The NBA should see a lot of player movement in the summer of 2024. There are some very good players set to hit free agency and plenty of cap space to work with.
Some of these players will extend their current contracts or opt out of that level. But entering the season, these talents are the main players that the team is targeting.
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2024 NBA Free Agent Rankings
1. LeBron James – $51.4 million player option
James said he wants to play with his son Bronny, who will be eligible for the 2024 NBA draft. If that’s still his plan, he could opt out of his contract and join Bronny’s team as a free agent.
2. Kawhi Leonard – $48.8 million player option
Leonard has proven he can still perform at a high level when healthy, averaging 34.5 points in two playoff games. Still, health remains a huge question mark. Given his injury history, he may opt in.
3. Paul George – $48.8 million player option
George, 33, may not receive that annual value if he opts out. Negotiations may be complicated, but he’s coming off an All-Star season in which he averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists.
4. Pascal Siakam – Unrestricted Free Agent
Siakam is about to be selected to the All-Star Game for the second time. He averaged 24.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game for the Raptors last season. But as the best player on the team, he has limitations, and he’s expected to be paid big time.
5. James Harden – Unrestricted Free Agent
Harden is full of drama, but he is still capable of playing at an extremely high level. Last season he led the league in assists with 10.7 per game and also averaged 21.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
He’s not the Harden he was five years ago — he’s noticeably worse at finishing around the rim — but he can still lead a very good offense.
6. Jrue Holiday – $37.4 million player option
Over the past few seasons, Holiday has been performing at a near All-Star level. Similar to George, he has the option to get more years at a lower price.
7. DeMar DeRozan – unrestricted free agent
At 34 years old, DeRozan is still one of the best offensive players in the league. He was named an All-Star for two consecutive seasons and averaged 24.5 points per game last year.
8. OG Anunoby – $19.9 million player option
Anunoby will definitely opt out of this contract. He will almost certainly get more money, and there may be some teams willing to commit around $40 million per year to him.
9. Klay Thompson – unrestricted free agent
Thompson and the Warriors have expressed interest in completing a trade, but it hasn’t happened yet. The sharpshooter appears to be fully recovered from last season’s serious Achilles injury, averaging 21.9 points per game and shooting 41.2 percent from beyond the arc.
10. Tyrese Maxey – Restricted Free Agent
Maxey is one of the fastest guards in the league and has developed into an elite shooter. Last season, at the age of 22, he averaged 20.3 points per game for the 76ers and shot 43.4% from three-point range.
11. Nick Claxton – Unrestricted Free Agent
Claxton could be a future Defensive Player of the Year candidate. He’s an excellent rim protector and versatile big man who can switch to the perimeter. He doesn’t have a lot of offensive range, but he’s a good finisher.
12. Immanuel Quickley – Restricted Free Agent
Quickley finished second behind Malcolm Brogdon last season and missed out on the Sixth Man of the Year award. He is a very smart defender who brings high energy to the court. He can expand the offensive space, and he shot 37.0% from three-point range last season.
He did disappear in the playoffs, which could hurt his value.
13. Jaden McDaniels – Restricted Free Agent
McDaniels is a disruptive and versatile defender who was on the verge of being named to the All-Defensive team last season. He is an excellent athlete and has improved his three-point shooting percentage to 39.8%. The shooting, size and defense will get him paid.
14. Devin Vassell – Restricted Free Agent
Vassell is an excellent help defender who developed his ball-handling skills during his time with the Spurs. Last season he averaged 18.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.
15. Tobias Harris – Unrestricted Free Agent
Harris will no longer be one of the highest-paid players in the league. However, the team that signs him to a new contract will be getting a very good player. He’s a solid defender and three-point shooter who could bring some shot-creation skills as a third or fourth weapon.
16. Buddy Hield – Unrestricted Free Agent
Hield is one of the most prolific shooters in the NBA. He takes a lot of shots, and his career three-point shooting percentage is 40.2%. According to reports, he has discussed trade options with the Pacers management due to the breakdown of contract extension negotiations between the two parties.
17. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – $15.4 million player option
Caldwell-Pope is a solid veteran who has won the championship twice. He is a tough defender and excellent three-point shooter, shooting 42.3% from the field last season with the Nuggets.
18. Bruce Brown – $23 million team option
Brown was one of the heroes of the Nuggets’ championship run, finding a way to hit clutch shots in the playoffs. He is a versatile defender who can defend despite being 6-foot-4, and he can play multiple roles on offense.
19. Caleb Martin – $7.1 million player option
Martin is a solid defender and consistent shooter. He has the ability to generate some offense in a pinch. His current contract is a bargain, so expect him to opt out and enter unrestricted free agency.
20. Onyeka Okongwu – Restricted Free Agent
Okongwu is one of the best short centers in the league. He’s a good rim protector and moves his feet well on the perimeter. He’s a good finisher, but he can’t extend to the three-point line.
21. Russell Westbrook – $4 million player option
Westbrook may opt out of the deal and seek more money. He still has the ability to put tremendous pressure on the rim and create opportunities for teammates. He had a great year with the Clippers, averaging 15.8 points and 7.6 assists in 21 games while earning the starting point guard spot.