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Every NBA free agent worth a darn enters the summer with a defined subset of suitors. His preferred destination may be unknown, but the list of teams pleading for his services is almost entirely spelled out by the time July 1 rolls around.

B-O-R-I-N-G.

Don't get this twisted: NBA free agency is dope, squared, multiplied by infinity. Stars actually switch teams in this league while still in their primes. The Association's free agency captivates in a way that's often unmatched by all other major North American sports.

But spur-of-the-moment developments infuse the summertime festivities with so much intrigue. Teams come out of nowhere with unpredictable offers. Sometimes, these surprises are ugly. (Timofey Mozgov getting a four-year, $64 million deal from the Los Angeles Lakers, anyone?) On other occasions, they're ridiculously entertaining—like when the Phoenix Suns were one of the finalists for LaMarcus Aldridge's services in 2015.

This year's proceedings might churn out even more bombshells. The salary cap is set to rise once again, by around $7 million, but fewer teams will be armed with significant spending money. Bake in the inevitable overreactions from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors facing off in the NBA Finals for a third consecutive time, and the number of double whammies stand to skyrocket.

Who might the dark-horse suitors be for this year's top flight risks among the 15 best free agents, as plucked from this big board? Cap situations, roster needs and player priorities can help us stray off the beaten path without going off the reservation.