2017 NBA Free-Agency Big Board: Top 25 Remaining Players
The nitty gritty of the NBA's silly season is upon us.
Summer leagues in Orlando and Salt Lake City are drawing to a close. The main event in Las Vegas is right around the corner. The league's pool of free agents is evaporating into the dry desert air.
Among the top 10 in Bleacher Report's initial ranking of the 100 best free agents of 2017, only Otto Porter Jr. remains even nominally on the market. His situation will be settled no later than July 8, when the Washington Wizards' deadline to match the Brooklyn Nets' offer sheet comes and goes.
But the crop that remains after the Association's annual moratorium was lifted isn't entirely shallow. The young, restricted talent is just getting started. Some of the older and more decorated players out of contract haven't re-upped just yet. The competition for available cap space will only grow more fierce from here on out.
This is when the bargains really roll in for front offices around the league. Surely, some among these 25—chosen from what's left of and ranked according to B/R's top 100 free agents—will ink deals in the days and weeks to come that make them all the more valuable in both economic and basketball terms.
25. Alex Len, Center, Restricted
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As far as restricted free agency goes, things could be worse for Alex Len. According to The Vertical's Shams Charania, Len was "discussing scenarios with teams" on July 1.
How far those conversations have gone is unclear at this point. The 24-year-old center has flashed his intriguing finesse game over two consecutive healthy seasons and could thrive on a club that doesn't try to play him next to a Tyson Chandler-type pivot like the Phoenix Suns have.
24. Derrick Rose, Point Guard, Unrestricted
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Here's one way to measure how far Derrick Rose has fallen in the NBA's eyes: 32 players signed new deals before the former MVP cracked this list of the top 25 available free agents.
Here's another: Rose is one of the "other point guards" the New York Knicks are looking at, after Rajon Rondo and on a similar level to Shelvin Mack, per ESPN.com's Ian Begley.
None of that is fair to how productive Rose was for the Knicks this past season. For all his off-court foibles and New York's on-court woes, the 28-year-old Rose posted some of his best numbers (18.0 points on 47.1 percent shooting, 4.0 free-throw attempts per game) since his career-wrecking run of knee injuries began in 2012.
23. Zaza Pachulia, Center, Unrestricted
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As of now, Zaza Pachulia is the only member of the Golden State Warriors' top seven in minutes from 2016-17 without a new contract. According to USA Today's Sam Amick, the defending champions were expected to re-sign their starting center after getting some other affairs in order.
Now that Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston are back in the Bay—and Nick Young is taking the taxpayer midlevel exception to join them—it may only be a matter of time until the 33-year-old Georgian gets a new deal to set screens, finish easy looks at the rim (53.4 percent from the field last season) and add a dash of nastiness to the Dubs' finesse-filled formula.
22. Bojan Bogdanovic, Small Forward, Restricted
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The Washington Wizards seem intent to get something out of Bojan Bogdanovic, whether he plays for them again or not.
According to CSN Mid-Atlantic's J. Michael, the Wizards planned to follow through with their qualifying offer for Bogdanovic, thereby ensuring matching rights on their restricted free agent. If his demand for $16 million per year holds—and he finds another club to extend that to him—Washington will look to sign-and-trade him, perhaps for a traded player exception to be used later.
Even with Mike Scott, the Wizards could use someone like Bogdanovic on their anemic bench. The 28-year-old swingman put up shooting splits of .473/.405/.937 during his first month in D.C. following a deadline trade with the Brooklyn Nets before seeing his production slide on account of a back injury.
21. Luc Mbah a Moute, Small Forward, Unrestricted
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To say Austin Rivers is the only player who's developed under Doc Rivers with the Los Angeles Clippers is neither fair nor entirely true. Luc Mbah a Moute may be getting up there in NBA years—he turns 31 in September—but improved all the same during his two seasons under Doc's thumb.
This past campaign, he shot a career-high 39.1 percent from three-point range, including a tidy 41.5 percent from the corners, while ably guarding some of the Association's top forwards and wings from night to night.
In today's NBA, where three-and-D forwards are a hot commodity, Mbah a Moute should make more than the $2.3 million he would've earned had he opted in to his contract with the Clippers for 2017-18.
