Not as lively as the trading market? ESPN reviews Top 25 free agents: Top 3 of Jen Hau, Turner s unique

The free agent market this summer will not be the highlight of the offseason. A series of contract renewal operations have allowed some of the most market-profit big-name stars to withdraw from the free agent market, including Butler, who completed the contract renewal after being sent to the Warriors on the trading deadline. There are still a few historical superstars who may become free agents through player options. The leader is the Lakers' James, but these players - including former regular season MVP Harden and 9-time All-Star Irving, are already in their favorite teams and are unlikely to change their goals.

In recent years, the increase in contract renewal amounts has far exceeded the moderate increase in the salary cap, which also means that few teams in the league will have salary space. According to ESPN salary expert Bobby Marks, only the Nets in the reconstruction period can free up the maximum salary level, and the disposable amount of other teams is likely to not exceed the full middle class special case (estimated to be $14 million).

Despite this, each team can still strengthen the lineup through targeted signings in the free agent market. Last summer, the Pistons signed Malik Beasley for $6 million a year, the player who finished second in the Sixth Person selection, became an important puzzle for the Pistons to return to the playoffs. Tay Jerome, the Cavaliers player who won the best sixth man vote for third place, had previously only joined the free agent contract with a slightly higher salary, and his explosive performance helped the Cavaliers to the top of the East. These two players are both the main group of free agent market this summer. They are either top substitutes or starters of mid- and lower-level teams. This group will define the free agent market that will officially open at 6 pm ET on June 30.

The following are the top 25 free agents I selected, which are classified according to the player situation and market size, with special focus on several key players, including Jerome, who may change their goals this summer.

First: All-Stars with contract options and unlikely to leave the team, LeBron James

Lakers Forward

Player Option

Player Option

Player Options for James and the Lakers this summer. After taking the initiative to cut salaries in the offseason to help the Lakers circumvent the restrictions on the second rich line, James can strive for higher salaries by refusing to implement the $52.6 million player option. On the contrary, if James cuts his salary again, the Lakers will have the opportunity to use the full middle class special case to introduce the starting inside player. James, who is still in the best team at the age of 40, leads the free agent market without any suspense. This is his seventh time since 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 and last year.

2, James Harden

Clippers point guard

Player option

Another potential free agent named to the best team, Harden also signed the "1+1" contract last year (the second year player option). Harden is expected to achieve salary growth this summer after signing at a price far below the maximum salary. If the player option is executed, Harden will receive $36.3 million; at the age of 35, he can also refuse the option and instead seek long contracts with a lower starting salary but can guarantee his end-of-career career. Regardless of the choice, after falling leaves return to Los Angeles and leading the Clippers to play an unexpected regular season performance, Harden is almost certain to stay in the Clippers.

3, Kyrie Irving

Mavericks point guard

Player options

Before suffering an ACL torn left knee in March, Irving is expected to upgrade the $43 million player option to a long-term contract, but the injury casts a shadow on its prospects. Given that he is likely to miss most of the regular season next season, it becomes possible that the player option is executed and reopening the renewal negotiations after recovery. However, Mavericks general manager Nick Harrison has clarified his core position after Doncic's trade, and the team may still make long-term commitments. Irving, 33 years old before being injured, is performing at the peak, and his age is more advantageous than the top two All-Stars on the list.

4. Julius Randle

Timberwolves Power Forward

Player Option

After experiencing the pain of adapting to the early season, Randle's final performance in the regular season and his dominant performance in the first two rounds of the playoffs became the key to the Timberwolves' return to the Western Conference Finals. The $29.5 million player option has been surpassed by his performance, inherited from the 2021 contract extension with the Knicks. The Timberwolves and Randall can take a variety of actions: refuse the option to sign a long contract as a free agent, or execute the option to reach a contract renewal, which can retain more salary space for the Timberwolves to deal with the other two top 25 free agents this summer (Alexander Walker and Naz Reed).

5. Fred Van Vliott's point guard team options are different from other players in this stage. Van Vliot's contract options are in the hands of the Rockets, which is the last year when he signed a three-year maximum salary contract with the Rockets two years ago. Given that Van Vreett fits perfectly with this second-team in the Western Conference, it is obviously illogical to give up the team option to leave him. But as the pressure on the luxury tax emerges, the Rockets may hope to replace the 31-year-old point guard's $44.9 million team option with a longer-term and lower-price contract.

