2017 NBA Free-Agency Big Board: Top 25 Remaining Players
Kevin Durant is back with the Golden State Warriors. Stephen Curry is, too. Blake Griffin, Kyle Lowry and Jrue Holiday have already signed megadeals with their incumbent squads, as well.
That doesn't mean 2017 NBA free agency has been a bore—or that it's even close to wrapped up.
All-Star Paul Millsap is on his way to Denver. Gordon Hayward, another All-Star, is Boston-bound. Meanwhile, impact players such as Danilo Gallinari and Derrick Rose remain available after three full days of free agency.
There's plenty more news than that flying around the Association these days. To keep up with it all, here's a look at all the rumors surrounding the top 25 names still available, with players plucked from and ranked according to Bleacher Report's free-agency rankings.
25. Tim Hardaway Jr., Shooting Guard, Restricted
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It may be a while before Tim Hardaway Jr.'s July picks up speed. Aside from all the other dominos yet to fall, Hardaway Jr.'s restricted free agency could scare off teams that aren't keen to tie up what little cap space they have left for 48 hours in the Michigan product.
The Hawks plan to take their time with the 25-year-old.
"I don't see [a quick offer sheet signing] coming," Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Chris Vivlamore. "It could happen. I think they'll give us a heads-up."
Hardaway Jr., for his part, seems keen to stick with the team that helped him rebuild his game (14.5 points on 45.5 percent shooting, 35.7 percent from three).
"I want to be here, point blank," Hardaway told Vivlamore. "They brought me here because they believed in me and believed in what I'm capable of doing. I'm thankful for it. … As of now, I'm still here. This is my team. I'm an Atlanta Hawk still. There is no other team right now. My mind and my focus is with the Atlanta Hawks."
24. Zach Randolph, Power Forward, Unrestricted
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Update (1:45pm et): Zach Randolph has agreed to a two-year, $24 million deal with the Sacramento Kings, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
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One way or another, Zach Randolph should find a comfortable situation for himself next season. According to the Sacramento Bee's Jason Jones, Randolph has garnered interest from the Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers.
The former would offer the 35-year-old an opportunity to tutor a pair of young power forwards in Skal Labissiere and incoming rookie Harry Giles while reuniting with Dave Joerger, his former head coach in Memphis. The latter would allow Z-Bo to settle back in as a sixth man—a role he played well for the Grizzlies last season—on a team with legitimate title hopes.
According to NBA.com's David Aldridge, Randolph has also been in touch with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers, the latter his last stop before he landed in Memphis.
For those who've come to admire the Grizzlies' grit-n-grind, the early rumblings on Randolph are none too encouraging. This summer could mark the end of his career-changing run in Memphis, where Z-Bo became a symbol of hard work and determination for the city and its once-fledgling NBA team.
23. Nikola Mirotic, Power Forward, Restricted
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Good news for Nikola Mirotic: The Chicago Bulls intend to re-sign the 26-year-old Montenegrin this summer, per the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson.
The not-so-good news? According to ESPN's Nick Friedell, Chicago is "content" to wait and see how Mirotic's market shakes out.
That could work out well for the Bulls, who hold offer-matching rights on their restricted free agent. By the time the league gets around to evaluating Mirotic's future viability, there might not be much money left for him to command—and, thus, not much for Chicago to fork over.
22. Patrick Patterson, Power Forward, Unrestricted
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Patrick Patterson could be targeting his next payday in a familiar place. According to USA Today's Sam Amick, Patterson was among those free agents who met with the Sacramento Kings on July 1.
Patterson last suited up for the Kings in December 2013, when DeMarcus Cousins still had his run of the joint. With Boogie gone, Sacramento could use a veteran big man of 2Pat's shooting prowess (36.8 percent from three for his career) to spread the floor and lead the way for the team's next youth movement.
21. Manu Ginobili, Shooting Guard, Unrestricted
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Manu Ginobili has yet to decide whether he'll return to the San Antonio Spurs or retire. At least one of his fellow Argentine legends believes he'll be back.
