LogGrad98
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IMO in today's NBA (and really yesterday's too, and last week's, etc.) the players are attracted to the following, in order:
1) Limelight and perceived reputation/prestige/glitz and glamor of the team and city. Harper had his best deal with us, be part of a finals team and possibly a key cog in getting past the juggernaut of the Bulls, and he said "you go live in Utah". This does not sound like the issue he had was with money or team mates, it was a perception of the location and franchise. Don't forget Ronny Seikaly either. Arguably so did PG13 this year, where he could have joined the team that knocked him out of the playoffs with obviously MUCH higher upside. We don't know for certain why he chose what he did, but this is still a major issue for us in general.
2) Rings. Players next will choose an easy path to the ring, more so maybe now than in times past. Hence they are following the super-teams, and if they can't get there, they are standing pat, waiting for their turn in the ring-mill. Look at Boogie, where it is coming out that he actually had multiple offers in discussion and blew them all off, most likely to get the easy ring. #2 and #3 are really like 2a and 2b, and one or the other could take that spot depending on the player and the climate in the league. Malone and Payton both went to LA, even that far back, chasing the ring.
3) Money. But this includes endorsements. And national endorsements trump local, so they will choose a chance to represent Wells Fargo over America First Credit Union any day. Plus the franchises that ring bell #1 in this list are more likely to move into luxury tax to pay the players than the "small markets", and provide the most lucrative chance at endorsements. This used to be a chip that the less-glamorous franchises could count on, to offer big contracts, but now that players are getting $100 mill on the regular, this is less and less of an incentive for the smaller markets. As long as a team that rings bell 1 or 2 here can come reasonably close on the money, there is no reason to not chase the ring and glitz.
4) The devil you know is better than the devil you don't. Tangentially this could also be a bit of legacy loyalty in a league where that term doesn't exist anymore really. Ceteris paribus, players will choose comfort (as we all do really, this is pretty much just human nature). I think this was certainly a factor for PG13 this year. He knew what he had in OKC, knew he was a long shot for any of 1 and 2, really had 3 buttoned up, and likely had narrowed that list to 1 or 2 franchises, probably both in Cali, focusing hard on that #1 option, and so he stayed where he was comfortable.
5) A chance to win now, or to get out of a bad situation, or to raise your stock up a bit in a new scene. Utah falls solidly here, the 5th option. This is more appealing to 3rd tier players (maybe some 2nd tier, but not many), who are unhappy where they are (ruling out option 4), but not at the level to command something in 1-3. So they will go where they can maximize their money and maybe raise their stock while winning more than they are losing.
So I don't think we will ever have much of a shot at the top free agents. Our best bet is build the way Golden State did (good drafting, AKA getting lucky, and player development), and trades. Hopefully trades that the player accepts and doesn't refuse to show up for the physical so he can kill it.
**** you Ronny Seikaly.