Second level: The starting lineup of the powerful players in their years of playing

6, Myers Turner

Pacers center

Complete free agent

The shortcomings of this year's free agent market are revealed here. Turner, 29, may be the only high-quality starter on the market who has never been selected as an All-Star but is still in the golden period of his career. As an indispensable core of the Pacers who have entered the division finals for two consecutive years, he is a complete free agent and has given him great bargaining power. "The playoff performance says everything," said a scout. "He has completely established his position as a team, and the Pacers can't find a replacement at all." The Pacers need to handle Turner's starting salary issue carefully. The team currently has 12 guaranteed contract players, and there is still about $20 million left to the estimated luxury tax line. Turner's salary has reached $19.9 million this season, and the new contract will inevitably require a higher quotation.

Potential Next: Turner, who has been involved in trading rumors for many years, has been associated with almost all teams that need to start centers. If the Pacers and Turner unexpectedly fail to have a conversation, although the Warriors and the Lakers need to go through complex signing operations, both are obviously ideal choices.

Third level: Restricted free agent with starting strength

7, Josh Gidey

Bulls point guard

Restricted free agent

After the Bulls sent away Raven, Gidey scored amazing data after the All-Star Weekend: 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 9.3 assists per game, 50% of the field goal percentage, and 46% of the three-point shooting percentage. Although the three-pointers are difficult to sustain, the regular season 38% career high three-point shooting percentage has changed the opponent's defensive strategy. Gidey, who only turned 23 in October this year, still has room for evolution and is expected to show greater influence in the future than when she played for the Thunder in the playoffs last year. The Bulls have an advantage in negotiations due to the scarcity of league cap space, but whether they can make good use of this advantage is another matter.

8, Quentin Grimes

76ers guard/forward

Restricted free agent

Similar to Gidey, Grimes ushered in an outbreak after the All-Star Weekend. After his turn to the 76ers, Paul George, Embiid and Maxi were absent due to injuries. In 28 games that represented the 76ers, Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 4.5 assists, 5.2 rebounds per game, and his real shooting percentage was 59.2%. After the 76ers draw the Tienhua lottery, it will be complicated if they want to renew Grimes without touching the second rich line. The total salary of the 76ers is close to the luxury tax line before resolving Grimes’ contract with another restricted free agent, Abussele.

Potential next home: Will the Nets pursue this 25-year-old forward guard swinger? His age is perfectly in line with the Nets' reconstruction cycle. If the Nets are unintentional, Grimes' market price will be within the range of the full middle class special case, or transfer through signing and trading. For example, the Hornets, which urgently need to improve their combat power, will regard it as an important reinforcement.

9. Jonathan Kumingga, Warriors forward, restricted free agent, was hidden by Cole in the early stage of the playoffs, and was ordered to be in danger when the Timberwolves was absent from the second round against the Timberwolves. In the last four games of the series, he averaged 24.3 points per game and shot as high as 55%. The 22-year-old Kumingga is expected to grow into a more stable contributor over time, but considering that his technical characteristics overlap with Butler and Dream Green, this growth may be more likely to happen to teams outside the Warriors, and the Warriors may be willing to adjust their lineup by signing first and then changing. "The most favorable situation for him is to sign first and then leave the team." A scout revealed.

Potential Next: Similar to other restricted free agents, the Nets are still an important option. If the Nets are optimistic about Kumingga's potential, they have the ability to build a lineup around him. The Bulls may try to push for signing first and then exchange, such as sending Vucevic to the Warriors, allowing Kumingga to play a role similar to DeRozan's former role in Windy City.

10, Keon Ellis, Kings defender, team options

Keon Ellis averaged only 8.3 points per game (career high), but with a 43% three-point shooting percentage (5.9 shots per 36 minutes) and top defensive data (2.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per 36 minutes). After Malik Monk was injured, the starting guard at the end of the season averaged 28.2 minutes after the All-Star Weekend, taking on the role of the Kings' outside defense core. While the Kings hold a $2.3 million team option, they may choose to refuse execution, making it a restricted free agent this year rather than a full free agent next year.

