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Kevin Pelton
As expected, new contracts have come at a sharp and fierce speed during the initial hours of the NBA -free agency. The players (officially) started contracting with new teams 24 hours after, 18 of my top 25 possible free agents The landing spot was already found.
Nevertheless, there are available players that can create a difference next season and beyond. My updated list of top 10 free agents comes to a large extent in two buckets: restricted free agents who will have a difficult time offering sheets available, which are available, as well as centers that are still deciding at their next stop.
In addition, some big names including future hall of women are available Chris Paul And Russell WestbrookLet’s take a look at what these players can bring in their new teams, in which sites they can fit and some underwelled contributors who remain incomentive.
1. Josh Giddi
Chicago Bulls PG
Banned free agent
After the all-star break (which came two weeks after the Bulls trading Zach Lavin), Giddy incredibly statistically, average 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 9.3 shoots at 50% from the field and 46% at 3S during assistance. (Although the 3-point shooting level is probably not durable, Giddy hit a career-high 38% for a regular season, changing how opponents protect him.)
Giddni, who turned 23 in October, has time to develop his game to the point where he could have a big playoff effect as we saw Oklahoma City Thunder During the playoffs of 2024.
Possible fit: as long as Brooklyn Nets Decide to expand Giddy to an offer sheet, we can see a deadlock. Giddi’s strongest leverage is playing for its $ 11.1 million qualifying offer this season, but it would mean leaving a lot of guaranteed money on the table. Different Patrick WilliamsLast year, the banned free agency, Chicago is not interested to interact against itself this time.
2. Quentin Grims
Philadelphia 76ers G/f
Banned free agent
Like Giddi, the performance of Grims jumped after an all-star break, in this case to play stars without a business team in this case Paul George, Joel Ambid And Tieres maxi Due to injuries. Grims scored 21.9 points on 4.5 Assist in 28 matches with Philadelphia and strong efficiency (.592 True Shooting percentage) with 5.2 rebounds.
Possible fit: Although a non-taxpayer midleval exception is a viable resolution letter for grime, it is not clear which team can be ready to present it. Most of the teams that have Middlewells available do not need grime. Chicago really makes some sense, but Bulls are busy dealing with Giddani’s banned free agency. will be Washington wizards Possibly give him a proposal to Grims to trade him under the road?
3. Jonathan Kuminga
Golden State Warrior F
Banned free agent
After starting the playoff with coach Steve Cair’s rotation, Kuminga became a leading player Stephen Curry In the second round, he was sidelined against Timberwells. Kuminga scored 24.3 points in the final four matches of the series, shooting 55% from the ground.
At the age of 22, Kuminga should become a more consistent contributor over time. But in addition to the warriors, it is more likely with a team that the way Kuminga’s skill set has overlapped with them Jimmy Butler III And Dramond Green,
Possible fit: Of the three restricted free agents at the top of the list, it is most likely to transfer Kuminga through a sign-end-trade deal if the Golden State can find a person who does more to help it compete for the championship. The bulls are a logical fit, and Miami Heat Is also connected to Kuminga.
4, Chris Paul
San antonio spurs PG
Unrestricted free agent
Paul, who turned 40 in May, was one of the six NBA players to start all 82 games in this last season. Although Paul’s an average of 8.8 points was one career lower, he was ranking 82th percent in the 82nd percentage, which was a direct chance among the players receiving at least 1,000 on-ball screen. Return to San Antonio does not appear in the card after the number 2 pick after the spurs Dylan Harper A large number of ball handler on your roster.
Possible fit: Paul’s proximity to the offsen house in Los Angeles can be equally important for him as basketball fit. Paul is allegedly considering the return of clippers, who have a part of the non-taxpayer midlew exception available after the signing center Brooke LopezAlso the sun too. Restricted by the second apron, Phoenix can only sign Paul for the minimum of the legend.
