Realistic, Optimistic and Dream Free-Agent Targets for Every NBA Team
The NBA's free-agency period is still several months away, but you can be sure that every team in the league is already planning for the annual frenzy.
Below, you'll find options that each of those teams should be looking at this summer.
But before you scroll through, a word on who's included.
First, incumbent targets won't be. That means Tyrese Maxey won't be listed for the Philadelphia 76ers. Pascal Siakam won't be listed for the Indiana Pacers, and so on. If those priorities were listed, most of the slideshow could be taken up by those examples.
So, those are out.
Also, we're trying to only present possibilities that have a chance of becoming realities. That means consideration was given to every free agent's market, as well as what each team will be allowed to spend this summer. Some organizations have cap space, but most will be limited to cap exceptions.
With those limitations in mind, you'll find three targets for each and every team below.
Atlanta Hawks
1 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Taxpayer's Mid-Level ($5.2 million)
Reasonable: Isaiah Joe (Team Option)
That kind of spending power doesn't get a team too far in today's NBA, and the Oklahoma City Thunder declining Isaiah Joe's team option would be surprising, but his volume shooting could do wonders for lineups led by Dejounte Murray.
Over the last two seasons, Joe has taken 5.0 threes in just 18.8 minutes per game while shooting 41.0 percent from deep.
Optimistic: Gary Trent Jr.
Gary Trent Jr. is making $18.6 million this season and has averaged 16.1 points since the start of 2020-21. Landing him would probably take another move from the Atlanta Hawks to get out of the luxury tax (which would open up the $12.9 million non-taxpayer's mid-level).
If that series of dominos were to fall, Trent could be a bigger and even higher volume version of the floor spacer Joe might be for Atlanta.
Dream: Tyus Jones
This option only really makes sense if the move to dodge the luxury tax is a trade of Trae Young or Murray. In that scenario, the Hawks could move the remaining guard into the undisputed 1's role and return Tyus Jones to the "best backup point guard in the league" mix.
Boston Celtics
2 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Minimum ($1.2 million to $3.3 million)
Reasonable: Joe Ingles (Team Option)
If the Orlando Magic want to aggressively supplement their young core this offseason, declining Joe Ingles' $11 million team option would be an easy way to increase flexibility.
And in that case, the 36-year-old would be an interesting 10-15 minute role player for the Boston Celtics, with his outside shooting and underrated playmaking ability.
Optimistic: Gordon Hayward
Going from a high-value player to one on a minimum contract can happen fast in the NBA, and Gordon Hayward may have reached that point this season.
He turns 34 this month and is averaging just 4.3 points since being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
For Boston, he could fill a role similar to the one described for Ingles above while being younger and bringing more experience as a volume scorer.
Dream: Andre Drummond
After the season Andre Drummond has had for the Chicago Bulls, he might not be eager to sign up to be a third big behind Andre Drummond and Kristaps Porziņģis.
But the Celtics could be in the market for one with Xavier Tillman and Luke Kornet entering free agency, Porziņģis still being an injury risk and Horford nearing 38.
Brooklyn Nets
3 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Non-Taxpayer's Mid-Level ($12.9 million)
Reasonable: Naji Marshall
His shooting was a bit of a concern in the three seasons prior to this one, but Naji Marshall is up to 39.1 percent in 2023-24.
That, in combination with his size (6'7", 220 pounds) and potential for multipositional defense could make him a solid three-and-D addition for a team that just needs talent, regardless of position.
Optimistic: Jalen Smith (Player Option)
Even if the Brooklyn Nets re-sign unrestricted free agent Nic Claxton, Jalen Smith could make sense on a couple levels (assuming he declines his player option). Not only would he probably not require all of the exception listed above to sign him, but his shooting would also make him a nice change-of-pace 5 for a team that usually has a rim-runner in that spot.
This season, Smith is averaging 10.4 points and 1.1 threes in just 17.8 minutes while shooting 44.0 percent from three.
Dream: Grayson Allen
Whether Ben Simmons is more available or not (the latter sure feels more likely right now), the Brooklyn Nets should be interested in adding shooting. And Grayson Allen has been one of the league's best volume shooters for half a decade.
At 47.8 percent, he's leading the league in three-point percentage this season. And since the start of 2019-20, he's making 2.2 triples per game with a 41.9 three-point percentage.
