The NBA's free-agency period tips off today at 6 p.m. ET! Who
are the top players available? Here's a look at 15 notable players
who could be on the move.
Check out BasketballNews' 2022 NBA Free Agency page for
our complete rankings, the latest rumors, a glossary of relevant
terms and more.
ZACH LAVINE, UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT
Zach LaVine bet on himself instead of signing a four-year, $105
million extension last offseason, and the gamble has certainly paid
off. He averaged 24.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.8
made three-pointers while shooting 38.9% from downtown and a
career-high 85.3% from the free-throw line. Steph Curry is the only
player in the NBA to match or exceed LaVine in those statistical
categories last season. With LaVine playing at such a high level,
he'll want a max deal that pays approximately $200 million over
five years. The most any other team can offer LaVine is around $160
million over four years. LaVine is expected to return to the
Chicago Bulls when all is said and done.
JAMES HARDEN, UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT
James Harden declined his $47.4 million player option for the
2022-23 season and he's now an unrestricted free agent. However,
all signs point to Harden remaining with the Philadelphia 76ers on
a new deal. The 32-year-old struggled during the playoffs,
especially in the second round when he averaged 18.2 points, 7.0
assists, 6.3 rebounds, 4.8 turnovers and 2.5 threes, while shooting
40.4% from the field, 33.2% from three and 76.1% from the
free-throw line. Harden turns 33 years old in August and he seems
significantly less explosive. Harden is
BRADLEY BEAL, UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT
In February, Bradley Beal underwent surgery to repair a torn
ligament in his left wrist. Prior to the injury, Beal's scoring
average had dipped dramatically (from 31.3 points per game in
2020-21 to 23.2 this season), and he was shooting just 30.0% from
downtown. However, the three-time All-Star averaged a career-high
6.6 assists. Beal declined his $36.4 million player option for the
2022-23 season, but he's expected to re-sign with the Washington
Wizards barring a sudden change of heart.
DEANDRE AYTON, RESTRICTED FREE AGENT
Deandre Ayton is the crown jewel of this year's free-agent
center crop. Although the Phoenix Suns surprisingly chose not to
offer him a max extension last offseason (worth approximately $173
million over five years), Phoenix can match any offer the former
No. 1 overall pick receives this summer. However, an up-and-down
postseason has raised questions about the 23-year-old’s future with
the team. In Phoenix’s embarrassing Game 7 loss to the Dallas
Mavericks, Ayton had just 5 points and 4 rebounds, leading Monty
Williams to bench him after only 17 minutes. Ayton is a young,
improving player and he's widely regarded as one of NBA's best
young centers. If the Suns don’t want to give Ayton the max, they
may weigh their sign-and-trade options.
MILES BRIDGES, RESTRICTED FREE AGENT
Charlotte reportedly offered Miles Bridges an extension worth
$60 million over four years this past summer, but he rejected it.
With Bridges exploding this season — averaging a career-high 20.2
points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.9 threes and 0.9 steals — the
Hornets' front office likely regrets not upping that offer, as the
stud forward is now in line for a massive pay raise. He is one of
only five players in the NBA this season who knocked down at least
125 three-pointers while also averaging at least 20-7-3. The other
five players? LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum and
Karl-Anthony Towns. It's worth noting that Bridges was arrested for
domestic violence on the eve of free agency, which could impact his
negotiations.
JALEN BRUNSON, UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT
Jalen Brunson took a significant step forward during the 2020-21
season, averaging 12.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2
threes in 25.7 minutes, while shooting 52.3% from the floor and
40.5% from downtown. The Villanova product continued to improve in
2021-22, averaging career-highs in points (16.3), assists (4.8) and
rebounds (3.9). Brunson also showed he could shoulder increased
responsibility by stepping up when Luka Doncic missed time during
the regular season and playoffs. In the first round, Brunson helped
Dallas Mavericks eliminate the Utah Jazz despite being without
Doncic for the first three games of the series. In six games
against Utah, Brunson averaged 27.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2
assists, 2.0 threes and just 0.7 turnovers on 48.1/32.9/84.8
shooting. The New York Knicks are currently the front-runners to
add Brunson.
ANFERNEE SIMONS, RESTRICTED FREE AGENT
Anfernee Simons increased his value a ton with his play during
the 2021-22 season. After averaging a modest 7.8 points per game
during the 2020-21 season, Simons averaged 17.3 points last year,
which was the largest year-over-year leap in the NBA last season.
He also chipped in 3.9 assists, 3.1 threes and 2.6 assists, while
shooting 40.5% from beyond the arc. In the 30 games he started, he
was even more productive – putting up 22.0 points, 5.5 assists, 4.1
threes and 2.8 rebounds on 45.2/41.5/87.1 shooting splits. The
22-year-old has a bright future in the NBA. One of the primary
reasons the Blazers traded away CJ McCollum, Norman Powell and
Robert Covington prior to the deadline was to clear up cap space to
give Simons a big payday, so it would be very surprising to see him
change teams.
