NBA · 1 year ago

NBA Free Agency: Ranking the Top 20 Available Free Agents

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

20. Russell Westbrook, LA Clippers, Player Option
2023-24 Stats: 68 GP, 11.1 ppg, 4.5 apg, 5.0 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 35

Russell Westbrook will be a bench player for as long as he still chooses to lace them up, but a contender could find value in his energy and veteran leadership. He’ll be able to be a facilitator and protect the glass, all on what will likely be a cheap deal as he searches for a championship in his final years.
1. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Player Option
2023-24 Stats: 71 GP, 25.7 ppg, 8.3 apg, 7.3 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 39

LeBron James's accolade-full NBA career is coming down to its final years, and if he doesn’t finish up in the purple and gold or with his son Bronny James, could he wind up trying to add a fifth NBA title to his resume in the Eastern Conference? Despite turning 40 in December, LeBron remains one of the best players in the world.

5 Potential Landing Spots for LeBron James if he Leaves LA
2. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers, RFA
2023-24 Stats: 70 GP, 25.8 ppg, 6.2 apg, 3.7 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 23

Tyrese Maxey is blossoming into an NBA superstar, giving Joel Embiid the best sidekick he’s had. There is zero chance he will leave Philadelphia this summer as he is a restricted free agent, but will someone from the top of his list join him and Embiid next year?
3. Paul George, LA Clippers, Player Option
2023-24 Stats: 74 GP, 22.6 ppg, 3.5 apg, 5.2 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 34

Paul George’s tenure in LA hasn’t been what many drew it up to be when he and Kawhi Leonard joined forces a few years ago. Now, rumors are swirling about whether the Clippers will be willing to give him the fourth year that he desires. Regardless, he still looks like a solid second or premier third option on a championship contender.

5 Potential Landing Spots for Paul George
4. Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers, UFA
2023-24 Stats: 80 GP, 21.7 ppg, 4.3 apg, 7.1 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 30

Pascal Siakam took the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in a decade. They didn’t trade for Siakam just for him to leave in the offseason. They’ll give him the max he desires, setting up a long-term duo in Indy with Tyrese Haliburton.
5. OG Anunoby, New York Knicks, Player Option
2023-24 Stats: 50 GP, 14.7 ppg, 2.1 apg, 4.2 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 27

While OG Anunoby’s numbers may not jump off the page, his importance as an offensive glue piece and defensive weapon for the Knicks may earn him a max contract this summer. In his brief time in the Big Apple, Anunoby owns a 25-5 record with the team, making it hard for the Knicks to let him walk.
6. DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls, UFA
2023-24 Stats: 79 GP, 24.0 ppg, 5.3 apg, 4.3 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 35

DeMar DeRozan has been almost forgotten within NBA circles, as the Bulls have been irrelevant during his time in the Windy City. This makes it possible for DeRozan to jump to a contender this offseason to add a ring to his resume. Despite being 35 when the year begins, he can give a playoff contender 20 points per night and proven veteran leadership.
7. James Harden, LA Clippers, UFA
2023-24 Stats: 72 GP, 16.6 ppg, 8.5 apg, 5.1 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 35

James Harden’s future with the LA Clippers is unknown, especially if Paul George leaves, but the reports coming from the Clippers’ organization are that they’d like to keep this core together. Still, the former MVP will have other suitors on the open market as he transitions into a facilitator rather than a ball-dominant shot-creater.

5 Potential Landing Spots for James Harden
8. Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings, UFA
2023-24 Stats: 72 GP, 15.4 ppg, 5.1 apg, 2.9 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 26

Malik Monk may be one of the more underrated players in basketball, but playoff teams looking for a scoring punch either in the starting lineup or as a sixth man will be lining up for his services.
9. Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets, UFA
2023-24 Stats: 69 GP, 21.0 ppg, 3.3 apg, 7.3 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 26

It remains to be seen if Miles Bridges can contribute to winning basketball, but his talent is undeniable, and his game has taken strides this past season, especially from beyond the arc. Non-playoff teams could be looking at Bridges as a guy to speed up a rebuild, while he may also be viewed as a necessary option for a team that loses a big name this summer.
10. Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets, UFA
2023-24 Stats: 71 GP, 11.8 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.1 bpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 25

For a team that is looking for reliable and consistent contributions from the center position, look no further than Nic Claxton. He’s one of the more sound centers, finishing around the rim while being a proven defender in the paint. He won’t stretch the floor much, but you know what he’ll give you night in and night out, which is worth a ton of value.
11. D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers, Player Option
2023-24 Stats: 76 GP, 18.0 ppg, 6.3 apg, 3.1 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 28