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Charlotte Hornets
4 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Cap Space ($13.5 million to $32.2 million)
Reasonable: Kyle Anderson
The amount of cap space the Charlotte Hornets might have available depends on whether (or how) they keep Miles Bridges, how many cap holds they renounce and what approach they want to take in general.
If we assume they end up with a more modest amount of cap space (or even use the $8 million room exception), Kyle Anderson is a multipositional forward who could help Charlotte's disastrously bad defense while also adding some playmaking.
Optimistic: Luke Kennard (Team Option)
Luke Kennard could be a more offensive-minded addition who would give LaMelo Ball another shooter to kick to out of his drives.
He's third of all time in career three-point percentage, and though he hasn't had many opportunities to show it since he left the Detroit Pistons, he is a decent secondary playmaker too.
Dream: OG Anunoby
The Hornets would need to get to the maximum cap space available and the New York Knicks would have to let him go (two things that may not be terribly lucky), but OG Anunoby's versatility and force make him the kind of defender who can change a culture on that end.
That's exactly what Charlotte needs, and a core of Ball, Anunoby, Brandon Miller and Mark Williams could help turn things around offensively, too.
Chicago Bulls
5 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Non-Taxpayer's Mid-Level ($12.9 million)
Reasonable: Moritz Wagner (Team Option)
With Andre Drummond set to potentially enter free agency, Nikola Vučević is the only true big man under contract for the Chicago Bulls next season.
Another center would help, and Moritz Wagner has quietly developed into one of the league's more reliable backups. This season, he's averaging 11.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in just 18.1 minutes, while shooting 66.8 percent on twos.
Optimistic: Kelly Oubre Jr.
In the event the Bulls aren't able to move Zach LaVine and tip off a rebuild this summer, Kelly Oubre Jr. is the kind of multipositional wing who could help them continue to compete for play-in berths.
His three-point shooting still leaves something to be desired, but Oubre's slashing and competitiveness could be a boost to Chicago's depth.
Dream: Buddy Hield
The Bulls are in the bottom half of the league in both threes per game and three-point percentage, so a volume outside shooter like Hield (3.1 threes with a 40.1 three-point percentage for his career) would do a lot to open up the middle of the floor for LaVine and Vučević.
Cleveland Cavaliers
6 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Non-Taxpayer's Mid-Level ($12.9 million)
Reasonable: Royce O'Neale
With Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley all under contract for next season, moves this summer will likely be marginal. That's especially true with the total salaries likely to exceed the luxury tax by the time 2024-25 starts.
Royce O'Neale could be just the kind of complementary name Cleveland could pursue. Mitchell's 30-year-old former teammate can guard all over the floor, is an underrated ball-mover and a career 38.0 percent three-point shooter.
Optimistic: Luke Kennard (Team Option)
Kennard isn't the defender O'Neale is, but he's a far more dangerous outside shooter. And it doesn't hurt that he was a legendary Ohio high school basketball player.
Dream: Jonas Valančiūnas
If they re-sign Isaac Okoro and then spend most or all of the taxpayer's mid-level exception on Jonas Valančiūnas (which is what it would take to convince him to come to Cleveland and be a reserve), the Cavs would be a luxury-tax team.
And while there are other big men who might fit this mold a little better, Cleveland needs at least one big who can shoot from the outside. Valančiūnas has taken 1.3 three-point attempts per game and hit 35.6 percent of them since the start of 2017-18.
And perhaps like Brook Lopez a few years ago, Valančiūnas may now be at a point in his career where he's ready to up the volume from the outside.
Dallas Mavericks
7 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Taxpayer's Mid-Level ($5.2 million)
Reasonable: Cedi Osman
Cedi Osman may not be quite the level of defender the Dallas Mavericks could use on the perimeter, but in their cap situation, they could do a lot worse.
Osman is 6'7" and 230 pounds, and he's hit 37.4 percent of his three-point attempts over the past two seasons. For a few years in Cleveland, he even showed hints of playmaking ability on the wing.
Optimistic: Royce O'Neale
Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving will continue to dominate the bulk of Dallas' offense next season, which means the other three players on the floor typically have to be OK with low-usage roles that require plenty of effort on defense.
That's pretty much defined O'Neale's career, and he may be gettable for the exception listed above.
Dream: Bruce Brown (Team Option)
Bruce Brown's numbers have plummeted in this post-Nikola Jokić season, but we're not far removed from seeing his positional versatility and defensive grit help the Denver Nuggets win a title.
