Now that the NBA awards have wrapped, all attention will now shift to Summer League free agency.
Last summer the NBA saw a free-agent frenzy like no other — within two days of the start of free agency teams had handed out $1.8 billion in contracts. Much of that had to do with the fact that a new $24-billion TV deal led to a higher salary cap than ever ($94 million, and expected to be higher still next season), leaving virtually every team with a whackload (technical term) of cap space at their disposal.
Things should be a little calmer this summer as the league’s projected salary cap will be slightly lower than anticipated, and lessons from last year get put into practice (ie. don’t spend $94 million on an injury-prone average player like Chandler Parsons, or $70 million to a player with no clear fit on your roster like Evan Turner).
But that doesn’t mean the coming free agency period won’t be fascinating to watch unfold. There’s a huge depth of talent at the top-end of the free agent pool.
Here’s an early ranking of 2017’s top available free agents:
1. KEVIN DURANT
Age on July 1, 2017: 28
Position: Small Forward
2016-17 salary cap hit: $26.5 million
Why teams will want him: Because he’s just a few weeks removed from outshining LeBron James, the best basketball player on earth, and dominating the playoffs en route to Finals MVP.
The latest: Durant is expected to decline his player option for next season but remain with the Golden State Warriors, signing a new deal for under the max that will allow the team to keep its core together and afford to bring unrestricted free agent Andre Igoudala back into the fold.
2. STEPH CURRY
Age on July 1, 2017: 29
Position: Point Guard
2016-17 salary cap hit: $12.1 million
Why teams will want him: …Because he’s Steph Curry, the NBA’s best shooter (ever) and one of the most dynamic and electrifying players in the league, a two-time MVP and a critical go-to star on the 2015 and 2017 championship teams.
The latest: Needless to say, Mr. Curry is due for a hefty raise. In line for a max deal, Curry is eligible to make $207 million over five years — $36 million in the first season alone — in what will be the largest NBA contract ever signed.
There’s no reason to expect Curry to sign anywhere other than with the Warriors, who’ll be able to both afford to re-sign their franchise player and bring Kevin Durant back next season because they possess his Bird rights (allowing them to go over the salary cap in doing so).
3. CHRIS PAUL
Age on July 1, 2017: 32
Position: Point Guard
2016-17 salary cap hit: $22.8 million
Why teams will want him: Because despite the Clippers’ lack of playoff success, Paul remains an elite point guard with game-changing ability.
The latest: The Clippers can offer him the most lucrative deal, but Paul is a legitimate target for (at least) the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets, who are in the process of trying to shed salary to afford a max deal for the nine-time all-star.
4. BLAKE GRIFFIN
Age on July 1, 2017: 28
Position: Power Forward
2016-17 salary cap hit: $20.1 million
Why teams will want him: The injury concerns are real, but Griffin is a top-level talent entering his prime. His hops have diminished somewhat since his early years in the NBA, but he’s counteracted that by rounding out the rest of his game, including an improved jumper and high-level passing ability for a big man.
The latest: The Clippers are reportedly hesitant to offer Griffin a max deal given his injury history and questions as to whether or not he’s reached his ceiling. With plenty of suitors expected, here’s betting Griffin will be a beast should he resurface elsewhere.
5. GORDON HAYWARD
Age on July 1, 2017: 27
Position: Small Forward
2016-17 salary cap hit: $16 million
Why teams will want him: Because Hayward enjoyed a breakout campaign while leading the Jazz to the playoffs. He has a very well-rounded game and is a borderline all-star, though it remains to be seen where his ceiling is.
The latest: As expected, the Boston Celtics are going after Hayward hard. But there’ll be stiff competition, including from Miami where he’ll be a good fit and from Utah, which may be his best situation when all is said and done.
6. KYLE LOWRY
Age on July 1, 2017: 31
Position: Point Guard
2016-17 salary cap hit: $12 million
Why teams will want him: Because, after Paul, he’s by far the best point guard who can realistically switch teams and has become a lethal three-point shooter at the league’s most valuable position.
The latest: Lowry appears to have emerged as a mighty fine consolation prize for teams like the Spurs and Rockets should they miss out on Paul. The Raptors are going to make a strong push to re-sign the three-time all-star but expect them to try to negotiate a deal for under the max if possible.
