Every NBA Team's Top 3 Targets In 2024 Free Agency
The NBA is a 12-month league now, and that's seemingly extended to the player-movement side of the operation.
The trade deadline may have passed, but you can be sure every team is already refining plans for this summer's free-agency period.
And below, you'll find options that each of those teams should be looking at this summer.
But first, a word on who's included.
For one thing, we're not going to list any incumbents as targets. For example, Tyrese Maxey will be a restricted free agent this summer. Him being the Philadelphia 76ers' priority is sort of a given, and most of the slideshow could be taken up by situations like this if we allowed them.
So, we didn't.
Also, just because LeBron James might be a free agent doesn't mean he'll be everyone's top target. Yeah, plenty of teams would love to have him, but his list would probably be pretty short. And most are going to limited to cap exceptions and veterans minimums for free-agents signings this offseason.
So, the options below, while optimistic in plenty of cases, are also realistic and tethered to the collective bargaining agreement everyone has to abide by.
Atlanta Hawks
1 of 30
1. Isaiah Joe (Team Option)
Whether Trae Young is traded or not, it feels like the Atlanta Hawks needs more shooting to deploy around Dejounte Murray, Young or both, and they should have access to the non-taxpayer's mid-level exception ($12.9 million) to do so.
Atlanta is currently ranked in the bottom half of the league in team three-point percentage, while Joe has hit 41.5 percent of his three-point attempts since the start of last season.
2. Gary Trent Jr.
Trent has had a double-digit scoring average in each of the last four seasons and is a career 38.8 percent three-point shooter.
For a team that already has plenty of on-ball creation, a dedicated catch-and-shoot threat like Trent makes plenty of sense.
3. Tyus Jones
This is sort of the "in case Trae or Dejounte is traded" option. Tyus Jones has long been considered one of the league's best backup point guards, and his production hasn't really suffered as a starter for the Washington Wizards.
Boston Celtics
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1. Gordon Hayward
Hayward obviously wouldn't be the star the Boston Celtics desired when they first signed him back in 2017, but his size (6'7" and 225 pounds), playmaking and outside shot (he's hit 38.0 percent of his threes over the past five seasons) would still be a boon to the second unit.
And at this point in his career, signing a veteran minimum contract (all Boston has available to it this summer) to chase a championship isn't something he can rule out entirely.
2. Joe Ingles (Team Option)
Ingles checks a lot of the same boxes as Hayward, though maybe not as thoroughly. He's also two years older.
Those factors would obviously make him the more realistic potential addition, though.
3. Andre Drummond
With Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman both entering free agency this summer, the Celtics could be in the market for a backup big behind Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis.
And like Hayward, Drummond may be able to justify a little ring-chasing. He's somehow only 30, but his salary hasn't exceeded $4 million for a season since 2020-21.
Brooklyn Nets
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1. Grayson Allen
Assuming Ben Simmons will be more available next season (maybe a bold assumption, but nonetheless), the Brooklyn Nets should be interested in surrounding him with as much shooting as possible. Allen has been one of the league's best volume shooters for half a decade.
Over the past five seasons, Allen is averaging 10.8 points and 2.2 threes while shooting 41.5 percent from deep.
2. Naji Marshall
He's certainly not the shooter Allen is, but Marshall's 37.8 three-point percentage this season shows some progress. His size (6'7", 220 pounds) and potential for multipositional defense could make up for that gap in the right situation.
3. Jalen Smith (Player Option)
This one may seem a little off the wall. Smith probably won't cost all of the non-taxpayer's mid-level exception (which the Nets should have access to), but that would just mean they could use the rest of it on someone else. Smith could provide a nice wrinkle for a team that could use some frontcourt depth.
This season, he's averaging 10.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.2 threes in just 18.1 minutes while shooting 48.4 percent from three.
Charlotte Hornets
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1. Kyle Anderson
Depending on what they do with Miles Bridges, who'll be a free agent this summer, the Charlotte Hornets should have access to the non-taxpayer's mid-level exception or the room midlevel ($8 million). Kyle Anderson could be gettable in either scenario, and his defense would undoubtedly help Charlotte.
The Hornets are dead last in points allowed per 100 possessions in a season that includes some generational tanking from the Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards and San Antonio Spurs.
2. Luke Kennard (Team Option)
Of course, Charlotte could also lean even further into an offense-first roster construction and add a shooter for LaMelo Ball to kick to. In that case, Kennard would make plenty of sense.