5. Al Horford
Boston Celtics Fourth
Unrestricted free agent
Horford, who turned 39 on June 3, remained a lynchpin for Celtics with his versatility at both ends. Horford’s play time lasted for 27.7 minutes in the last season – and 31.6 in the playoffs – although Boston preserved him with abundant games. Caltics consolidate the heading in the next season Jayson tatamAchilles injury, Horford can see to play with a better chance to play for a team.
Possible fit: Horford has been linked to two West Coast teams that can use their skill sets: Lake and Warriors. Horford Lake will allow the five-out vacancy employed in the last season’s playoffs, without sacrificing size and rim protection, while their shooting would be an ideal fit in the Golden State Frontcourt next to Butler and Green.
6, Chris Boucher
Toronto rapter F
Unrestricted free agent
Boucher quietly played on average 17.2 minutes in his career and bounced below the 2023-24 season for average double-figure in his career. He shot 36% at 36% and 63% at 2S, while the elite efficiency produced, while the wing was able to defend the wing in the big second-unite lineup.
Loan rapter player is left from the 2019 title team, Boucher can no longer have a place on a roster which looks full in addition to 26 -year -old power forward Sandro Mamukelashwili,
Possible fit: Boucher shoots him a more logical fit for warriors, with which he started his career as a free agent before landing in Toronto. I also like a boucher fit with Philadelphia 76rs, who could use a shooter with size after losing Gurschon Yabusale till new York Knicks,
7, Cam thomas
Brooklyn Nets | Yes
Banned free agent
Thomas scored a career-high 24 points in 25 matches for the nets last season, recalling the expanded period due to several hamstring strains. Such volume scoring no longer has the meaning that was once done, especially when with considerable average efficiency. Thomas is also a bottom-average defender that makes very low to fill the box score in addition to scoring. At the same time, he is 23 and will indicate a more dangerous shooter than his 34.5% career 3-point accuracy.
Possible fit: Compared to other restricted free agents, Thomas is in another difficult position as he is the best deployed to create the best proposal sheet for the team. Additionally, Thomas’s $ 5.9 million qualifying offer is less viable at the next summer risk of becoming an unrestricted free agent.
8, Dathony melton
Brooklyn Nets | Yes
Unrestricted free agent
After a year of $ 12.8 million for a year for a year from Golden State a year ago, Melton made a season-ending partial ACL tear tear six games in the season. Business for Brooklyn in Warriors deal Dennis ShrodeerMalton is again an unrestricted free agent and must return to court in the beginning of 2025–26 season. On being healthy, Melton is an excellent defender and 37% career 3-point shooter.
Possible fit: Given their skill set, Melton fits anywhere. He is associated with the lax that can use all the depths they can achieve.
9, Russell Westbrook
Denver Nagets Yes
Unrestricted free agent
During his season in Denver, Westbrook excelled as a starter Nicola jokikHe initially took out an average of 15.3 points, 7.0 aid and 6.1 rebound, taking advantage of his bite and infection game. As a reserve, Westbrook shot just 39%. It fell to 35%, including 3-32 (22%), during the loss of the seven-game playoff series to the final champion thunder during the nuggets.
Possible fit: Westbrook is an unusually difficult fit in this stage of his career because any team that signs it has to adapt as much for Westbrook as in another way. Returning to Denver is unlikely that Nagets have added veterans Bruce brown And Tim hardway juniorThis week.
10. Malcolm Brogadon
Washington wizards Yes
Unrestricted free agent
Sixth man won two years since winning awards Boston CelticsBrogadon has played only 63 total games Portland Trail Blazers And magician. The 2022-23 season is out of the rest of Brogadon’s rest. He shot 44%from the 3-point range and posted a .615 True Shooting percentage (TS%), the only time since 2019-20 he is better than a.561 TS%. If Brogadon is healthy, he remains a competent backup point guard, and after making $ 22.5 million in the previous season, his price will probably be very low.
Possible fit: Clippers came close to business for Brogadon two years ago, and if they do not take Paul, Brogadon may be an appropriate option.
Other notable names:
Alek barkMiami Heat
Rich coffee, La clippers
Gary Pater IIGolden State Warriors
Moritz Wagner, Orlando magic