And on a team with two setup men like Dončić and Irving, Brown's role could be minimized back to the point where it was in Denver.
Denver Nuggets
8 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Minimum ($1.2 million to $3.3 million)
Reasonable: Mason Plumlee
During his three-plus seasons with Denver, the Nuggets were plus-0.5 points per 100 possessions with Mason Plumlee on the floor and plus-3.1 when he was off.
And over the four seasons since he left, the team is plus-9.3 points per 100 possessions with Jokić on the floor and minus-6.4 when he's off.
Plumlee's older now, but he can still provide a level of competence to the backup 5 spot that Denver hasn't enjoyed since he left. And his passing would allow the second unit to play a bit more like the starters.
Optimistic: Delon Wright
There's another school of thought that suggests the Nuggets' struggles in non-Jokić minutes over the years has more to do with backup point guards.
And though he's struggled with availability over the last couple seasons, Delon Wright's playmaking, versatile defense and respectable three-point shot would solidify reserve lineups.
Dream: Andre Drummond
Denver won the title in large part due to the "Aaron Gordon at the 5" lineups it mostly avoid using in the regular season. Being both the starting power forward and a backup center is taxing, so it makes sense to spare Gordon some of that responsibility until the games matter most.
But that's also part of why the Nuggets have been dominated when Jokić is off the floor since Plumlee left.
If Andre Drummond, who's averaging 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 points in just 17.0 minutes per game, 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.
Detroit Pistons
9 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Cap Space (up to $64.1 million)
Reasonable: Miles Bridges
Miles Bridges is averaging 21.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.3 threes, while shooting 35.4 percent from deep this season. And although he's been in the league for a bit, he turns just 26 this month.
On talent alone, he'd be among the best offensive players Cade Cunningham has ever played with, but signing him comes with significant potential off-court concerns (he pleaded no contest to felony domestic violence charges in 2022).
Optimistic: Tobias Harris
Tobias Harris is six years older than Bridges, and devoting much of their cap space to a non-All-Star forward who'll turn 32 this summer may seem like a lateral move.
But Harris is still a talent upgrade on this year's squad. Over the last five seasons, he's averaged 17.6 points and 3.1 assists, while shooting 37.2 percent from deep. And a little experience probably wouldn't hurt this group, either.
Dream: Pascal Siakam
The Pistons can clear out enough room to sign someone to a max. And if the Indiana Pacers crash and burn in the first round of the playoffs, there may be a chance to swoop in and offer Pascal Siakam a massive deal.
Spacing could be an issue, but a core with Cade, Jaden Ivey, Siakam and Jalen Duren could start to shift the losing culture that has plagued Detroit for years.
Golden State Warriors
10 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Taxpayer's Mid-Level ($5.2 million)
Reasonable: Cedi Osman
Without dramatic changes that would cost them some member (or members) of the core that's won four NBA championships, the Golden State Warriors aren't going to have much spending power this summer.
And if we assume that kind of drama isn't on the way, Osman is the kind of steady, non-ball-dominant player who could quickly adapt to their movement-heavy system.
Optimistic: Naji Marshall
The two-timeline approach feels very real again, thanks to this season's breakouts of Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski. And 26-year-old Naji Marshall would be a solid potential three-and-D addition to help both the younger players and the veterans.
Dream: Alec Burks
It's clear the Warriors are no longer at their title-contending peak, so ring-chasers may not be quite as likely to sign there as they were five-six years ago.
That doesn't mean solid veterans are entirely off the table, though.
And Alec Burks, who's averaged 18.8 points, 3.5 assists and 2.9 threes per 75 possessions while shooting 39.8 percent from deep over the past five seasons, would fit in nicely on Golden State's bench.
Houston Rockets
11 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Non-Taxpayer's Mid-Level ($12.9 million)
Reasonable: Luke Kennard (Team Option)
The Houston Rockets are in the bottom half of the league in both threes per game and three-point percentage. And with Amen Thompson (who's hit just 15.7 percent of his three-point attempts as a rookie) likely to take on a bigger role next season, they need floor spacers.
And those don't get much better than Kennard, who's hit 46.4 percent of his three-point attempts over the last three seasons.
Optimistic: Bruce Brown (Team Option)
Brown doesn't really check the shooting box, but adding his positional versatility to lineups that already include Thompson, Cam Whitmore and Jabari Smith Jr. could make the Rockets one of next season's most dynamic defenses.
