The trade market has been quite busy ahead of NBA free agency as teams deal with the ramifications of the new CBA that goes into effect tomorrow night at 6 PM EST when the new league year starts. Bradley Beal, Chris Paul, Kristaps Porzingis, Jordan Poole, Marcus Smart, Tyus Jones, Landry Shamet and Davis Bertans all got dealt last week and there's a strong speculative belief that more high-profile moves will be made leading up to the start of free agency.
Conveniently, this time of frantic cost-cutting across the league directly lines up with a profoundly unsexy free agency class. The top names on the market this year are all either solid role players, RFA's who could make a massive leap within the next few years and of course, a pair of aging, unreliable and underachieving superstars who have demonstrated a tendency to shoot their way off teams on a whim and/or get injured. Basically none of these players will get the contracts that they were hoping for as teams micromanage every dollar to avoid clearing that 2nd luxury tax threshold that would cause them to forfeit future draft picks and receive a nice fat invoice from Adam Silver. Fun will certainly be had by all! Here are the 10 players that I believe have the most value in this year's free agency class
(Note: Jerami Grant, Josh Hart, Jakob Poletl and Austin Reaves were excluded from this list as they're expected to exercise their option or sign a long-term deal to remain with the teams they finished the 2022-23 season with)
10.Cameron Johnson, small/power forward (2022-23 teams: Phoenix Suns/Brooklyn Nets)
For the sake of value added in the Kevin Durant trade and attempting to solidify a young nucleus to center their rebuilding efforts around, it's imperative that the Nets make re-signing Johnson a top priority this offseason. Johnson flourished as a full-time starter once he got to Brooklyn-averaging 16.6 PPG on 46.8% shooting along with 1.4 SPG and his elite length, defensive versatility and 3-point making ability (39.3% for his career) make him an ideal modern wing that complements their current de facto #1 Mikal Bridges nicely.
Possible Destinations: Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Oklahoma City Thunder
9.Kyle Kuzma, small/power forward (2022-23 team: Washington Wizards)
Kuzma may have never blossomed into the star the Lakers thought he was going to be when they opted to include Brandon Ingram instead of him in the Anthony Davis trade with New Orleans, but the nearly 28-year old has proven that he can score the ball efficiently and get 6-8 rebounds per game consistently. Any offensively-challenged team looking for a 3rd scorer would be wise to give Kuzma a look.
Possible Destinations: Sacramento Kings, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers
8.Brook Lopez, center (2022-23 team: Milwaukee Bucks)
Lopez proved that there was no lingering effects from the back injury that sidelined him for nearly all of 2021-22 by having his best season (15.9 PPG, 53.1 FG%, 37.4 3P%, 6.7 RPG, 2.5 BPG-which was a career high) since 2016-17 last year. Age (35) and durability concerns will certainly impact the size of his market, but his ability to hit 3's and block shots at a high clip makes him a unique weapon that could help push a contending team over the top.
Possible Destinations: Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets
7.D'Angelo Russell, point guard (2022-23 teams: Minnesota Timberwolves/Los Angeles Lakers)
Russell is a trick-or-treat player that will never fail to infuriate and confound the fans of the teams he plays for. That being said, his highs on the offensive end of the floor are special and he was a valuable part of the Lakers 2nd half turnaround last year-which should allow him to generate a fair amount of interest on the open market.
Possible Destinations: Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls
6.Bruce Brown, point/shooting guard (2022-23 team: Denver Nuggets)
Brown earned himself a nice little raise after showing off his grit, toughness and polish on both ends of the floor as a 6th man/regular fill-in starter for the Nuggets in 2022-23. While it would be a bit of a shock to see him leave a team he fit so nicely on and just won a title with, a desire to return to a starting lineup full-time and earn more money could lead him elsewhere.
Possible Destinations: Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks
5.Fred VanVleet, point/shooting guard (2022-23 team: Toronto Raptors)
VanVleet's increasingly suspect shooting is a big concern (he's shot under 40% from the field in 2 of the past 3 seasons)-especially for a guy who appears to be seeking $25 mil+ per year after declining a $22.8 mil player option. Despite that key problem area, VanVleet will still be a coveted free agent due to his ability to be an unselfish, high-effort leader who knows what it takes to win a championship and float pretty effortlessly between the two guard spots. Going to a place where he's asked to score less and pass more would be ideal for him as he enters his age-30 season.
Possible Destinations: Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns
4.Khris Middleton, small forward (2022-23 team: Milwaukee Bucks)
The extensive time Middleton has missed since the end of the 2021-22 season (61 games to be exact) makes signing him to any deal that's more than 2-3 years in length a needlessly risky proposition. Still, Middleton is an All-Star caliber player when he's healthy and his play (23.8 PPG, 46.5 FG%, 40.6 3P%, 86.7 FT%, 6.4 RPG, 6.2 APG, .6 SPG) during the Bucks unexpectedly short playoff run this past spring was an encouraging sign that he's got enough gas left in the tank to put together at least a couple more great seasons.
Possible Destinations: Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks
3.Kyrie Irving, point guard (2022-23 teams: Brooklyn Nets/Dallas Mavericks)
This feels like a borderline unnecessary inclusion as the Mavericks appear destined to re-sign Irving after trading for him at the deadline and being unable to get a real good look at how he and Luka Doncic play together before their season ended in April when they failed to qualify for the play-in tournament. As much of a world-class pain in the ass as his pseudointellectual antics and erratic gameday availability are to deal with, Irving's immense talent as a player is undeniable and some team will be willing to accept all of his massive baggage with the hopes that he'll deliver in the playoffs for the 1st time since he stopped playing alongside LeBron James.
