors could pay him more to stay in Toronto, but the sentiment around the league is that he's keen to move on from The Six.

Most likely destination: Los Angeles Lakers DeRozan returns home, takes on the Klay Thompson role in Luke Walton's offense, and is the steady veteran to a group of young players.

Watch out for: Chicago
It seems ridiculous that the Bulls would move Jimmy Butler, but if they do, DeRozan could be his immediate replacement. The Bulls could make the case that DeRozan and Derrick Rose would play together better than Butler and Rose have.

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Once considered to be a generational talent at center, Howard's career has stalled since moving to Los Angeles and then Houston. At age 30, Howard is still a bit of an enigma, but with the right scheme fit, he could erase the memories of a few bad years.

Most likely destination: Dallas
After missing out on DeAndre Jordan last year, the Mavs still need a center. Howard would fit their scheme and help a good team become a title contender (should they astutely throw the full weight of their buying power around this summer.)

Watch out for: Golden State
The Warriors were defeated in the paint in the NBA Finals. Howard, for all his faults, is still an elite-level rim protector. Howard would be able to revitalize his career with perhaps the most stable franchise in the NBA and re-brand himself as a winner.

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The most fascinating member of this free agent class, Whiteside, who was playing in Lebanon as recently as 2014, is likely to land a max offer after a stellar season with the Heat. He has the most complex contract situation on the market, as he's an unrestricted free agent (despite his age, 26) with Early Bird rights, which limits Miami to paying him the league average for his position —?? roughly $8 million —?? before they have to cut into salary cap space.

Most likely destination: Miami
Whiteside will command a max offer, but he and the Heat should come to a less-than-max agreement to keep him in Miami. Whiteside and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra have developed a bond that the center would find difficult to create elsewhere. Pat Riley is a master of finding creative ways to work around cap limitations.

Watch out for: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers need a center and would pay max money for one. Whiteside loves celebrity and would be around young, dynamic players he can continue to grow alongside. It's such a logical fit, it can hardly be considered a dark horse option.

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At age 34, Flash doesn't have the same burst and is unlikely to be a volume scorer again in his career, but he is still capable of being an impact player on a playoff team.

Most likely destination: Miami
He's the face of the franchise and he might be willing to take far less than market value to remain with the Heat. Given the team's salary cap situation, they could use that help.

Watch out for: Cleveland
If it all falls apart in Miami, Wade could take the taxpayer mid-level exception to reunite with LeBron and help him win a second title in Cleveland.

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