According to Clarin.com (h/t the San Antonio Express-News' Nick Moyle), soccer legend Diego Maradona told Andrei Kirilenko and a passel of reporters at the Confederations Cup in Russia that "Ginobili, 39, hopes to play two more seasons with the Spurs before returning to Argentina."
The Spurs might not mind that kind of commitment, so long as it doesn't cost them $14 million per year. Ginobili shot 39.2 percent from three during the 2016-17 regular season before putting up five double-digit scoring games in the playoffs, including a 21-point outburst during Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors.
20. Jonathon Simmons, Small Forward, Unrestricted
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If you're a team in need of an athletic, frenetic, two-way wing, chances are you've probably put a word in with Jonathon Simmons. According to The Vertical's Shams Charania, Simmons fielded early interest from the Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings.
The San Antonio Spurs, though, have plans for their own restricted free agent. As of July 1, the Spurs were "working on an offer" for Simmons that would pay him approximately $9 million a year, per ESPN's Michael C. Wright.
The 27-year-old isn't much of a shooter (32.2 percent from three as a pro), but his energy, hustle and sheer fearlessness should allow him to carve out a significant role wherever he lands.
19. Tyreke Evans, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Unrestricted
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Good luck finding any word of where Tyreke Evans is headed next. So far, there's been barely a peep about Evans' future, be it in Sacramento or elsewhere.
Perhaps things will pick up for the 27-year-old wing once more of his peers come off the board this summer. For now, the former Rookie of the Year can only hope his strong second-half shooting with the Kings (43.8 percent from three) will catch the attention of teams some time down the line.
18. David Lee, Power Forward, Unrestricted
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David Lee could be playing for his fifth team in four seasons after turning down his $1.6 million player option with the San Antonio Spurs. As of this past weekend, Lee hadn't set up any meetings with teams, though he and his representatives had been working the phones, per ESPN's Michael C. Wright.
At 34, Lee can still impact a squad with his skill and professionalism. This past season, he averaged 7.3 points on 59 percent shooting with 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 18.7 minutes with the San Antonio Spurs.
17. Rudy Gay, Small Forward, Unrestricted
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All the smoke surrounding Rudy Gay thus far has yet to yield the flames of an actual contract.
Multiple reports pegged Gay as a backup plan for the Golden State Warriors had Andre Iguodala left. USA Today's Sam Amick tweeted that Kevin Durant would've taken an even heftier paycut for Gay's sake had Iguodala taken his talents elsewhere.
Enes Kanter shared a photo of a locker with Gay's name on it in Oklahoma City, though the Norman Transcript's Fred Katz reported there was nothing imminent between the UConn product and the Thunder.
The Los Angeles Clippers have met with Gay. The Miami Heat might, too.
The former, though, won't have anything close to enough cap space to make up for the $14.3 million player option with the Sacramento Kings that Gay turned down. As for the latter, Miami probably won't jump into the mix until it has an answer from Gordon Hayward.
However Gay's free agency unfolds, he'll probably be hard-pressed to improve upon what he could've made with the Kings, at least on a yearly basis. The league's dearth of cap space aside, teams will have to be wary of the 30-year-old wing in the wake of an Achilles injury that ended his 2016-17 season after just 30 games.
16. Kelly Olynyk, Center, Restricted
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Like so many players on this list, Kelly Olynyk's free agency hinges on Gordon Hayward's courtship.
According to the Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett, the Boston Celtics have extended a qualifying offer to Olynyk to make him a restricted free agent. However, the team can still cut ties with the 26-year-old center if need be in the event that Hayward decides to sign with the C's.
"To clear Olynyk from the ledger, the Celtics would have to renounce him. And just because they have given him the qualifying offer doesn't mean they are required to keep that offer on the table. Last season, the Celts pulled back the QO they had given to Jared Sullinger."
Olynyk's next destination won't likely materialize until Hayward has settled his situation. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, there figures to be a "strong market" for Olynyk's services.
His ability to stretch the floor (36.8 percent from three in four pro seasons) makes him uniquely valuable in this year's free-agent class and in today's NBA, where shooting at all positions is more important than ever.
15. Dion Waiters, Shooting Guard, Unrestricted
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Dion Waiters isn't the only free agent whose future might hinge on Gordon Hayward's decision (more on that later). That doesn't mean Waiters is waiting around for the Miami Heat to get word from Hayward to create his own market.
