NBA teams have a little over a month to get their priorities in order for 2024 free agency.

Most don't need that long.

Their front offices have spent much of this past season building a summer blueprint, so the only thing delaying their moves is the fact the market isn't officially open yet. We will (hypothetically) remove that barrier here and examine how each organization would operate if it opened right now.

Atlanta Hawks: Re-Sign Saddiq Bey

Atlanta's biggest offseason decision revolves around the future of its backcourt, but there's work to be done on the free-agent front, too. Namely, how to tackle Saddiq Bey's restricted free agency while managing a payroll that's already higher than the team's performance says it should be.

Because he's restricted, the Hawks have a bit of leverage on their side. They could always try waiting and letting someone else sign him to an offer sheet before deciding whether it's one they want to match. His market might be tempered by the ACL tear he suffered in March, potentially creating a scenario in which Atlanta saves a few dollars on his new deal.

There's always risk in letting someone else dictate contract terms, though, particularly with a player you're trying to keep. And Bey would seem to be exactly that, having snagged a starting spot in late November and never relinquishing it until his injury.

Boston Celtics: Choose a Backup Big

For all of the hand-wringing about Boston's frontcourt depth, the backcourt bigs have held up just fine, even amid ongoing injury issues with Kristaps Porziņģis. Still, these reserve spots will be a focus as long as this position runs through Porziņģis, who has topped 70 games once in his nine-year career, and Al Horford, who turns 38 in a few weeks.

With unrestricted free agency awaiting both Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman Sr., though, the Celtics may have to choose between the two. And if Neemias Queta is part of the plan—his two-way deal was converted to a standard contract with a team option for next season in April—there's almost no way Boston could justify keeping both Kornet and TIllman.

While an external offer could lure either (or both) away, the internal task is deciding what matters more: Kornet's size and interior activity, or Tillman's quickness and versatility. The Shamrocks have been fortunate to have both on their side, but the expiration date on this two-man tandem is likely coming soon.

Brooklyn Nets: Try Keeping Nic Claxton at a Discount

Brooklyn's recruiting pitch to unrestricted free agent Nic Claxton started early. At the introductory press conference of head coach Jordi Fernández, the Nets' new skipper relayed a sentiment of seeing "Defensive Player of the Year" potential in Claxton and calling the 25-year-old "a priority in this summer."

If that makes it sound as if a big payday is imminent, that's because it probably is. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto gauged Claxton's league-wide value as being "around that $20 million figure annually" with a $25 million salary being "his ceiling as of now."

That could be what it ultimately costs to keep Claxton, who pairs paint protection with perimeter switchability about as well as anyone, but don't look for Brooklyn to plop down a bag that big right away. Not when cap space is generally limited across the Association, and most of the teams with major money to spend—namely, Philadelphia, Toronto, Utah, Detroit and Oklahoma City—don't have an obvious need for what Claxton brings.

Charlotte Hornets: Move Quickly on a New Contract for Miles Bridges

Theoretically, Charlotte could proceed with caution when it comes to Miles Bridges' unrestricted free agency. He didn't suit up at all during the 2022-23 season after pleading no contest to a felony domestic violence charge, and while his numbers mostly returned to form during this campaign, those past legal problems may always hover above his head.

If that was a huge hang-up for the Hornets, though, they would've shown that by now. Instead, they returned him to their starting lineup, tasked him with a team-high 37.4 minutes and ran a sizable chunk of their offense through him after LaMelo Ball went down.

Charlotte, it appears, views Bridges as a building block, which, basketball-wise, is a reasonable stance for a 26-year-old who averaged better than 20 points each of the last two seasons he played. And he sees Buzz City as a long-term home. Look for the Hornets to quickly make this happen, especially with multiple external suitors reportedly having interest.

Chicago Bulls: Find the Right Deal with DeMar DeRozan

Because this exercise involves predicting what each team would do and not propounding what they should do, there's no need to dig into the logistical issues of a team like the Bulls, who last won a playoff series in 2015, committing major coin to DeMar DeRozan, who turns 35 before next season tips. By all accounts, that new contract is coming.

While executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas spoke of a general need to make changes to this roster, he also maintained his public commitment to bringing DeRozan back. And the scoring swingman himself has said he isn't looking for a reason to leave.

It seems, then, that all there's left to figure out is contractual terms that make sense for both parties. NBC Sports Chicago's K.C. Johnson reported Chicago offered a new two-year pact with an annual salary of "perhaps as much as $40 million per season," but DeRozan "is seeking a longer-term deal."

Cleveland Cavaliers: Get a Decision from Donovan Mitchell

While Donovan Mitchell can't reach free agency until next summer, he has a pressing decision to make about his future—and the future of this franchise. The Cavaliers won't have a great idea of how to move forward unless they know whether he'll be along for the ride.

He could sign a four-year, $208.5 million contract extension to stay in Cleveland, but trade vultures are already circling in hopes he'll want out.

If Mitchell stays, that could mean changes are made around him. He "did not have great confidence" in head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, sources told Shams Charania, Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, so maybe Mitchell returning would mean Bickerstaff does not. There's also plenty of overlap between Mitchell and Darius Garland, and if Mitchell extends, The Athletic scribes reported Garland's representation "would have a conversation with Cavs officials on potentially finding a new home for the one-time All-Star."

Until Cleveland gets clarity on Mitchell, it can't proceed with any of its other offseason activities.

Dallas Mavericks: Pay Derrick Jones Jr. or Find His Replacement Quickly

Last offseason, the Mavs used a late-August, minimum-money signing to bring Derrick Jones Jr. to Dallas. They've likely been running victory laps ever since as the spring-loaded swingman has thrived as a do-it-all defensive stopper and a play-finisher on the offensive end.

Free agency won't play out the same for him this time around. He'll be an early priority for someone. And if that someone isn't the Mavericks, then they better have a worthwhile replacement in mind.

He might not be a star, but he is someone who can star in this role. There's a reason Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving and Tim Hardaway Jr. were the only Mavericks to top Jones' 1,783 minutes this season. If he's even an average outside shooter—and he has been this season—he makes a ton of helpful things happen inside the lines.

Denver Nuggets: Convince Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to Stay

Regardless of whether the Nuggets repeat as champions, they obviously have a championship core in place. And Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a major part of it. He is unrelenting and versatile on the defensive end, and he's always a ready, willing and able receiver on kick-outs, spot-ups and timely cuts.

In a vacuum, Denver has nothing to decide with his free agency. Almost anything he wants could be a justifiable cost.

Still, it would behoove the Nuggets if he doesn't exploit his leverage too much. Bringing him back could mean plunging over the second apron, which will restrict Denver's flexibility going forward. That's a price worth paying to keep chasing titles—an easy thing to say when it's not my money, but still true—but any type of discount he provides would surely be welcome.

Detroit Pistons: Pay Tobias Harris a Not Insignificant Amount

Tobias Harris just wrapped what might be among the most bloated contracts in recent memory. Separate him from that sizable salary, though, and he has some helpful traits. He's a 6'8" support scorer who typically provides above-average efficiency and seldom gets skewered defensively.

He'll coax a decent amount of change out of someone, and there are folks who believe the Pistons will be that team.

If Detroit brings in Harris—the Pistons have needs for scoring, shooting and veteran know-how—then it just needs to keep this contract relatively reasonable. Who knows what that looks like in actual contract terms, but going too big on Harris—more so in years than salary—accomplishes nothing.

Golden State Warriors: Let Klay Thompson Test the Market

Klay Thompson played one of the most pivotal roles in the Dubs' dynasty. Warriors fans may never forget that, but this front office might want to, since his past should have little (if any) bearing on his future—with or without this franchise.

