No one said planning for NBA free agency is supposed to be easy.
On the contrary, aside from the rampant rumor mills, the league's teams must first decide what players are worth. That's easy in some instances. Easier than easy.
LeBron James, LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol and Kevin Love, among others, are max-contract locks. Restricted free agents such as Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Kawhi Leonard will fetch top dollar, most likely from their own teams.
Rising stocks such as DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap aren't even too difficult. Putting an exact amount on their services is tough, but their contemporary-carved skill sets are easy to plug in almost anywhere. Even if they're overpaid, they're still unlikely to classify as demonstrative busts or contractual cruxes.
Other high-profile names cannot be boiled down to those simple terms. They are not palatable fits on any given team; their play styles are super specific in terms of shot selection, defensive competence, health and the position they man. And for them to succeed, their next home must be determined accordingly.
These players usually look good statistically or by reputation but have a tactical niche. Finding their next home and subsequent financial worth ahead of free agency is hard, if not impossible. Once they sign a new deal and join or rejoin a team, the return on that agreement won't become clear anytime soon.
It'll take time to know what's actually best for them in the long run, and whether they'll be remembered fondly or unfavorably for their offseason ventures.
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