2024 NBA Free Agency Big Board: Ranking the Top 25 Players Available This Summer
Now that the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline is over, teams largely are what they are at this point in the season. Some might get healthier, and others may still tinker around the edges on the buyout market, but there aren't many avenues for drastic improvement anymore.
The next opportunity for major roster improvement will come during the offseason via the draft, trades and free agency. So, who are the top projected free agents this summer, and are they likely to relocate, re-sign or extend before free agency even begins?
Few teams project to have the spending power this offseason to go after the most expensive talent. Teams over the NBA's projected $141 million salary cap for 2024-25 will be limited to offering the $12.9 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception—provided they stay under the $178.7 million first apron.
The leaguewide lack of financial flexibility may lead to many free agents re-signing with their team via Bird rights. But harsher penalties for high-spending teams above the $189.5 million second apron may also depress spending. It's worth keeping a close eye on how the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement impacts the 2024 free-agent class.
No. 25: Saddiq Bey
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Team: Atlanta Hawks
Current Deal: Four years, $13.0 million
2023-24 Salary: $4.6 million
Consider Bey a placeholder for snubbed [Player X]. His spot on this list is tenuous, as Bey may have good size for a wing, but he doesn't use it particularly well defensively.
The positives are that he's durable, plays heavy minutes (32.6 per game), and can start (44 games) or come off the bench (12). Bey's scoring is adequate (13.6 points per game), but his shooting is not (32.3 percent from three-point range).
Complicating matters is that Bey will be a restricted free agent. Generally, teams are hesitant to give offer sheets to players whom they may not get because of the speed of free agency. Most significant decisions are locked in by July 2, and the answer on an offer sheet can't come until July 7 at the earliest.
No. 24: Gordon Hayward
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Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Current Deal: Four years, $120.0 million
2023-24 Salary: $31.5 million
Does Gordon Hayward belong on the list of top free agents? It's not a lock given his age—he'll turn 34 in late March—and lengthy injury history.
Teams thinking of the future should prioritize younger talent, but Hayward was a productive starter in 25 games for the Charlotte Hornets (14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists). He's an average shooter from three-point range (36.1 percent), and while he isn't a force defensively, he still tallied 1.1 steals per game.
The Hornets sent Hayward to the Thunder before the trade deadline, and he's still getting acclimated to his new surroundings. It remains to be seen if he was just an older vet putting up numbers on a terrible team in Charlotte or if he has something to offer to a contender off the bench moving forward.
No. 23: De'Anthony Melton
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Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Current Deal: Four years, $34.6 million
2023-24 Salary: $8.0 million
De'Anthony Melton's position on this list may seem low, but he recently missed more than a month with a back injury. He's averaging a career-high 11.8 points a game, but he went from shooting 39.0 percent from deep last year to 36.8 percent this year.
Still, Melton is a solid starter on one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference (when healthy) and has fans in several front offices around the league. Two-way players are often in high demand in free agency, although finishing around the rim remains an issue for Melton.
No. 22: Gary Trent Jr.
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Team: Toronto Raptors
Current Deal: Three years, $51.8 million
2023-24 Salary: $18.6 million
Gary Trent Jr.'s stock has dipped a bit, as he went from scoring 17.4 points per game last year to only 11.8 this season. However, the Raptors are going through a significant restructuring this season, which contributed to that decline.
Trent is shooting a career-best 41.9 percent from three-point range and has enough length to be disruptive defensively. He still has plenty to offer, but his salary may drop to the NTMLE range, especially if the Raptors go in a different direction this offseason.
No. 21: Miles Bridges
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Team: Charlotte Hornets
Current Deal: One year, $7.9 million
2023-24 Salary: $7.9 million
Based solely on production and talent, Bridges should rank much higher on this list. However, he has a problematic legal history, including a no-contest plea in 2022 to a felony domestic violence charge.