Setting emotional attachments aside, Thompson remains a good (if erratic) offensive player whose defense was irreparably damaged by consecutive, campaign-erasing lower-body injuries. He's helpful to have—he just averaged a hair under 18 points while splashing 38.7 percent of his long-range looks—just not for the money he's cost or in the role he's filled.

He isn't a keep-at-all-costs kind of free agent, even though Golden State's means of replacing him would be limited. Still, if a shooting-starved shopper wants to significantly overpay him, the Warriors should let him walk. Ideally, though, he'll find a less lucrative market than he might want and realize his best bet is staying in the Bay for less money and less minutes than he's used to logging.

Houston Rockets: Search for Reasonably Priced Shooting

If Houston has a major move coming this season, it'll happen on the trade market. The Rockets don't have a ton of money to spend, nor super notable free agents to try bringing back. (Jae'Sean Tate comes closest to qualifying, but his lack of three-point touch really limits his role.)

What they do have, though, is a standing order for shooting that could hopefully be filled for cheap. Coach Ime Udoka tried giving this group a neon-green light this season (12th in attempts), but the roster didn't have the spacers needed to take advantage (14th in makes, 23rd in percentage).

If the Rockets are willing to go the specialist route—and given how helpful three-point threats around Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson, specifically, would be, they might be—they should find enough spare change to nab a marksman or two.

Indiana Pacers: Re-Sign Pascal Siakam

The Pacers clearly want to bring back Pascal Siakam. If they didn't, they never would have sent out three first-round picks and Bruce Brown to get him.

What's less clear is Indy's comfort level paying top dollar. Siakam is eligible for a five-year, $247 million max, and that's almost certainly where his representatives will start negotiations. If Indiana thinks it lacks leverage, there's a non-zero chance it forks over the full amount.

That feels a step too far, but if the Pacers feel pot-committed, they may not see another option. They don't typically land free agents of his caliber, and he might be good enough to be the second star Tyrese Haliburton needs.

Los Angeles Clippers: Get a Long-Term Commitment from Paul George

Back in mid-January, Kawhi Leonard helped solidify the Clippers' future by signing a three-year contract extension. Everyone in and around the hoops world has noticed that Paul George has yet to do the same.

An agreement could, of course, surface at any moment. L.A. wants him back, and it's hard to think of a great reason George would want to split from his hometown team. The Clippers trying to pinch pennies on a new deal might change that in a hurry, though.

Yes, George is a 34-year-old without a spotless injury history, but he's also a nine-time All-Star who can fill almost any role at either end of the court. There are absolutely scenarios in which he finds a max offer this summer (the Philadelphia 76ers wave hello), so if the Clippers want to bring him back, they better be prepared to pay.

Los Angeles Lakers: Give LeBron James Whatever He Wants

The Lakers will be no worse than an honorable mention in championship talks as long as LeBron James is rocking the famed purple and gold. Expect L.A. to act accordingly, then, if he declines his $49.5 million player option for next season.

If there are negotiations to be had, they'll be the one-sided kind where the Lakers' decision-makers slide a blank check and pen across the table and wait, fingers crossed, for a signature. They "badly" want him back, per The Athletic's Shams Charania, Jovan Buha and Sam Amick, and are open to discussing a three-year, $164 million max extension.

Those contract terms should sound alarming for a 39-year-old, but normal rules don't apply here. James is already on a miraculously age-defying run, having just averaged 25.7 points and 8.3 assists while posting the season's sixth-highest player efficiency rating.

Memphis Grizzlies: Pick Up Luke Kennard's Team Option

Luke Kennard's injury woes were far from the biggest storyline in Memphis this season, but they might lead the discussion when it comes to the Grizzlies' free-agency dealings.

That's in part because there isn't much else to discuss, but it's also because his knee trouble could give them pause about picking up his $14.8 million team option. That's a hefty amount for a potentially unreliable role player, and that's before addressing the possibility of that deal sending Memphis into the luxury tax.