He led the league in three-point percentage in both 2021-22 and 2022-23. For his career, he's hit 43.9 percent of his attempts from deep (a mark that ranks third in NBA history).
3. Talen Horton-Tucker
For a team as bad as the Hornets have been, you can get creative with targets. Realistically, there are needs all over the roster. There's also little risk in taking a flyer on someone.
Horton-Tucker has been in and out of the Utah Jazz's rotation this season, but his numbers still suggest there's a multipositional creator in there somewhere. Since joining the Jazz, THT has averaged 18.9 points and 6.8 assists and 5.3 rebounds per 75 possessions.
Chicago Bulls
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1. Kelly Oubre Jr.
The Chicago Bulls should have the non-taxpayer's mid-level exception. If they continue to chug along in the middle of the Eastern Conference rather than rebuild (another quiet trade deadline suggests that's in play), Oubre would be a solid option.
The outside shot is still inconsistent, but Oubre has adapted to his role as a fourth or fifth option for the Philadelphia 76ers. He makes timely cuts and knows his touches don't take priority over the stars'. His 7'3" wingspan gives him positional versatility too.
2. Moritz Wagner (Team Option)
Nikola Vučević is the only rotation-level big currently under contract for the Bulls in 2024-25, so they could certainly use some depth inside.
Wagner has quietly become one of the league's better frontcourt reserves. Over the past three seasons, he's averaged 21.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 65.3 percent on two-point attempts.
3. Isaiah Joe (Team Option)
The Bulls are 23rd in the league in threes per game and tied for 18th in three-point percentage. It wouldn't be hard to justify going after some shooting reinforcements, and Joe will be one of the better shooters available if the Oklahoma City Thunder decline his team option.
Cleveland Cavaliers
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1. Royce O'Neale
Depending on what they do with restricted free agent Isaac Okoro, the Cleveland Cavaliers could very well be in the luxury tax in 2024-25, which would limit them to the taxpayer's mid-level ($5.2 million).
That probably wouldn't be a huge issue, though. Cleveland has been one of the hottest teams in the league for over month, and it has its four best players (Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley and Darius Garland) under contract for 2024-25.
Now, it's about tweaking or complementary moves, and O'Neale fits that bill. Mitchell's 30-year-old former teammate will guard multiple positions, move the ball a little bit and hit open threes. He's a career 38.2 percent three-point shooter.
2. Luke Kennard (Team Option)
An Ohio high school legend, Kennard wouldn't check the defensive box that O'Neale does, but he's also a more reliable outside shooter. Though he hasn't been given an opportunity to do it much since he was a Detroit Piston, Kennard can run some offense, too.
3. Kelly Olynyk
Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz insists Cleveland fans haven't forgotten Olynyk injuring Kevin Love's shoulder during the 2015 postseason, but maybe seeing his unique combination of outside shooting, playmaking and flowing mane in the wine and gold would lead to reconciliation.
The Cavs could use a floor-spacing big to play with either of Allen or Mobley, and Olynyk has averaged 15.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.6 threes per 75 possessions while shooting 40.1 percent from deep since the start of last season.
Dallas Mavericks
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1. Royce O'Neale
O'Neale is one of those plug-and-play wings who'd fit on most (if not all) rosters in the league right now. For an organization that devotes so much usage to Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, O'Neale's no-fuss game would help a lot.
He might be gettable for the taxpayer's mid-level exception that the Dallas Mavericks will have, too.
2. Bruce Brown (Team Option)
The Toronto Raptors spending a first-round pick on Olynyk suggests they're still interested in trying to compete next season. That makes them picking up the team option (either to keep him in the rotation or have a trade chip) on Bruce Brown feel pretty likely.
But if they do let him go, Brown could give the Mavericks much of what was described with O'Neale. The key difference may Brown's background playing the point, which gives him an extra layer of versatility that may make up for his career 33.7 three-point percentage.
3. Cedi Osman
Osman isn't the defender O'Neale or Brown is. He probably isn't quite the playmaker Brown is, either.
But he's 6'7" and 230 pounds, and he's hit 37.4 percent of his three-point attempts over the past two seasons.
Denver Nuggets
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1. Andre Drummond
Ever since they lost Mason Plumlee after the 2019-20 season, the Denver Nuggets' minutes without Nikola Jokić have been a disaster. While the success of the "Aaron Gordon at the 5" lineups during Denver's title run suggest finding a backup 5 isn't an emergency, a legitimate center behind Jokić could go a long way toward preserving the starting frontcourt for deep playoff runs.