Dream: Buddy Hield
Hield may not be quite as efficient as Kennard from deep, but he's a higher-volume shooter, and that could be even more important for a team that could give heavy minutes to multiple players who don't get many triples up at all.
Indiana Pacers
12 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Non-Taxpayer's Mid-Level ($12.9 million)
Reasonable: Gordon Hayward
The Indiana Pacers can get to around $25.2 million to $29.3 million in cap space, but re-signing Pascal Siakam would almost certainly wipe that out. And we'll operate under the assumption they do just that.
That would likely leave them with the taxpayer's mid-level exception, and Hayward is a veteran (and Indiana native) who could easily slot in as a catch-and-shoot release valve for Tyrese Haliburton who'd also add some defensive versatility.
As a bonus, at this point in his career, he probably wouldn't command all of the exception, either, which would allow the Pacers to use the rest of it on another potential role player.
Optimistic: Royce O'Neale
O'Neale checks a lot of the same boxes as Hayward while being three years younger and having less experience as a top scoring option.
That's actually a bonus for a team that has Tyrese Haliburton and presumably Siakam. A wing who has no notions of getting a lot of shots and understands he's there to mostly fill gaps makes a lot of sense for the high-octane Pacers.
Dream: De'Anthony Melton
During his first three seasons (plus this one), various injuries have limited Melton's availability. But when he's healthy, he's a game-changing perimeter defender who can also create for others and has an above-average three-point percentage for his career.
Los Angeles Clippers
13 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Non-Taxpayer's Mid-Level ($12.9 million)
Reasonable: Buddy Hield
Hield being the "dream" target for some teams and the "reasonable" one here is among the perks of playing in one of the NBA's glamour markets.
And even if the Los Angeles Clippers don't command the same level of attention as the Lakers, he could still be intrigued by the possibility of being the primary floor spacer in lineups including Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Optimistic: DeMar DeRozan
Los Angeles native DeMar DeRozan's game never really adapted to the modern NBA. Thanks to that and his defense, most of his teams throughout his career have been worse when he's on the floor.
But if he did take on "heat check scorer off the bench" role for a star-laden team like the Clippers, his old-school game could do a lot of damage against backups.
Dream: Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson has grown into his reserve role with the Warriors over the last few weeks, but they may still need to entertain some kind of reset this summer.
The current group isn't likely to push Stephen Curry to title contention, and the front office needs to do all it can to maximize these last few years of his career.
If that means Thompson is gettable in free agency, his championship pedigree and three-point shooting could create tons of space for Kawhi and George's slashing.
Los Angeles Lakers
14 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Taxpayer's Mid-Level ($5.2 million)
Reasonable: Kelly Oubre Jr.
The Los Angeles Lakers have relied way too much on minimum-value players like Taurean Prince and Cam Reddish for a team that entered the season with title aspirations.
And while Oubre may not change their world, he offers a little higher upside than both, particularly as a slasher.
Optimistic: DeMar DeRozan
If DeRozan is satisfied with all the money he's earned to this point in his illustrious career, the opportunity to play for his hometown team for the modest taxpayer's mid-level exception could be intriguing.
And while he may not make a ton of sense for a starting five that already includes ball-dominance from LeBron James and a lack of shooting from Anthony Davis, he could be a dominant sixth man.
Dream: Jonas Valančiūnas
AD has been telling us he wants to be a 4 for years. When the Lakers won the title in 2020, they had multiple bruisers who could play the 5 and spare Davis the physical punishment that sometimes comes with being there.
Valančiūnas, of course, could move Davis down a spot, deal with the game's burlier big men and maybe even space the floor a bit.
Memphis Grizzlies
15 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Taxpayer's Mid-Level ($5.2 million)
Reasonable: Kyle Anderson
The Memphis Grizzlies could use a center to move Jaren Jackson Jr. back to his more natural power forward position, but they could also lean into positional versatility by bringing Kyle Anderson back.
A frontcourt with those two might struggle on the boards, but it would be among the league's most versatile defensively. And having Anderson and Ja Morant in the same lineup would make it pretty unpredictable on the offensive end, too.
Optimistic: Andre Drummond
Drummond remains one of the NBA's most dominant and prolific rebounders, and that's undoubtedly the biggest weakness in Jackson's game.
