Basketball Matchmaker

This NBA free agency is going to be the one that shakes the league up. Journalists seem to say that every year, but the difference this year is that along with having numerous NBA stars up for grabs, franchises like the New York Knicks, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Brooklyn Nets have actually cleared up cap space to participate. In addition, this season has been full of complaints, as many players have hinted toward their intentions to move this summer. But figuring out where basketball players will go, if they decide to leave their current teams, is extremely difficult, as it seems as though even the players themselves have no idea where to take their talents. So I’ve done the hard work for them and matched the five best free agents this summer with their soul-teams. Welcome to Basketball Matchmaker.

Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors, Player Option

Kevin Durant is no doubt one of the best players in the league, if not the best. He turned 30 this past year and was showing no signs of slowing down. However, in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors, Durant tore his Achilles. Achilles tears are not quick to recover from and after recently undergoing surgery, Durant will be sitting out the entire 2019-2020 season. His injury caused NBA twitter to explode with questions. Could he come back earlier? Will he be the same after his injury? What effect will this have on his free agency decision? All we can do to figure out the answer to these questions is wait.

Seeking: Max compensation, championship contender, more burner Twitter accounts

Match: Golden State Warriors

Yes, I’m sorry, but KD is staying with the Warriors. I think there’s a good chance KD will stay the elite player he has established himself as when he returns. His long wingspan and ability to shoot as a near seven-footer is are assets that will help him regain his momentum. Furthermore, his contract ends next year, making him an unrestricted free agent. Since he will not be playing for any team this upcoming season and would be making an estimated $31 million if he stays with the Warriors, it only makes sense for him to stay with the Warriors and reassess his options next summer. Since Durant is slowly aging out of his prime, he will be in a win-now mentality when he comes back from his injury. Staying with the Warriors and making his decision next summer will be the safest way for him to have a successful comeback story to cement his legacy.

Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors, Player Option

Kawhi Leonard had the best season of his career and put on a playoff run for the ages. He averaged 31 points with nine rebounds, shooting 50 percent from the field, and shooting another 40 percent from the three-point range in these playoffs. While doing so, he plowed through the Orlando Magic, hit an amazing game-winner to send the Philly Seventy-Sixers home, brought down the top in the conference Bucks, and carried the Raptors to their first finals appearance where they beat an albeit injured, but streaking Golden State Warriors squad to bring the 6ix their first championship. Leonard won his second championship and second finals MVP, establishing himself as one of the league’s greatest.

Seeking: Championship contender, hard-working teammates, someone to teach him how to laugh

Match: Toronto Raptors

His current team just won an NBA Championship under his leadership, a first for a Canadian NBA team. There is absolutely no reason to leave because winning a title is the ultimate goal for every team. He could want nothing more: he has a decent contract, a scrappy team, and a smart front office. Along with that, leaving a country that loves him as much as Canada does and risking losing the same opportunity to win as he has this season would be foolish.

Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics, Player Option

The wokest player in the NBA, Kyrie Irving is without question one of the best point guards in the league. No one has a larger array of tricks and better handles than Uncle Drew. While his creativity at the rim is unmatched and he had a solid regular season, Irving had a subpar postseason, shooting 38 percent with an overall +/- of -1.6 as his team lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round. The early exit wasn’t entirely his fault, and since he is fairly young, he has some time to grow into a leadership role. He is a player who has shone in the playoffs, stepping up in the toughest moments to help win LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers a championship. With his poise and scoring ability, Irving is sure to be sought after by many teams looking for a new point guard, and rightfully so.

Seeking: Being the primary ball-handler/leader, championships, your ankles

Match: New York Knicks

Finally, the time has come for the Knicks to at least make the playoffs. Irving going to the Knicks is a two-fold process. Firstly, Irving should leave Boston, because he has nothing to gain there. The Celtics aren’t going to win a championship in the near future; their roster was mostly healthy this year, but they still couldn’t beat the Bucks in the playoffs and only split the regular season series with Toronto. In January, Irving criticized his teammates for “not knowing what it takes to win.” This prompted a response from younger players like Jaylen Brown. So obviously his situation in Boston isn’t the most optimal. Second, the NY Knicks are in a desperate need for a superstar, and a point guard like Irving is an excellent player to build around. Looking at the winning teams in the NBA, the Milwaukee Bucks are the only team that doesn’t have an All-Star caliber point guard, indicating that one is necessary in today’s NBA. Plus, Irving wants to play in a big city and build a legacy. New York is a great place to start his legacy, with the Garden being only 30 minutes away from where he grew up.

Jimmy Butler, Philadelphia 76ers, Player Option

Jimmy Butler is an oddity. He is an exceptional player with a large frame and has had four seasons averaging 20 or more points. He has made an All-Defense team twice. He is a great scorer in the clutch and has proved that this season, making two memorable game-winners for his team. However, his locker-room mentality hasn’t been the best. In seeking his exit from the Minnesota Timberwolves, he completely destroyed the team and brought their season to a halt. He has also missed an average of 15 games per season since 2013, so his long-term health is also an issue. Jimmy Butler is an All-Star caliber player, just with a lot of baggage attached.

Seeking: Max contract, a star teammate, people who work harder than him

Match: Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn is the best team for Butler. They have a young guard who had a breakout year in D’Angelo Russell and a solid, scrappy supporting cast. Butler would pair perfectly with Russell, as both are versatile shooters and can create off the dribble. On the other hand, they also don’t need the ball in their hands the whole game, as they can catch and shoot. Brooklyn also has enough cap space to give him a contract he is satisfied with, and the city’s culture of hard work would be a terrific fit. A scorer like Butler could make Brooklyn a serious contender in the Eastern Conference.

Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets, Unrestricted

Kemba Walker used to be a decent point guard who could shoot when open and pass well. But over the years, he has developed an elite range from the three-point range and is one of the best ball handlers in the league, able to break down defenses in an instant. Only James Harden attempts more pull up three-point shots, and among high-volume pick-and-roll ball-handlers, only Lillard averages more points per possession than Walker. He brought his team close to making the playoffs, being two wins away from the eighth seed. That's not terrible when the next best option is Jeremy Lamb. Walker is a small, but quick guard with great offensive prowess; any team would love to have him.

Seeking: The playoffs, loyalty, a teammate better than Jeremy Lamb

Match: Los Angeles Lakers

Walker hasn’t proved himself to be a player teams can build around; he hasn’t had the chance to. The Lakers would be a good fit because they have the space for another max contract and they don't have an even decent point guard. The Lakers traded away Lonzo Ball and got Anthony Davis, one of the best big-men in the league, in return. This leaves the spot open for Walker, who could be the perfect third star that the Lakers are looking for. LeBron James is finally showing some signs of wear and cannot handle the ball every single possession while playing great defense anymore. Walker would fill this role very well, providing scoring that could help the Lakers get to the playoffs in the competitive West.

The NBA is finally getting interesting after years of only a few teams dominating the league. However, superteams aren’t going anywhere; everyone wants to win and in big markets, trading for superstar players seems to be the best way to do so. At the end of the day, it’s just business. But the dating pool is deep this summer, and there's a soul-team for everyone in today’s league.