JUSUF NURKIC, UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT
After a disappointing 2020-21 campaign, Jusuf Nurkic bounced
back impressively last season, averaging 15.0 points, a career-high
11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 53.5% from
the floor. Nurkic’s season ended early due to plantar fasciitis.
However, he'll likely be ready to return by the start of training
camp in September. Due to Nurk's tight bond with Blazers point
guard Damian Lillard, many pundits expect Portland to re-sign the
big man to a multi-year deal.
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COLLIN SEXTON, RESTRICTED FREE AGENT
Collin Sexton injured his left knee in early November, and an
MRI revealed a torn meniscus. He had surgery a week later,
sidelining him for the entirety of the 2021-22 campaign. It will be
fascinating to see what offers he
receives on the open market. During the 2020-21 season, Sexton
averaged 24.3 points and 4.4 assists while shooting 47.5% from the
floor, 37.5% from downtown and 81.5% from the free-throw line.
However, he struggled defensively, and the Cavs registered a
league-worst 60-159 record over the first three years of his
career. With Sexton out of action this season, Cleveland went 44-38
and made the Play-In Tournament. Darius Garland emerged as an
All-Star in Sexton’s absence. Because he is a restricted free
agent, the Cavs can match any offer he receives this summer.
BOBBY PORTIS, UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT
With Brook Lopez sidelined for most of the 2021-22 season, Bobby
Portis stepped up for the Milwaukee Bucks, starting 59 games. He
averaged career-highs in scoring (14.6 points), rebounds (9.1),
blocks (0.7) and made three-pointers (1.8). Portis declined his
$4.6 million player option for the 2022-23 season, and he is
expected to search for a significant raise.
BRUCE BROWN, UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT
If you want to find a truly "positionless" NBA player, look no
further than Bruce Brown. The 25-year-old shifted fluidly between
roles for the Brooklyn Nets — the textbook glue guy that any
playoff contender would love to have. In 22 games after the
All-Star break, Brown averaged 14.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.7
assists, 1.2 steals, 1.1 blocks and 1.1 threes on 53.0/47.2/77.5
shooting splits. During the Nets' first-round series against the
Boston Celtics, he continued to produce at this level, averaging
14.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 threes, 1.3 steals and
0.8 blocks on 56.8/42.9/80.0 shooting splits. Brown proved he can
be an initiator, a connective passer, a multi-faceted off-ball
player and a primary defender, so he is due for a payday.
MITCHELL ROBINSON, UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT
The New York Knicks technically have until June 30 to ink
Mitchell Robinson to an extension worth up to $48 million over four
years. However, the two sides have not yet reached an agreement, so
it appears Robinson will be able to test the market. While he has
flashed All-Defensive upside in short spurts throughout his
four-year career, Robinson has battled numerous injuries and
baffling inconsistency. His regression at the free-throw line
(shooting below 50% in each of the past two seasons) is worrisome
as well. Nevertheless, few big men can supply the type of
high-flying athleticism and rim-protection he brings to the table.
Robinson is expected to re-sign with the Knicks, but we'll see if any other team can make
things interesting.
LU DORT, RESTRICTED FREE AGENT
Lu Dort established himself as one of the league's elite young
defenders early in his career. Last season, he proved that he is
also capable of putting up points on the offensive end. Before
undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, Dort was averaging 17.2
points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 2.5 made threes. Over his
final eight games, he averaged more than 23.0 points per game. Dort
has one of the biggest bargains in the NBA, as he earned $1,782,621
last season. The Thunder decided to decline his team option, making
him a restricted free agent.
TYUS JONES, UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT
Tyus Jones has proven to be a reliable, efficient backup point
guard. Last season, he averaged 8.7 points, 4.4 assists, 2.4
rebounds, 1.1 threes, 0.9 steals and 0.6 turnovers on
45.1/39.0/81.8 shooting splits. However, he has also shown that he
can step into the starting lineup and take on more
responsibilities. In 23 games as a starter, Jones averaged 12.7
points, 6.6 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 threes and 1.1 steals on
45.0/39.6/83.8 shooting splits. He turned heads at times during the
playoffs too. In Memphis' Game 6 win over the Warriors, he posted
21 points, 9 assists, 4 threes, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block and 0
turnovers (on 66.7/57.1/100.0 shooting) in just 24 minutes.
MO BAMBA, UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT
After struggling over his first three years in the NBA, Mo Bamba
just enjoyed the best year of his pro career. He became the first
player in Magic franchise history to average more than 1.5 blocks
and 1.0 made three-pointers per game over an entire season.
However, it remains to be seen if Bamba has a long-term future in
Orlando. The Magic just selected Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick
in the 2022 NBA Draft. Also, Orlando inked center Wendell Carter
Jr. to a four-year, $50 million contract extension back in October
(and lineups with both Carter and Bamba have not performed well).
Orlando didn't extend a qualifying offer to Bamba, making him an
unrestricted free agent.