Plugging him into the starting 5 role vacated by the recently traded Steven Adams could help the Grizzlies get back on the track they were on prior to this injury-ravaged season.
Dream: Jonas Valančiūnas
Another former Grizzly, Valančiūnas could also cover for JJJ's lack of rebounding while also being more likely to keep the middle of the floor open for Morant's drives.
JV still does the bulk of his damage inside, but he's at least shown hints of floor-spacing 5 ability.
Miami Heat
16 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Minimum ($1.2 million to $3.3 million)
Reasonable: Talen Horton-Tucker
The Miami Heat have become the spot for NBA reclamation projects, and since he's been in and out of the Utah Jazz's rotation this season, Talen Horton-Tucker probably qualifies for that title.
The 23-year-old playmaker has a career 29.1 three-point percentage, but career averages of 16.7 points, 5.3 assists and 4.9 rebounds per 75 possessions are intriguing enough for a minimum contract.
Optimistic: Isaiah Hartenstein
Kevin Love has done a solid job as this season's primary backup 5, but he turns 36 in September and is already far from a defensive ace.
Isaiah Hartenstein doesn't shoot the three like Love, but he'd be a massive upgrade defensively.
Of course, all the time he's spent starting for the New York Knicks this season may have priced him out of Miami's range, but this is one of those glamour markets that can often get talent for a bit less than it's truly worth.
Dream: Kyle Anderson
Another player who might not sign for a minimum, Anderson's game almost screams "#HeatCulture." He's a multipositional defender who keeps the ball moving and is a fierce competitor.
And he has the versatility to start alongside Bam Adebayo or back him up.
Milwaukee Bucks
17 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Minimum ($1.2 million to $3.3 million)
Reasonable: Alec Burks
Burks is past his prime. He turns 33 in July, but that also means he might be in the ring-chasing phase of his career. And few teams offer more upside for ring-chasers than one with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Plus, the Milwaukee Bucks could use some wings, especially in light of all the injuries Khris Middleton has dealt with in recent years.
Optimistic: Jae'Sean Tate (Team Option)
He isn't the shooter Burks is, but Jae'Sean Tate is a solid perimeter defender. And while this season's Bucks have been a little better defensively since Doc Rivers took over, they could still use a boost on that end.
Dream: Eric Gordon
Gordon is slightly smaller than Burks, but he's likely the more reliable defender. And his way-beyond-the-three-point-line range and 38.9 three-point percentage over the last three seasons would make it harder for defenses to collapse on Giannis' drives.
Minnesota Timberwolves
18 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Minimum ($1.2 million to $3.3 million)
Reasonable: Gary Harris
If the Minnesota Timberwolves look like a title contender coming out of this season, they might be able to convince the new ownership group that it's worth pushing forward with this core, despite the fact that that might put them into dreaded second-apron territory.
In that case, they'll be limited to minimum deals and might need to convince veterans to chase rings with them. Gary Harris might be exactly the kind of vet who'd fit that profile and help the Timberwolves with his perimeter defense and outside shooting.
Optimistic: Naji Marshall
Minnesota could double-down on its defense-first approach by adding Marshall's size (6'7") and versatility on that end.
Dream: Luke Kennard (Team Option)
It might be hard to convince him to sign for a minimum, but Minnesota's jumbo lineups with Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels could use more spacing, and Kennard can provide that.
New Orleans Pelicans
19 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Non-Taxpayer's Mid-Level ($12.9 million)
Reasonable: Jalen Smith (Player Option)
In today's NBA, even having one non-shooter in the lineup can make things cramped on the offensive end. Zion Williamson certainly counts as one, and though he's shooting 43.4 percent from deep this season, Herb Jones' 33.6 percent in his first two seasons is still a slight concern.
Plugging a shooting 5 in would make plenty of sense, and Smith has proved himself the kind of floor spacer who forces opposing bigs out of the paint and toward the three-point line.
Optimistic: Tyus Jones
He'd likely return to a backup role for the New Orleans Pelicans (which might be a tough sell, after he started throughout this season), but Jones could also spend plenty of time on the floor with New Orleans' starters, including CJ McCollum.
The Pelicans' current starting 1 has done a solid job in that role, but he's still more of a natural 2. Jones would give him more opportunities to score as an off-ball threat while creating more open looks for Zion and Brandon Ingram.