If Drummond is willing to take a veteran minimum to chase a title, the over-the-second-apron Nuggets would give him a great shot at a ring.
2. Mason Plumlee
If Plumlee was around the last time Denver got consistently solid minutes out of Jokić's backup, maybe there's an argument to run it back with him.
He turns 34 in March, but Plumlee had a double-digit scoring average just last season. He remains an underrated playmaker who knows how to take up a lot of space on defense.
3. Delon Wright
The other potential reason for Nuggets dropoffs without Jokić on the floor is the absence of his playmaking. Perhaps if the second unit had a more reliable table-setter to make life easier for the backup bigs, that position wouldn't catch as much flak.
Delon Wright could very well be that kind of playmaker. For his career, he's averaged 5.4 assists per 75 possessions.
Detroit Pistons
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1. Pascal Siakam
Finally, a team with some cap space. The Detroit Pistons can clear out enough room to sign someone to a max. If things between Siakam and the Indiana Pacers somehow crash and burn between now and this offseason, Detroit could make an aggressive push.
The Pistons have allowed Cade Cunningham (and now Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren) to languish in a losing environment for too long. Siakam would give them a high-volume scorer and multipositional defender who could offer some course correction.
2. Tobias Harris
Of course, there's little chance things sour between Siakam and the Pacers to the degree they let him walk. In that case, someone like Harris would make sense.
He's never made an All-Star team, and he doesn't play-make the way Siakam does, but 18.2 points and a 38.6 three-point percentage since the start of 2017-18 show that Harris is a more than solid floor spacer. He has higher upside as a defender than Bojan Bogdanović (who previously occupied the role Harris would walk into).
3. Miles Bridges
Bridges is younger than both Siakam and Harris. He's averaging 21.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 37.1 percent from deep. He played his college basketball at Michigan State.
Of course, signing him comes with significant potential off-court concerns (he pled no contest to felony domestic violence charges in 2022).
Golden State Warriors
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1. Alec Burks
The options available to the Golden State Warriors depend a lot on what they do with Klay Thompson and whether they keep Chris Paul (whose 2024-25 salary is fully non-guaranteed).
If they sign the former to a deal that pays him far less than his $49.4 million cap hold (a distinct possibility, given the way this season has played out) and cut CP3, they could get access to an exception. But even if they're only dealing with veteran minimums, Stephen Curry should still have the cachet to attract some ring-chasers.
Thirty-two-year-old journeyman and former Warrior Alec Burks could be in that camp. His 18.8 points, 3.6 assists and 2.9 threes per 75 possessions and 40.3 three-point percentage over the past five seasons would fit in nicely on Golden State's bench.
2. Naji Marshall
Marshall may not be at the post-prime portion of his career, but he's also not likely to command big-money offers in free agency. The opportunity to play a supplementary role alongside Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green would be hard to pass up.
3. Cedi Osman
Osman wouldn't dramatically change the Warriors' fortunes, but he checks a lot of the boxes this front office typically hopes to check with a player. He's a solid shooter, he doesn't dominate the ball and he moves well without it.
Houston Rockets
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1. Tyus Jones
The Houston Rockets can get to around $12-13 million in cap space, but that would require the renouncing of some cap holds and the declining of some team options. The non-taxpayer's mid-level would put them in the same price range for free agents anyway.
Jones would be a decent option for them there, even with Fred VanVleet on the roster and Amen Thompson emerging as a 6'7" playmaker. Jones has been one of the game's best reserve guards for years, and his low-turnover game would be a solid change of pace from Thompson.
2. Bruce Brown (Team Option)
Brown wouldn't provide as much creation as Jones, but again, Houston might not need that. There's plenty of ball-handling tied up in VanVleet, Thompson and Jalen Green.
But he does create some, and his experience as the rim-runner in inverted pick-and-rolls would come in handy with the aforementioned playmakers. He can bring some defense and attitude that's missing from a lot of other free agents, too.
3. Luke Kennard (Team Option)
Assuming Thompson and Green show enough to be trusted into 2024-25, Houston might opt instead for a pure shooter like Kennard to space the floor.
Neither of those young guards commands a ton of attention as a three-point shooter right now, so someone with Kennard's outside shooting ability could bring some balance to the roster.
