NBA free agent rankings – CP3, Kuminga, Ayton amongst new high 10

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As anticipated, new contracts have come at a quick and livid tempo through the opening hours of NBA free company. Simply 24 hours after gamers might (formally) start negotiating contracts with new groups, 18 of my top 25 potential free agents had already discovered touchdown spots.

Nonetheless, there are gamers obtainable who might make a distinction subsequent season and past. My up to date record of high 10 free brokers falls largely into two buckets: restricted free brokers who may have a tough time touchdown supply sheets with little cap area obtainable, plus facilities who’re nonetheless deciding on their subsequent cease.

Past that, there are a handful of massive names obtainable, together with future Corridor of Famers Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook. Let’s check out what these gamers can convey to their new groups, which locations they could match and a few undervalued contributors who stay unsigned.


1. Josh Giddey
Chicago Bulls | PG
Restricted free agent

After the All-Star break (which got here two weeks after the Bulls traded Zach LaVine), Giddey was unimaginable statistically, averaging 21.2 factors, 10.7 rebounds and 9.3 assists whereas taking pictures 50% from the sector and 46% on 3s. (Though that stage of 3-point taking pictures most likely is not sustainable, Giddey hit a career-high 38% for the common season, altering how opponents defend him.)

Giddey, who turns 23 in October, has time to proceed growing his sport to the purpose the place he could make a much bigger playoff impression than we noticed with the Oklahoma City Thunder through the 2024 playoffs.

Doable matches: Except the Brooklyn Nets determine to increase Giddey a suggestion sheet, we is likely to be taking a look at a stalemate. Giddey’s strongest leverage is enjoying this season for his $11.1 million qualifying supply, however that will imply leaving a number of assured cash on the desk. Not like Patrick Williams‘ restricted free company final 12 months, Chicago does not appear inclined to barter towards itself this time.


2. Quentin Grimes
Philadelphia 76ers | G/F
Restricted free agent

Like Giddey, Grimes’ efficiency jumped after the All-Star break, on this case due to a commerce to a Sixers group enjoying with out stars Paul George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey due to accidents. Grimes averaged 21.9 factors on sturdy effectivity (.592 true taking pictures proportion) together with 4.5 assists and 5.2 rebounds in 28 video games with Philadelphia.

Doable matches: Though the non-taxpayer midlevel exception is a viable supply sheet for Grimes, it is unclear which group is likely to be prepared to supply it. A lot of the groups which have the midlevel obtainable haven’t got a necessity for Grimes. Chicago would truly make some sense, however the Bulls are busy coping with Giddey’s restricted free company. Would the Washington Wizards make a suggestion to Grimes simply to doubtlessly commerce him down the highway?


3. Deandre Ayton
Portland Trail Blazers | C
Unrestricted free agent

After agreeing to a buyout with the Blazers on the eve of free company, Ayton is an fascinating choice for groups in want of a beginning heart. They’ll persuade themselves that Ayton may have monetary incentive to play with the type of focus we noticed in 2020-21, when he helped the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals.

Since then, Ayton’s field rating stats have remained comparatively constant. He has averaged a double-double each season of his NBA profession. But his effectivity has trended within the incorrect route, and now that two groups have fortunately moved on from him, it is a worrisome signal.

Doable matches: The Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers are the 2 groups available in the market for a beginning heart. Indiana signed Ayton to a max supply sheet as a restricted free agent in the summertime of 2022 and will now get him utilizing the non-taxpayer midlevel exception to switch Myles Turner, and the Lakers might supply a beginning spot in a glamour market enjoying alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James.


4. Jonathan Kuminga
Golden State Warriors | F
Restricted free agent

After beginning the playoffs out of coach Steve Kerr’s rotation, Kuminga turned a key participant with Stephen Curry sidelined towards the Timberwolves within the second spherical. Kuminga averaged 24.3 factors over the collection’ remaining 4 video games, taking pictures 55% from the sector.

At 22, Kuminga ought to turn into a extra constant contributor over time. However that is extra probably with a group moreover the Warriors given the best way Kuminga’s talent set overlaps with these of Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green.

Doable matches: Of the three restricted free brokers on the high of the record, Kuminga appears most probably to maneuver by way of a sign-and-trade deal if Golden State can discover somebody who does extra to assist it compete for a championship. The Bulls are a logical match, and the Miami Heat have additionally been linked to Kuminga.


5. Chris Paul
San Antonio Spurs | PG
Unrestricted free agent

Paul, who turned 40 in Might, was considered one of six NBA gamers to begin all 82 video games this previous season. Though Paul’s 8.8 factors common was a profession low, he nonetheless ranked within the 82nd percentile in factors per direct likelihood amongst gamers who acquired a minimum of 1,000 on-ball screens, based on GeniusIQ monitoring. A return to San Antonio does not look like within the playing cards after the Spurs added No. 2 decide Dylan Harper to numerous ball handlers on their roster.

