With the NBA season over, it’s already time to turn to the “ free agency », which will shake up the first days of July.
This year, it will begin on the night of Sunday June 30 to Monday July 1, at midnight in France (and 6 p.m. in New York). As always, the signatures will become official once the moratorium period is lifted, a week later, on July 6 at 6 p.m. in France (and noon in New York).
So here is the Top 10 best playmakers available on the market this summer. A position dominated by an established All-Star, some former glories, role players quality and young people with long teeth…
1 – Tyrese Maxey (23 years old – protected – Philadelphia Sixers)
Stats 2023–24 (regular season): 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals
Stats 2023–24 (playoffs): 29.8 points, 6.8 assists and 5.2 rebounds
In all likelihood, Tyrese Maxey will not leave the Sixers, who should offer him a contract extension of five years, at most. Nothing surprising when we know that he is only 23 years old, is coming off his best career year (MIP) and has All-Star status. Cornerstone of the Philadelphia project alongside Joel Embiid, the young back is therefore expected to stay for the long term in Pennsylvania, where we are already happy to have found their new leader in the backcourtcapable of performing in the playoffs.
2 – James Harden (34 years old – unprotected – Los Angeles Clippers)
Stats 2023–24 (regular season): 16.6 points, 8.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals
Stats 2023–24 (playoffs): 21.2 points, 8.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks
Tyrese Maxey's mentor when he was in Philadelphia, James Harden has since moved to Los Angeles, where he began the final turn of his career. At almost 35 years old, we don't know if he will prioritize money or competitiveness, if he can't have both, but everything suggests that he will return to the Clippers, where he retains a major role in the shadow of Kawhi Leonard (and potentially Paul George). The choice of security for both camps, even if in the event of a contractual impasse, some teams will not be asked to offer him a nice contract.
3 – D’Angelo Russell (28 years old – player option – Los Angeles Lakers)
Stats 2023–24 (regular season): 18.0 points, 6.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds
Stats 2023–24 (playoffs): 14.2 points, 4.2 assists and 2.8 rebounds
The vagueness remains around the D'Angelo Russell file, who can choose to activate his player option to test the market. The amount is relatively low ($18.7 million) and he might therefore want to free himself from his contract to earn more, both with the Lakers and with another team. Blowing hot and cold too regularly, especially in the playoffs, “D-Lo” risks not being there summer priority of the leaders of Los Angeles and a franchise (Orlando?) in search of scoring–spacing–playmaking in its backcourt might just decide to break the bank to get it back.
4 – Immanuel Quickley (25 years old – protected – Toronto Raptors)
Stats 2023–24 (regular season): 17.0 points, 4.9 assists and 3.8 rebounds
Arriving at the Raptors during the season, Immanuel Quickley quickly established himself as a starter and the franchise, which can match all the offers he receives, should logically not part with its new will-o'-the-wisp, after having extended Scottie Barnes. The future of “IQ” therefore does not seem to lie anywhere other than Toronto, which should quickly complete its re-signing for a substantial salary, as desired by the person concerned a year ago, when he was still playing at the Knicks. Let us remember what had blocked it.
5 – Tyus Jones (28 years old – unprotected – Washington Wizards)
Stats 2023–24 (regular season): 12.0 points, 7.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals
Always in the shadows, Tyus Jones is undoubtedly one of the most reliable, cheap and consistent playmakers of recent years. Coming off the bench or now in the starting five, he rarely disappoints and, at just 28 years old, he has the opportunity to sign the biggest contract of his career. The latest rumors suggest that Tre Jones' brother will extend his term in Washington, where he is obviously very popular, but a surprise can quickly happen. In any case, he will have control over his future.
6 – Russell Westbrook (35 years old – player option – Los Angeles Clippers)
Stats 2023–24 (regular season): 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 steals
Stats 2023–24 (playoffs): 6.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 steals
7 – Markelle Fultz (26 years old – unprotected – Orlando Magic)
Stats 2023–24 (regular season): 7.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steals
Stats 2023–24 (playoffs): 6.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists
8 – Kyle Lowry (38 years old – unprotected – Philadelphia Sixers)
Stats 2023–24 (regular season): 8.1 points, 4.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals
Stats 2023–24 (playoffs): 7.0 points, 4.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals
9 – Patrick Beverley (35 years old – unprotected – Milwaukee Bucks)
Stats 2023–24 (regular season): 6.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists
Stats 2023–24 (playoffs): 8.2 points, 5.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals
10 – Spencer Dinwiddie (31 years old – unprotected – Los Angeles Lakers)
Stats 2023–24 (regular season): 10.5 points, 4.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds
Stats 2023–24 (playoffs): 3.0 points, 1.6 assists and 1.4 rebounds
Mentions : Jose Alvarado (Pelicans), Monte Morris (Timberwolves), Kris Dunn (Jazz), Cameron Payne (Sixers), Dalano Banton (Blazers), Dennis Smith Jr. (Nets), Delon Wright (Heat), Aaron Holiday (Rockets) , Jordan McLaughlin (Timberwolves)…
Player option : possibility for a player to activate (or not) the last year of his contract, in order to end his lease or become a “free agent” one year in advance.