7. PAUL MILLSAP
Age on July 1, 2017: 32
Position: Power Forward
2016-17 salary cap hit: $20.1 million
Why teams will want him: Because his skill-set is ideal for the modern day big man, and he is a reliable, all-star calibre contributor in need of a change of scenery.
The latest: The Hawks seem commited to a genuine rebuild, which means the veteran Millsap is not a part of their plans. The Rockets and Nuggets have emerged as potential suitors.
8. SERGE IBAKA
Age on July 1, 2017: 27
Position: Power Forward
2016-17 salary cap hit: $12.25 million
Why teams will want him: His three-point shooting ability and excellent rim protection are valuable attributes for a player who can comfortably play either power forward or centre.
The latest: With a shallow pool of impactful big men on the market this summer, Ibaka will be one of the most coveted players available and will have his pick of destination. That being said, the Raptors are considered a front-runner and will look to bring him back if the price is right.
9. GEORGE HILL
Age on July 1, 2017: 31
Position: Point Guard
2016-17 salary cap hit: $8 million
Why teams will want him: He may lack the star power of Curry and other top NBA point guards, but Hill is rock solid on both ends of the floor. He’s emerged in Utah as a stabilizing force for a team headed to the post-season with home-court advantage.
The latest: Hill can expect to receive a significant raise this summer. After early negotiations with the Jazz fell through this season, he’s expected to weigh his options. “It’s over,” Hill said two weeks ago of contract talks with his current team, adding: “There’s nothing we can do about it now.”
With plenty of teams with cap space and in need of a point guard, look for Hill to be heavily pursued by the likes of the Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans. The Jazz are projected to have over $50 million in cap space themselves, so don’t altogether rule out a return to Salt Lake City.
10. J.J. REDICK
Age on July 1, 2017: 33
Position: Shooting Guard
2016-17 salary cap hit: $7.3 million
Why teams will want him: Despite his advancing age, Redick remains a solid starting two-guard in the NBA. He’s a shooting specialist who doesn’t stop moving on offence and is as effective as ever in today’s NBA.
The latest: An excellent fit on virtually every roster because of his shooting, Redick will get a raise this summer, but, in context, should remain affordable. A pair of young teams looking for a veteran prescence who could spread the floor, Philadelphia and (surprisingly) Brooklyn, are making a strong push for Redick, whose next deal may be too costly for a return to Los Angeles depending on how the Clippers navigate the Paul/Griffin contract situation.
11. ANDRE IGUODALA
Age on July 1, 2017: 33
Position: Small Forward
2016-17 salary cap hit: $11.3 million
Why teams will want him: Because he’s a proven winner and great locker room presence with a versatile game that impacts both sides of the floor.
The latest: The Warriors are making a hard push to re-sign Iguodala, but there will be plenty of competition who could offer a more lucrative contract. The Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as a candidate to pursue Iguodala, one of the NBA’s premier sixth men over the past few seasons.
12. JRUE HOLIDAY
Age on July 1, 2017: 27
Position: Point Guard
2016-17 salary cap hit: $11 million
Why teams will want him: While his usage and numbers have predictably slipped since New Orleans traded for DeMarcus Cousins during all-star weekend, Holiday was playing out of his mind before that. From the start of 2017 until the all-star break, the former all-star averaged 17.4 points, 7.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game while shooting over 50 per cent from the floor and a whopping 45 per cent from deep.
The latest: By all reports the Pelicans will work hard to re-sign Holiday this summer. “I mean, good God, he’s very much a part of what we need and what we’ll try to do,” head coach Alvin Gentry said of the Pelicans’ off-season plans. But they’ll have plenty of competition, including from Holiday’s former team, the 76ers, who are in desperate need of a star-quality point guard and will look to free agency to find one if they can’t get lucky at the draft lottery.
13. DION WAITERS
Age on July 1, 2017: 25
Position: Shooting Guard
2016-17 salary cap hit: $2.8 million
Why teams will want him: Just five years removed from being the fourth-overall pick, Waiters enjoyed a surprising breakout campaign with Miami last season, averaging nearly 16 points per game while helping to turn the Heat’s season around. He’s a volume scorer who can catch fire and often does.
The latest: Waiters intends to stay in Miami, and has even reportedly said he’ll give the Heat a hometown discount this summer, but there should still be stiff competition for his services nonetheless.
Other notable FAs: Nerlens Noel, Jeff Teague, Otto Porter Jr., Danilo Gallinari, P.J. Tucker.