Fourth: Veteran starter

11, Dorian Finney Smith

Lakers forward

Player option

32-year-old Finney Smith is a young player in this stage, but it is not enough to tie for top free agents with Turner. Although he served as a substitute after trading in December last year, he still maintained his starting playing time (28.8 minutes per game), and during the playoffs, head coach Redick was unable to replace him. The Lakers have a hard time finding a replacement and may convince them to give up the $15.4 million player option and instead sign a protection contract with a lower starting salary but longer years.

12, Brooke Lopez, the Bucks center, turned 37 in April, and his movement speed as a basket protector dropped, causing the Bucks to move him out of the start for the first time since March 2022 when he lost to the Pacers in the first round. However, the average playing time in the regular season of 31.8 minutes reached a record high in the past decade, missing only two games throughout the season, and the three-point shooting percentage remained at a stable level of 37%. If the Bucks give up renewing their contract due to salary issues, Lopez will be quite attractive in the middle class special market. Scouts expect their form to decline, but still think he is competent for the starting center role in most counterparts.

Potential next player: If the Pelicans decide to compete for the championship immediately around Zion (those are two important premises), Lopez will be an ideal inside partner and can reduce the growth pressure of rookie centers Missi and Mattkovic. The Warriors may bring the Stanford University-produced giant back to the Bay Area by signing first and then changing or using the full middle-class exception. Chris Paul

13, Spurs point guard

Complete free agent

Paul, 39, is one of the only six players in the league to start for 82 games this season, and he is now 40 years old. Despite a career low of 8.8 points per game, data from GeniusIQ website shows that among the players who participated in at least 1,000 pick-and-rolls, Paul scored more than 82% of each direct offense opportunity.. With the Spurs likely to use the second pick to choose point guard Dylan Harper from Rutgers University, Paul may change his goal this summer.

14. Al Horford

Celtics forward/center

Complete free agent

Horford, who is about to turn 39, still plays the Celtics' offensive and defensive hub with his all-round skills. This season, his playing time has rebounded to 27.7 minutes (the playoffs have increased to 31.6 minutes), but the team has protected the veteran through a lot of rest. The biggest suspense lies in his retirement plan. "It's too early to discuss this now," he said in the season-ending interview after the second round of the upset loss to the Knicks. "I need to spend more than 24 hours getting eliminated. I need time to digest everything."

Fifth level: Top substitutes and marginal starters

15, Ty Jerome

Cavaliers defender

Full free agent

After spending five seasons per game with only double-digit scores per game during the reconstruction period, Jerome won the best sixth man third place in the Cavaliers. He averaged 12.5 points in just 19.9 minutes per game, and his shooting accuracy was infinitely close to the "180 Club" (he conceded 4 more free throws in 148 free throws, and his final free throw shooting percentage was 87%. Jerome, who scored 28 points in the first game of the playoffs, dropped sharply when Garland was absent in the second round, and his shooting percentage against the Pacers fell to 30% (4 of 16 three-pointers), gradually falling out of the rotation of Coach Atkinson. The Cavaliers, who have tight capacities, may not give priority to renewing Jerome, but scouts agree that he will definitely get a offer that is far more than $2.5 million this season.

Potential next player: Teams with weak offense will regard Jerome as a cost-effective choice. If the Magic can trade substitute point guard Cole Anthony, the Magic will be the ideal next player; the Clippers can also consider whether to use the full middle-class special case to attract the shooter based on the execution of Harden's option.

16. Malik Beasley has won a salary increase after signing a short-term low-priced contract for two consecutive years. He defeated Curry, Harden, Edwards and Clay with 300 three-pointers in a single season, becoming the fifth player in NBA history and won the second place in the sixth person in the best. With Cningham being selected for the best team triggering a 30% maximum salary renewal clause, the Pistons may not have enough salary space to renew Beasley, and may only provide a full middle-class special offer, but few teams in the league can offer higher prices, and their annual salary is expected to be increased from $6 million this season.