That will cause some teams to cross him off their board entirely. But others may see the opportunity to get talent (perhaps at a discounted price) and will overlook his past issues.
Don't be surprised if the Hornets to try to sign-and-trade Bridges to a team that commits to staying below the first apron.
No. 20: Isaiah Hartenstein
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Team: New York Knicks
Current Deal: Two years, $16 million
2023-24 Salary: $9.2 million
The 2024 free-agent class has a shortage of big men, and Hartenstein is a young, serviceable role player who rebounds and finishes well around the basket (62.1 percent from the field this season).
Hartenstein's future in New York may depend on Mitchell Robinson's health (ankle), but he seems like a keeper if the Knicks can fit him into their long-term budget.
No. 19: Tyus Jones
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Team: Washington Wizards
Current Deal: Two years, $29 million
2023-24 Salary: $14 million
The Wizards are rebuilding and may not want to reinvest in Tyus Jones, who will turn 28 in May. Jones doesn't have great size (6'1"), but he is one of the few true point guards in the NBA who prioritizes teammates' scoring over his own.
Jones is shooting a career-high 43.0 percent from three-point range this season and is averaging 12.3 points and 7.0 assists per game.
Not many teams will have spending power this summer. Jones could be another sign-and-trade candidate after the Wizards rebuffed lowball offers from teams at the trade deadline.
No. 18: D'Angelo Russell
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Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Current Deal: Two years, $36 million ($18.7 million player option in 2024-25)
2023-24 Salary: $17.3 million
Starting with a season-high 39-point eruption against the Utah Jazz on Jan. 13, D'Angelo Russell averaged 24.0 points on 46.6 percent shooting and 6.5 assists per game in the 13 games leading up to the trade deadline. That might have helped convince the Lakers to stand pat, although they did explore his trade market.
The bigger question now is Russell's playoff viability alongside Austin Reaves against teams like the Denver Nuggets. Either way, his second stint with the Lakers may be brief, as he can opt out to explore free agency or opt in for a trade (or another year in Los Angeles).
Russell could be the best starting point guard in free agency, depending on how the rest of the market plays out. He's a bit of a polarizing player, but his shooting ability is hard to deny.
No. 17: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
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Team: Denver Nuggets
Current Deal: Two years, $30.1 million ($15.4 million player option in 2024-25)
2023-24 Salary: $14.7 million
Throughout his career, too many people have focused more on what Kentavious Caldwell-Pope doesn't do well than what he brings to a championship-caliber team. His two rings (Nuggets and Lakers) were well-earned, as he continues to defend passionately, hit his threes and free throws and is content as a winning role player.
Denver doesn't have a ton of depth and really can't afford to let Caldwell-Pope go this offseason. The team also has CBA-related concerns as a heavy spender.
In a perfect world, perhaps there's a salary at a lower price but on a longer, multi-year deal that works as a compromise for both parties if KCP opts out.
No. 16: Nicolas Claxton
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Team: Brooklyn Nets
Current Deal: Two years, $17.3 million
2023-24 Salary: $9.6 million
Nic Claxton projects to be the best young big man on the free-agent market this offseason. He's averaging a double-double with the Nets (12.0 points and 10.1 rebounds) along with 2.2 blocks per game. He's efficient at the hoop (62.1 percent) and won't turn 25 until April.
So, why wouldn't the Nets keep him? They very well might since they have his Bird rights. However, Claxton isn't extension-eligible since he's on a two-year contract, so Brooklyn has to wait for him to hit free agency to decide.
If a team with cap room needs a big, the Nets may find themselves facing significant competition for him.
No. 15: DeMar DeRozan
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Team: Chicago Bulls
Current Deal: Three years, $81.9 million
2023-24 Salary: $28.6 million
DeMar DeRozan remains one of the best scorers of his generation. He's averaging 22.6 points per game this season with the Bulls even though he turns 35 in August.