Indiana Pacers
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1. De'Anthony Melton
The Indiana Pacers are in dire need of some defensive help, and Melton can provide that to the backcourt.
He's only 6'2", but he plays a lot bigger, thanks in part to a 6'8" wingspan. Over the past four seasons, he's hit 38.4 percent of his three-point attempts. Playing alongside Tyrese Haliburton would get him a lot more looks out there.
2. Gordon Hayward
The Pacers can get to some cap space, but they'd have to renounce their rights to Pascal Siakam, Obi Toppin and Doug McDermott. At least the first two names there feel like pretty safe bets to return. In that scenario, they're likely in that non-taxpayer's mid-level exception range. They may be one of the teams that could justify giving Hayward some of that.
This isn't just one of those hokey homecoming angles, either. Yes, Hayward played his high school and college ball in Indiana, but adding him to the Pacers would have a lot more to do with his ability to slide through multiple positions in a lineup and hit catch-and-shoot threes generated by Haliburton.
3. Royce O'Neale
O'Neale is probably the more reliable (in terms of health) but lower-volume and smaller version of all of the above described with Hayward.
Los Angeles Clippers
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1. Kelly Olynyk
The Los Angeles Clippers' ability to play smaller lineups with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on the floor has been one of their great strengths during this era.
Olynyk's shooting and playmaking might give them the opportunity to get most of the benefits of those lineups without sacrificing near as much size.
Of course, L.A. will be limited to veteran minimums, and Olynyk will certainly have more lucrative options elsewhere, but the allure of chasing a title on one of the league's best rosters might be strong enough to make up the monetary difference for a 33-year-old who's already made over $90 million in salary.
2. Josh Okogie (Player Option)
Okogie is more likely to take the minimum (he's playing on one now), and though he's seven inches shorter than 6'11" Olynyk, he's a high-end athlete and solid rebounder who could also fit well within small-ball lineups.
3. Aaron Wiggins (Team Option)
At 6'6", Wiggins would also fit seamlessly into the largely positionless, highly switchable lineups L.A. has been keen to roll out over the years. His career 38.6 three-point percentage would help draw attention away from Kawhi and PG's slashing lanes.
Los Angeles Lakers
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1. DeMar DeRozan
The Los Angeles Lakers have been playing better of late, but they're still in the bottom half of the league in points per 100 possessions. The pull of being his hometown team may be enough to get DeMar DeRozan to sign for the taxpayer's mid-level exception or a minimum to help on that end.
He'll turn 35 before next season, and his teams have been worse with him on the floor in all but two of his NBA seasons, but no one's ever really played him in the role that makes the most of his game.
DeRozan should be a heat-check scorer and lead ball-handler off the bench, and he might be willing to do that for the Lakers.
2. Kelly Olynyk
Lakers fans, media and executives hoping for a three-point breakout from Anthony Davis feels like an annual tradition at this point, but it's just not likely to happen. He's made just 24.8 percent of his three-point attempts over the past four seasons, but there are still benefits to playing him at the 4 (or at least alongside another big).
Olynyk might be the perfect 5 to spare AD the physicality that sometimes comes with playing the 5, while also being able to space the floor around him.
3. Kelly Oubre
Oubre could be a lower-level version of the approach described with DeRozan, though he's nowhere near the same creator for others. The possible upside is that Oubre is an easier fit within the defense-first philosophy L.A. has pursued for years (though he's certainly no individual lockdown guy himself).
Memphis Grizzlies
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1. Jonas Valančiūnas
The Memphis Grizzlies traded the injured Steven Adams earlier this season, but if there's one thing we've learned from their injury-plagued season, it's that Jaren Jackson Jr. needs a bruising, space-taking center alongside him to do all the less glamorous things required of big men.
Valančiūnas is still a double-double machine and former Grizzly who turns 32 in May. He might be willing to play for the taxpayer's mid-level exception at this point in his career.
2. Andre Drummond
The game had seemingly evolved beyond Drummond's skill set a few years ago, but he remains one of the most dominant rebounders in the league. Memphis, which would have JJJ spacing from the frontcourt, might be the perfect spot for his game.
Over his two seasons with the Bulls, Drummond is averaging 17.6 points, 19.2 rebounds (!), 2.2 steals and 1.3 blocks per 75 possessions.
