Predicting the Landing Spots of the Top Remaining 15 Free Agents
Ben DiGiacomo
Host · Writer
15. Talen Horton-Tucker, Utah Jazz
2023-24 Stats: 51 GP, 10.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.5 apg
Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 23
Talen Horton-Tucker was once viewed as a solid backup point guard with the Los Angeles Lakers, but he's become an unknown since being traded to the Utah Jazz. Still, he's capable of being a reliable backup point guard in this league and the Milwaukee Bucks could use one, and THT's former coach and new Bucks' top assistant Darvin Ham could vouch for the signing.
Predicted Landing Spot: Milwaukee Bucks
1. Tyus Jones, Washington Wizards
2023-24 Stats: 66 GP, 12.0 ppg, 7.3 apg, 2.7 rpg
Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 28
Tyus Jones's stint with the Washington Wizards quickly made people forget how efficient and valuable he was to the Memphis Grizzlies before being shipped away to the Wizards in the Marcus Smart trade. Jones didn’t have much to work with in DC, but his efficiency as a passer and reliable outside shot make him an ideal fit for a team searching for a floor general. The Orlando Magic didn't land the floor general they seeked, so viewing Jones as a Plan B is as good as it's going to get for the Magic.
Landing Spot Prediction: Orlando Magic
2. Saddiq Bey, Atlanta Hawks
2023-24 Stats: 67 GP, 10.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.9 apg
Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 25
The Atlanta Hawks didn't extend a qualifying offer to Saddiq Bey setting him up for unrestricted free agency. He is coming off an ACL tear suffered in March, likely sidelining him until at least the new year, but teams will still be eager to sign him on either a one or two year deal. The Golden State Warriors are thin on the wing with Klay Thompson's departure, and Bey is someone they should be eager to bring in on an affordable deal.
Landing Spot Prediction: Golden State Warriors
3. Gary Trent Jr., Toronto Raptors
2023-24 Stats: 71 GP, 13.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.7 apg
Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 25
Gary Trent Jr. will have a solid market this summer, but we know what he is and isn’t at this point in his career. He can provide decent scoring off the bench but not much else as a playmaker, rebounder, or defender. I don’t imagine the Toronto Raptors keeping him around, as they should want to allocate minutes to younger players who have more promise. The Philadelphia 76ers are in the market for cheap scoring depth off the bench, and Trent Jr. already has a past relationship with Nick Nurse.
Landing Spot Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers
4. Isaac Okoro, Cleveland Cavaliers
2023-24 Stats: 69 GP, 9.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.9 apg
Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 23
Rumors are swirling about the Cleveland Cavaliers eagerness to deal away Isaac Okoro as a part of a potential sign-and-trade deal given their salary cap constraints. The Cavs should be interested in landing Dorian Finney-Smith from the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets, so sending Okoro and pick to Brooklyn could get a deal done. For Brooklyn, taking a flier and a former top-five pick is exactly what a rebuild is meant for!
Landing Spot Prediction: Brooklyn Nets
5. Spencer Dinwiddie, Los Angeles Lakers
2023-24 Stats: 76 GP, 10.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.7 apg
Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 31
Spencer Dinwiddie filled a midseason for the Los Angeles Lakers as a backup point guard and did a fine job in that role, given what the Lakers asked of him. Still, Dinwiddie had one of his worst seasons of the past several years, as he didn’t prove to be as efficient of a scorer. It may have cost him a few dollars, but given that the Lakers lack point guard depth, I don’t imagine them rushing him out the door. With Dinwiddie being from LA, he’ll likely welcome a cheap return unless offered a lot more money elsewhere, which seems unlikely to occur.
Landing Spot Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers
6. Markelle Fultz, Orlando Magic
2023-24 Stats: 43 GP, 7.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.8 apg
Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 26
The Brooklyn Nets fully intend to enter a full-blown rebuild after they traded away Mikal Bridges for a haul of picks from the New York Knicks and later got their own picks back from the Houston Rockets. While they clearly want to stink, they still need some guys to man a roster. Markelle Fultz is said to be looking for an expanded role, and to be frank; the Nets can run the offense through him and lose a ton of games in the process. A win-win for all sides!
Landing Spot Prediction: Brooklyn Nets
7. Luke Kennard, Memphis Grizzlies
2023-24 Stats: 39 GP, 11.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 35 apg
Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 28
The Memphis Grizzlies have declined Luke Kennard's team option, but both sides are reportedly eager to agree on a deal. Unrestricted free agency could always bring about unexpected suitors, but we'll trust the reports and expect a reunion.
