After months of speculating about the potential landing spots of every single high-impact player on the market that isn't a lock to re-sign with their current team, the period of pure bedlam that's otherwise known as NBA Free Agency officially begins Saturday at midnight.While 2017's already thin class took a huge hit after the Chris Paul to the Rockets trade was announced yesterday, there are still a number of quality role players and a handful of franchise-cornerstone pieces available. Here's a look at who I believe are the 10 best players hitting the opening market this offseason.
(Note: I'm excluding Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant from this list because there's a less than 0% chance they leave the Warriors).
10.Nerlens Noel, power forward/center (2016-17 teams: Philadelphia 76ers/Dallas Mavericks)
Nerlens Noel's place on this list is more based on future potential than the level of production he's posted over the first 4 years of his NBA career. The former lottery pick just turned 23 and has flashed a ton of promise as an interior defender/rebounding specialist every time he's gotten onto the floor. If he lands in the right system, he could turn into a DeAndre Jordan/Rudy Gobert-esque low-post weapon within the next 2-3 years.
Possible Destinations: Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets
9.Andre Iguodala, small forward (2016-17 team: Golden State Warriors)
The
widespread interest surrounding Andre Iguodala prior to the start of
the free agency period proves how valuable versatile veteran talent is
to teams around the league. The 2015 Finals MVP has been one of the
unsung heroes of the Warriors dynasty-in-the making over the past few
seasons, acting as a stabilizing, reliable presence off the bench
whenever their star-studded corps got out-of-sync. Iguodala's
leadership, suffocating perimeter defense and underrated shooting touch
would make him an invaluable role player for a contender or a young team
that's trying to find its identity.
Possible
Destinations: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Utah Jazz,
Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Charlotte
Hornets
8.Danilo Gallinari, small/power forward (2016-17 team: Denver Nuggets)
The hidden gem of this year's free agency very well could be longtime Denver Nugget forward Danilo Gallinari. While his durability (he hasn't played in more than 63 games since 2012-13) is questionable, Gallinari's possesses excellent size for a wing (6"10) and has the fluid shooting stroke required to score from anywhere on the floor (he's averaged 18.9 PPG while shooting 42.9% from the field and 37.6% from 3 point land over the past 2 seasons). He'd be a nice, cost-effective pickup for any of the teams that end up losing Gordon Hayward sweepstakes.
Possible Destinations: Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls
7.George Hill, point guard (2016-17 team: Utah Jazz)
George
Hill is coming off the best season in his career with the Jazz in
2016-17 (16.9 PPG, 47.7 FG%, 40.3 3PFG%) and will most likely be
rewarded for his strong play with a nice contract in a top-heavy free
agency class. Hill isn't a great distributor (3.3 APG for his career),
but he's a stabilizing offensive presence that doesn't commit a lot of
turnovers (1.7 per game, which was tied for 73rd in the league this past
season) and can score at will when he has the ball in his hands.
Possible Destinations: Utah Jazz, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers
6.Serge Ibaka, power forward (2016-17 teams: Orlando Magic/Toronto Raptors)
It's no mystery that 27-year old Serge Ibaka isn't the shot-blocking, rebounding force he was during the early part of his tenure with the Thunder. However, he's still very good in both areas and shoots well enough (47.4% from the field in 2016-17) from mid-range/outside to stretch the floor when called upon. Ibaka will be a hot commodity among teams that are looking to add physicality and reliable secondary scoring to their frontcourt.
Possible Destinations: Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks
5.Otto Porter, small forward (2016-17 team: Washington Wizards)
Wizards small forward Otto Porter blossomed into a quality starter just in time for free agency. While he has a tendency to disappear from time to time, the 24-year old Georgetown product has developed into an efficient (and sometimes lethal) scorer and very good defender over the past couple of seasons. Even though the Wizards are very likely to match any offer he receives in restricted free agency, Porter should still generate a ton of interest from wing-needy teams around the league.