3. Kyle Anderson
Anderson obviously isn't the bruiser JV or Drummond is, but he's one of the game's most versatile defenders and playmakers. Playing him with JJJ could give Memphis a suffocating resistance.
The rest of the roster would just have to be very committed to gang rebounding from the perimeter when both are on the floor.
Miami Heat
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1. Kelly Olynyk
Apologies if you're sick of seeing Olynyk. He's just such a seamless fit on so many rosters, and the Miami Heat, who can get to the non-taxpayer's midlevel exception, were reportedly interested in him ahead of the trade deadline.
It's not hard to see why. Bam Adebayo isn't an outside shooter, so playing him alongside a spacer like Olynyk would open up the floor while keeping the frontcourt physically formidable inside.
2. Isaiah Hartenstein
He wouldn't make near as much sense alongside Bam as Olynyk, but Miami could still use a backup center. Isaiah Hartenstein's defensive drive and underrated passing would give the Heat some continuity between Bam and non-Bam minutes.
3. Talen Horton-Tucker
For years, the Heat, thanks to coach Erik Spoelstra and his staff, have been one of the league's best spots for individual reclamation projects.
Horton-Tucker's potential as a wrecking-ball playmaker could be unlocked if Miami could coax more consistent outside shooting out of him.
Milwaukee Bucks
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1. Eric Gordon (Player Option)
Eric Gordon is 35 and undersized for a wing, but the Milwaukee Bucks need to bulk up their second unit with the veteran minimums they'll have available, and Gordon can still do that.
As a spot starter for the Phoenix Suns this season, Gordon is averaging 12.6 points, 2.5 threes and 2.3 assists in 29.7 minutes while shooting 38.8 percent from deep.
2. Jae'Sean Tate (Team Option)
He's far from the shooter Gordon is, but Tate is a stout defender (even if he's only 6'4") who showed some playmaking chops prior to this season. The Damian Lillard version of the Bucks is in serious need of some perimeter defense.
3. Alec Burks
Burks would be a slightly bigger (though probably less reliable on defense) version of Gordon for Milwaukee.
Minnesota Timberwolves
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1. Gary Harris
Depending on what they do with free agents like Mike Conley, Monte Morris and Kyle Anderson, the Minnesota Timberwolves could be pushing up against that dreaded second apron line. So they're likely looking at the taxpayer's mid-level exception or veteran minimums.
In either case, given their proximity to title contention, they might be able to convince a veteran like Gary Harris to come on board to provide some perimeter defense and outside shooting.
2. Luke Kennard (Team Option)
For a little less of the former and more of the latter, Kennard would make some sense. The big lineups with Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels could benefit from a bit more spacing, and Kennard can provide that.
3. Naji Marshall
He's not as reliable a shooter as Kennard or as experienced as Harris, but Marshall's size (6'7") and defensive upside could fit nicely on a team that's already dominant on that end.
New Orleans Pelicans
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1. Malik Monk
Renouncing the rights to Jonas Valančiūnas would make it relatively easy to get to the non-taxpayer's mid-level exception, and Malik Monk would be a good use of that flexibility.
Monk has suddenly become an underrated playmaker, with a career-high 5.3 assists this season, but he hasn't given up the heat-check scoring.
He'd juice the New Orleans Pelicans' second unit.
2. Tyus Jones
CJ McCollum has done a solid job of running the Pelicans offense since he came over from the Portland Trail Blazers, but he's still an off-guard at heart.
Adding Tyus Jones would give the team a more dedicated table-setter, while giving McCollum some more off-ball opportunities to cook as a scorer.
3. Kelly Olynyk
With Herbert Jones and Zion Williamson often sharing the floor, things can get a bit cramped for New Orleans' attack. Even Brandon Ingram isn't really the kind of three-point threat who bends defenses outward.
Having Kelly Olynyk on the floor with Williamson would give him much wider driving lanes to exploit and another lob-passer to set him up around the rim.
New York Knicks
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1. De'Anthony Melton
De'Anthony Melton just screams "Thibodeau style" player. He's a good perimeter defender. And though he's probably undersized for his position, he doesn't play like it.
Lineups with him, OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson could be tenacious, and he should be gettable for something within the non-taxpayer's mid-level exception range.
2. Dario Šarić
If the New York Knicks lose Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency, they'll need a backup 5 behind Mitchell Robinson. Dario Šarić would give them the ability to play more versatile, offensively dynamic lineups.