According to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson, Waiters heard from the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings early in free agency. Per Basketball Insiders' Michael Scotto, the Los Angeles Lakers met with Waiters on Day 2.
The 25-year-old Syracuse product is coming off an eye-opening 2016-17 campaign in South Beach. He averaged 15.8 points, 4.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds on a squad decimated by injuries.
14. C.J. Miles, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Unrestricted
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C.J. Miles has garnered his fair share of interest as an unrestricted free agent. Since declining his 2017-18 player option with the Indiana Pacers, Miles has heard from the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves, according to various reports.
Odds are the 30-year-old Dallas native will settle into an exception of some sort once the free-agent frenzy dies down even further. Whichever team lands Miles will be happy to have a versatile veteran wing who shot a career-high 41.3 percent from three last season.
13. James Johnson, Forward, Unrestricted
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James Johnson's future will be tied closely to the Miami Heat's courtship of Gordon Hayward.
For one, Johnson and Hayward share an agent (Mark Bartelstein). As the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson explained, the Heat could carve out enough cap space to offer Johnson a deal worth around $42 million over four years if they feel so inclined:
"The Heat would be left with $5.7 million in cap space if it signs Hayward to a max deal, starting at $29.7 million.
"But that amount would increase to $9.7 million if Josh McRoberts is released and his cap hits are stretched over three years—something Miami would be receptive to."
Granted, Johnson might not be the only target for that cash. Miami could conceivably make the same offer to Dion Waiters.
But, per Jackson, only one of those two (Johnson) showed up for the Heat's pitch to Hayward on Sunday. Johnson's presence won't guarantee a new deal, though it shows his desire to stay in South Beach for the foreseeable future.
12. Mason Plumlee, Center, Restricted
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Even with Paul Millsap on his way to the Mile High City, there might still be enough room (and money) in the Denver Nuggets frontcourt to keep Mason Plumlee.
According to salary-cap expert Albert Nahmad, Millsap's three-year, $90 million deal leaves just enough room on the books for Denver to make a $4.59 million qualifying offer to Plumlee, making him a restricted free agent.
The Nuggets, then, will be able to go over the cap to either match any offer sheets for Plumlee or extend a contract of their own to him.
The 27-year-old Duke product averaged 9.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 blocks across 27 appearances with the Nuggets following a January trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. Should Plumlee stick in Denver, he would do so as a backup to Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets' budding star at center.
Plumlee, for his part, doesn't seem at all deterred by the prospect of returning for such a role.
"I enjoyed my time in Denver, and even though we missed the playoffs, we were a better team after the trade," he told Sport360's Jay Asser. "I enjoyed it, and I look forward to growing there."
11. Dirk Nowitzki, Power Forward, Unrestricted
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All's quiet on the Dirk Nowitzki front for the Dallas Mavericks, and for good reason. As Marc Stein, then with ESPN, reported in late June, the Mavericks declined their $25 million team option with the intention of working out a new deal for the future Hall of Famer.
"The Mavericks' plan, according to one source, is to do 'what Dirk wants.' Nowitzki turned 39 last week and is poised to tie Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant for the longest run in league history—20 seasons—playing for only one team."
Don't expect Nowitzki to switch locations this or any summer.
10. Pau Gasol, Power Forward/Center, Unrestricted
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Pau Gasol is currently a FAINO—Free Agent In Name Only.
As Wojnarowski first reported, Gasol declined his $16.1 million player option for 2017-18, with a plan to "work with Spurs on a longer-term deal to remain with team." Woj added that Gasol's opt-out should help San Antonio keep its cap situation in order.
The details of Gasol's next deal—when he signs, how long it will be, how much it will be worth—remain a mystery. But this being a situation with the Spurs, expect the team to work out a friendly deal for the soon-to-be-37-year-old center that will keep him in the Alamo City until he retires and make his production look like a bargain.
9. Andre Roberson, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Restricted
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If you assumed Andre Roberson would be a goner with Paul George set to join the Oklahoma City Thunder, think again. In some respects, the move makes Roberson's retention more likely.