20. Marreese Speights, Power Forward/Center, Unrestricted
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Marreese Speights had himself a productive ride on the Los Angeles Clippers' latest merry-go-round of reserves. The 29-year-old big man drained 103 three-pointers—more than double the 43 he'd tallied during his previous eight seasons combined—while drawing the second-most charges in the NBA (34).
Even if teams are still worried about Speights' weight and conditioning, there's no denying the value of a 6'10" tank who takes (and makes) threes as he pleases, impacts the game defensively from the ground and keeps things light in the locker room.
19. Milos Teodosic, Point Guard, Unrestricted
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The wait for Milos Teodosic's long-awaited NBA debut might finally be finite. According to Eurohoops.net's Nikos Varlas, the 30-year-old Euroleague star is negotiating a three-year, $24 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.
For those who haven't spent their idle hours digging deep into YouTube's recesses, Teodosic was Ricky Rubio before it was cool to be Ricky Rubio—but with a wetter jumper. The slippery 6'5" Serbian is a career 38.5 percent three-point shooter from international distance.
In L.A., he'd give the Clippers a pass-first guard, not quite on Chris Paul's level but good enough to combine with Patrick Beverley and Austin Rivers to run point next to Blake Griffin.
18. Tim Hardaway Jr., Shooting Guard, Restricted
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Tim Hardaway Jr. may have to wait for the restricted-free-agent market to pick up before he gets his deal. The Atlanta Hawks have extended him a qualifying offer but have yet to hand him anything more substantial.
Hardaway, for his part, sounds like he would be happy to come back to the ATL. As he said during his end-of-season exit interview, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Chris Vivlamore:
"I love it here. Atlanta brought me here and it really felt like I was starting all over as a rookie when I got here. They made me go through some tough times. They made me mature as a person on and off the court. And made me appreciate the game a whole lot more when I first came in the league. That's what I'm thankful for."
Indeed, Hardaway came of age with the Hawks last season. He averaged 17.5 points during his 30 regular-season starts before falling off to 12.8 as Atlanta's top 2-guard in the playoffs.
17. Nikola Mirotic, Power Forward, Restricted
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If money weren't part of the equation, Nikola Mirotic might already be a Bull again. According to the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson, Mirotic and the team "have found common ground — their desire to keep their three-year relationship going."
Chicago, though, doesn't seem keen to set the market for its restricted free agent. Instead, it'll be up to Mirotic's camp to seek out more years and money elsewhere if it wants the Bulls to match.
The 26-year-old shooter was lights out during the final month of the 2016-17 season. Over the Bulls' last 16 games, he started 13 times and averaged 15.8 points while draining 43.5 percent of his 7.2 three-point attempts a night.
16. Manu Ginobili, Shooting Guard, Unrestricted
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There's been barely a peep out of the Alamo City this July, least of all pertaining to Manu Ginobili.
The ball, though, is largely in Ginobili's court. The soon-to-be-40-year-old has yet to decide whether or not he's retiring after 15 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs.
In some respects, Ginobili is coming off the worst campaign of his career. He averaged personal lows in points (7.5), rebounds (2.3) and field-goal percentage (39.0 percent) in 2016-17.
The Spurs, though, could still use his help. With Tony Parker out deep into the 2017-18 season and Dejounte Murray coming along, it wouldn't hurt to have another veteran to assist Patty Mills with on-ball duties next to Kawhi Leonard.
15. Jonathon Simmons, Shooting Guard, Restricted
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Jonathon Simmons was last spotted playing ball at Dyckman Park alongside San Antonio Spurs teammate and New Jersey native Kyle Anderson (h/t Pounding the Rock).
That may be just the beginning of Simmons' stay in the Big Apple. According to ESPN's Ian Begley, the New York Knicks have "reached out" to the former D-Leaguer.
It'll take a lot more than contact for the Knicks to pry Simmons away from the Spurs. The 27-year-old is a restricted free agent, and given what he's shown as a frenetic two-way force on the wing, Simmons' talent and contributions may be too much for an aging San Antonio team to turn down—depending on the size of his offer sheets, of course.
14. Tyreke Evans, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Unrestricted
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Unless there's a team called the Crickets out there, the calm and quiet surrounding Tyreke Evans' free agency should come as cause for some concern. So far, there's been no news of note about Evans, who finished the 2016-17 season back where it all began for him: in Sacramento, among the Kings' ongoing quagmire.
