2022 Basketball Dynasty 26 Free Agency Preview
Jun 29, 2022 10:25:10 GMT -5
Golden State Warriors (Caleb), Detroit Pistons (Irwin), and 4 more like this
Post by Skip Bayless (Bball26 Analyst) on Jun 29, 2022 10:25:10 GMT -5
2022 Basketball Dynasty 26 Free Agency Preview
Chris Paul (PG, Phoenix Suns) - 37 years old
40.81 FPG
One of the most notable free agents in recent years, but also one of the oldest. It's hard to predict exactly how much longer Chris Paul will play, but he clearly showed last year that he still has it. At 40 FPG, he's a top 5 PG and top 20 overall in fantasy points per game. He's also a safe bet for 60-70 games a year despite his age. The Kings make a lot of sense as a landing spot here. New Kings GM Steve Bagell will be looking to make a splash his first year at the helm and without their first round pick in 2023 the Kings have no reason to tank. Chris might prefer to sign with a contender, but money talks everything else walks here in Bball26.
Prediction: Chris Paul signs with the Kings (5 years / $135M, $27M / year)
Al Horford (C, Boston Celtics) - 36 years old
29.32 FPG
Just like Chris Paul, Horford has aged like fine wine averaging 29.32 FPG in his age 36 season. He's a great fit next to Robert Williams on the Celtics in the NBA and should be valuable again next year as the Celtics make another run at a chip. He's as consistent as they come and should have no issues reaching ~70 games yet again this season. Due to his advanced age, he's a better fit for a contending team in Bball26. The Cavaliers make a lot of sense here as a team that is retooling, but not undergoing a full on rebuild and in need of a center.
Prediction: Al Horford signs with the Cavaliers (5 years / $115M, $23M / year)
Bobby Portis (PF, Milwaukee Bucks) - 27 years old
28.32 FPG
Crazy Eyes had a great 2021-2022 season in Bball26, helping the Grizzlies to the second round of the playoffs. In the NBA he also plays a pivotal role on the Milwaukee Bucks and is expected to resign with them this upcoming year. His production last year was slightly inflated with Brook Lopez missing a large chunk of the season, but Lopez is not getting any younger and Portis is a great fit for the modern NBA with his defensive versatility. With Zion fully healthy and Harden now on the team, the Indiana Pacers are expected to be one of the better teams in the East in 2022. With $36M in cap space, I expect them to make a big push for Portis to shore up the front court and add quality depth at PF if Zion does have any setbacks.
Prediction: Bobby Portis signs with the Pacers (5 years / $117.5M, $23.5M / year)
Gordon Hayward (SF, Charlotte Hornets) - 32 years old
25.18 FPG
Hayward had a lackluster season by his standards, averaging 5 less FPG than last year and again struggling with injuries. However, he's only 32 and should have a couple more years of his prime left. It's uncertain where he'll play next season in the NBA with the Hornets expected to make some big moves, but assuming he stays he should still be good for 25-27 FPG with upside up to 30. That should give him a healthy UFA market in Bball26 and the Raptors, another bad team without their own 2023 first round pick, should make a push with their 38M in cap space.
Prediction: Gordon Hayward signs with the Raptors (5 years / $115M, $23M / year)
John Wall (PG, Clippers) - 31 years old
27.55 FPG (2020-2021)
He's baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! John Wall is set to join the Clippers in the NBA and that's going to shake things up in free agency in Bball26 this year. Plenty of teams will be bidding for his services, but it's still unknown what his role will be on the Clippers. That being said, he averaged a cool 27 FPG last time he was on the court and even in limited minutes can rack up stats. He'll get overpaid due to his pedigree, but the upside should still be there in his age 31 season. The Rockets are a great fit here as they've shown with the Klay Thompson signing they're willing to bet on guys to bounce back. With Killian Hayes and Dyson Daniels at PG, they could use the veteran production John Wall would bring to the table.
Prediction: John Wall signs with the Rockets (5 years / $100M, $20M / year)
Ricky Rubio (PG, UFA) - 31 years old
25.18 FPG
Rubio was having an awesome season before his second career ACL injury. Now a free agent in the NBA and not expected to be ready until January, there's a lot of uncertainty regarding his role and team in 2022. However, the Cavaliers have expressed interest in bringing him back and that would be a great spot for him with plenty of guys to create for. In Bball26, it's also really hard to predict where he will land, but I think the Nets will be interested in bringing Rubio on to bolster their championship chances. Other than Luka, the backcourt in Brooklyn is very thin and they are starving for more production outside their big guns. Rubio is a risk, but one that could pay off and he will come cheaper than some of the other top free agents due to age and injury history.