And yet, that's still probably a price the Grizzlies would pay, since he's such an obvious on-paper fit for this roster. Memphis, which just shot an atrocious 34.6 percent outside (29th), needs to maximize its spacing around a hopefully healthy Ja Morant. Keeping Kennard, a career 43.9 percent sharpshooter, is the simplest way to make that happen.

Miami Heat: Make the Best Offer They Can for Caleb Martin

While Miami's latest star search will take place on the trade market, the Heat have some valuable support players entering free agency. Caleb Martin is at the top of that list, or will be once he makes the no-brainer call to decline his $6.8 million player option.

He has earned more than that, and he may have earned more than Miami can pay. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, it is "highly unlikely" the Heat can keep Martin.

They should try anyway. At worst, he's a versatile, three-and-D wing with insatiable energy. At best, he checks that box while also adding some of the shot-making and creation he flashed during the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals. If Miami makes its best offer and still can't hang onto him, it would still have time to pivot toward restricted free agent Haywood Highsmith.

Milwaukee Bucks: Try Convincing Malik Beasley to Stay

Money is already tight in Milwaukee, which casts an ominous cloud over the unrestricted free-agent status of several veterans. Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley and Jae Crowder are all ticketed for the open market, and it's hard to see the Bucks ponying up whatever it would take to keep all three.

Crowder never quite fit the way he should have on paper, so if the Bucks can only afford one, it'd be between Beasley and Beverley. While the latter handled a heavier workload in the playoffs, the former still feels like the preference.

Beasley's skill tree may not have many branches, but it's built around a three-ball that typically runs between warm and red-hot. Since Milwaukee will never have too many spacers around Giannis Antetokounmpo, it makes sense to prioritize the superior shooter.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Find a Cost-Effective Way to Back Up Mike Conley

Minnesota, you may have heard a time or 20, might be entering untenable territory with its finances. Starting next season, the Timberwolves will have five eight-figure salaries on the books (six if you round-up Mike Conley's $9.9 million), with more than $128 million going to only Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards.

Cost-effective spending is a must, which could make talent-retention difficult when veteran free agents Kyle Anderson and Monte Morris shouldn't have trouble attracting suitors.

Beyond bargain-hunting on a budget, Minnesota also needs to shore up its depth behind (and perhaps succession plan after) Conley, who turns 37 in October and ranks eighth among active players in total minutes.

New Orleans Pelicans: Figure Out the 5 Spot Quickly

Jonas Valančiūnas has spent the past three seasons serving as the Pelicans' starting center and churning out double-doubles with impressive regularity. It doesn't appear as if that will be enough to solidify his roster spot with unrestricted free agency awaiting him.

HoopsHype's Michael Scotto relayed the Pelicans "will seek positional upgrades to improve their spacing and not bring in someone who clogs the paint." If that sounds a bit directed at Valančiūnas, that's because it probably was, as Scotto went on to report "there's a sense (he) won't return."

Valančiūnas is a serviceable starting center who is good at what he does, but he's neither the shot-blocker, nor the perimeter shooter the Pels would prefer to have alongside Zion Williamson. New Orleans is smart for wanting to upgrade this position, but it needs to be careful about making sure it doesn't downgrade. If the Pelicans' search for a unicorn big comes up empty and Valančiūnas finds a new home in the meantime, this roster could be in trouble.

New York Knicks: Sign OG Anunoby at Any Cost

Back in December, the Knicks coughed up two key contributors (RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley) plus an early second-round pick to land OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors. And they did so while knowing the versatile swingman needed a monster new deal sooner than later. (He technically has an $18 million player option for next season, but he'll obliterate that pay rate on the open market.)

New York's bargaining power with his next deal essentially went out the window once that trade was finalized. He was clearly someone the team envisioned fitting its nucleus, and that's exactly how things have played out. During the regular season, the Knicks won 20 of the 23 games he played and fared a staggering 22.6 points better per 100 possessions with him than without.

