Way Too Early 2019 NBA Free Agency Predictions

The NBA's 2019 free agent class is very star-studded with players like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Kawhi Leonard set to hit the open market.

Besides the players what makes next summers free agency even more intriguing is the fact that there several large market teams like New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers, have plenty of cap space which could possibly lure stars to their teams.

Today, we will look at some of the top players available and try to predict where they land.

Kevin Durant: Los Angeles Clippers

Image via Getty/Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire

There seems to trouble going on in paradise. The Warriors are dealing with a lot of internal drama right now. A report surfaced that Kevin Durant and Draymond Green got into a heated argument after Draymond decided not to give Kevin Durant the ball in the dying seconds of regulation in Monday's 121-116 loss to the LA Clippers. It was reported that Durant's free agency was brought up by Green and another report came out saying that KD's looming decision is a lingering issue the two-time defending champions locker room. But yet, even before this incident, it has felt like Kevin Durant was planning on moving on from the Bay Area to take on a new challenge.

I predict this new challenge would be battling LeBron James and the Lakers to see who can bring a championship first to the city of angels first. Durant has already said he is looking for money as oppose to fit this off-season and the Clippers have been reported by many executives around the league has "it's most attractive free agent situation." What makes this even more plausible is the fact that it seems as if today's superstars are uninterested in being LeBron James' sidekick and want their own team. Steve Ballmer, the richest owner in sports also has a very persuasive pitch which could help him finally lure that superstar player as he been looking for since he bought the team in 2014. I predict he will finally get his big-time player and it will be the biggest fish on the market in the summer of 2019.

Other Potential Landing Spots: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks

Steve Ballmer's Reported LA Clippers 2019 Free Agency Pitch:

“You wanna have a legacy?, You wanna really say you were involved in doing something super special? You come here,” he says, his volume and intensity quickly rising.

You'd be in L.A., the greatest market in the world, and you show people: ‘I’m the guy! I went to a franchise who’d never been there! I’m the guy! I made it happen! I get a legacy!'”

Kawhi Leonard: Toronto Raptors

NATHAN DENETTE / THE CANADIAN PRESS

As of early in the season it is hard for me to see Kawhi Leonard leaving Toronto, especially based on the way him and the Raptors are dominating the eastern conference over the first month of the season. As of right now, the Raptors are the early favorites in a surprisingly tough eastern conference with teams like the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers struggling early on, and Milwaukee Bucks, being the second best in the conference right now.

If the Raptors can continue this success throughout the season and possibly even reach the NBA Finals, it would be tough to see Kawhi leaving Toronto and it would also be hard to see him passing the chance to be a Canadian basketball icon.

Other Potential Landing Spots: Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers

Kyrie Irving: Boston Celtics

Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Kyrie Irving is in a great situation where he can compete for championships for years to come. Irving has already stated that he intends on re-signing with the Celtics when he announced that to Celtic fans in Boston during training camp, despite rumors over the summer claiming he might return to his home state of New York and possibly join either the Knicks or Nets.

If all goes as planned, Kyrie will be off the free agency market July 1st and officially committed to the Celtics for the long haul.

Other Potential Landing Spots: New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets

Klay Thompson: Golden State Warriors

This is the pick I am most confident in. Klay Thompson has already said that he is not curious about testing free agency: "Not really. When guys go into free agency, they're looking for situations like mine. I'm content."

If Warriors end up losing Durant like I believe they will. There is no way they let Klay walk as well.

Other Potential Land Spots: Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers

Jimmy Butler: Philadelphia 76ers

Before Timberwolves finally traded their disgruntled star to the City Of Brotherly Love I would have said Jimmy would sign with either the Clippers, Knicks or Nets. But Jimmy was sent to a team that gives him the best chance to win now and in the future with fellow all-stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. As long as those two young stars don't piss Jimmy off and work hard, Jimmy will remain with the Sixers long term.

DeMarcus Cousins: Los Angeles Lakers

(Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

If Boogie can show he is still an all-star caliber player he will finally get the big money he was looking for last summer. It was reported last summer on the eve of Cousins inked a one-year 5.3 million dollar deal with the Warriors, that LeBron loved the idea of playing with Cousins but Magic Johnson did not want to give a player money for only half the season.

Again, if Boogie can remind the world of his greatness Magic will give Boogie a max-deal and the best chance to win a championship.

Other Possible Landing Spots: Washington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks

Written By Aaron Silcoff