NBA Free Agents 2016: Final Top 100 Big Board
Prepare for old NBA faces in new places.
Some marquee stars such as LeBron James and Andre Drummond won't be changing locations. Nor will restricted free agents held in high esteem by their 2015-16 squads. But plenty of big-name players will be on the move all the same.
Will Kevin Durant stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder? Is Harrison Barnes really going to draw a max contract after his terrible showing in the 2016 NBA Finals? Will Tim Duncan retire? Who will emerge as the biggest bargain?
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We'll know all the answers soon enough, and we'll be updating this Big Board with contract details as they emerge for each of the top 100 free agents—determined by the expected level of performance throughout the duration of their next potential deal.
1. LeBron James, SF, Player Option (PO)
While fulfilling his promises and leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA title, James reminded the world he's still the best basketball player on the planet. Stephen Curry may have won MVP in 2015-16, but no one can turn on the gas like a motivated James, who played well enough that he would've deserved to be named Finals MVP had the Cavs lost Game 7.
James isn't going anywhere, but he's still technically eligible for free agency. Now, his awe-inspiring performance on the biggest stage has pushed away any questions about this 31-year-old superduperstar's longevity, leaving him as the only reasonable candidate for our No. 1 spot.
2. Kevin Durant, SF, Unrestricted (UFA) — UPDATE, July 4: Durant signed with Golden State Warriors, per The Players' Tribune. He has agreed to a 2-year, $54.3 million contract, per Stein.
3. Andre Drummond, C, Restricted (RFA) — UPDATE, July 1: Drummond re-signed with Detroit Pistons for 5 years and $130 million, per ESPN.com.
4. Al Horford, C, UFA — UPDATE, July 2: Horford signed with Boston Celtics for 4 years and $113 million, per The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski
5. Hassan Whiteside, C, UFA — UPDATE, July 1: Whiteside re-signed with Miami Heat for 4 years and $98 million, per the Associated Press.
6. Mike Conley, PG, UFA — UPDATE, July 1: Conley re-signed with Memphis Grizzlies for 5 years and $153 million, per ESPN.com.
7. Dwyane Wade, SG, UFA — UPDATE, July 6: Wade signed with the Chicago Bulls for 2 years and $47.5 million, per The Vertical.
8. DeMar DeRozan, SG, PO — UPDATE: July 1: Derozan re-signed with Toronto Raptors for 5 years and $139 million, per The Vertical.
9. Nicolas Batum, SG/SF, UFA — UPDATE: July 1: Batum re-signed with Charlotte Hornets for 5 years and $120 million, per The Vertical.
10. Bradley Beal, SG, RFA — UPDATE, July 1: Beal re-signed with Washington Wizards for 5 years and $128 million, per The Vertical.
11. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, PO — UPDATE, July 5: Nowitzki re-signed with the Mavs for 2 years and $40 million, per ESPN's Marc Stein.
12. Dwight Howard, C, PO — UPDATE, July 1: Howard signed with Atlanta Hawks for 3 years and $75 million, per The Vertical.
13. Pau Gasol, PF/C, PO — UPDATE, July 4: Gasol signed with San Antonio Spurs for 2 years and $30 million, per The Vertical.
14. Chandler Parsons, SF, PO — UPDATE, July 1: Parsons signed with Memphis Grizzlies for 4 years and $94 million, per The Vertical.
15. Evan Fournier, SG/SF, RFA — UPDATE, July 1: Fournier re-signed with Orlando Magic for 5 years and $85 million, per ESPN.com.
16. Kent Bazemore, SG/SF, UFA — UPDATE, July 1: Bazemore re-signed with Atlanta Hawks for 4 years and $70 million, per ESPN.com.
17. Harrison Barnes, SF, RFA — UPDATE, July 4: Barnes signed with Dallas Mavericks for 4 years and $94 million, per ESPN.com.
18. Jordan Clarkson, PG/SG, RFA — UPDATE, July 1: Clarkson re-signed with Los Angeles Lakers for 4 years and $50 million, per The Vertical.