As the Norman Transcript's Fred Katz noted, the trade for George opens up more money, both short- and long-term, for OKC to spend on Roberson, a restricted free agent. Moreover, the Thunder still prefer the Colorado product as a lockdown defender at shooting guard next to a big small forward, rather than having him masquerade at the 3 as he did in the wake of Kevin Durant's departure.
OKC can only hope Roberson will repay the favor of a lucrative new deal with a jump shot far sharper than the one that's resulted in a 26 percent success rate from three across his four pro seasons.
8. JaMychal Green, Power Forward/Center, Restricted
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Back in early May, the Washington Post's Tim Bontemps predicted robust bidding for JaMychal Green, a then-26-year-old power forward with budding three-and-D potential.
"So what will Green command? It would seem likely he'll be somewhere in the $10-$12 million range, and potentially more if teams believe his 38 percent shooting clip from three is sustainable (which they'd be fair to question). But with virtually every team looking for players like him, his market should be a strong one."
So far, there's been barely a peep about Green's future, be it with the Memphis Grizzlies or some other squad, save for some innocuous comments from the man himself.
"I'm just ready to go to the right situation," Green told WIAT's Nic Gulas, "to a team that's going to get me better and want to win."
With Zach Randolph garnering interest from elsewhere around the Association, look for Memphis to bring back Green once it has sorted out how to handle the more veteran proponents of grit-n-grind.
7. Dewayne Dedmon, Center, Unrestricted
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Like seemingly every free-agent center this summer, Dewayne Dedmon is at the mercy of a slim market, especially for big men.
According to USA Today's Sam Amick, Dedmon might've been an option for the Golden State Warriors had Andre Iguodala left the defending champs. Amick also indicated Dedmon could've settled for Golden State's mid-level exception of $8.4 million.
Both of those would seem to be off the table now that 1) Iguodala is back, and 2) the Warriors will have only the taxpayer mid-level exception (worth $5.19 million) and veteran's minimum contracts to offer outside free agents.
It's possible the San Antonio Spurs, who helped turn Dedmon into a bona fide commodity last season, will get to retain him cheaply if they wait things out.
6. Nerlens Noel, Power Forward/Center, Restricted
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It looks like a matter of when, not if, Nerlens Noel agrees to a new deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
According to the Dallas Morning News' Eddie Sefko, Noel's reps are "in the midst of negotiations" with the Mavs, though those seem to be proceeding slowly. Per ESPN's Tim MacMahon, "it's a matter of how much and when" Noel re-ups with Dallas, which acquired him from the Philadelphia 76ers at this year's trade deadline.
Noel's vale on the market could drop with each bit of remaining cap space that dries up. If the Mavericks can snag the oft-injured 23-year-old at some sort of discount this summer, they will be well-positioned to rebuild while remaining competitive during Dirk Nowitzki's waning years.
5. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Shooting Guard, Restricted
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Most (if not all) signs point to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope returning to the Detroit Pistons.
Head coach and team president Stan Van Gundy has called Caldwell-Pope's retention a "priority" this summer, per the Detroit News' Rod Beard. According to the New York Post's Marc Berman, the Pistons are "likely" to match any offer for the 24-year-old shooting guard, who's currently a restricted free agent.
However, as Berman noted, Detroit's three-year commitment to Langston Galloway and drafting of Duke's Luke Kennard—not to mention former lottery pick Stanley Johnson's presence on the roster—could make ponying up for KCP a "tough choice."
Should another team (the Brooklyn Nets?) throw an offer sheet Caldwell-Pope's way, the Pistons will have 48 hours to mull over a match. Though he's established himself as a sturdy perimeter defender, Caldwell-Pope's inconsistencies as a shooter (39.9 percent from the field, 35.0 percent from three this past season) could be cause for some serious second thought in the Motor City.
4. Danilo Gallinari, Small Forward, Unrestricted
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Danilo Gallinari remains in limbo after the first weekend of free agency. The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers appear to be front-runners for his services so far, though neither has a clear path to landing his signature.
According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Nuggets may have to renounce their rights to Gallinari and Roy Hibbert to make room for Paul Millsap. To bring Gallinari back, Denver would then have to clear more cap space for the 28-year-old Italian.
