NBA 2022-23 predictions update during free agency: Suns, Bulls move up, Nets, Jazz fall

A day after Golden State won its fourth NBA title in eight years, The Republic made way-too-early predictions for the 2022-23 season — with a disclaimer:

This list order will change after free agency. Trust and believe that.

The league is in its third full week of free agency with the biggest question still unanswered.

Where will Kevin Durant start the upcoming season?

The two-time NBA Finals MVP requested a trade on the opening day of free agency, put Phoenix and Miami atop his trade wish list, but he's still with Brooklyn.

That might change later this summer, or Durant could end up at least starting the season with the Nets.

If Nets General Manager Sean Marks can move him, it will be the major domino that’ll change the league — and this list again.

For now, let’s reshuffle the top six teams and the next four in each conference.

Kevin Durant trade live updates: Brooklyn Nets trade speculation, rumors, news, odds

Western Conference

Top 6 (Before Free Agency): 1. Warriors, 2. Clippers 3, Grizzlies. 4, Suns, 5. Nuggets, 6. Mavericks.

Next 4 (BFA): Timberwolves, Jazz, Pelicans, Lakers.

Latest Top 6

1. Golden State Warriors

Biggest FA gain: Re-signing Kevon Looney (3 years, $25.5M).

Biggest FA loss: Gary Payton II joining Portland Trail Blazers (3 years, $28M).

Jonathan Kuminga will likely get more minutes with the loss of Payton II, the team's top perimeter defender, but Looney is just blue-collar who thrives in his role.

2. Los Angeles Clippers

Biggest FA gain: Re-signing Nicolas Batum (2 years, $22M), adding John Wall (2 years, $13.2M).

Biggest FA loss: Isaiah Hartenstein joining New York Knicks (2 years, $16M).

John Wall has missed two full seasons in the last three years. Curious to see what he brings in terms of tempo. Keeping Batum is big, but Hartenstein was solid for the Clippers.

3. Phoenix Suns

Biggest FA gain: Re-signing Deandre Ayton after matching the Pacers' four-year, $133M offer sheet.

Biggest FA loss: JaVale McGee joining Dallas Mavericks (3 years, $20.1M).

The Suns had to match the offer sheet, but they’re certainly better with him. McGee played well as Ayton’s backup, but re-signing Bismack Biyombo can offset that loss to a degree.

Read more: Deandre Ayton says relationship with Monty Williams is 'calm' in first interview since Game 7 verbal exchange

4. Memphis Grizzlies

Biggest FA gain: Re-signing Tyus Jones (two years, $30M).

Biggest FA loss: Kyle Anderson joining Minnesota Timberwolves (2 years, $18M).

Bringing back Jones, an unrestricted free agent, is huge as he is one of the best backup point guards in the league, but Anderson is a key loss because of his size and versatility.

5. Denver Nuggets

Biggest FA gain: Adding Bruce Brown (two years, $13M).

Biggest FA loss: Austin Rivers joining Timberwolves on a one-year deal.

Brown is a go-getter who brings energy and versatility. While Rivers played a key role for the Nuggets, getting Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in a trade before free agency makes up for that.

6. Dallas Mavericks

Biggest FA gain: McGee.

Biggest FA loss: Jalen Brunson joining Knicks (four years, $104M).

Brunson took his game to the next level in Dallas’ deep playoff run. He’ll be sorely missed. McGee fills an interior defensive void, but the Mavs acquiring Christian Wood in a trade before free agency is big.

Next four

Minnesota Timberwolves: T-Wolves gave up a ton to get All-Star Rudy Gobert in a trade with Utah. Will it lead to more than just a playoff appearance that ends in the first round?

New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson has the massive five-year, $193-million rookie max extension. Now it’s time to deliver for a team that’s already on the rise under Willie Green.

Los Angeles Lakers: They lost Malik Monk, one of their best players, to Sacramento (two years, $19M). Adding Thomas Bryant is nice, but the Lakers can’t stay pat and expect a different result, right?

Utah Jazz: Trading Gobert is one thing. Doing the same with fellow All-Star Donovan Mitchell? The Jazz will officially be in rebuilding mode if that happens, too.

Eastern Conference

Top 6 (BFA): 1. Bucks, 2. Celtics, 3. Heat, 4. Nets, 5. 76ers, 6. Raptors.

Next 4 (BFA): Bulls, Cavaliers, Hawks, Hornets.

Latest Top 6

1. Milwaukee Bucks

Biggest FA gain: Bobby Portis staying (four years, $49M).

Biggest FA loss: None.

The Bucks are running it back with Portis being the biggest re-sign, but the addition of Joe Ingles (Jazz) on a one-year deal is interesting. He’s played in big games. Curious to see how Mike Budenholzer utilizes him.

2. Boston Celtics

Biggest FA gain: Malcolm Brogdon (in trade), adding Danilo Gallinari (two years, $13.3M).

Biggest FA loss: Daniel Theis (in trade).

While Marcus Smart is very good, a leader and the NBA’s reigning Defensive Player of Year, Brogdon is the more natural point guard. Gallinari is a stretch four, but the Celtics will miss Theis’ length and activity.

3. Philadelphia 76ers

Biggest FA gain: Adding P.J. Tucker (three years, $33.2M).

Biggest FA loss: DeAndre Jordan joining the Nuggets on a one-year deal.

James Harden is expected to sign a two-year deal after declining his $47.3M player option and take a $15M pay cut to help give the 76ers build a championship roster. Adding Tucker is a start.

4. Miami Heat

Biggest FA gain: Re-signing Victor Oladipo (one-year deal).

Biggest FA loss: Tucker.

While the Suns don’t appear to be in serious running for Durant after bringing back Ayton, the Heat remain in serious contention, but what will they have to surrender to make this work? A lot.

5. Toronto Raptors

Biggest FA gain: Adding Otto Porter Jr. (two years, $12.4M)

Biggest FA loss: None

The Raptors are linked to a possible deal for Durant, but that’s out if they’re not going to put Rookie of Year Scottie Barnes in the trade. Still, Porter is a good pickup as he has the size and can knock down 3s.

6. Chicago Bulls

Biggest FA gain: Re-signing Zach LaVine (five years, $215M).

Biggest FA loss: Troy Brown Jr. to Lakers on a one-year deal.

Adding size with Andre Drummond (two years, $6.6M) and perimeter depth in Goran Dragic (one-year), especially with Lonzo Ball’s knee rehab still filled with more questions than answers, works for now.

Next four

Cleveland Cavaliers: Still waiting to see what happens with restricted free agent Collin Sexton, but bringing back Ricky Rubio (three years, $18.4M) gives Cleveland a veteran presence.

Brooklyn Nets: If the Nets are going to fulfill Durant’s trade request and later move Kyrie Irving, would Ben Simmons be the next departure to ensure a complete rebuild?

Atlanta Hawks: Getting Dejounte Murray in a trade with the Spurs gives them a talent to team up with fellow All-Star Trae Young who can score off the bounce, but trading Kevin Huerter to Sacramento takes away a long-range shooter.

New York Knicks: Is Brunson ready to be the main man in NYC? The Knicks sure hope so, but re-signing big Mitchell Robinson (four years, $60M) is a move that must pan out as well for them to rise out of NBA obscurity.

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NBA 2022-23 predictions shakeup during free agency as expected