The injury bug has battered him a few times, but not enough to stand in the way of a sizable agreement. He may not get max money, but don't be surprised if the 'Bockers give him something awfully close to it.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Search for Stretch Bigs

Nine different Thunder players have logged 50-plus minutes this postseason. Only one of them, backup big man Jaylin Williams, tips the scales at more than 220 pounds.

Oklahoma City has plenty of length, but heft is nearly non-existent. That seems to be a calculated decision, as not just any bulky big man would do. The Thunder need to maintain optimal spacing for their perimeter players to attack, so there's very little appetite for a paint-clogger in the post.

In a perfect world, though, they could find more size without sacrificing spacing. And with significant wiggle room available to them, they should be searching for exactly that.

Orlando Magic: Offer Klay Thompson an Over-Market Salary on a Short-Term Deal

The Magic just won 47 games and posted a top-half net rating (plus-2.2, 14th) despite having one of the most punch-less perimeter attacks in the sport. Give this group even adequate shooting, and it might have another leap year in it.

Orlando has too much cap space (north of $50 million) and too much potential for upward mobility to live with this weakness any longer. Splurging on a shooter makes arguably more sense for the Magic than anyone, since they are otherwise ready to continue their ascension up the Eastern Conference pecking order.

That's why the opening of free agency could coincide with a short-term, big-money offer to Klay Thompson. He isn't simply one of history's best marksmen; he's still an elite shooter right now. His 268 triples were fourth-most in the league this season, and his 38.7 percent splash rate was an outstanding mark for that kind of volume.

Orlando has more than enough stoppers to confidently feel it can mask his limitations at that end, and while he might seem too old for this core at 34, a short-term partnership could be perfect. The Magic can (over)pay him now and maintain the flexibility to pay Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner down the line.

Philadelphia 76ers: Put a Max Contract in Front of Paul George

The 76ers are uniquely positioned as a current juggernaut with ample opportunity to add more. They basically have Joel Embiid and his backup, Paul Reed, under contract next season and then the freedom to construct the rest of the roster as they see fit.

"We're not going to have continuity," Sixers president Daryl Morey told reporters. "We'll have continuity with our stars and our head coach, but we're going to have a lot of changes this season."

With Embiid firmly in his prime and Tyrese Maxey rapidly ascending toward his, Philly should aim for the stars in free agency. Or rather, aim directly at nine-time All-Star Paul George, who'd be a hand-in-glove fit as the third member of this uber-talented trio. He's an all-league-caliber defender who can make a massive impact on offense without stepping on any toes.

If the Clippers remain hesitant to put a max offer in front of George, the Sixers should send one his way immediately.

Phoenix Suns: Retain Royce O'Neale at Almost Any Price

The Suns are as top-heavy as a team can get, and there aren't really ways to change that. Well, not if Phoenix is truly committed to keeping Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.

The Suns are in the dreaded second apron and essentially out of assets, meaning their means of acquiring external talent are almost non-existent. They have to just scramble to keep what they have, which Royce O'Neale and his representation surely know.

Phoenix has Bird rights on O'Neale, so money isn't a cap obstacle. If his agent really held the Suns' feet to the fire, he could walk away with the kind of contract he'd never otherwise collect. Maybe that would pose some problems in the future, but when has that stopped this Phoenix regime from super-spending before?

Portland Trail Blazers: Have a Dalano Banton Debate

Dalano Banton arrived in Portland by a deadline deal with Boston and routinely stuffed the stat sheet from that point forward. Over his 30 outings with the Blazers, the 6'9" playmaker averaged 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

But did he do enough to convince Portland to pick up his $2.1 million team option? That's debatable.

That feels like a modest pay rate for that production, but Banton wasn't very efficient (40.8/31.1/78.0 shooting slash) and posted those numbers in no-stakes situations on a lottery-bound team. The Blazers might also have to trim their roster just to make space for him, and maybe that's more trouble than they feel he's worth.

Sacramento Kings: Make Their Best Offer for Malik Monk

Malik Monk does exactly what you'd want a spark plug to do: ignite the offense immediately upon entering the hardwood. His three-ball can burn fiery hot, his downhill drives can feel unstoppable and his ability to leverage his scoring threat in ways that open up teammates elevates everyone around him.

