Bold NBA predictions: 10 signings, trades we could see

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NBA free agency won't coincide with actual fireworks this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic bumped the start of the new league year from early July to a to-be-determined time in November. But what about theoretical fireworks?While this year's free agent class isn't as strong as others, several marquee names could be on the move. (Brandon Ingram or Fred VanVleet, anyone?) Outside of free-agent signings we also could see a few major trades as teams hit the reset button in the COVID era.How will this unprecedented offseason shake out? We peer into our crystal ball to predict 10 moves that could go down before the 2021 season begins.

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1/10
<p>The Brooklyn Nets made two splashy acquisitions last offseason in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Why not go all-in with a third?</p>

<p>DeRozan shot a career-high 53.1 percent from the field with the Spurs last season, but it's still in his best interest to exercise his player option and not enter 2020 free agency, where teams are cash-strapped due to COVID-19.</p>

<p>So, San Antonio acquires one or two of Brooklyn's talented young players and deals DeRozan to the Nets, who have a legitimate "Big Three."</p>

The Brooklyn Nets made two splashy acquisitions last offseason in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Why not go all-in with a third?

DeRozan shot a career-high 53.1 percent from the field with the Spurs last season, but it's still in his best interest to exercise his player option and not enter 2020 free agency, where teams are cash-strapped due to COVID-19.

So, San Antonio acquires one or two of Brooklyn's talented young players and deals DeRozan to the Nets, who have a legitimate "Big Three."

2/10
<p>Oladipo has denied he wants out of Indiana, but if he and the Pacers can't come to terms on a new contract, it makes sense to deal him now. And what better destination for the two-time All-Star then a star-deprived Knicks team?</p>

<p>Oladipo would give New York the franchise player it keeps whiffing on in free agency, while Indiana can get a solid return for the 28-year-old rather than letting him walk next offseason.</p>

Oladipo has denied he wants out of Indiana, but if he and the Pacers can't come to terms on a new contract, it makes sense to deal him now. And what better destination for the two-time All-Star then a star-deprived Knicks team?

Oladipo would give New York the franchise player it keeps whiffing on in free agency, while Indiana can get a solid return for the 28-year-old rather than letting him walk next offseason.

3/10
<p>The Celtics <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/nba-rumors-how-celtics-could-land-davis-bertans-trade-wizards?b">reportedly were hot on Bertans</a> prior to the NBA trade deadline, and after falling short in the Eastern Conference finals, it's clear they could use an elite shooter to space the floor.</p>

<p>The Wizards seem intent on re-signing Bertans, but if the "Latvian Laser" wants to compete for a title, perhaps he'll choose Boston instead.</p>

The Celtics reportedly were hot on Bertans prior to the NBA trade deadline, and after falling short in the Eastern Conference finals, it's clear they could use an elite shooter to space the floor.

The Wizards seem intent on re-signing Bertans, but if the "Latvian Laser" wants to compete for a title, perhaps he'll choose Boston instead.

4/10
<p>Hield reportedly isn't returning Luke Walton's phone calls in Sacramento, but something tells us he'd gladly pick up the phone for the Sixers, who desperately need a shooter to pair with Ben Simmons.</p>

<p>Philly could send Al Horford and his $27.5 million-per-year contract to the Kings in a potential Hield trade that could help the Sixers push past their postseason woes.</p>

Hield reportedly isn't returning Luke Walton's phone calls in Sacramento, but something tells us he'd gladly pick up the phone for the Sixers, who desperately need a shooter to pair with Ben Simmons.

Philly could send Al Horford and his $27.5 million-per-year contract to the Kings in a potential Hield trade that could help the Sixers push past their postseason woes.

5/10
<p>Gallinari has never won a playoff series and said recently he values competing for a championship over money.</p>

<p>So, why not sign with the defending Eastern Conference champions, who prioritize outside shooting and could use more frontcourt depth? A one-year deal makes sense for Gallinari and the Heat as Miami aims to prove its deep playoff run wasn't a fluke.</p>

Gallinari has never won a playoff series and said recently he values competing for a championship over money.

So, why not sign with the defending Eastern Conference champions, who prioritize outside shooting and could use more frontcourt depth? A one-year deal makes sense for Gallinari and the Heat as Miami aims to prove its deep playoff run wasn't a fluke.

6/10
<p>If the Sixers can't land Hield, Rozier -- who set career highs in field goal and 3-point percentage with Charlotte last season -- would be a solid consolation prize.</p>

<p>Horford simply isn't a fit with Joel Embiid in Philly, so the Sixers should find a way to trade him either way. A deal involving two former Celtics could make sense for the Hornets, as Horford could help fill Kemba Walker's leadership void.</p>

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If the Sixers can't land Hield, Rozier -- who set career highs in field goal and 3-point percentage with Charlotte last season -- would be a solid consolation prize.

Horford simply isn't a fit with Joel Embiid in Philly, so the Sixers should find a way to trade him either way. A deal involving two former Celtics could make sense for the Hornets, as Horford could help fill Kemba Walker's leadership void.

 

 

7/10
<p>If the Heat really want to stay in title contention, they could pony up for VanVleet, who's arguably <a data-timestamp="1602688043" href="https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/top-25-free-agents-2020-nba-offseason?b">the best free-agent guard</a> on the market.</p>

<p>If Goran Dragic leaves in free agency, VanVleet would fill his role and more as a playmaking guard whose toughness and defensive prowess would fit perfectly with "Heat Culture."</p>

If the Heat really want to stay in title contention, they could pony up for VanVleet, who's arguably the best free-agent guard on the market.

If Goran Dragic leaves in free agency, VanVleet would fill his role and more as a playmaking guard whose toughness and defensive prowess would fit perfectly with "Heat Culture."

8/10
<p>The Clippers will make a strong push to re-sign Harrell, but Toronto would be a solid landing spot for the reigning Sixth Man of the Year.</p>

<p>With Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol and Chris Boucher hitting free agency, the Raptors need to beef up their frontcourt, and Harrell (18.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in 2019-20) has a great combination of toughness and talent.</p>

The Clippers will make a strong push to re-sign Harrell, but Toronto would be a solid landing spot for the reigning Sixth Man of the Year.

With Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol and Chris Boucher hitting free agency, the Raptors need to beef up their frontcourt, and Harrell (18.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in 2019-20) has a great combination of toughness and talent.

9/10
<p>The Suns reportedly made a push for Gordon at this year's trade deadline, and with good reason.</p>

<p>Phoenix needs an athletic, two-way power forward who can take the scoring load off Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton, and the Arizona product is an upgrade from 2019 import Dario Saric.</p>

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The Suns reportedly made a push for Gordon at this year's trade deadline, and with good reason.

Phoenix needs an athletic, two-way power forward who can take the scoring load off Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton, and the Arizona product is an upgrade from 2019 import Dario Saric.

 

10/10
<p>This one <a data-timestamp="1602687511" href="https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/why-marcus-smart-warriors-trade-unlikely-according-tom-haberstroh">might be a stretch</a>, as Danny Ainge would need a king's ransom to trade the heart and soul of his team.</p>

<p>But if the Warriors dangled Draymond Green, the Celtics would be much more interested, so perhaps Golden State would swap its own heart-and-soul player for Smart, who could do the dirty work for Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in their return to the floor.</p>

This one might be a stretch, as Danny Ainge would need a king's ransom to trade the heart and soul of his team.

But if the Warriors dangled Draymond Green, the Celtics would be much more interested, so perhaps Golden State would swap its own heart-and-soul player for Smart, who could do the dirty work for Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in their return to the floor.

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