Possible Destinations: Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Maybe the 76ers if James Harden leaves
2.James Harden, shooting guard (2022-23 team: Philadelphia 76ers)
Will Daryl Morey be able to convince Harden to remain in Philly as Joel Embiid's top lieutenant or will his love for strip clubs draw him back to Houston? Both seem equally likely. It really won't matter which direction Harden goes in because no matter who he plays with or is coached by, he'll once again dominate in the regular season and wilt in the playoffs like he has in each of the past 15 years.
Possible Destinations: Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets
1.Draymond Green, small/power forward (2022-23 team: Golden State Warriors)
Why put Green ahead of Harden and Irving? Simple: He has a much stronger chance of actually impacting winning once the bright lights of the playoffs turn on. Green does everything on the floor but score/shoot at a high level and his no bullshit attitude could provide any young and/or aloof team with the swift kick in the ass they need to elevate their game enough to bring home a title.
Possible Destinations: Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers
Other Notable Players Available:
Andre Drummond, center (2022-23 team: Chicago Bulls)
Ayo Dosunmu, point/shooting guard (2022-23 team: Chicago Bulls)
Bismack Biyombo, center (2022-23 team: Phoenix Suns)
Cam Reddish, small forward (2022-23 teams: New York Knicks/Portland Trail Blazers)
Caris LeVert, small forward (2022-23 team: Cleveland Cavaliers)
Christian Wood, power forward/center (2022-23 team: Dallas Mavericks)
Coby White, point/shooting guard (2022-23 team: Chicago Bulls)
Cory Joseph, point/shooting guard (2022-23 team: Detroit Pistons)
Dennis Schroder, point/shooting guard (2022-23 team: Los Angeles Lakers)
Dennis Smith Jr., point guard (2022-23 team: Charlotte Hornets)
Dillon Brooks, shooting guard (2022-23 team: Memphis Grizzlies)
Donte DiVincenzo, point/shooting guard (2022-23 team: Golden State Warriors)
Drew Eubanks, power forward/center (2022-23 team: Portland Trail Blazers)
Dwight Powell, center (2022-23 team: Dallas Mavericks)
Eric Gordon, shooting guard (2022-23 teams: Houston Rockets/Los Angeles Clippers)
Gabe Vincent, point/shooting guard (2022-23 team: Miami Heat)
Georges Niang, small/power forward (2022-23 team: Philadelphia 76ers)
Goran Dragic, point/shooting guard (2022-23 teams: Chicago Bulls/Milwaukee Bucks)
Grant Williams, small/power forward (2022-23 team: Boston Celtics)
Harrison Barnes, small forward (2022-23 team: Sacramento Kings)
Herbert Jones, small forward (2022-23 team: New Orleans Pelicans)
JaMychal Green, power forward/center (2022-23 team: Golden State Warriors)
Jaxson Hayes, center (2022-23 team: New Orleans Pelicans)
Jaylen Nowell, shooting guard (2022-23 team: Minnesota Timberwolves)
Jeff Green, small/power forward (2022-23 team: Denver Nuggets)
Jerome Carter, point guard (2022-23 team: Milwaukee Bucks)
Jock Landale, center (2022-23 team: Phoenix Suns)
Joe Ingles, small forward (2022-23 team: Milwaukee Bucks)
Jordan Clarkson, point/shooting guard (2022-23 team: Utah Jazz)
Josh Richardson, shooting guard/small forward (2022-23 teams: San Antonio Spurs/New Orleans Pelicans)
Kelly Oubre Jr., shooting guard/small forward (2022-23 team: Charlotte Hornets)
Kevin Love, power forward (2022-23 teams: Cleveland Cavaliers/Miami Heat)
Lonnie Walker IV, small forward (2022-23 team: Los Angeles Lakers)
Malik Beasley, shooting guard/small forward (2022-23 teams: Minnesota Timberwolves/Los Angeles Lakers)
Mason Plumlee, center (2022-23 teams: Charlotte Hornets/Los Angeles Clippers)
Matisse Thybulle, small forward (2022-23 teams: Philadelphia 76ers/Portland Trail Blazers)
Max Strus, shooting guard/small forward (2022-23 team: Miami Heat)
Miles Bridges, small/power forward (2022-23 team: None)
Mo Wagner, power forward/center (2022-23 team: Orlando Magic)
Montrezl Harrell, power forward/center (2022-23 team: Philadelphia 76ers)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, point/shooting guard (2022-23 teams: Utah Jazz/Minnesota Timberwolves)
P.J. Washington, small/power forward (2022-23 team: Charlotte Hornets)
Patrick Beverley, point/shooting guard (2022-23 teams: Los Angeles Lakers/Chicago Bulls)
Paul Reed, power forward/center (2022-23 team: Philadelphia 76ers)
Reggie Jackson, point/shooting guard (2022-23 teams: Los Angeles Clippers/Denver Nuggets)
Rui Hachimura, power forward (2022-23 teams: Washington Wizards/Los Angeles Lakers)
Russell Westbrook, point/shooting guard (2022-23 teams: Los Angeles Lakers/Los Angeles Clippers)
Seth Curry, shooting guard/small forward (2022-23 team: Brooklyn Nets)
Shake Milton, shooting guard (2022-23 team: Philadelphia 76ers)
Sviatoslav Mykhaliuk, shooting guard (2022-23 teams: New York Knicks/Charlotte Hornets)
Taurean Prince, small forward (2022-23 team: Minnesota Timberwolves)
Tre Jones, point guard (2022-23 team:
San Antonio Spurs)
Trey Lyles, power forward/center (2022-23 team: Sacramento Kings)
Yuta Watanabe, small forward (2022-23 team: Brooklyn Nets)
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