DeRozan still doesn't space the floor well from three-point range—he's a career 29.5 percent shooter from deep and is currently at 33.3 percent this season—but that hasn't kept stopped him from making All-Star teams as recently as 2022-23.
The Bulls have struggled to win consistently in recent years and could choose to go in a different direction this offseason. But the intel suggests that Chicago isn't ready to rebuild and may look to extend DeRozan before he hits free agency.
No. 14: Klay Thompson
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Team: Golden State Warriors
Current Deal: Five years, $189.9 million
2023-24 Salary: $43.2 million
Klay Thompson is having a down year, but he's still averaging 17.1 points per game while shooting 37.2 percent from three. His "bad" is still better than the league average.
Still, the 34-year-old Thompson had a pair of significant leg injuries in recent years that have impacted his production defensively.
The Warriors seem intent on getting below the luxury tax (or at least the second apron) this offseason. If so, Thompson is looking at a significant pay cut in free agency, which may lead to him looking elsewhere for better offers (perhaps from the Philadelphia 76ers or Orlando Magic).
No. 13: Buddy Hield
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Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Current Deal: Four years, $94 million
2023-24 Salary: $19.8 million
The Sixers have a number of key players hitting free agency this summer, including trade-deadline pickup Buddy Hield. They could have significant spending power in free agency, but some of that money may go to Hield considering how well he has fit with them so far.
The 31-year-old shot well with the Indiana Pacers this year (38.4 percent from deep), although he averaged only 12.0 points per game in a smaller role. In his first seven games with the Sixers, Hield is averaging 18.1 points per game while shooting 43.8 percent from deep.
If he can keep that up, especially when Joel Embiid returns from a knee injury, Hield may stick in Philadelphia beyond this season.
No. 12: Malik Monk
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Team: Sacramento Kings
Current Deal: Two years, $19.4 million
2023-24 Salary: $9.9 million
Malik Monk is the current front-runner for the Sixth Man of the Year award, per FanDuel Sportsbook. The 26-year-old is averaging a career-high 15.2 points per game while shooting 37.3 percent from three, but his leap to 5.2 assists (almost twice his career average) is particularly notable.
The Kings only have Monk's Early Bird rights, which means they can't offer him a starting salary above $17.4 million. That would only matter if one of the teams with cap space comes calling. Otherwise, the Kings should have no issue bringing back a core piece in their rotation.
No. 11: Tobias Harris
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Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Current Deal: Five years, $180 million
2023-24 Salary: $39.3 million
If Tobias Harris has detractors, it's probably based more on his salary than who he is as a player. Harris has provided NBA teams with steady scoring dating back to 2012-13, but the Sixers overpaid him in 2019.
He'll be up for a new contract this summer and is likely headed for a significant pay drop. But he still may have a future in Philadelphia, depending on their other options in free agency.
Harris will turn 32 in July, but he's relatively durable and a solid contributor for the team.
No. 10: Jonas Valančiūnas
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Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Current Deal: Two years, $30.1 million
2023-24 Salary: $15.4 million
While Jonas Valančiūnas isn't averaging close to the 17.8 points per game that he did in his first season with the Pelicans (2021-22), he's filling an essential role as a 25.6-minutes-per-game true center on one of the more exciting young teams in the Western Conference. The soon-to-be 32-year-old Valančiūnas isn't just hitting his prime like Nic Claxton, but he also shouldn't be as expensive.
Valančiūnas averaged 30.3 minutes per game during his first season in New Orleans, but the Pelicans' goal was always to maximize the rotation around a healthy Zion Williamson. New Orleans can easily go smaller when needed, but Valančiūnas gives the team a 6'11", 265-pound traditional center. In a conference with Nikola Jokić, that's a nice luxury to have.
Based on his age and the NBA's shift away from traditional centers, Valančiūnas figures to most appeal to playoff contenders in need of size. Unfortunately, most of those teams won't have the means to pay him enough in free agency.