19. J.R. Smith, SG/SF, PO
Smith finally put the pieces together for the Cleveland Cavaliers, accepting his role and thriving in it en route to a championship.
Smith stayed out of trouble in Northeast Ohio and became far more than just a shooter who's somehow better with a hand in his face. He excelled on the defensive end and never tried to do too much offensively, accepting that he had more talented players surrounding him and conserving his energy for opportune moments. None of this should change, but Smith remains unpredictable.
20. Bismack Biyombo, C, PO — UPDATE, July 7: Biyombo signed with Orlando Magic for 4 years, per Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press. Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical has reported that the deal is worth $72 million.
21. Ryan Anderson, PF, UFA — UPDATE, July 6: Anderson signed with Houston Rockets for 4 years, $80 million, per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.
22. Tim Duncan, PF/C, PO — UPDATE, July 11: Duncan has announced his retirement, per the San Antonio Spurs.
23. Marvin Williams, PF, UFA — UPDATE, July 2: Williams re-signed with Charlotte Hornets for 4 years, $54.5 million, per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.
24. Allen Crabbe, SG/SF, RFA — UPDATE, July 10: Crabbe signed with the Portland Trail Blazers for 4 years and $75 million, per The Vertical.
25. Jared Sullinger, PF/C, RFA — UPDATE, July 11: Sullinger signed with the Toronto Raptors for 1 year and $6 million, per ESPN.com.
26. Evan Turner, SG/SF, UFA — UPDATE, July 1: Turner signed with Portland Trail Blazers for 4 years and $70 million, per The Vertical.
27. Ian Mahinmi, C, UFA — UPDATE, July 2: Mahinmi signed with Washington Wizards for 4 years and $64 million, per the Washington Post's Tim Bontemps.
28. Luol Deng, SF, UFA — UPDATE, July 2: Deng signed with Los Angeles Lakers for 4 years and $72 million, per The Vertical.
29. Jeremy Lin, PG, PO — UPDATE, July 1: Lin signed with Brooklyn Nets for 3 years and $36 million, per The Vertical.
30. Festus Ezeli, C, RFA — UPDATE, July 7: Ezeli signed with Portland Trail Blazers for 2 years and $15 million, per ESPN.com.
31. Meyers Leonard, PF/C, RFA — UPDATE, July 10: Leonard signed with Portland Trail Blazers for 4 years and $41 million, per The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.
32. Dion Waiters, SG, RFA
Waiters can score the ball, but it comes at a cost. For all his natural offensive talent, he can fall prey to irrational confidence, calling his own number at inopportune times and hurting his team even as he produces gaudy point totals. The right team can unleash him as a sixth man while keeping him under control.
33. Mirza Teletovic, PF, UFA — UPDATE, July 1: Teletovic signed with the Milwaukee Bucks for 3 years and $30 million, per ESPN.com.
34. Al Jefferson, C, UFA —UPDATE, July 1: Jefferson signed with Indiana Pacers for 3 years and $30 million, per ESPN.com.
35. Jared Dudley, PF, UFA — UPDATE, July 1: Dudley signed with Phoenix Suns for 3 years and $30 million, per The Vertical.
36. Rajon Rondo, PG, UFA — UPDATE, July 3: Rondo signed with Chicago Bulls for 2 years, $28 million, per Spears.
37. Eric Gordon, SG, UFA — UPDATE, July 2: Gordon signed with Houston Rockets for 4 years, $53 million, per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.
38. Joe Johnson, SG/SF, UFA — UPDATE, July 1: Johnson signed with Utah Jazz for 2 years and $22 million, per TNT.
39. Tyler Johnson, PG/SG, RFA — UPDATE, July 10: Johnson signed with Miami Heat for 4 years and $50 million, per Wojnarowski.
40. Trevor Booker, PF, UFA — UPDATE, July 2: Booker signed with the Brooklyn Nets for 2 years and $18 million, per Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune.
41. Boban Marjanovic, C, RFA — UPDATE, July 7: Marjanovic signed with the Detroit Pistons for 3 years and $21 million, per ESPN's Marc Stein.