Dream: Malik Monk
Given the way he's played this season, it might be tough to land Malik Monk for the taxpayer's mid-level exception, but adding his explosive scoring ability to the second unit would make New Orleans incredibly dangerous.
He might eliminate the need for a more traditional 1, too. Playmaking is a big part of Monk's breakout this season. He's averaging a career-high 5.3 assists.
New York Knicks
20 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Non-Taxpayer's Mid-Level ($12.9 million)
Reasonable: Dario Šarić
Hartenstein is a free agent this summer. If he leaves, the New York Knicks will need a new backup behind Mitchell Robinson, and Dario Šarić could change the second unit's approach with his outside shooting and playmaking.
This season, he's averaging 16.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.5 threes per 75 possessions, while shooting 37.6 percent from deep.
Optimistic: De'Anthony Melton
Melton, on the other hand, already fits this team's (and Tom Thibodeau's) style just about perfectly. He's a bit undersized for his position, but he's a tenacious perimeter defender and reliable outside shooter.
Lineups with him, Anunoby and Robinson could be a nightmare for opponents.
Dream: DeMar DeRozan
As long as we're envisioning DeRozan as a reserve scorer in big markets, let's think about what he could do for the Knicks, too.
There's plenty of scoring in this team's starting five with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, but the second unit could use a bit of an offensive boost, and DeRozan could provide that against backups.
Oklahoma City Thunder
21 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Cap Room ($28.6 million to $34.6 million)
Reasonable: Isaiah Hartenstein
One of the reasons the Oklahoma City Thunder are in the hunt for the West's top seed is their ability to play five-out and allow Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to get to the paint without much defense waiting there for him. Chet Holmgren's shooting has been huge in that respect.
But it also helps to be able to deploy various styles, and a grittier, more old-school approach isn't one they're often bringing. Hartenstein would add size, rebounding, defense and a little playmaking to the backup 5 spot.
Optimistic: OG Anunoby (Player Option)
Right now, it still feels like the Knicks and Anunoby are a match made in heaven, and one that's likely to continue beyond this season. But if things go poorly between now and the end of the playoffs, and OG wants out, OKC would be a heck of a landing spot for him.
There's already tons of offense from SGA, Jalen Williams and Holmgren. Adding Anunoby's catch-and-shoot three-point prowess and perimeter defense would raise this team's ceiling from contender to possible favorite.
Dream: Paul George (Player Option)
They'd probably have to make an extra move or two to get to the amount of cap space necessary to sign Paul George, but just imagine his return to the Thunder to play alongside Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Holmgren.
At this point in his career, he doesn't bring quite as much defensive upside as Anunoby, but his offense is significantly better. And having a 1B option as potent as George would it make it borderline impossible to devote enough defensive attention to SGA.
Orlando Magic
22 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Cap Room ($32.2 million to $66.0 million)
Reasonable: Malik Monk
The Orlando Magic are already ahead of schedule in terms of wins and losses. Right now, there's a chance they could have homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs, with Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero at just 22 and 21 years old, respectively.
But they still rank in the bottom third of the league on offense, in part because Banchero is one of the NBA's least efficient volume scorers. And Monk could open up the floor a bit for those two while also taking some ball-handling pressure away from them.
Optimistic: James Harden
This is another potential addition that depends on a Clippers implosion in the playoffs, but with the strength of the West, it's not like that's some remote possibility.
And if Harden is in the market for a new team, Orlando would be an interesting one. From the Magic's perspective, it'd be a bit of a gamble. Part of what makes them interesting now and into the future is the playmaking ability of Wagner and Banchero. Adding Harden gets in the way of that, but the shots he creates would also make their lives far easier as scorers.
Dream: Tyrese Maxey (Restricted)
The chances of the Philadelphia 76ers declining to re-sign or match whatever offer sheet Tyrese Maxey signs are minuscule, but if they use up their cap space on flashier names and Maxey is somehow available, he'd be a perfect use of Orlando's room.
Having his outside shooting and slashing to command the attention of the opposition's best perimeter defender would make this attack exponentially more dangerous.
Philadelphia 76ers
23 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Cap Room (up to $75.1 million)
Reasonable: OG Anunoby (Player Option)
Again, Maxey staying in Philadelphia is a far likelier outcome than him leaving. And in that case, the Sixers' mountain of cap space could be best spent on high-end role players.