For the Pelicans, the bigger-picture questions involve luxury taxes and aprons. The best guess: There's a price right above the NTMLE that works for both the team and Valančiūnas.
No. 9: Grayson Allen
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Team: Phoenix Suns
Current Deal: Two years, $18.7 million
2023-24 Salary: $8.9 million
You might be surprised to see Grayson Allen listed as a top-10 free agent, but he's been a vital part of the Suns this season. Allen has started in all of his 52 games, and he's shooting a league-leading 48.5 percent from three-point range. He fights (within his ability) on defense, can play on or off the ball and knows how to play off star talent like Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Milwaukee Bucks weren't ready to invest heavily in him when his rookie-scale contract expired. They gave him a two-year, $20 million extension, which he has since outperformed. He'll soon get a chance to sign his third contract earlier than most of his draft class.
Allen, who will turn 29 in October, is a ready-made role player who may test the Suns' willingness to spend this offseason. The new CBA's rules greatly restrict expensive contenders, and the Suns already have three players earning about $150 million combined (Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Durant). Can they afford to pay Allen enough not to relocate in free agency?
The Suns have Allen's Bird rights, but do they have the budget to retain him? Can they function effectively without him? They aren't likely to find what he brings to the table in minimum-contract free agents.
No. 8: Immanuel Quickley
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Team: Toronto Raptors
Current Deal: Four years, $10.8 million
2023-24 Salary: $4.2 million
Immanuel Quickley was a draft-day steal (No. 25 in 2020) for the New York Knicks, but they weren't ready to give him an extension worth $20-25 million annually. The Raptors capitalized on that by acquiring him in a package for OG Anunoby in late December.
After averaging 15.0 points and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 39.5 percent from three in 30 appearances off the bench with New York, Quickley has jumped to 16.9 points and 5.6 assists per game across 22 outings with Toronto, and he's shooting 42.9 percent from deep.
Quickley will be a restricted free agent this offseason, and Toronto's ability to match any offer sheet that he signs with another team will likely deter competing offers. Look for both sides to find a suitable amount above $20 million per season on a long-term deal.
No. 7: OG Anunoby
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Team: New York Knicks
Current Deal: Four years, $72 million ($19.9 million player option in 2024-25)
2023-24 Salary: $18.6 million
OG Anunoby was a fixture with the Toronto Raptors in recent years. He grew into a starter, peaking at 17.1 points per game through the 2021-22 season.
He outperformed his extension and now figures to seek a raise from the Knicks this offseason.
As the Raptors looked to retool, the Knicks were targeting finishing pieces to push them over the top. Anunoby fit like a glove with them after the trade, but an elbow injury has sidelined him for the past month. Still, the 15.6 points per game and 39.1 percent shooting from three that he mustered with the Knicks doesn't quite encapsulate how well he fit as a wing defender and scorer.
If there's a concern, it's that Anunoby tends to miss time each season. That isn't likely to get in the way of the Knicks giving him a lucrative new contract, though. While he could pick up his $19.9 million player option for next season, look for Anunoby to hit free agency and re-sign with the Knicks on a much more lucrative deal.
Given how much the Knicks gave up to get him (including RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley), both sides probably already have a basic understanding of what it will take to keep Anunoby in New York.
No. 6: James Harden
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Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Current Deal: Two years, $68.6 million
2023-24 Salary: $35.6 million
James Harden is not for everyone. He's changed teams three times in recent years by pushing for trades from the Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers. He'll be 35 before next season and is by far at his best with the ball in his hands.
And yet, the Clippers need what Harden brings to the table. He's the closest they've had to a true point guard near his prime in the Kawhi Leonard/Paul George era. He can take over as a scorer at times or attract attention to get easier shots for others.
While it's too soon to know how well the Clippers will perform in the playoffs, they have too much at stake to let Harden walk in free agency. Never mind that there may not be another suitor willing to give him a significant contract this offseason. Harden and the Clippers will presumably be together when the franchise opens its new building this fall in Inglewood.