D’Angelo Russell’s second tenure with the Lakers didn’t go as planned. It was filled with playoff letdowns that almost made his relationship with the organization unrepairable. A team could be willing to take a chance on him, hoping his playoff production will rebound in a different environment. Still, in the regular season, you can count on Russell being a solid third option and an above-average playmaker.
12. Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors, RFA
2023-24 Stats: 68 GP, 17.0 ppg, 4.9 apg, 3.8 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 25

Immanuel Quickley has all the traits to be a dominant score-first guard in this league, but he might do better in the long run with more of a floor general in the backcourt with him. Toronto desperately needs scoring from their guards, so it’s unlikely that they don’t match any offer sheet, but it will be interesting to see how his market evolves in the coming weeks.
13. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors, UFA
2023-24 Stats: 77 GP, 17.9 ppg, 2.3 apg, 3.3 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 34

When the Warriors were embarrassingly eliminated in the Play-In Tournament this year, all indications from the Warriors were that Klay Thompson likely played his last game for the Warriors after a storied career. The Warriors won’t give Klay the contract he’s seeking this summer, opening the door for a rising contender to poach his veteran leadership and offensive production for an enormous deal.
14. Isaiah Hartenstein, New York Knicks, UFA
2023-24 Stats: 75 GP, 7.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.5 apg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 26

Isaiah Hartenstein gave the Knicks reliable minutes at the center position, but his name and stature took off because of how well he played in the postseason. As a result, his contract value increased significantly, making it intriguing to see if the Knicks can afford his services this summer.
15. Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers, UFA
2023-24 Stats: 70 GP, 17.2 ppg, 3.1 apg, 6.5 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 32

The Sixers’ fanbase has vilified Tobias Harris as he hasn’t lived up to the five-year max contract he inked in 2019. Filled by continuous playoff shortcomings, his Sixers’ tenure ended relatively harmoniously with a zero-point performance as the Sixers were eliminated this postseason. However, a non-playoff team will still give him a respectable contract as he can still be a reliable scorer and mentor a young group. Just don’t ask him to step up when it matters most.
16. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Denver Nuggets, Player Option
2023-24 Stats: 76 GP, 10.1 ppg, 2.4 apg, 2.4 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 31

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a proven winner who sports two championships on his resume. His numbers won’t jump off the page on any night, but he brings solid defense, a strong outside shot, and winning experience that is worth a lot in this league.
17. Kelly Oubre Jr., Philadelphia 76ers, UFA
2023-24 Stats: 68 GP, 15.4 ppg, 1.5 apg, 5.0 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 28

Kelly Oubre Jr. signed with the 76ers late last offseason more as an afterthought, but he earned himself a solid payday this summer with his performance. He proved to be a willing defender who impressed in the playoffs, providing instant offense primarily as a slasher and with a respectable stroke from beyond the arc. He made it clear that he feels he has “unfinished business” in Philadelphia, but will the contract offers from other teams make him think twice about that statement?
18. Tyus Jones, Washington Wizards, UFA
2023-24 Stats: 66 GP, 12.0 ppg, 7.3 apg, 2.7 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 28

Tyus Jones didn’t get the notoriety that he necessarily deserves as he was stuck on the Wizards’ dreadful team all season, but dating back to his time in Memphis, he’s as good of a backup point guard as you’ll find in the league. He doesn’t commit turnovers and knocks down open looks; what else can a team ask for?
19. Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans Pelicans, UFA
2023-24 Stats: 82 GP, 12.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.1 apg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 32

It will be interesting to see what Jonas Valanciunas desires this offseason. He’ll likely receive offers to be a starting center on a fringe playoff team like the Pelicans or a backup center on a contender. Regardless, he can still provide solid minutes in the paint on both ends of the floor.
20. Russell Westbrook, LA Clippers, Player Option
2023-24 Stats: 68 GP, 11.1 ppg, 4.5 apg, 5.0 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 35

Russell Westbrook will be a bench player for as long as he still chooses to lace them up, but a contender could find value in his energy and veteran leadership. He’ll be able to be a facilitator and protect the glass, all on what will likely be a cheap deal as he searches for a championship in his final years.
1. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Player Option
2023-24 Stats: 71 GP, 25.7 ppg, 8.3 apg, 7.3 rpg

Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 39

LeBron James's accolade-full NBA career is coming down to its final years, and if he doesn’t finish up in the purple and gold or with his son Bronny James, could he wind up trying to add a fifth NBA title to his resume in the Eastern Conference? Despite turning 40 in December, LeBron remains one of the best players in the world.

5 Potential Landing Spots for LeBron James if he Leaves LA

NBA Free Agency: Ranking the Top 20 Available Free Agents

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