To his credit, Evans, never known as a shooter, went 21-of-48 (43.8 percent) from three-point range during his brief return to California's capital. The 27-year-old has fallen a long way from his days as Rookie of the Year, though his size and on-ball skills should make him attractive to those corners of the NBA still seeking big wings.
13. David Lee, Power Forward, Unrestricted
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The market for David Lee has yet to move since the former All-Star declined his veteran's minimum player option with the San Antonio Spurs. Odds are, he'll have to wait for some of his younger counterparts to land their paydays before he goes ring hunting on another minimum deal.
Whichever team lands him would benefit. The 34-year-old St. Louis native contributed 7.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 18.7 minutes to the Spurs' cause this past season.
12. Rudy Gay, Small Forward, Unrestricted
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With Otto Porter Jr. practically off the market and Gordon Hayward actually so, Rudy Gay may be the best scoring wing left on the board. That could net him a new deal soon, perhaps with the Miami Heat, as the Associated Press' Tim Reynolds noted.
Gay could still have a tough time matching the $14.3 million option he turned down with the Sacramento Kings. The 30-year-old is coming off a devastating Achilles injury from which few players of any age ever adequately recover.
But the market for productive swingmen is dwindling. And if Gay can produce anything close to his career average of 18.4 points per game in 2017-18, his next contract could be well worth it.
11. Kelly Olynyk, Center, Unrestricted
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Kelly Olynyk was among the first shoes to drop after Gordon Hayward announced his free-agent decision. Once the Boston Celtics had Hayward's word, they rescinded Olynyk's qualifying offer, thereby making the Gonzaga product an unrestricted free agent.
His foray may not last much longer. According to USA Today's Sam Amick, the Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz have all kicked Olynyk's tires.
And why wouldn't they? The 7'0" center has emerged as one of the league's better shooting bigs (36.8 percent from three for his career) and captured imaginations everywhere with his 26-point outburst to boost Boston to a Game 7 win over the Washington Wizards this past spring.
10. C.J. Miles, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Unrestricted
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With Nick Young joining the Golden State Warriors and Miami securing Dion Waiters, C.J. Miles could be the next wing gunner to fly off the market. According to 1500 ESPN's Darren Wolfson, the Indiana Pacers may have a sign-and-trade deal in the works, albeit with a team yet to be named.
The 30-year-old swingman shouldn't have much trouble finding a landing spot by the time training camp rolls around. In a league obsessed with sharpshooters, Miles' career-high 41.3 percent mark from deep last season figures to catch more than a few eager eyes.
9. James Johnson, Power Forward, Unrestricted
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Now that Dion Waiters is officially staying in South Beach, James Johnson could be next in line for a payday with the Miami Heat. According to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson, Johnson and the Heat "want to make a deal," with Mark Bartelstein, Johnson's agent, who was planning to speak to Miami's brass on Wednesday.
The two sides have ample reason to stay together. Johnson had a career year with the Heat in 2016-17, averaging 12.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists. His all-around efforts played a pivotal role in Miami's turnaround from an 11-30 first-half record to a 30-11 mark thereafter.
8. Mason Plumlee, Center, Restricted
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No news isn't necessarily good news for Mason Plumlee. While all seems quiet on his front, his peers and competitors continue to gobble up what little cap space remains on the market.
As a restricted free agent, there's only so much Plumlee can do to control his own destiny. The Denver Nuggets can match whatever offer sheets land on the 27-year-old's doorstep.
Even if those don't roll in, Plumlee should find a spot on the Nuggets' roster, if not necessarily at his preferred price. For all the power forwards filling Michael Malone's depth chart, Plumlee would be the only one with the look of a bona fide backup for Nikola Jokic at center.
7. Dirk Nowitzki, Power Forward, Unrestricted
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In case anyone's confused, Dirk Nowitzki's appearance on this list in no way indicates that he and the Dallas Mavericks are parting ways. Surely, the Mavs' own website wouldn't do a full writeup of Nowitzki's charitable foundation if he were about to bolt from the Metroplex.
“His heart is as big as his strike zone,” Donnie Nelson, the team's president of basketball operations, told Mavs.com's Dwain Price. “He’s become so integrated in the community on all different levels.”
So long as the giant German can still shoot better than league average—which he did last season (37.8 percent from three)—and wants to keep going (he turned 39 in June), he'll have a place in Dallas' plans.