How high will that price be? That's for the Clippers and Harden's representation to hammer out, but consider it done in advance.
No. 5: Jrue Holiday
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Team: Boston Celtics
Current Deal: Four years, $135 million ($39.4 million player option in 2024-25)
2023-24 Salary: $36.9 million
Jrue Holiday may not have James Harden's lengthy resume of accolades, but the two-time All-Star was a significant part of the Milwaukee Bucks' championship run in 2021. He's well-respected as perhaps the best defender at his position and has lived up to his significant salary, even if Milwaukee was unable to repeat.
The Celtics, reworking around their core duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, added Kristaps Porziņģis and Holiday this offseason. The final results are still TBD, but Boston currently boasts the best record in the NBA by far. Holiday is as good (if not better) than Marcus Smart on defense and is an upgrade offensively.
Where does Boston go from here? Brown's supermax extension starts this summer. Tatum will presumably start a new contract in 2025. What's the right price for Holiday to stay?
Should he opt in and then extend at a reasonable discount? Would the Celtics give him a long enough deal that's much lower annually but lucrative enough for Holiday to opt out? Is there another team (perhaps Philadelphia) with the kind of cap space to spend on Holiday, who is almost 34?
The Celtics tend to figure out contracts, so expect Holiday to be back in green next season.
No. 4: Pascal Siakam
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Team: Indiana Pacers
Current Deal: Four years, $136.9 million
2023-24 Salary: $37.9 million
The Toronto Raptors won their first title in franchise history 2019 and extended Pascal Siakam soon after. While they stayed competitive for some time, Siakam couldn't step into Kawhi Leonard's shoes as the team's best player on a championship team. But he earned All-NBA honors twice, so it's not necessarily on Siakam that the Raptors didn't have enough to repeat.
With Siakam nearing 30, the Raptors weren't willing to reinvest in him at the price he desired. That was to the Indiana Pacers' benefit after a blockbuster deal in mid-January.
Siakam joined arguably the best true point guard in the league in Tyrese Haliburton. The Pacers have legitimate postseason aspirations, while the Raptors are likely lottery-bound.
Prior to the trade, Indiana presumably did its due diligence with Siakam to get a sense of what he's seeking in free agency. While that's technically not allowed, it's standard operating practice for teams, and it's probably safe to assume will Siakam re-sign with the Pacers this summer.
As far as price, who are the Pacers competing against? Would the Sixers want to pair Siakam up with Joel Embiid? It may not matter, as Indiana will likely find a number that works for Siakam, and that deal will presumably get inked early in free agency.
No. 3: Paul George
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Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Current Deal: Four years, $176.3 million ($48.8 million player option in 2024-25)
2023-24 Salary: $45.6 million
The Clippers gave Kawhi Leonard a three-year extension in January that starts at his max salary but is slightly below the max in the ensuing two years. Meanwhile, George has yet to sign a new deal and can opt out of his contract in June.
Would the Clippers let him walk (perhaps to Philadelphia) and then try to win with James Harden, Leonard and others (but no George)? Or will team governor Steve Ballmer want his new Inglewood arena to feature a Big Three?
The Clippers are in the NBA's highest salary tier, which limits their flexibility under the new CBA's rules. They can't adequately replace George should he leave.
Expect the Clippers to keep the band together and deal with the long-term consequences later. George has lived up to his contract as an All-Star, and while he and Leonard never seem to be simultaneously healthy in the postseason, maybe that will change this year.
No. 2: Tyrese Maxey
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Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Current Deal: Four years, $12.2 million
2023-24 Salary: $4.3 million
The Sixers probably would have extended Tyrese Maxey last summer, but his cap hold as a restricted free agent is only $13 million. With so many players on expiring contracts, they could have significant spending power (in the $57 million range). After using that cap space—perhaps by landing someone on this list?—Philadelphia could then re-sign Maxey.