Possible Destinations: Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz
4.Kyle Lowry, point guard (2016-17 team: Toronto Raptors)
With Chris Paul off the market following yesterday's surprise trade to the Rockets, Kyle Lowry has suddenly become the most lauded veteran point guard in the 2017 free agency class. Lowry's reputation as one of the league's most prolific offensive catalysts makes him a tantalizing option for any team that needs to add consistent playmaking to their backcourt. While there's no guarantee that Lowry leaves a talented Raptors squad that has DeMar DeRozan locked down for 4 more seasons, an opportunity to play out his twilight years (he just turned 31) with a more viable title contender might be too intriguing to pass up.
Possible Destinations: Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks
3.Paul Millsap, power forward (2016-17 team: Atlanta Hawks)
The market for Paul Millsap is going to be very interesting to watch. The 4-time All-Star is going to be 33 next February and plays a physical brand of basketball that all but guarantees a massive regression within the next few seasons. That being said, Millsap's current high level of production on both ends of the floor makes him a very valuable short-term asset for any team that's looking to win right away.
Possible Destinations: Atlanta Hawks, Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat
2.Blake Griffin, power forward (2016-17 team: Los Angeles Clippers)
Even with his checkered injury history, Blake Griffin is too special of a talent to not hold in high regard on the open market. Griffin's combination of freakish athleticism, excellent passing, reliable rebounding and a consistent mid-range shot makes him a top-flight stretch 4 in the modern NBA.
Possible Destinations: Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns
1.Gordon Hayward, small forward (2016-17 team: Utah Jazz)
While Blake Griffin's unicorn skill set and reported openness to signing an under-max deal will likely result in him getting more suitors, Gordan Hayward is still the clear king of this free agency class. Hayward is a durable, 2-way small forward that has consistently improved since he entered the league in 2010-11 and at the age of 27, is currently in the middle of his prime years as a player. His decision to stay with the Jazz or dash to the East to join the Celtics or Heat has the potential to have a very notable effect on the current NBA hierarchy.
Possible Destinations: Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat
Other Notable Free Agents:
Aaron Brooks, point guard (2016-17 team: Indiana Pacers)
Alex Len, center (2016-17 team: Phoenix Suns)
Amir Johnson, power forward (2016-17 team: Boston Celtics)
Andre Roberson, small forward (2016-17 team: Oklahoma City
Thunder)
Aron Baynes, power forward/center (2016-17 team: Detroit Pistons)
Ben McLemore, shooting guard (2016-17 team: Sacramento Kings)
Bojan Bogdanovic, small forward (2016-17 teams: Brooklyn
Nets/Washington Wizards)
Brandon Bass, power forward (2016-17 team: Los Angeles Clippers)
Brandon Jennings, point guard (2016-17 team: New York Knicks/Washington Wizards)
Brandon Rush, shooting guard/small forward (2016-17 team: Minnesota Timberwolves)
C.J. Miles, small forward (2016-17 team: Indiana Pacers)
Darren Collison, point guard (2016-17 team: Sacramento Kings)
David West, power forward (2016-17 team: Golden State
Warriors)
Deron Williams, point guard (2016-17 teams: Dallas Mavericks/Cleveland Cavaliers)
Derrick Rose, point guard (2016-17 team: New York Knicks)