This season, he's averaging 17.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.7 threes per 75 possessions, while shooting 40.2 percent from deep.
3. Tyus Jones
Between Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, there's a lot of playmaking here, but a more traditional backup 1 to occasionally spell Brunson wouldn't hurt.
Oklahoma City Thunder
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1. Paul George (Player Option)
Paul George had arguably the best season of his career for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2018-19, when he finished third in MVP voting. Right after that campaign, he was traded to the Clippers for a package that included 2023-24 MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
It may take some trades and creativity to expand around $30 million in cap space to what George's max (or near max will be), but if OKC brought PG back, it would be a title contender (assuming it isn't already).
2. OG Anunoby (Player Option)
If things somehow fall apart between now and the end of the campaign between the Knicks and OG Anunoby, OKC would be a perfect landing spot for his perimeter defense and three-point shooting.
There's plenty of scoring on the roster from SGA, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. Anunoby could be the ideal gap filler for that trio.
3. Isaiah Hartenstein
One of the few weaknesses for this roster is a lack of size (though its ability to play five-out is also a strength). A backup big who could give them another option for how to play for 15-20 minutes per game wouldn't hurt.
Orlando Magic
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1. Malik Monk
The Franz Wagner-Paolo Banchero partnership has immense potential for the Orlando Magic, but this season has repeatedly shown they could use a bit more traditional guard play.
And Monk can provide that. Literally, just a bit. He could be a nominal point guard who takes some pressure off Wagner and Banchero while still giving them plenty of opportunities to run the offense themselves.
2. Tyrese Maxey (Restricted)
Maxey is the pie-in-the-sky version of that pursuit. There's next to no chance the Philadelphia 76ers fail to match whatever offer sheet he signs, but if things go horribly wrong the rest of the way, he's worth a shot for teams with cap space.
And if the Magic cut Jonathan Isaac, decline Joe Ingles' team option and renounce the rights to some of their own free agents, they could offer Maxey a max.
3. James Harden
Harden would be a bold move for Orlando. He's 34 and would obviously take a ton of playmaking opportunities away from Wagner and Banchero, but his passing and recently more selective scoring would boost an offense that's languished in the bottom 10 all season.
Philadelphia 76ers
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1. LeBron James (Player Option)
Joel Embiid, Paul Reed and whoever they draft in June are the only players under contract (or in the case of the pick, hypothetically under contract) for the 76ers next season.
They have the cap space to go wild and then still retain some of their own free agents (like Maxey) with Bird rights.
And as LeBron James' career winds down, the opportunity to play with the reigning MVP would have to hold some intrigue.
2. Paul George (Player Option)
George would be the easier-to-integrate option for a superstar addition. His high-volume three-point shooting would pull defenses away from Embiid and Maxey, and he'd be an upgrade in terms of perimeter defense too.
3. OG Anunoby (Player Option)
And finally, this is the star option that would be more of a lean into defense, without taking many on-ball opportunities away from Maxey and Embiid.
Phoenix Suns
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1. Derrick Jones Jr.
As they were last summer, the Phoenix Suns are likely going to be limited to veteran minimum contracts, and Derrick Jones Jr. would be a decent option with that limited flexibility.
The high flyer is averaging a career-high 9.6 points this season and shooting a respectable 34.1 percent from deep.
2. Reggie Jackson (Player Option)
Phoenix is getting by just fine with Bradley Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant handling the playmaking duties, but occasional stretches with a more traditional 1 could help the second unit.
Jackson has settled nicely into pretty much that same role with the Nuggets this season.
3. Killian Hayes
Hayes would give the Suns similar optionality as Jackson, while also giving them a shot at a redemption project.
His shooting has been disaster-level bad throughout his career, but averages of 7.2 assists and 1.7 steals per 75 possessions suggest there could be something there.
Portland Trail Blazers
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1. Killian Hayes
It's wild that a team as bad as the Portland Trail Blazers could be in the luxury tax next season, which would limit them to the taxpayer's mid-level exception.
Whether they make moves to get under or not, they're in good shape to take some swings on players who didn't live up to expectations in previous stops.
Hayes obviously fits that description. And though the young core already features plenty of playmaking (or potential playmaking) from Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, I'm typically of the "the more passing, the better" philosophy.
2. Cam Reddish (Player Option)
Reddish has failed to live up to expectations at multiple stops now, but he's 6'8", still just 24, a solid athlete and a theoretical shooter.
