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3 teams that should spend big in free agency

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With the salary cap reportedly rising to $94 million this summer, every team in the league will have the funds necessary to sign a big-time free agent. And while this year's class is considerably top-heavy, several franchises can take the next step towards winning a championship by adding a marquee name this offseason.

Here are the three teams that should spend big in free agency:

Boston Celtics

Boston general manager Danny Ainge has done an excellent job at stockpiling assets, but has so far failed to turns those assets into superstar talent. Given the team's struggles to acquire a star player through trade, it may be in the Celtics' best interest to turn to free agency this summer.

Thanks to a combination of rookie-level contracts and affordable deals, the Celtics have just $27 million in guaranteed contracts entering the offseason.

Boston is reportedly set to make a run at Kevin Durant, but should continue to pursue several high-profile names even if they strike out on the Thunder forward.

The Celtics could use a second scorer to the take the pressure off All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas, and could be interested in throwing their money at offensive-minded players Ryan Anderson, Al Jefferson, or Chandler Parsons.

Dallas Mavericks

Similar to year's past, the Mavericks' lack of young talent will force them to turn towards free agency to help strengthen their ball club.

Dallas' number one priority should be re-signing longtime power forward Dirk Nowitzki, but will need to do more than that if they hope to return to the playoffs.

After whiffing on DeAndre Jordan last summer, the Mavericks will likely look to lure a center to pair up with Nowitzki once again. Dallas has already been linked to Dwight Howard and Hassan Whiteside, but are reportedly uninterested in giving the former a max-level contract.

With Deron Williams headed for unrestricted free agency, the Mavericks may also need to find a replacement at point guard. Dallas would be wise to turn their attention to Mike Conley, who reportedly has "great respect" for head coach Rick Carlisle.

Orlando Magic

After spending the last four seasons stuck in rebuild-mode, the time for the Orlando Magic to spend big in free agency is now.

Already possessing a talented, young core, the Magic can take the next step towards reaching the postseason by signing a marquee free agent this summer.

With just over $41 million in guaranteed contracts, Orlando has the cap space available to sign two max-level players if they so choose. One of those contracts could be handed to Evan Fournier, the team's 23-year-old swingman who averaged career-highs in points (15.4), rebounds (2.8), and assists (2.7) in 2015-16.

The other is likely to go an unrestricted free agent, with Al Horford, Chandler Parsons, and Hassan Whiteside among the list of players likely to interest general manager Rob Hennigan.

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