Dewayne Dedmon, center (2016-17 team: San Antonio Spurs)
Dion Waiters, shooting guard (2016-17 team: Miami Heat)
Ersan Ilyasova, power forward (2016-17 teams: Oklahoma City Thunder/Philadelphia
76ers/Atlanta Hawks)
Gerald Green, small forward (2016-17 team: Boston Celtics)
Ian Clark, shooting guard (2016-17 team: Golden State Warriors)
J.J Redick, shooting guard (2016-17 team: Los Angeles
Clippers)
James Johnson, power forward (2016-17 team: Miami Heat)
JaMychal Green, power forward (2016-17 team: Memphis Grizzlies)
Jason Terry, point guard (2016-17 team: Milwaukee Bucks)
JaVale McGee, center (2016-17 team: Golden State Warriors)
Jeff Green, small/power forward (2016-17 team: Orlando Magic)
Jeff Teague, point guard (2016-17 team: Indiana Pacers)
Jodie Meeks, shooting guard (2016-17 team: Orlando Magic)
Joe Ingles, small/power forward (2016-17 team: Utah Jazz)
Jonas Jerebko, power forward (2016-17 team: Boston Celtics)
Jonathan Simmons, shooting guard/small forward (2016-17 team:
San Antonio Spurs)
Jose Calderon, point guard (2016-17 teams: Los Angeles Lakers/Atlanta Hawks)
Jrue Holiday, point guard (2016-17 team: New Orleans Pelicans)
Justin Holiday, shooting guard (2016-17 team: New York Knicks)
Kelly Olynyk, power forward/center (2016-17 team: Boston
Celtics)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, shooting guard (2016-17 team: Detroit
Pistons)
Kyle Korver, shooting guard (2016-17 teams: Atlanta
Hawks/Cleveland Cavaliers)
Manu Ginobli, shooting guard (2016-17 team: San Antonio Spurs)
Marreese Speights, center (2016-17 team: Los Angeles Clippers)
Mason Plumlee, center (2016-17 teams: Portland Trail
Blazers/Denver Nuggets)
Matt Barnes, small forward (2016-17 teams: Sacramento Kings/Golden State Warriors)
Michael Beasley, small forward (2016-17 team: Milwaukee Bucks)
Michael Carter-Williams, point guard (2016-17 team: Chicago Bulls)
Nene, power forward/center (2016-17 team: Houston Rockets)
Nick Young, shooting/small forward (2016-17 team: Los Angeles
Lakers)
Nikola Mirotic, power forward (2016-17 team: Chicago Bulls)
P.J. Tucker, small forward (2016-17 teams: Phoenix Suns/Toronto
Raptors)
Patrick Patterson, power forward (2016-17 team: Toronto
Raptors)
Patty Mills, point guard (2016-17 team: San Antonio Spurs)
Pau Gasol, power forward/center (2016-17 team: San Antonio
Spurs)
Randy Foye, shooting guard (2016-17 team: Brooklyn Nets)
Raymond Felton, point guard (2016-17 team: Los Angeles Clippers)
Rudy Gay, small forward (2016-17 team: Sacramento Kings)
Shabazz Muhammad, small forward (2016-17 team: Minnesota Timberwolves)
Shaun Livingston, point guard (2016-17 team: Golden State
Warriors)
Shelvin Mack, point guard (2016-17 team: Utah Jazz)
Taj Gibson, power forward (2016-17 teams: Chicago
Bulls/Oklahoma City Thunder)
Terrence Jones, power forward (2016-17 teams: New Orleans Pelicans/Milwaukee Bucks)
Thabo Sefolosha, small forward (2016-17 team: Atlanta Hawks)
Tim Hardaway Jr., shooting guard/small forward (2016-17 team:
Atlanta Hawks)
Tony Allen, shooting guard (2016-17 team: Memphis Grizzlies)
Tony Snell, shooting guard/small forward (2016-17 team:
Milwaukee Bucks)
Trey Burke, point guard (2016-17 teams: Utah Jazz/Washington Wizards)
Ty Lawson, point guard (2016-17 team: Sacramento Kings)
Tyreke Evans, shooting guard/small forward (2016-17 teams: New
Orleans Pelicans/Sacramento Kings)
Vince Carter, small forward (2016-17 team: Memphis Grizzlies)
Zach Randolph, power forward (2016-17 team: Memphis Grizzlies)
Zaza Pachulia, center (2016-17 team: Golden State Warriors)
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