Then again, how many players on this list are already with the Sixers? Can Philadelphia get better players than the combination of De'Anthony Melton, Tobias Harris and Buddy Hield? If not, the team could skip the cap-space path altogether and reinvest in its current core.
Regardless, Maxey is looking at a massive payday. He's far exceeded his draft position (No. 21 in 2020) and will likely seek a maximum salary.
Will the Sixers give him a deal starting at $35.3 million? That remains to be seen, but he's a restricted free agent, which gives Philadelphia most (if not all) of the leverage.
Either way, Maxey is a lock to return to the Sixers on a deal at or near the max.
No. 1: LeBron James
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Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Current Deal: Two years, $99 million ($51.4 million player option in 2024-25)
2023-24 Salary: $47.6 million
Having turned 39 in December, LeBron James is the oldest player in the NBA. He wouldn't be a suitable investment for rebuilding teams, and James won't go anywhere that he doesn't want to be.
But what he brings—regardless of what percentage of his peak he's still at—is marquee star power. Any team with James on its roster will get the most national broadcasts possible, a sold-out arena and a ton of media attention.
While James may not come with guaranteed longevity, he's still one of the biggest sports stars in the world. He's lived up to that for the Lakers in star power, and he helped the team advance to the Western Conference Finals last season.
James could extend his stay with the Lakers by picking up his $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season. He could also opt out and explore free agency with an eye on where his son, Bronny James, may land should he leave USC after one season. The opportunity to play with his son, even for 1-2 years, may be an experience that father can't say no to.
Would a team draft Bronny to lure his father? Perhaps, but how many times in James' career has he been reactionary?
To the best of his ability, James will probably direct where his son lands. Perhaps that's with the Lakers, though some around the league speculate it'll be with the New York Knicks. If so, James would probably opt in and orchestrate a trade from the Lakers (perhaps with Julius Randle, other salaries and picks to Los Angeles).
It's too soon to guess, but James has been a flashpoint figure for the NBA for two decades. He isn't quite done blowing up the league just yet.
Honorable Mention
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The 25 names featured here don't do the whole free-agent class justice. While relocating stars can shift the balance of power, the same is true for players on the margins who are just waiting to break out in the right situation.
For many teams, a young prospect may be a better signing than an aging veteran like Gordon Hayward.
Some have player or team options or non-guaranteed salaries, like Isaiah Joe of the Oklahoma City Thunder or Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz. The Thunder might be best off picking up Joe's team option and then offering him an extension in October. Meanwhile, the Jazz could renegotiate and extend Markkanen this summer.
Similarly, the Chicago Bulls aren't going to waive Alex Caruso this offseason even though only $3 million of his $9.9 million salary for 2024-25 is guaranteed. Bojan Bogdanović, whom the Knicks acquired at the trade deadline, is too good a shooter to waive, even at $19 million for next season. The Toronto Raptors may not want to pay Bruce Brown $23 million next season, but they could pick up his team option if they get presented with viable trade offers before July.
The Memphis Grizzlies are facing a payroll crunch, which may factor into their decision on Luke Kennard's $14.8 million team option. They would presumably prefer to find a trade partner instead of letting him go.
While injuries have removed protections on Zion Williamson's contract moving forward, the New Orleans Pelicans aren't going to waive him. Chris Paul may not be so lucky with his $30 million non-guaranteed salary for 2024-25, which figures to be a casualty of the Warriors' quest for financial stability under the new CBA. Paul will have several contenders to choose from but at a much lower price.
Finally, the list of players currently on expiring contracts who didn't get mentioned is too long to list, but it includes veterans like Kelly Oubre Jr., Royce O'Neale, Taurean Prince, Markelle Fultz, Kelly Olynyk, Mason Plumlee, Spencer Dinwiddie, Obi Toppin, Jalen Smith (player option), Caleb Martin (player option), Isaac Okoro, Patrick Williams, Alec Burks and many others.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X/Twitter @EricPincus.