6. Pau Gasol, Power Forward/Center, Unrestricted
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Two weeks have come and gone since Pau Gasol declined his $16.2 million player option for the 2017-18 season, per the San Antonio Express-News' Jeff McDonald. Over that span, the San Antonio Spurs have re-signed Patty Mills...and that's about it.
With Jonathon Simmons still on the market and other holes on the roster to fill, the Spurs might as well take their time recommitting to Gasol. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, then with The Vertical, the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer opted out with the intention of returning to the Alamo City.
Though his best days have long since passed, Gasol's skill as a passer, shooter, low-post scorer and rebounder—along with his 7'0" frame and long arms—should keep him relevant in the NBA so long as he's fit to play.
5. JaMychal Green, Power Forward, Restricted
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The slow burn of restricted free agency hasn't left JaMychal Green unscathed. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Memphis Grizzlies made him a restricted free agent on July 1 and "are now awaiting an offer sheet."
Green's side, though, doesn't appear convinced that Memphis is ready to match.
"I’m looking at two offer sheets and sign-and-trades," Michael Hodges, Green's agent, told the Commercial Appeal's Ronald Tillery. "Seems to us Memphis is going in a different direction.”
Time will tell which way the Grizzlies are going. Zach Randolph's exodus to Sacramento and Tony Allen's likely departure suggest that a more full-blown youth movement may be afoot in the River City. Green, 27, is no spring chicken by NBA standards, but his newfound ability to stretch the floor (37.9 percent from three on 1.9 attempts last season) at power forward makes him a fit for just about any team in today's NBA.
4. Dewayne Dedmon, Center, Unrestricted
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Nick Young's arrival in the Bay Area leaves the Golden State Warriors with one fewer avenue to adding a player like Dewayne Dedmon to their roster. According to USA Today's Sam Amick, Dedmon had been on Golden State's watch list heading into free agency.
Instead, the USC product may have to wait and hope the San Antonio Spurs want to bring him back. Dedmon took a long-awaited step forward during his season in the Alamo City, posting career highs in points (5.1), rebounds (6.5) and field-goal percentage (62.2 percent) in 2016-17.
3. Nerlens Noel, Power Forward/Center, Restricted
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The waiting game between Nerlens Noel and the Dallas Mavericks may soon get a move on. According to HoopsHype's Alex Kennedy, the Atlanta Hawks have "shown interest" in Noel.
At present, the Hawks don't have a clear path to the cap space needed to land him. Atlanta could unload the incoming contract of Jamal Crawford or renounce its rights to Tim Hardaway Jr. and Mike Muscala to make the math work.
But why would the Hawks go to such lengths? All signs point to the Mavs matching whatever offer sheets land at the feet of their 23-year-old restricted free agent. Dallas gave up Justin Anderson, Andrew Bogut's contract and a pair of second-rounders to acquire Noel, their potential center of the future, from the Philadelphia 76ers prior to the February trade deadline.
2. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Shooting Guard, Restricted
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The end of (what's supposed to be) the NBA's dead period could bring the real beginning of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's foray into restricted free agency. What he finds there, though, may not be what he'd hoped.
Cap space of any kind—let alone the sort that could afford KCP an income into the $15 million range—is drying up with the speed of a puddle in summer heat. The few clubs that do have that flexibility probably aren't keen to tie it up for up to 48 hours in Caldwell-Pope, for whom the Detroit Pistons intend to match any offer sheet, per the New York Post's Brian Lewis.
Without any notable competition for KCP's services, the Pistons can take their time negotiating a new deal for the former lottery pick that better suits their cap crunch. At 24, Caldwell-Pope has shown promise as a perimeter defender, but he has yet to develop a consistent three-point shot (33.4 percent from deep for his career).
1. Otto Porter Jr., Small Forward, Restricted
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Technically, Otto Porter Jr. belongs on this list. Realistically, his free agency is already over.
According to NBA.com's David Aldridge, the Washington Wizards plan to match the Brooklyn Nets' max offer sheet once the league's moratorium is lifted. Thus, while Porter's next destination isn't yet set in stone, it appears to be merely a matter of time until he's back in D.C.
The Wizards, for their part, have good reason to match. The 24-year-old is a solid character off the court and a perfect fit alongside John Wall and Bradley Beal on it, with the three-point stroke (43.4 percent in 2016-17) to stretch the floor for those two dynamos.
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.
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