As every year, and even more so this season with this 2024 “free agency” in two phases, the main “free agents” have already found takers, whether it is Paul George, Klay Thompson or Pascal Siakam and Malik Monk. Franchises still have the means to afford a big free agent, but it is also possible to set up exchanges and “sign-and-trades” to get around the budgetary limits.
Here are the ten best free agents still available.
1 – DeMar DeRozan (34 years old – unprotected – Chicago Bulls)
2023–24 stats (regular season): 24.0 points, 5.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals
Still productive and rarely injured, DeMar DeRozan unfortunately hasn't had the chance to play on a competitive team for several years now. His wish will probably be to join a playoff candidate, if not a title contender, but as it stands, the market seems closed and we could finally find him at the Spurs to support Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama. A priori, in Chicago, we have turned the page on DeRozan, and perhaps the team will help him find a club with a “sign-and-trade”. The Lakers remain on the lookout.
2 – Miles Bridges (26 years old – unprotected – Charlotte Hornets)
2023–24 stats (regular season): 21.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists
Controversial Miles Bridges finds himself on the market after receiving a simple qualifying offer last year. Statistically, he was productive in the Hornets' lackluster season and one wonders what he can hope to get contractually. Seeing him re-sign in Charlotte is possible but he could also discover a new team, like Cleveland where they would be ready to set up a “sign-and-trade” to get him.
3 – Caleb Martin (28 years old – player option – Miami Heat)
2023–24 stats (regular season): 10.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists
Stats 2023–24 (playoffs): 11.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists
The Heat winger is said to be very greedy since he would like to double his salary. Miami Herald thus evokes a salary of 15 million dollars. Pat Riley loves the player, but he does not want to burn himself for the next offseasons. The Sixers have an eye on him but it is impossible in the current state to offer him such a salary. There is also talk of a double “sign-and-trade” with the Bulls, in exchange for DeMar DeRozan.
4 – Malik Beasley (27 years old – unprotected – Milwaukee Bucks)
2023–24 stats (regular season): 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists
Stats 2023–24 (playoffs): 8.8 points, 2.5 rebounds
After playing a season with the minimum salary, Malik Beasley hopes to earn more with his new contract. Which will prevent the Bucks from matching his claims to keep him. Several teams (Magic, Rockets, Warriors) were interested in his services, and his 3-point skills especially, which are always useful in today's basketball. For now, he remains without a contract and the Warriors seem to have completed their recruitment.
Read >> The complete table of “free agency”
5 – Gary Trent Jr. (25 years old – unprotected – Toronto Raptors)
2023–24 stats (regular season): 13.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals
He had lost his starting spot at the start of the season, but Gary Trent Jr. finished the 2023/24 season in the starting five. After finishing with 13.7 points on average at 39% success on 3-pointers, the former Portland player remains a very good scorer and a reliable long-range shooter, who could suit teams lacking offensive punch, especially on 3-pointers or off the bench. Afterwards, he probably hopes to find a team where he will be a starter, despite his big limitations on defense.
6 – Tyus Jones (28 years old – unprotected – Washington Wizards)
2023–24 stats (regular season): 12.0 points, 7.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals
Always in the shadows, Tyus Jones is without a doubt one of the most reliable, cheap and consistent point guards of recent years. Off the bench or now in the starting five, he rarely disappoints and, at just 28 years old, he has the possibility of signing the biggest contract of his career, and we are talking about an annual salary of 15 million dollars. The latest rumors suggest that Tre Jones' brother will extend in Washington, where he is obviously very appreciated, but a surprise can quickly happen. In any case, he will have control over his future.
7 – Precious Achiuwa (24 years old – protégé – New York Knicks)
2023–24 stats (regular season): 7.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists
Stats 2023–24 (playoffs): 5.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks
Arriving mid-season in New York, Precious Achiuwa has managed to endear himself to Tom Thibodeau, who has never hesitated to call on his soldier when others were on the sidelines. It is unclear whether he will be back in Big Applebut with the departure of Isaiah Hartenstein, extending him almost becomes a priority since the Knicks must find support for Mitchell Robinson, especially since he is often injured.
8 – Markelle Fultz (26 years old – unprotected – Orlando Magic)
2023–24 stats (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
The former number 1 in the Draft is interesting as a “wild card” coming off the bench, and perhaps his future lies elsewhere than with the Magic. Why not with a title contender to take a step forward and strengthen his profile as a puncher coming off the bench. The problem is the salary since it's hard to imagine him playing the minimum.
9 – Kyle Lowry (38 years old – unprotected – Philadelphia Sixers)
2023–24 stats (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 steal
We are not worried about the former NBA champion, he will find a buyer. Moreover, the Suns do not rule out recruiting him, even if they have already recovered Monte Morris. In a locker room, or in the playoffs, Kyle Lowry can still be of great service. The Knicks track had been mentioned to strengthen, even more, the Villanova Connection.
9 – Patrick Beverley (35 years old – unprotected – Milwaukee Bucks)
2023–24 stats (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
Like Kyle Lowry, the former barker of the Clippers and the Bucks has his fans in the NBA. In the playoffs, he proved that he still had some under the hood, and any coach dreams of having a “pitbull” like that on the guard positions. After the elimination against the Pacers, he had explained that he wanted to re-enlist with the Bucks, but with a salary increase…
10 – Spencer Dinwiddie (31 years old – unprotected – Los Angeles Lakers)
2023–24 stats (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
Clearly, the former Nets point guard is one of the big losers of the end of the season, and his series against the Nuggets showed that he was limited at this level. He is still a player capable of 10 and 15 points per game, and he should find a buyer.
Mentions : Jose Alvarado, Cameron Payne, Dennis Smith Jr., Jordan McLaughlin, Evan Fournier, Lonnie Walker, Luke Kennard, Talen Horton-Tucker, Saddiq Bey, Isaac Okoro, Gordon Hayward, Simone Fontecchio, Torrey Craig, Doug McDermott, Cedi Osman, Reggie Bullock, Robert Covington, Marcus and Markieff Morris, Jae Crowder, Davis Bertans, Jeff Green, Daniel Theis, Tristan Thompson, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Boban Marjanovic, Javale McGee, Harry Giles, Cody Zeller, Damian Jones, Mike Muscala, Bismack Biyombo, Haywood Highsmith…
