NBA Rumors: Top 25 Free Agents After The Season
NBA Rumors: Top 25 Free Agents After The Season
With the NBA trade deadline passing, we now have a better idea of where teams will be when the offseason will come around, and what free agents will be available. With that being said, let’s take a look at the top available free agents in the coming offseason.
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Top 25 NBA Free Agents This Offseason
1. Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving is an interesting choice because if he’s still playing part-time in Brooklyn, he may want to relocate to somewhere he can play full-time. It’s no secret that availability is Irving’s issue right now as his play on the court is very productive and still at the highest level.
2. Russell Westbrook
Westbrook gets to make a decision this offseason. He can either opt-in and make the most amount of money for the next season and stay in LA, or he can sign elsewhere on a short contract to prove his value to make longer-term money. The LA experiment hasn't worked thus far for the Lakers, and it's hard to see it working out in the post-season.
3. Bradley Beal
The Wizards have been lucky to have Beal's talent so far, and if they can't get it done, there is likely somewhere Beal can go to give himself a better chance to win. Playing with Westbrook, there wasn't enough talent on the roster to win, but Beal had a career year and looked like a player that could play on a contender with the right pieces around him.
4. John Wall
Injuries have set Wall back and made times harder for him in recent years, but after getting healthy and productive, he's been in Houston not playing. Wall will get a chance to pick his new destination and prove that he can still play at a high level.
5. James Harden
Philly's recently acquired star has the rest of his season on contract before getting a chance to become a free agent. With the move being made, it seems as if Harden is preparing to return, but the star is worth teams giving offers to.
6. Zach Lavine
The Chicago Bulls have made trades to push for contention for the first time in a while, and Lavine should not take that lightly. Lavine is just reaching his prime and should be getting a very nice contract this offseason.
7. Ricky Rubio
In his times with both the Timberwolves and the Cavaliers, Rubio has proved himself as a good leader and playmaker to elevate the game of his teammates. His value as someone who can help the development of young players should be considered when teams are looking for point guards this offseason.
8. Gary Harris
Harris survived the trade deadline in Orlando because the Magic liked how he helped the young players develop. It's no secret what direction the Magic are going and Harris doesn't fit that timeline, so Harris will be a great role player on the market.
9. Joe Ingles
The knockdown shooter and perimeter defender has played his way into a solid career with the Jazz and was traded to the Trailblazers recently. Coming back from injury, Ingles will enter the free agency market looking for a new home to take his 3&D play.
10. Jusuf Nurkic
The Trailblazers are in a sticky situation and it may be time for them to set up a rebuild, or strip down the roster and build around Damian Lillard, but either way, it's time for Nurkic to look for a new team to bring his big man presence to.
11. DeAndre Ayton
The Phoenix Suns, coming off an NBA Finals appearance, are in a position to make another run for a title, and Ayton will be a big part of that play. The Suns were not prepared to pay Ayton, but his play make turn that around this offseason. Otherwise, the former number one overall pick should receive interest from any team that can pay him well.
12. TJ Warren
The Indiana Pacers decided to launch their rebuild at this trade deadline, and Warren doesn't fit in the long-term plan. Warren looked very solid in the bubble, then suffered injuries that have held him out since then. Before his injury, Warren looked like a very solid scorer and plenty of teams could use that this offseason.
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13. Serge Ibaka
The stretch big man has championship experience and rim protection that contenders could use to get over the hump. Ibaka will have a chance to pick whatever team he wants and on a minimum contract could play a big role on a contending team.
14. Marvin Bagley III
Bagley hasn't had the most opportunity or been in the best position to put his skill to use in his time in the NBA, and a change of scenery may help the big man come to his own. If the Pistons aren't interesting in Bagley returning, he would be worth a shot for many teams to see what his potential could be.
15. Derrick Favors
Similar to the last two picks, Favors could be a buy-low big man that a contender could use off the bench. Favors has a player option with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but given the state of their rebuild, Favors doesn't make sense in OKC.
16. Patrick Mills
Mills, who has a player option with the Brooklyn Nets, has the potential to make some money this offseason as his style of play is one of the most sought after in the offseason. If Mills gets better offers, he could look into relocating to still compete for a championship.
17. Mo Bamba
With the Magic rebuilding this season, Bamba has gotten more opportunity and has shown flashes as a stretch big man this season. If the Magic want to go in a different direction at the center position, Bamba would be a cheap big man with a high upside.
18. Colin Sexton
I was hesitant to put Sexton high on the list because he's been in a weird situation. Sexton has looked like a young promising guard, but since his injury, the Cavaliers have still looked very good. If Sexton gets the opportunity to get paid this offseason, he should take it.
19. Jalen Smith
Smith's tenure with the Phoenix Suns was not as expected, so he'll enter free agency as an unrestricted free agent and has the rest of the season with the Indiana Pacers to improve his value. Because he is unrestricted, Smith becomes much more enticing as a prospect.
20. Andre Drummond
As referred to previously, there will be plenty of cheap big men in this free agency, and Drummond is another enticing one. Drummond played well as a backup big man for the 76ers and will help the Nets make a playoff push to end the season.
21. Victor Oladipo
Following his injury, it is unclear what Oladipo's value will be in the offseason, but since he is due to return soon, we will find out what it is. Oladipo will get a chance to show his value with the Heat in the playoffs with a chance to be on a contending team.
22. Austin Rivers
With the Nuggets, Rivers has shown his ability to score in bursts and has even shown his skill in the starting lineup while the Nuggets have dealt with injuries. A point guard who is going to provide scoring off the bench while being able to hold his own in the starting lineup should get some good offers in the offseason.
23. Rajon Rondo
Rondo brings veteran leadership and championship experience to whatever team he's going to play on and has seen just about everything the league has to offer. Rondo will have value not only as his personality but with his high IQ and sharp playmaking.
24. Carmelo Anthony
The Lakers have been blessed to have Anthony on their team at the price they do, given his three-point shooting ability this season. Anthony is a generational scorer and his knowledge and skill both have their own value.
25. Miles Bridges
Early in the season, Bridges showed his potential as a scorer and shot creator for himself. His athleticism is generational and his ability to make big plays has improved. Bridges stock has risen this season and the Hornets should match whatever offer he gets.