42. Deron Williams, PG, PO — UPDATE, July 3: Williams re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks for 1 year and $10 million, per Stein.
43. Arron Afflalo, SG/SF, PO — UPDATE, July 2: Afflalo signed with the Sacramento Kings for 2 years and $25 million, per The Vertical.
44. Matthew Dellavedova, PG, RFA — UPDATE, July 1: Dellavedova signed with the Milwaukee Bucks for 4 years and $38 million, per ESPN.com.
45. Maurice Harkless, SF/PF, RFA
Upside will make it difficult for any team to pry Harkless away from the Portland Trail Blazers. He's already emerged as a decent defender while playing multiple positions, and adding a consistent three-point stroke to his slashing game would allow him to emerge as a potent No. 3 option.
46. Manu Ginobili, SG, PO — UPDATE, July 7: Ginobili will re-sign with the Spurs, per his personal Twitter, though terms are yet unannounced.
47. Donatas Motiejunas, PF/C, RFA
It's only health concerns that keep Motiejunas from rising higher; no one can just gloss over a big man suffering a serious back problem that led to a trade-negating physical. Fortunately, the Lithuanian big man is only 25 years old. When he recovers, he's bubbling over with two-way potential that could make him a quality rim protector and floor-spacer in a 7'0" package.
48. Brandon Jennings, PG, UFA — UPDATE, July 4: Jennings signed with New York Knicks for 1 year and $5 million, per CSN Chicago.
49. Matt Barnes, SF, UFA — UPDATE, July 3: Barnes signed with Sacramento Kings for 2 years and $12 million, per James Ham.
50. Joakim Noah, C, UFA — UPDATE, July 1: Noah signed with New York Knicks for 4 years and $72 million, per ESPN.com.
51. Lance Thomas, SF, UFA — UPDATE, July 4: Thomas re-signed with the New York Knicks for 4 years and approximately $27 million, per ESPN's Ian Begley.
52. Andrew Nicholson, PF, RFA — UPDATE, July 3: Nicholson signed with the Washington Wizards for 4 years and $26 million, per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.
53. Zaza Pachulia, C, UFA — UPDATE, July 4: Pachulia singed with the Golden State Warriors for 1 year and $2.9 million, per The Vertical.
54. Jeff Green, SF/PF, UFA — UPDATE, July 1: Green signed with the Orlando Magic for 1 year and $15 million, per The Vertical.
55. David West, PF, PO — UPDATE, July 5: West signed with the Golden State Warriors for 1 year and the Veteran Minimum, per Turner Sports' David Aldridge.
56. Courtney Lee, SG, UFA — UPDATE, July 2: Lee signed with New York Knicks for $50 million and 4 years, per Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders.
57. Darrell Arthur, PF, PO — UPDATE, July 1: Arthur signed with Denver Nuggets for 3 years and $23 million, per The Vertical.
58. Jamal Crawford, PG/SG, UFA — UPDATE, July 3: Crawford signed with Los Angeles Clippers for 3 years and $42 million, per Charania.
59. Jerryd Bayless, PG/SG, UFA — UPDATE, July 1: Bayless signed with the Philadelphia 76ers for 3 years and $27 million, per the Associated Press.
60. Terrence Jones, PF, RFA — UPDATE, July 14: Jones signed with the New Orleans Pelicans for 1 year and an undisclosed amount, per Charania.
61. E'Twaun Moore, PG/SG, UFA — UPDATE, July 1: Moore signed with the New Orleans Pelicans for 4 years and $34 million, per the New Orleans Advocate.
62. Wesley Johnson, SG/SF, PO — UPDATE, July 2: Johnson signed with L.A. Clippers for three years and $18 million, Per Charania.
63. Marreese Speights, PF, UFA — UPDATE, July 8: Speights signed with the L.A. Clippers, (per The Vertical), for the Veteran Minimum (per ESPN's Zach Lowe).
64. Lance Stephenson, SG, Team Option (TO)
"As things grind down a little bit in the playoffs, baskets are hard to come by," former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger told Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal. "To go get your own shot is tough. But Lance can get baskets."