Prediction: Ricky Rubio signs with the Nets (5 years / $90M, $18M / year)
Chris Paul (PG, Phoenix Suns) - 37 years old
40.81 FPG
One of the most notable free agents in recent years, but also one of the oldest. It's hard to predict exactly how much longer Chris Paul will play, but he clearly showed last year that he still has it. At 40 FPG, he's a top 5 PG and top 20 overall in fantasy points per game. He's also a safe bet for 60-70 games a year despite his age. The Kings make a lot of sense as a landing spot here. New Kings GM Steve Bagell will be looking to make a splash his first year at the helm and without their first round pick in 2023 the Kings have no reason to tank. Chris might prefer to sign with a contender, but money talks everything else walks here in Bball26.
Prediction: Chris Paul signs with the Kings (5 years / $135M, $27M / year)
Al Horford (C, Boston Celtics) - 36 years old
29.32 FPG
Just like Chris Paul, Horford has aged like fine wine averaging 29.32 FPG in his age 36 season. He's a great fit next to Robert Williams on the Celtics in the NBA and should be valuable again next year as the Celtics make another run at a chip. He's as consistent as they come and should have no issues reaching ~70 games yet again this season. Due to his advanced age, he's a better fit for a contending team in Bball26. The Cavaliers make a lot of sense here as a team that is retooling, but not undergoing a full on rebuild and in need of a center.
Prediction: Al Horford signs with the Cavaliers (5 years / $115M, $23M / year)
Bobby Portis (PF, Milwaukee Bucks) - 27 years old
28.32 FPG
Crazy Eyes had a great 2021-2022 season in Bball26, helping the Grizzlies to the second round of the playoffs. In the NBA he also plays a pivotal role on the Milwaukee Bucks and is expected to resign with them this upcoming year. His production last year was slightly inflated with Brook Lopez missing a large chunk of the season, but Lopez is not getting any younger and Portis is a great fit for the modern NBA with his defensive versatility. With Zion fully healthy and Harden now on the team, the Indiana Pacers are expected to be one of the better teams in the East in 2022. With $36M in cap space, I expect them to make a big push for Portis to shore up the front court and add quality depth at PF if Zion does have any setbacks.
Prediction: Bobby Portis signs with the Pacers (5 years / $117.5M, $23.5M / year)
Gordon Hayward (SF, Charlotte Hornets) - 32 years old
25.18 FPG
Hayward had a lackluster season by his standards, averaging 5 less FPG than last year and again struggling with injuries. However, he's only 32 and should have a couple more years of his prime left. It's uncertain where he'll play next season in the NBA with the Hornets expected to make some big moves, but assuming he stays he should still be good for 25-27 FPG with upside up to 30. That should give him a healthy UFA market in Bball26 and the Raptors, another bad team without their own 2023 first round pick, should make a push with their 38M in cap space.
Prediction: Gordon Hayward signs with the Raptors (5 years / $115M, $23M / year)
John Wall (PG, Clippers) - 31 years old
27.55 FPG (2020-2021)
He's baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! John Wall is set to join the Clippers in the NBA and that's going to shake things up in free agency in Bball26 this year. Plenty of teams will be bidding for his services, but it's still unknown what his role will be on the Clippers. That being said, he averaged a cool 27 FPG last time he was on the court and even in limited minutes can rack up stats. He'll get overpaid due to his pedigree, but the upside should still be there in his age 31 season. The Rockets are a great fit here as they've shown with the Klay Thompson signing they're willing to bet on guys to bounce back. With Killian Hayes and Dyson Daniels at PG, they could use the veteran production John Wall would bring to the table.
Prediction: John Wall signs with the Rockets (5 years / $100M, $20M / year)
Ricky Rubio (PG, UFA) - 31 years old
25.18 FPG
Rubio was having an awesome season before his second career ACL injury. Now a free agent in the NBA and not expected to be ready until January, there's a lot of uncertainty regarding his role and team in 2022. However, the Cavaliers have expressed interest in bringing him back and that would be a great spot for him with plenty of guys to create for. In Bball26, it's also really hard to predict where he will land, but I think the Nets will be interested in bringing Rubio on to bolster their championship chances. Other than Luka, the backcourt in Brooklyn is very thin and they are starving for more production outside their big guns. Rubio is a risk, but one that could pay off and he will come cheaper than some of the other top free agents due to age and injury history.
Prediction: Ricky Rubio signs with the Nets (5 years / $90M, $18M / year)