The 26-year-old has the kind of offensive package surely to get him noticed in free agency. The Kings can offer him a four-year pact worth up to $78 million, and that may not be enough if someone like the Orlando Magic gives chase.

Sacramento may have some reservations about paying Monk that much knowing that the payroll is already getting up there with down-the-line raises looming for De'Aaron Fox and Keegan Murray. That's a real concern. It's just not grave enough for the Kings to do anything other than try keeping their instant-offense sixth man around.

San Antonio Spurs: Poke Around for Playmakers

Victor Wembanyama's rise through the galaxy of NBA stars is already going full-throttle, meaning patience-practicing might already be a thing of the past in San Antonio. Even if the Spurs don't go floor-to-pedal this offseason, they'll look for ways to accelerate.

Upgrading at point guard feels like the most sensible starting point. Tre Jones is the definition of mediocrity—15.1 career player efficiency rating; league-average is 15—and he essentially makes up the entire point guard rotation. Jeremy Sochan as a jumbo floor general sounded fun in theory, but it was decidedly less so when those super-sized lineups routinely malfunctioned on offense.

San Antonio has enough trade chips to give one of the Atlanta Hawks' guards chase, but it might view free agency as a less expensive (albeit less exciting) alternative. The Spurs could target Jones' brother, Tyus, or even try their hands at Immanuel Quickley (restricted) or Malik Monk. They have options.

Toronto Raptors: Move Quickly on Immanuel Quickley (Sorry)

There's a universe in which the Raptors' draft-pick collection is fully loaded following the in-season trades of OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam. We're just not living in it.

Here, Toronto wound up netting just two first-rounders in the swaps, as it didn't get one in the Anunoby deal and moved one of the three it got for Siakam to add Kelly Olynyk and Ochai Agbaji.

What the Raptors instead prioritized in the Anunoby return were players: Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett. That's maybe not the path every decision-maker would've pursued, but it's a fine one if those players become long-term building blocks. Quickley certainly looked the part, averaging 18.6 points and 6.8 assists over his 38 games with the Raptors. Now, it's time for Toronto to compensate him as such in restricted free agency.

Utah Jazz: Extend Lauri Markkanen

The macro-level discussions on how the Jazz, a lottery participant the past two seasons, should proceed with Lauri Markkanen, a soon-to-be 27-year-old who must be paid by next summer, make for fascinating debates. They also might be a waste of time.

Because if this front office wants to keep him, then it doesn't matter what anyone thinks of the approach. And the front office apparently very much feels that way.

"He's a star-level player who likes being in Utah. The Jazz fully intend to build around him," The Athletic's Tony Jones reported. "They intend to sign him to a long-term deal."

Again, we're all free to question that decision, but it sure sounds like it's already been made. So, barring a late change of heart, the Jazz will likely put a four-year extension offer worth upward of $160 million in front of Markkanen as soon as they're allowed.

Washington Wizards: Offer Reasonable Money to Tyus Jones

Washington might be facing a top-to-bottom rebuild, but if it didn't split with Tyus Jones at the deadline, it might not split from him this summer, either.

The Wizards shouldn't get carried away on his next contract, but they shouldn't have to, either. There aren't a ton of lead-guard vacancies around the Association, and those with openings might want to try their luck with Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, Immanuel Quickley or Malcolm Brogdon instead.

So long as the money is reasonable, the Wizards should look to extend their partnership with Jones. The expert decision-maker (an absurd 7.3 assists against 1.0 turnovers this season) could serve as the proverbial adult in the room to ease this rebuilding effort and then be shopped around at a later date, perhaps drawing more interest with more contract certainty than he offered as a partial-season rental this past deadline.

Unless otherwise noted, statistics courtesy of Basketball Reference and NBA.com.

Zach Buckley covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on X, @ZachBuckleyNBA.