Landing Spot Prediction: Memphis Grizzlies
8. Kyle Lowry, Philadelphia 76ers
2023-24 Stats: 60 GP, 8.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.2 apg
Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 38
Kyle Lowry had a bigger role with the Philadelphia 76ers than many really anticipated when he signed late in the season, but he averaged just over 29 minutes per game in the postseason and actually was a contributor. The Philadelphia native appeared very comfortable in his hometown, and as he played out his final years in the league, being home on a contender with a coach he was comfortable with was too favorable of a situation to walk away from. Lowry wants Philly, and Philly wants Lowry. They’ll make a deal happen.
Landing Spot Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers
9. Precious Achiuwa, New York Knicks
2023-24 Stats: 74 GP, 7.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.3 apg
Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 25
The New York Knicks are especially thin at the center position after losing Isaiah Hartenstein, and the center market has been completely picked apart in free agency thus far. Frankly, Precious Achiuwa may be the best center left on the market, and while he might be able to earn a few more dollars elsewhere, all indiciations are that he would like to remain loyal to the Knicks. However, we certainly won't rule out a desperate team giving him a bigger than expected deal.
Landing Spot Prediction: New York Knicks
10. Gordon Hayward, Oklahoma City Thunder
2023-24 Stats: 51 GP, 9.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.1 apg
Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 34
Once upon a time, Gordon Hayward was a star in this league. He signed a lucrative contract with the Boston Celtics, making him one of their franchise cornerstones for years to come before shattering his leg in his Celtics debut. He’s never been the same star since while the Celtics have risen all the way to become NBA champions. Hayward can still provide solid minutes off the bench for a contender, and I can see his old coach, Brad Stevens, wanting to give Hayward another chance at success in Boston. This time, though, for much cheaper.
Landing Spot Prediction: Boston Celtics
11. Lonnie Walker IV, Brooklyn Nets
2023-24 Stats: 58 GP, 9.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.3 apg
Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 25
Lonnie Walker IV has struggled to find a permanent NBA home, but now that the Brooklyn Nets are entering rebuild it would make sense for the Nets to keep Walker around to eat up minutes and be a primary offensive focus.
Predicted Landing Spot: Brooklyn Nets
12. Davis Bertans, Charlotte Hornets
2023-24 Stats: 43 GP, 7.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.9 apg
Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 32
Davis Bertans can still give any team solid minutes as a big presence in the paint, but more imporant, as a sniper from beyond the arc. He should be looking to join a contender, and the Philadelphia 76ers could use him as a depth piece for the minimum.
Predicted Landing Spot: Philadelphia 76ers
13. Cedi Osman, San Antonio Spurs
2023-24 Stats: 72 GP, 6.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.7 apg
Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 29
Cedi Osman deserves another NBA contract as a wing player off the bench for a non-playoff team, and I won't rule out the potential that he reunited with JB Bickerstaff on the Detroit Pistons.
Predicted Landing Spot: Detroit Pistons
14. Cam Payne, Philadelphia 76ers
2023-24 Stats: 78 GP, 7.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 2.6 apg
Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 30
Cam Payne had a short-stint with the Philadelphia 76ers, but he proved that he can eat up playoff minutes as a backup point guard fearlessly. The Denver Nuggets haven’t done anything to replace Reggie Jackson, making Payne an ideal fit within the Nuggets' price range.
Predicted Landing Spot: Denver Nuggets
15. Talen Horton-Tucker, Utah Jazz
2023-24 Stats: 51 GP, 10.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.5 apg
Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 23
Talen Horton-Tucker was once viewed as a solid backup point guard with the Los Angeles Lakers, but he's become an unknown since being traded to the Utah Jazz. Still, he's capable of being a reliable backup point guard in this league and the Milwaukee Bucks could use one, and THT's former coach and new Bucks' top assistant Darvin Ham could vouch for the signing.
Predicted Landing Spot: Milwaukee Bucks
1. Tyus Jones, Washington Wizards
2023-24 Stats: 66 GP, 12.0 ppg, 7.3 apg, 2.7 rpg
Age Entering 2024-25 Season: 28
Tyus Jones's stint with the Washington Wizards quickly made people forget how efficient and valuable he was to the Memphis Grizzlies before being shipped away to the Wizards in the Marcus Smart trade. Jones didn’t have much to work with in DC, but his efficiency as a passer and reliable outside shot make him an ideal fit for a team searching for a floor general. The Orlando Magic didn't land the floor general they seeked, so viewing Jones as a Plan B is as good as it's going to get for the Magic.
Landing Spot Prediction: Orlando Magic
