The first free agency period was in 1988 after the league and The Players’ Association signed the collective bargaining agreement. Prior to 1988, players were stuck with teams that drafted them, and the only way to move to another team was if the team decided you were expendable in a trade. The advent of free agency has opened the opportunity for players to maximize their value and determine where they would like to play basketball for the foreseeable future. The 2024 NBA Free Agency period begins at 6 pm EST on Sunday, June 30 and teams will be counting down the hours until they can change the trajectory of their franchise by signing a marquee player. In this article, we will discuss the top 5 players that will be available for signing. The list is for available players because it is all but certain that Lebron James and Tyrese Maxey will resign with the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers. James is poised to resign because the team drafted his signed son (Bronny James) and installed his podcast cohost (JJ Reddick) as Head Coach. Maxey is likely to receive a max-extension which keeps him in the city of Brotherly Love for the next 5-years.
1. Paul George-George is a perennial All-Star, and the Clippers have fallen short of expectations despite the talent on the team due to injuries. George averaged 22.6 points per game, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last season. However, George has a big decision whether to remain in the comforts of Los Angeles as the Clippers open a new arena at the Intuit Dome. The reports indicate that the Clippers are giving Paul a lucrative 3-year deal, but he is looking for a four-year max deal. Paul has the option to opt in to get traded or opt out to sign a big contract. If he opts out, then the Sixers could pounce by satisfying PG’s desire. Another team that could swoop in for George is the Golden State Warriors, who are desperate to extend Steph Curry’s championship window.
2. Demar DeRozan-Believe it or not DeRozan will be entering his 15th season in the NBA. However, the 35-year-old is entering free agency, and there are questions about whether he will likely have to move on from the Chicago Bulls. DeRozan averaged 24 points per game, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in the 2023-24 season. The Bulls have played consecutive seasons where they have fallen into the play-in tournament and are stuck in the middle of whether to rebuild or try to contend. Last week, the team traded Alex Caruso to Oklahoma City and acquired Josh Giddey in return. The acquisition of Giddey provides the team with a natural Point Guard to replace the injured Lonzo Ball. However, the likelihood of DeRozan returning is bleak since this may be his final shot at winning a championship.
3. James Harden- Harden has been one of the most dominant Point Guards in this era. In 2018, James won the MVP with the Houston Rockets after demonstrating his ability to score and get triple-doubles nearly on a nightly basis. The problem for Harden is that the Rockets did not overcome the Warriors in order to win a championship. Harden has played for four teams in the past five years as he moves out of his prime with his latest stop with the Los Angeles Clippers. Still, James is a viable option on the floor and averaged 16.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and played in 72 games, which is the most 2018-19 season. All signs point to Harden returning to Los Angeles, with the Clippers seeking to open their new arena and James seeking more stability.
4. Klay Thompson- is it the end of the Splash Brothers dynasty in Golden State? This era will be defined by that team that won 4 titles in seven years and Thompson electrifying the Bay Area crowd from the three-point line. Many skeptics will point to his diminishing athleticism, which has dipped due to missing two full seasons with injuries, and at age 34, the slide is likely to continue. However, Klay still averaged 17.9 points per game, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in the 2023-24 season and is seeking to maximize value in his final contract. The question is whether Thompson will give a slight discount to retire as a Warrior or will he head into the open market. The Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers Spurs are viable options for Thompson to get a final pay-day and contend for a championship.
5. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope-Klay Thompson has appeared on the Nugget’s radar because their current Shooting Guard may be heading out of the Mile High City. Pope is a player who could be an option for many because he is affordable and a proven winner on the big stage. The 6-foot-5 wing has helped the Lakers and Nuggets win two titles in the past five years as an effective three-point shooter and defender. The Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers are rumored to be in the hunt for his services, but it’s tough to see him leaving the Nuggets after losing Bruce Brown in free agency last year.