Attention, NBA shoppers
When free agency begins Wednesday, these players will draw the most interest from teams looking for good value
Hot commodities
LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland, F
Aldridge might forfeit the title of best Blazer he once sought if he leaves, but Clyde Drexler left, too. Like Drexler, Aldridge could return home to Texas, though the Lakers would love to bring L.A. to L.A. Marc Gasol, Memphis, C
With staying or going home all the rage, Gasol might belong in the category of players unlikely to leave. There will be teams making a run at the first-team AllNBA center who is among the league’s best defensive big men and coming off his career-best scoring season. Kevin Love, Cleveland, F
Love has said he intends to return to Cleveland, but he never seemed terribly comfortable as a third option. He could have opted in and given it one more season, but he chose to become a free agent a year before the salary-cap jump. Still, the championship potential of the Cavaliers could have Cleveland beat New York, Boston and Los Angeles to the free agent. Jimmy Butler, Chicago, F
The pride of Tomball has made himself a two-way star, but he will be a restricted free agent, making it difficult for anyone to get him out of Chicago. Goran Dragic, Miami, G
Dragic also might fit into the group that will not be going anywhere. The Heat would not have made the deal without a good idea what it would take to keep him and an intention to do it. His play did nothing to change their plans, but he has intended to stay before only to change course. DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers, C
Jordan would rate higher on the list to many teams, especially the Clippers, though some would need a more offensive player for what Jordan will cost. Jordan might look around, but it is unlikely the Clippers will let anyone outbid them. Dwyane Wade, Miami, G
Wade might belong higher on the list, but there are legitimate questions about whether he would really leave Miami. The Heat might not be the championship contenders they had been, but they could be closer than most of the teams that will chase him. Greg Monroe, Detroit, C/F
There seems little chance Monroe will return to Detroit, making him a solid fallback option for teams going for the top big man. He will be rewarded for playing out his contract. Brandon Knight, Phoenix, G
The Suns have a glut of guards, potentially making them more cautious with Knight. But considering what it cost to get him — the valuable future Lakers first-round pick — the Suns had to intend to keep him. He is a restricted free agent so they can make that happen, but he did not thrive in Phoenix before his injury. Brook Lopez, Brooklyn, C
Lopez opted out of his contract, but the Nets will remain the team to beat to sign him. Lopez opted out of the $17 million on the final season of his deal so it will cost them. Monta Ellis, Dallas, G
Ellis played too well for his parting from Dallas to seem so certain, but the Mavericks likely are ready to chase the top free agents again. Ellis will have no lack of suitors.
Going nowhere
LeBron James, Cleveland, F
If James opts out as expected, it is only to push around paper. He will not leave Cleveland again, and it won’t take a cable TV announcement or national magazine essay to announce his intentions. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio, F
Leonard is the future of the Spurs and a restricted free agent, a combination that makes him as likely to be back in San Antonio as James is to not bolt Cleveland. Paul Millsap, Atlanta, F
Millsap should receive attention from teams with money to spend, and might not be a sure thing to stay put. But he was such a perfect fit in Mike Budenholzer’s offense, the Hawks likely will spend much more to sign him than they did two years ago. Draymond Green, Golden State, F
The Warriors have been clear there is no way they would let Green walk as a restricted free agent. Teams could test their willingness to spend, but the combination of a championship and youth should make Golden State determined to keep its core together. Tim Duncan, San Antonio, C/F
There is every indication Duncan is up for at least one more season. A two-sentence news release announcing the best player in franchise history will be back is nearly certain. Khris Middleton, Milwaukee, F
The Bucks seem so certain to match offers Middleton gets, they could try to work a deal before he goes through the process. Tristan Thompson, Cleveland, F
Thompson has earned the attention of teams with money to spend, but he is a restricted free agent and LeBron James likes playing with him. That should be a combination that keeps him a Cavalier.
Don’t overlook
Paul Pierce, Washington, F
Pierce was happy in his one season with the Wizards, but another contender could be able to tempt him to chase another title. Reggie Jackson, Detroit, G
The Pistons picked him up at the trade deadline for more than a short-term rental, but he did not cement his place as a key to their rebuilding. Lou Williams, Toronto, G
There always will be interest in a scorer, but the Raptors could move quickly to lock him up. David West, Indiana, F
There is every indication West is ready to move and many teams could use a steady veteran leader. DeMarre Carroll, Atlanta, G
Though he was the only Hawks starter who was not an All-Star, he was a valuable part of their success. But the only free-agent moves they need to make might make it tough to keep Carroll, too. Tobias Harris, Orlando, F
Though Harris is a restricted free agent, teams seem likely to spend freely to grab his offensive potential and make the Magic think twice about matching. Danny Green, San Antonio, G
The Spurs will be spending money this offseason, but Green’s 3-and-D game could get teams to make offers that make San Antonio think twice, especially if the Spurs land their top targets. Corey Brewer, Rockets, F
Brewer waived his player option on the final year of his contract when he was traded to the Rockets, but he wants to be back and the team wants him. Wesley Matthews, Portland, G
Matthews’ injury could give teams concerns, but his absence also showed how valuable he is to the Trail Blazers. Roy Hibbert, Indiana, C
With the league playing faster and smaller, Hibbert has struggled to have the impact he did just a few seasons ago. But there is still a place in the NBA for his rim protection. Enes Kanter, Oklahoma City, C
Kanter came on well after the trade from Utah. The Thunder won’t overspend but likely won’t have to. Aaron Afflalo, Portland, G
Afflalo seemed like a perfect fit when the Blazers picked him up at the deadline and especially when Wesley Matthews went down. But he struggled enough that he seems likely to move.