Anunoby is right near the line between that distinction and fringe star, and his defense would make Philly a far different team on that end. Having shooters to surround the two-man game of Embiid and Maxey in the middle of the floor should be a priority too, and Anunoby checks that box.
Optimistic: Paul George (Player Option)
George is obviously closer to stardom than Anunoby. He was an All-Star just this season, but he's still far more malleable than most of the league's big-name players.
With his jump shooting and still-above-average defense, George could bring a lot of what Anunoby would, just in higher volume on the offensive end.
Dream: LeBron James (Player Option)
LeBron isn't the player he was in his prime (duh), but catch-all metrics still suggest he's been a top-five player this season. And playing with a premier scorer like Embiid could preserve his already absurd durability a bit more.
They would instantly be in the conversation for best duo in the league, and having LeBron would push Maxey into "best third option in the league" discussions.
Phoenix Suns
24 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Minimum ($1.2 million to $3.3 million)
Reasonable: Killian Hayes
The Phoenix Suns' need for a traditional point guard is probably a little overstated. Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal all need control of the ball to do what they do best, and all three are averaging at least 4.8 assists.
But being able to play one or two of those stars with a table-setter from time to time would make the offense a bit less predictable. And Killian Hayes' defense and career average of 7.3 assists per 75 possessions could be worth a minimum-contract flier to fill that role.
Optimistic: Reggie Jackson (Player Option)
Reggie Jackson could offer a similar wrinkle as a second-unit playmaker, and he obviously has far more experience than Hayes. In lineups with Booker, Durant and Beal, he'd get plenty of wide-open three-point looks too. And there's far more evidence that he can hit those than there is for Hayes.
Dream: Derrick Jones Jr.
For the second summer in a row, minimum contracts are going to be about the only path to new talent for the Suns, but that doesn't necessarily preclude them from getting difference-makers.
If, for example, 27-year-old high flyer Derrick Jones Jr. emerges from this season feeling like Phoenix might give him a better shot at a title or significant role than his current team (the Mavs), he might be willing to sign a minimum to play with the Suns' stars.
Portland Trail Blazers
25 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Taxpayer's Mid-Level ($5.2 million)
Reasonable: Killian Hayes
There's almost no way the Portland Trail Blazers will be in the luxury tax next season. There's truly no way to justify that for this roster, so the front office will move heaven and earth to unload enough contracts to avoid it.
But we'll operate under the assumption that even if they are able to make those trades, the front office will focus on fliers, reclamation projects and young talent.
Regardless of what kind of spending power Portland might have, Hayes will be gettable. And at just 22 years old, there's still time for him to add respectable shooting to his defense and passing.
Optimistic: Cam Reddish (Player Option)
Cam Reddish has spent this season in the hype machine that is the Lakers, but he's posting a below-replacement-level box plus/minus for the fourth time in his five seasons. At 24, he's almost out of chances.
But he was the No. 2 recruit in a class that included RJ Barrett and Zion Williamson. There could be a hint of upside to unearth, and the Blazers are among the few teams that could justify looking for it.
They're not going to be good in the near future, so the next couple years should be about taking chances.
Dream (?): Talen Horton-Tucker
It's objectively silly to list Horton-Tucker as a dream target for any team, but in the interest of slideshow continuity, we'll keep the labels intact.
He is yet another player who'd represent a bit of a risk for the Blazers. He could be out of the league in the next couple years. But his size, athleticism and penchant for scoring still make him an intriguing potential point guard.
At least for one more year.
Sacramento Kings
26 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Non-Taxpayer's Mid-Level ($12.9 million)
Reasonable: Bruce Brown (Team Option)
If the Sacramento Kings lose Monk, they could use another combo guard to fill his role off the bench, and Brown could do just that.
He isn't the shooter or scorer Monk is, but he brings better defense and more positional versatility. Not only can Brown run an offense against reserves, but he can also be a rim-runner or wing in lineups with De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
Optimistic: Kyle Anderson
Anderson is another non-traditional playmaker who can engineer possessions when Fox and Sabonis are out. And like Brown, he offers more defensive upside and versatility than Monk.
Dream: Klay Thompson
It's taken Thompson some time to adjust to his new reality as a backup, but he's averaged 18.0 points and 3.9 threes, while shooting 43.2 percent from deep over his last 14 games.
And if that version of Thompson is around for a couple more years, his ability to space the floor—along with perhaps Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray—would make it harder for opposing defenses to zero in on Fox and Sabonis' two-man game in the middle of the floor.