There's no denying Stephenson's ability to call his own number. But at what expense do those buckets come?
65. Raymond Felton, PG, UFA — UPDATE, July 14: Felton signed with the L.A. Clippers for the Veteran Minimum per Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com.
66. Brandon Bass, PF, PO — UPDATE, July 16: Bass signed with the L.A. Clippers for 1 year and the Veteran Minimum, per Charania.
67. Jordan Hill, PF/C, UFA — UPDATE, July 13: Hill signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves for 2 years and $8 million, per The Vertical.
68. Tyler Zeller, C, RFA
Had the Boston Celtics not deployed a frontcourt with so much depth, Zeller would've improved his free-agency standing. The 26-year-old center is a legitimate rotation big who can play efficient offense and hold his own defensively, so long as he's allowed to get into a rhythm. His only glaring weakness is his lack of distributing skills.
69. Gerald Henderson, SG, UFA — UPDATE, July 5: Henderson signed with the Philadelphia 76ers for 2 years and $18 million, per The Vertical.
70. Solomon Hill, SF, UFA — UPDATE, July 1: Hill signed with the New Orleans Pelicans for 4 years and $52 million, per The Vertical.
71. David Lee, PF/C, UFA
Don't be fooled by the gaudy numbers Lee produced once he landed with the Dallas Mavericks. Though his rebounding and interior offense can be valuable in the right location, he has to be paired with a quality defensive presence to avoid hemorrhaging points on the other end. Strong as he may have been as an individual, the Mavs' net rating still dropped by 3.2 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor.
72. D.J. Augustin, PG, UFA — UPDATE, July 1: Augustin has signed with Orlando Magic for 4 years and $29 million, per The Vertical and ESPN.com.
73. Ty Lawson, PG, UFA
Forget about Lawson's off-court issues. Don't trouble yourself with his diminished production for the Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers. This is a 28-year-old point guard who hasn't suffered any major injuries and is only a few years removed from being on the cusp of the All-Star conversation. That talent is still lying dormant somewhere in his diminutive frame.
74. Jon Leuer, PF, UFA — UPDATE, July 2: Leuer has signed with Detroit Pistons for 4 years and $42 million, per ESPN.com.
75. Dwight Powell, PF, RFA — UPDATE, July 3: Powell has signed with Dallas Mavericks for 4 years and $37 million, per Charania.
76. Timofey Mozgov, C, UFA — UPDATE, July 1: Mozgov signed with Los Angeles Lakers for 4 years and $64 million, per The Vertical.
77. Roy Hibbert, C, UFA — UPDATE, July 4: Hibbert signed with Charlotte Hornets for 1 year and $5 million, per The Vertical.
78. Nene, PF/C, UFA — UPDATE, July 6: Nene signed with the Houston Rockets for 1 year and $2.9 million, per The Vertical.
79. Langston Galloway, PG/SG, RFA — UPDATE, July 6: Galloway will sign with the New Orleans Pelicans, per ESPN's Marc Stein, though terms of the deal are yet undisclosed.
80. Seth Curry, SG, PO — UPDATE, July 4: Curry signed with Dallas Mavericks for 2 years and $6 million, per The Vertical.
81. Luis Scola, PF, UFA — UPDATE, July 12: Scola signed with the Brooklyn Nets for 1 year and the Veteran Minimum, per the Vertical.
82. Gerald Green, SG, UFA
Green will be hoping teams forget about his uninspired performance with the Miami Heat, as this last season saw him shoot only 32.3 percent from downtown while struggling immensely in every facet. It's a bit disconcerting that Green has been on a constant decline each of the last two campaigns, but it was only two years ago that he asserted himself as a legitimate three-and-D contributor.
83. Miles Plumlee, C, RFA — UPDATE, July 18: Plumlee signed with Milwaukee Bucks for 4 years and $52 million per ESPN.com's Marc Stein.
