15 Key Free Agents to Watch in the 2024 NBA Offseason
NBA Offseason 2024: 15 Key Free Agents to Watch out.
In the NBA, free agency goes quickly, and it will pick up even more speed this summer. One day following the Finals, teams are allowed to talk with their players.
That explains why Malik Monk of Sacramento and Pascal Siakam of Indiana were taken off the board so fast, both opting to remain with their current teams.
When it officially begins on July 30, a star-studded group of players is scheduled to join free agency. Paul George and James Harden are two of the best players to keep an eye on in the Clippers’ free agency class.
Some of the names on this list of the top 15 free agents may be claimed this week, and then rival teams will have a formal opportunity to court them beginning on Sunday. More are likely to stay and resign than to depart. However, there should still be enough skill available to improve certain lineups that could use some work.
1. Paul George, LA Clippers (Player option)
2023-24 stats: 22.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.5 apg
The Philadelphia 76ers are in need of a two-way wing with George’s level of skill, and George ought to be open to accepting a contract offer from a suitor. George, according to recent sources, doesn’t want to leave Los Angeles at all. Having reached the age of 34, George remains a dedicated defender and had his finest shooting season to date, albeit he fell just short of joining the coveted 50-40-90% club.
2. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers (Player option)
2023-24 stats: 25.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 8.3 apg
It appears that LeBron James’ decision to opt out of his $51.4 million Lakers contract has less to do with extravagant shopping and more to do with accounting and leverage. This season, he put up outstanding stats and increased his 3-point percentage from 33% to 41%. Even at 39 years old, there are still concerns about whether James’s output would decline significantly anytime soon.
3. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (Restricted)
2023-24 stats: 25.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.2 apg
Since joining the team in 2020, Maxey has improved significantly year over year and this season, he was named an All-Star. The space created by James Harden’s trade has been filled by the league’s Kia Most Improved Player award. It’s unthinkable that he would give up being Joel Embiid’s sidekick.
4. OG Anunoby, New York Knicks (Player option)
2023-24 stats: 14.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.1 apg
New York went 20-3 with Anunoby on the court after acquiring him from Toronto. His All-Defensive and underrated offensive play could significantly impact any team. The Knicks would be thrilled to add more victories, which is why Anunoby won’t have to go anywhere to double his $19.9 million salary.
5. Isaiah Hartenstein, New York Knicks (Unrestricted)
2023-24 stats: 7.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.1 bpg
Hartenstein’s playing time, accessibility, and output increased while Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle of New York struggled with injuries. Notwithstanding the Knicks’ cap restrictions, the 7-footer has almost twice as much money to play with. He’s another important member of a group that mostly needs to remain together and healthy.
6. DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls (Unrestricted)
2023-24 stats: 24 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 5.3 apg
Entering his 15th season, DeRozan will be 35 years old, and he doesn’t seem to fit in with a Bulls club that is ready to start over. If DeRozan is willing to relocate to the East, a team like the Sixers, who can pay him and take advantage of his scoring and clutch abilities, would seem like a lot more gratifying fit.
7. James Harden, LA Clippers (Unrestricted)
2023-24 stats: 16.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 8.5 apg
Unquestionably, Harden added value to the Clippers, and he participated in the most games since 2018–19. Next season, aged 35, he appears to be content to remain in his hometown of Los Angeles.
8. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Denver Nuggets (Player option)
2023-24 stats: 10.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.4 apg
Caldwell-Pope might be inexpensive and useful to a lot of clubs. Over the last five seasons, he has made 40% of his 3-pointers, which has helped the Lakers and the Nuggets win rings. Teams in the Orlando and Philadelphia areas could be considering him.
9. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors (Unrestricted)
2023-24 stats: 17.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.3 apg
As a four-time champion, Thompson has played a significant role in the Warriors’ rise to prominence. But his physical prowess has diminished, and the Warriors are in a different league. The market may be scared off by his 38.7% 3-point accuracy, which was the second lowest in his 13 seasons.
Also Read: NBA Finals 2024: Boston Celtics Secure Record 18th Title with Dominant Win Over Dallas Mavericks
10. Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers (Unrestricted)
2023-24 stats: 17.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.1 apg
Harris scored just 9.0 points per game on average for the Sixers against New York in their first-round loss. He has been with five teams for 13 seasons, and will be 32 next month, so he has a lot of miles on his tires. It has been suggested that teams like New Orleans, Utah, or San Antonio should play a niche role.
11. Tyus Jones, Washington Wizards (Unrestricted)
2023-24 stats: 12 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 7.3 apg
Jones made his Wizards debut in each of his 66 games. At 28, he might be more valuable to a leading candidate in his previous position. Options include Brooklyn, San Antonio, Toronto, or remaining in Washington.
12. Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors (Restricted)
2023-24 stats: 17 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.9 apg
Perhaps Quickley won’t need to travel far to benefit from the Raptors. The 6-foot-3 point guard has already made one trade: in December, he was traded to the Raptors for R.J. Barrett and OG Anunoby. Leverage is limited by restriction, but Toronto needs Quickley.
13. Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans Pelicans (Unrestricted)
2023-24 stats: 12.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.1 apg
After the All-Star break, Valanciunas’ minutes and touches decreased, despite having started all 82 games. In the 3-point shooting frenzy league, players of his size have somewhat recovered in value, but as a backup center in a pinch, he may not earn more than the $15.4 million he received this year.
14. D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers (Player option)
2023-24 stats: 18 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 6.3 apg
Russell may have had trade negotiations had he stayed with the Lakers, thus forgoing a $18.7 million contract might have made sense. His argument was undermined by his postseason shooting in the Denver first-round loss. It’s possible that Russell will join another team and take a wage cut in exchange for a longer contract.
15. Malik Beasley, Milwaukee Bucks (Unrestricted)
2023-24 stats: 11.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.4 apg
Last summer, Beasley committed to a one-year minimum contract in order to get his opportunity to play. His 77 game starts were greater than the total of the two years prior. Despite his effort and 41% 3-point shooting, the Bucks’ defense was still lacking. Beasley will be able to regain his previous value as a shooter off a bench.
