NBA free agents: The top 10 players available

Sport360 staff 20:23 30/06/2016

Kevin Durant (Unrestricted)

The 27-year-old will be hitting free agency for the first time in his career and he’s just at the beginning of his prime. It will take a really strong pitch by teams to convince him not to return to Oklahoma City Thunder, but he’s certainly taking a look at his options.

LeBron James (Unrestricted)

For the fourth time in seven years, LeBron will hit the open market, at least in theory. But Cleveland fans don’t really have anything to worry about, as James has taken short-term deals to maximise his salary with the rising cap. He could hand-pick his spot, but he’s in a good place.

Andre Drummond (Restricted)

The dominant big man will be the top restricted free agent available, but there’s no doubt Detroit plan to match any offer thrown his way. He still hasn’t developed into a consistent offensive force, but he’s only 22, somehow, and has plenty of time to grow in that aspect.

Al Horford (Unrestricted)

Yes, he’s on the wrong side of 30 now, but Horford is still one of the better players in the league. He could be a piece teams want to add to take them to the next level and though the Hawks are still good, there are greener pastures.

Mike Conley (Unrestricted)

Conley is the best point guard available, so teams looking to address the position will go hard at him to avoid being left with scraps. The nine-year veteran has spent his entire career in Memphis, so he’ll be fine staying there, unless he wants to win now.

Hassan Whiteside (Unrestricted)

One of the best shot-blockers and finishers around the rim in the NBA right now, Whiteside will make a massive impact in the paint for any team. It appears he won’t be with Miami next season, but he’ll still need to stay focused wherever he is.

DeMar DeRozan (Unrestricted)

Shooting guard is one of the more shallow positions in the league at the moment and even with some of his flaws, DeRozan is near the top of the list. All signs, however, point to him staying north to keep the Raptors’ core intact for another run.

Dwight Howard (Unrestricted)

He’s no longer the same force he once was, but some teams will still hand him a max contract after he opted out of his deal with Houston. If he’s motivated, in the right role and situation, the 30-year-old big man can be a vital piece to a contender.

Bradley Beal (Restricted)

If it wasn’t for a string of injuries, the shooting guard would be higher on the list. At only 23, he’s young enough to be worth taking a risk on. Beal’s shooting and scoring ability makes him a target for a number of teams, though the Wiz have final say.

Dwayne Wade (Unrestricted)

Wade is synonymous with Miami Heat after spending his entire career with the franchise, so it’s highly unlikely he’ll be suiting up elsewhere. Because of his age, Miami will try to steer clear of anything long-term, but should appease him with a short near-max contract.

Recommended