As a top-two recruit from his high school class, he might be worth one more flier.
3. Talen Horton-Tucker
One more option in the "just needs the right situation" camp, THT has shown enough as a creator to backup Henderson and Malcolm Brogdon, and his 7'1" wingspan makes it possible to occasionally play him on the wing too.
Sacramento Kings
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1. Bruce Brown (Team Option)
With all the playmaking De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis provide, the pseudo-point guard role Monk fills off the bench works just fine for that second unit.
Brown could play a similar game, just with better defense and less reliable shooting.
2. Kyle Anderson
Another non-traditional playmaker, Anderson could run the Sacramento Kings' second unit while also providing plenty of multipositional defense for a salary at or under the non-taxpayer's mid-level exception.
3. Royce O'Neale
He's probably not quite the creator Brown or Anderson is, but O'Neale has quietly averaged 3.3 assists per 75 possessions for his career and can still provide a boost to the Kings' defense.
San Antonio Spurs
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1. LeBron James (Player Option)
The San Antonio Spurs can get to over $30 million in cap space. With a little creativity or a sign-and-trade involving Keldon Johnson, they might be able to bring in a max-level player.
And just imagine for a moment the possibility of Victor Wembanyama's development being accelerated by the presence of LeBron on the roster.
He'd instantly solve the (often self-imposed) point guard crisis in San Antonio, while showing Wemby the blueprint for navigating over-the-top hype up close.
2. Paul George (Player Option)
George obviously doesn't bring the playmaking LeBron does, but his outside shooting and perimeter defense would still make life easier for Wembanyama on both ends.
3. Jrue Holiday (Player Option)
The benefit of going after Holiday is that he wouldn't cost as much as either of the wings above. San Antonio might be able to get him while keeping Johnson and Devin Vassell.
He'd also give the team a reliable, championship-winning creator to set Wemby up. An outside-inside combination with he and Wembanyama on defense would be nightmarish for opponents too.
Toronto Raptors
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1. Klay Thompson
Another team that can get to pretty significant cap space, the Toronto Raptors seem intent on more of a reboot than a full-scale teardown and rebuild (as evidenced by them spending a first-round pick to get Olynyk).
And if they want the recently acquired Immanuel Quickley to be successful as the franchise's new lead playmaker, surrounding him with shooting would help.
Thompson's basketball mortality has been overanalyzed all season, but he's still shooting 39.5 percent from three on 9.7 attempts over the last three seasons.
2. Malik Monk
Monk could check that same box as Thompson, but he's younger and proving to be a better playmaker this season.
3. Jonas Valančiūnas
Of course, Toronto giving up a first for Olynyk doesn't guarantee he'll come back. He could have plenty of suitors this summer, including some that will likely be closer to contention than the Raptors.
If he walks, they would need another 5 to either backup or start over Jakob Poeltl. And Valančiūnas played the first six-plus seasons of his career with Toronto.
Utah Jazz
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1. OG Anunoby (Player Option)
The Utah Jazz have been in asset-accumulation mode for much of the last two seasons, but the All-Star level play of Lauri Markkanen and emergence of Walker Kessler could justify win-now moves with their cap space this summer.
And Anunoby and Kessler could be the foundation of a playoff-caliber defense to support Markkanen.
2. Klay Thompson
A more offensive-minded approach could lead Utah to Thompson, who could combine with Markkanen to give the Jazz one of the league's higher-volume outside attacks.
3. Jrue Holiday (Player Option)
Holiday might get in the way of the development of Keyonte George, but he'd undoubtedly put Markkanen closer to playoff contention. His experience alongside the young core could also be a long-term win.
There are plenty of prospects for whom tutelage is nearly as important as on-court reps.
Washington Wizards
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1. Nic Claxton
With Daniel Gafford now on the Dallas Mavericks, the Washington Wizards will have a need at center. And they can get to over $20 million in cap space to go after players to fill it.
Though he might be hard to pry away from the Brooklyn Nets, Nic Claxton would make some sense as a rim-runner and protector to pair with emerging potential point forward Deni Avdija.
2. De'Anthony Melton
Melton is another player who could accelerate this rebuild a touch with his perimeter defense and reliable three-point shooting.
3. Killian Hayes
Of course, Washington hasn't given many signals that it even wants to accelerate the timeline. And in that case, it could easily justify a flier on a reclamation project like Hayes.
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