84. Michael Beasley, SF/PF, TO — UPDATE, July 7: The Houston Rockets picked up Michael Beasley's Team Option for 2016-17, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
85. Derrick Williams, SF/PF, PO — UPDATE, July 8: Williams signed with Miami Heat for 1 year and $5 million, per The Vertical's Wojnarowski.
86. Mario Chalmers, PG, UFA
Before Chalmers went down with an Achilles injury, it appeared as if he'd finally blossomed with the Memphis Grizzlies. The shot that deserted him in South Beach had returned, he was recording plenty of assists and his defense led to numerous fast-break opportunities. Unfortunately, Achilles injuries severely depress players' values.
87. Chase Budinger, SF, UFA
The Budinger package no longer sounds nearly as appealing, even if it once contained shooting touch, overwhelming versatility and the athleticism necessary to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest. Marred by injuries and years without much positive production, Budinger is now more risk than reward.
88. Ish Smith, PG, UFA — UPDATE, July 1: Smith signed with the Detroit Pistons for 3 years and $18 million, per Philly.com.
89. Kris Humphries, PF, UFA — UPDATE, July 11: Humphries signed with the Atlanta Hawks for 1 year and $4 million, per The Vertical.
90. Leandro Barbosa, SG, UFA — UPDATE, July 7: Barbosa signed with the Phoenix Suns for 2 years and $8 million, per The Vertical.
91. Ian Clark, PG, TO — UPDATE, July 7: Clark signed with the Golden State Warriors for 1 year, per The Vertical. Financial details yet to emerge.
92. Amar'e Stoudemire, PF/C, UFA
Stoudemire is no longer in his prime. That much has become abundantly clear as both his role and overall effectiveness have waned. Nonetheless, the 33-year-old big man has learned how to play some interior defense and can still knock down mid-range jumpers and finish pick-and-rolls around the rim.
93. Gary Neal, SG, UFA
The modern NBA prioritizes floor-spacing, which is exactly what Neal can provide. The 31-year-old guard is coming off a season that saw him hit 41 percent of his triples while taking 2.5 per game, and he should be given a similar role on a team that can cover up for his defensive shortcomings.
94. Josh Smith, PF, UFA
The allure of Smith may still be too much for every team to pass up, but the power forward should be universally viewed as a limited contributor. Though he can produce stretches in which he hits treys, dishes out dimes and plays quality defense, those are always paired with bouts of poor decision-making that mitigate his natural talent.
95. Cole Aldrich, C, PO — UPDATE, July 3: Aldrich signed with Minnesota Timberwolves for 3 years and $22 million, per Marc Stein of ESPN.com.
96. James Johnson, SF/PF, UFA
No matter what role a team thrusts Johnson into, he'll use his relentless hustle and physical assets to get the job done. This combo forward's skill set is limited, but a change of scenery should do wonders for him, no longer allowing Dwane Casey to keep him glued to the bench when his services are needed.
97. Quincy Acy, PF, PO
Acy has quietly developed a perimeter jumper to go along with his energy-related defensive contributions, and that should make him an appealing rotation big. During what could be his last season with the Sacramento Kings, he knocked down 38.8 percent of his three-point attempts and hit his two-point jumpers from beyond 16 feet at a 42.4 percent clip.
98. James Michael McAdoo, PF, TO
The Golden State Warriors didn't give McAdoo many opportunities, but he parlayed his rare run into some quality production. Especially when called upon during the playoffs, he lived up to the moment, making it a bit more tempting for a talent-starved organization to throw a flier contract at him.
99. Greivis Vasquez, PG, UFA — UPDATE, July 10: Vasquez signed with Brooklyn Nets for 1 year and $22 million, per The Vertical.
100. Ryan Kelly, SF/PF, RFA
Still only 25 years old, Kelly possesses some offensive upside—so long as he's freed from the Los Angeles Lakers' clutches. It wasn't long ago he proved himself a tremendous shooter for Duke, and playing for a team with better schemes and stronger teammates could unlock his floor-spacing potential.
Adam Fromal covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @fromal09.
Unless otherwise indicated, all stats are from Basketball-Reference.com or NBAMath.com.
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