San Antonio Spurs
27 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Cap Space ($12.4 million to $25.4 million)
Reasonable: Jrue Holiday (Player Option)
Given how good the Boston Celtics are, Jrue Holiday opting out of his $39.4 million player option isn't likely, especially if they win the title.
But if they fall short, and a team like the San Antonio Spurs can offer a little more long-term security, something like a four-year, $70 million deal might intrigue him.
And there are few point guards and leaders who would be a better mentor for Victor Wembanyama. Beyond the playmaking upgrade over Jeremy Sochan and Tre Jones, Holiday would show the French phenom (and the rest of the young Spurs) what it means to be a reliable, workmanlike NBA veteran.
Optimistic: Paul George (Player Option)
George doesn't bring the playmaking Holiday would, but his skills and leadership would help Wembanyama, too.
There's plenty of upside left for Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson, but neither is likely to be as productive as George in 2024-25. And defenses having to pay attention to him would give Wemby a bit more space in which to operate.
Dream: LeBron James (Player Option)
It'd take another move or two to get to the cap space necessary to sign LeBron (probably true of George too), but combining him with Gregg Popovich and Wemby would give the Spurs a collective basketball IQ that few teams could match.
Toronto Raptors
28 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Cap Space ($12.3 million to $34.7 million)
Reasonable: Malik Monk
The Toronto Raptors' in-season moves signaled their desire to build around Scottie Barnes going forward. Siakam and Anunoby are gone, and the recently acquired Kelly Olynyk has already been extended.
That last move is particularly interesting, because a team with Barnes as its foundation should surround him with as much shooting as possible (since he doesn't project to be a great shooter himself). Over the last two seasons, Olynyk has hit 39.8 percent of his three-point attempts.
Monk may not be the most efficient outside shooter, but he brings plenty of volume. That, and his 37.8 three-point percentage over the last four seasons, would pull some defensive attention away from Barnes in the middle of the floor.
Optimistic: Klay Thompson
Thompson doesn't bring as much off-the-dribble pop as Monk, and he's clearly in decline. But he also has a more robust history as a three-point shooter.
Dream: Buddy Hield
Hield is one of the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history. With him, Olynyk and one or two other high-end floor spacers flanking Barnes, the young playmaker would have much wider driving lanes to attack.
Utah Jazz
29 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Cap Space ($38.9 million to $53.5 million))
Reasonable: Klay Thompson
The Utah Jazz are in pretty good shape at guard with Collin Sexton (who's arguably been a top-50 player this season) and the emerging Keyonte George. They also have plenty of talent in the frontcourt with Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler and John Collins.
After the trade deadline at which they moved Ochai Agbaji and Simone Fontecchio, they're now woefully short on wings.
And while adding Thompson may not seem to make a ton of sense with Utah's rebuilding timeline, players like Markkanen, Sexton and George may be speeding that up.
Optimistic: OG Anunoby (Player Option)
Anunoby would be another win-now target who brings more defensive upside than Thompson without being too far behind as a floor spacer.
Lineups with him and Kessler could be stifling.
Dream: Tyrese Maxey (Restricted)
The Jazz are in a pretty prime position to play spoiler in free agency. They don't necessarily need Maxey. And he's not likely to leave the Sixers. But Utah could offer him an as-difficult-to-match-as-possible contract to force Philly's hand.
If the Sixers match, fine. The Jazz can just proceed with the slow build they're already in. If they don't, you suddenly have another All-Star to pair with Markkanen.
Washington Wizards
30 of 30
Potential Spending Power: Non-Taxpayer's Mid-Level ($12.9 million)
Reasonable: Killian Hayes
The Washington Wizards haven't given many signals that they want to accelerate their timeline. And in that case, they could easily justify a flier on a reclamation project like Hayes, especially if they lose Tyus Jones.
Optimistic: De'Anthony Melton
On the other hand, Melton is a player who could accelerate this rebuild a touch with his perimeter defense and reliable three-point shooting.
Dream: Nic Claxton
Claxton may command more than the non-taxpayer's mid-level, but the Washington Wizards now have a need at center with Daniel Gafford gone.
Claxton's ability to pull defenders into the paint could open things up for Jordan Poole, Kyle Kuzma and Deni Avdija outside.
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.jpg?w=600 "4x All-Pro Justin Simmons Retires")
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