17. Naz Reed

Timberwolves forward/center

Player option

Although he failed to defend the best sixth man, Reed's average score, rebounds and assists per game this season also surpassed the winning season (the efficiency has declined slightly). As the team's third inside line, if you serve as the starting player, you may expose your defensive shortcomings. Coupled with the tightening of the league's cap space, the Timberwolves are expected to handle its $15 million player option smoothly. Both sides may choose to execute the player option and use this as a basis to renew the contract, keeping the Timberwolves fan darling.

18, Carris LeVer

Hawks guard/forward

Complete free agent

Due to Jerome's rise, LeVer's role in the Cavaliers has shrunk this season, and was finally sent to the Hawks as a bargaining chip to get Hunter on the trading deadline. LeVere helped the Hawks make the playoffs, averaging 14.9 points and setting a career-high true shooting percentage (58.2%). The 1.98-meter-tall forward guard swinger has also developed high-quality outside defense capabilities and effectively utilized his wingspan advantages.

19, Gary Trent Jr.

Bucks defender/forward

Complete free agent

Trent followed Malik Beasley's basic salary contract and joined the Bucks. After losing his starting position due to poor performance at the beginning of the season, he ushered in a strong rebound and handed out a performance of 8.2 three-point shots every 36 minutes and a three-point shooting percentage of 42%. In the first round, the Pacers scored 30+ twice, with a total of 17 three-pointers in two games. Trent, 26, is at his peak, and his new contract is expected to be between the annual salary of $18.6 million during the Raptors and the basic salary this season.

20, Santi Aldama

Grizzlies forward

restricted free agent

Aldama, who is competent for the third and fourth position, mainly serves as a substitute this season, averaging 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, both hitting a career high, with a three-point shooting percentage of 37% and a two-point shooting percentage of 60% also set a new record. Although the 2021 first-round final pick may be the team's third striker, the team deserves a richer offer after the end of its four-year, $10 million rookie contract.

21, Nikil Alexander Walker, the Timberwolves defender, signed a two-year, $9 million contract as a restricted free agent two years ago, and is now facing a salary leap. As the Timberwolves' third defender, he averaged 25.3 minutes per game and set a career high, taking on the main defense player task while maintaining a 38% three-point shooting percentage. Although it is difficult to be a full-time point guard due to insufficient organizational skills and the outside feel of the playoffs has also declined, the amount of its new contract is expected to reach more than twice the original salary.

22, Chris Boucher

Raptors forward

Complete free agent

Boucher quietly recovered from the downturn last season, achieving his second career scoring in double-digit scores in just 17.2 minutes per game, with a three-point shooting percentage of 36% and a two-point shooting percentage of 63% showing efficiency. He can also be competent for wing defense in a large substitute lineup. The age of 32 is more suitable for the championship team, but the Quebec high school veteran is the only member of the 2019 Raptors championship lineup and has a deep bond with the Raptors.

23. Tim Hardaway Jr.

Pistons guard/forward

Complete free agent

Although he started 77 games this season, Tim Hardaway Jr.'s contribution to the Pistons' playoffs is not as good as that of substitute Malik Beasley, and only gave an average efficiency with a career lowest usage rate of 15.5%. But this reliable veteran who can swing the second and third positions is still expected to receive the Pistons' contract renewal reward.

24, Dennis Schroeder

Pistons point guard

Complete free agent

This veteran who has been wandering the league for 12 years and has played for 9 teams, has rarely averaged double-digit points per game during his time with three different teams this season. At the beginning of the season, the Nets' three-point shooting percentage was as high as 39%. When he moved to the Warriors in the middle of the season, he was incompatible with the team's pass-through system, and eventually played an important substitute during the Pistons' playoffs. If the Pistons believe that Jaden Ivey's comeback will reduce the need for a substitute point guard, Schroeder may change his goal again.

25, Tyers Jones, Suns point guard, signed with Tyers Jones at a minimum salary last summer, failed to achieve the expected results of the Suns. Although it maintains an efficient performance of 41% three-point shooting percentage and 4.7 assist-and-turnover ratio, it failed to activate the team's offensive potential. The Suns, which has the Big Three, have only slightly higher offensive efficiency than the league average. Tayes Jones, who only started four games after the All-Star Weekend, may need to sign a short contract to regain his value. Potentially interesting options: If Alexander Walker leaves the team, may this Minnesota native return to the Timberwolves?

Original text: Kevin Pelton

Compiled by: Li Taibai