NBA free agency officially gets underway on July 1 with two of the biggest names set to become free agents being Dwight Howard and Chris Paul. Although there’s been endless speculation about the pending decisions for these two superstars, the consensus seems to be that both players will return to the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers with five-year deals.

The Lakers and Clippers can offer Howard and Paul more money for more years than any team in the league, but the speculation continues regardless. Paul has been linked to the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets, but no team seems to offering the opportunity the Clippers are presenting to be successful in the immediate future.

Although other teams don’t give the same opportunity to be a contender immediately, Paul is still on the fence about his future. The Clippers are feverishly working on a deal to acquire head coach Doc Rivers and future Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett, but if that deal doesn’t get done it won’t be a surprise to see the superstar leave town in free agency.

As for Dwight, the Lakers are going all-in in their attempts to keep arguably the best center in the league with the team long-term. Dwight has also been reluctant to let his free-agent intentions be known, but speculation continues to run rampant that he’ll leave the Lakers for the Houston Rockets next month.

Despite all the speculation surrounding these superstars, Kobe Bryant is confident both players will be staying in Los Angeles. I’d be safe to assume Dwight and Paul will re-sign with the team with both players set to leave a considerable amount on the table if they sign elsewhere.

Kobe’s prediction may ultimately come true with the Lakers and Clippers prepared to offer the max to both players, but it still remains to be seen what events may transpire in the next few weeks that may change everything.

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