As for the Clippers, they can't offer more than the non-taxpayer mid-level exception (worth $8.4 million) to Gallinari unless they, too, find a way to free up money. That exception may not suffice for Gallo, who turned down a $16.1 million option for 2017-18 to jump into free agency.
Either team would benefit tremendously from Gallinari's services. The Nuggets know firsthand what a lethal scorer he can be. The Clippers, on the other hand, have long lacked (and long sought) someone of Gallo's caliber to serve as an offensive threat on the wing.
Per NBA.com's David Aldridge, L.A. sees him as the final piece of what could be "the best frontcourt in the league" alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.
3. George Hill, Point Guard, Unrestricted
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Update: (1:45pm et): George Hill agreed to a three-year $57M deal with the Sacramento Kings, per Yahoo's @ShamsCharania.
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George Hill was one of the top point guards on the market coming into July, and he definitively is now that Stephen Curry, Kyle Lowry and Jrue Holiday have re-signed with their respective squads. Yet Hill seems to be having trouble finding a lucrative long-term deal.
According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski, Hill and the Los Angeles Lakers are "engaging in serious talks" about what would be a one-year deal. That's a far cry from the $88.3 million extension offer from the Utah Jazz he reportedly turned down this past season.
Hill's predicament isn't entirely surprising. Between his age (31), toe injury, sky-high contract demands and the lack of both available money and need for point guards around the league, the Indianapolis native now finds himself at the mercy of what little market remains for his services.
Business aside, Hill would be an ideal fit with the young Lakers. He's an excellent outside shooter (40.3 percent from three last season) who operates well off the ball and can work as a secondary creator next to rookie Lonzo Ball and pick up opposing point guards on the other end. Hill's extensive postseason experience—he's been to eight playoffs in nine NBA campaigns—could also come in handy for a club that's spent the last four years in the lottery.
Not to mention his ties to All-Star and (potential) future Laker Paul George, with whom Hill spent five seasons in Indiana.
Per USA Today's Sam Amick, Hill could also wind up in Denver if the Nuggets can clear the requisite cap room.
2. Otto Porter Jr., Small Forward, Restricted
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Come July 6, the clock on Otto Porter Jr.'s future will officially start ticking.
According to the Sacramento Bee's Jason Jones, the Sacramento Kings have offered Porter Jr., a restricted free agent, an offer sheet worth approximately $100 million over four years. Once the NBA officially reopens for business at midnight ET on Thursday, the Washington Wizards will have 48 hours to match or decline.
Porter could have another big offer or two on the table by then. He met with the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, per CBS Sports' Matt Moore, and has plans to meet with a third team, though no word has yet leaked as to which club that might be.
Whichever organization lands Porter will have itself a floor-stretching small forward (43.4 percent from three last season) who, at 24, may yet have another level to reach as a defender and on-ball creator in the years to come.
1. Gordon Hayward, Small Forward, Unrestricted
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Update (8:15pm et): Gordon Hayward has agreed to a 4-year, $128 million contract with the Boston Celtics, with a player option on the fourth year.
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His weekend trips to Miami and Boston complete, Gordon Hayward finished making his free-agent rounds Monday, when he met Utah Jazz brass in San Diego.
According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and team radio voice David Locke, Jazz head coach Quin Snyder, general manager Dennis Lindsey, owner Gail Miller, team president Steve Starks, Rudy Gobert, Rodney Hood, recent re-signee Joe Ingles and new acquisition Ricky Rubio were all among those lobbying on behalf of the #Stayward campaign.
Rubio could be of particular interest to Hayward. Per Shelburne, the All-Star forward wanted Utah to acquire the Spanish point guard from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Then again, past reports pegged George Hill's future as a factor in Hayward's decision. Now that Rubio is around, Hill appears to be all but gone from Salt Lake City.
According to Sam Amick of USA Today, we'll find out what happens Tuesday.
All stats via NBA.com and Basketball Reference unless otherwise noted.
Josh Martin covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and listen to his Hollywood Hoops podcast with B/R Lakers lead writer Eric Pincus.