Doable matches: Proximity to Paul’s offseason house in Los Angeles is likely to be as essential to him as basketball match. Paul is reportedly contemplating a return to the Clippers, who’ve a portion of their non-taxpayer midlevel exception obtainable after signing heart Brook Lopez, in addition to the Suns. Restricted by the second apron, Phoenix might signal Paul just for the veteran’s minimal.


6. Al Horford
Boston Celtics | F/C
Unrestricted free agent

Horford, who turned 39 on June 3, remained a linchpin for the Celtics along with his versatility at each ends. Horford’s enjoying time went up final season to 27.7 minutes — and 31.6 within the playoffs — although Boston protected him with copious video games off. Because the Celtics consolidate heading into subsequent season within the wake of Jayson Tatum‘s Achilles damage, Horford might look to play for a group with a greater likelihood of contending.

Doable matches: Horford has been linked to 2 West Coast groups that might use his talent set: the Lakers and Warriors. Horford would permit the Lakers to take care of the five-out spacing they employed in final season’s playoffs with out having to sacrifice dimension and rim safety, whereas his taking pictures could be an excellent match within the Golden State frontcourt subsequent to Butler and Inexperienced.


7. Chris Boucher
Toronto Raptors | F
Unrestricted free agent

Boucher quietly bounced again from a down 2023-24 season to common double-figure scoring for the second time in his profession whereas enjoying a mean of 17.2 minutes. He shot 36% on 3s and 63% on 2s in producing elite effectivity whereas additionally proving able to defending on the wing in large second-unit lineups.

The lone Raptors participant remaining from the 2019 title group, Boucher may not have a spot on a roster that appears full with the addition of 26-year-old energy ahead Sandro Mamukelashvili.

Doable matches: Boucher’s taking pictures makes him one other logical match for the Warriors, with whom he began his profession as an undrafted free agent earlier than touchdown in Toronto. I additionally like Boucher’s match with the Philadelphia 76ers, who might use a shooter with dimension after dropping Guerschon Yabusele to the New York Knicks.


8. Cam Thomas
Brooklyn Nets | G
Restricted free agent

Thomas averaged a career-high 24 factors in 25 video games final season for the Nets, lacking prolonged durations due to a number of hamstring strains. That type of quantity scoring not has the which means it as soon as did, notably when accompanied with pretty common effectivity. Thomas can be a below-average defender who does little to fill out the field rating moreover scoring. On the similar time, he is 23 and a extra harmful shooter than his 34.5% profession 3-point accuracy would point out.

Doable matches: As in comparison with different restricted free brokers, Thomas is in an much more tough place as a result of he performs for the group greatest positioned to make a large supply sheet. Moreover, Thomas’ $5.9 million qualifying supply makes the specter of turning into an unrestricted free agent subsequent summer time much less viable.


9. De’Anthony Melton
Brooklyn Nets | G
Unrestricted free agent

After getting a one-year, $12.8 million deal from Golden State a 12 months in the past, Melton sustained a season-ending partial ACL tear six video games into the season. Traded to Brooklyn within the Warriors’ deal for Dennis Schroder, Melton is once more an unrestricted free agent and must be again on the courtroom early within the 2025-26 season. When wholesome, Melton is an excellent defender and a 37% profession 3-point shooter.

Doable matches: Given his talent set, Melton matches nearly anyplace. He has been related with the Lakers, who might use all of the depth they’ll get.


10. Russell Westbrook
Denver Nuggets | G
Unrestricted free agent

Throughout his season in Denver, Westbrook excelled as a starter alongside Nikola Jokic. He averaged 15.3 factors, 7.0 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 36 begins, profiting from his reducing and transition sport to shoot 50% from the sector. As a reserve, Westbrook shot simply 39%. That dropped to 35%, together with 7-of-32 (22%) on 3s, through the Nuggets’ hard-fought seven-game playoff collection loss to the eventual champion Thunder.

Doable matches: Westbrook is an unusually tough match at this stage of his profession as a result of any group that indicators him has to adapt to Westbrook as a lot as the opposite approach round. A return to Denver does not appear probably after the Nuggets added veterans Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. this week.


Different notable names:

Malcolm Brogdon, Washington Wizards
Alec Burks, Miami Warmth
Amir Coffey, LA Clippers
Spencer Dinwiddie, Dallas Mavericks
Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors
Moritz Wagner, Orlando Magic



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