Sunday, December 22, 2024

Ranking the top 30 NBA free agents in 2024

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A flurry of moves this week weakened the NBA free agency class.

Once part of this group, players such as OG Anunoby (Knicks), Malik Monk (Kings), Immanuel Quickley (Raptors) and Pascal Siakam (Pacers) are no longer available.

Tyrese Maxey is expected to ink a max contract with the 76ers as well, taking him off the board.

There remains, however, tons of difference-makers who will be attainable once the free agency period begins Sunday at 6 p.m.

The Post’s Zach Braziller ranks the crop of players able to switch teams.

1. Paul George, SF

The most fascinating free agent on the market, George is up there in age at 34 and remains an injury risk — even if he did play in 74 games a year ago, his most since the 2018-19 campaign. The nine-time All-Star remains a high-level player who will command the max of four years and $221.1 million. It’s likely a battle between the Clippers and 76ers.

Paul George will be the top free agent available. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

2. LeBron James, F

It seems like a formality the self-described King will stay in Los Angeles, especially after the Lakers hired his podcast partner, JJ Reddick, as its new coach and drafted his son, Bronny, in the second round (55th overall).

3. James Harden, G

Not the same player but still effective as a secondary option. Do the Clippers run it back with Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George after injuries yet again derailed that star-studded trio in the postseason?

James Harden spent last season with the Clippers. Getty Images

4. DeMar DeRozan, SG

A quality veteran best suited at this point in his career as a second or third option, the 34-year-old DeRozan averaged 24 points, 5.3 assists and 4.3 last season with the Bulls. He doesn’t shoot it great from deep — just a 29.6 percent career 3-point shooter — which could give some contenders pause.

5. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG

Caldwell-Pope is a winner, a two-time NBA champion who is a terrific defender and 3-point shooter. The Nuggets would like to keep him, but they will have plenty of competition.

6. Isaiah Hartenstein, C

The 7-footer broke through at a perfect time — averaging career-highs in rebounds (8.3), minutes (25.3) and steals (1.2). The Knicks only can offer him a max of four years and $72.5 million, which a number of teams can top — the Thunder are at the top of that list — though Hartenstein seemed to love his two years with the orange and blue.

Isaiah Hartenstein became a critical Knicks piece throughout last season. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post

7. Klay Thompson, SG

Thompson is in decline, as his lowest scoring average (17.9) since his second year in the league would illustrate. There is still plenty of value there, though, for a sharpshooting guard with size. The Magic sound like a team to watch if he doesn’t remain with the Warriors.

8. Tobias Harris, SF

Like Russell, a poor postseason overshadowed a quality regular season for the veteran, floor-spacing wing. This might be the soon-to-be, 32-year-old’s last chance to really cash in.

This might be the last chance for Tobias Harris (12) to cash in during free agency. USA TODAY Sports

9. Miles Bridges, PF

It’s hard to see anyone committing long-term to the talented 6-foot-7 forward after he pleaded no contest and was sentenced to three years of probation for a domestic violence charge. Bridges did enjoy a strong return season after his year away — averaging 21 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

10. De’Anthony Melton, SG

A sneaky impactful player just entering his prime at the age of 26. Melton shoots it well, making 36.9 percent of his 3-point attempts for his career, and can really guard. The 76ers were 22-11 with him as a starter. Who knows how that first-round series goes against the Knicks if Melton, who dealt with a back injury last year that limited him to 38 games, is healthy.

11. Tyus Jones, PG

A full-time starter for the first team in his career, Jones set personal bests with the Wizards in scoring (12.0), assists (7.3) and 3-point shooting (41.4 percent). In a weak point guard market, the 6-foot-1 Jones can benefit. He posted a through-the-roof 7.3-1 assist-to-turnover ratio with Washington.

Tyus Jones was a regular starter for the first time last season with the Wizads. USA TODAY Sports

12. Gary Trent Jr., SG

Picked a bad time for regression, notching his lowest production (13.7 points in 28.1 minutes) since becoming a part-time starter in 2020-21. But at the age of 25, that feels like an aberration for a court-spacing guard with a solid track record.

13. Obi Toppin, PF

The former Knick has limitations as a defender and shot-creator, but he’s dynamic in transition and has drastically improved his 3-point shot. He can help your second unit.

Obi Toppin helped the Pacers during their recent postseason run. AP

14. Jonas Valanciunas, C

Durable and still effective at the age of 32, the 6-foot-11 big man will have options in a weak free-agent class. He can help a playoff team, especially in limited minutes.

15. Patrick Williams, F

Someone will see potential over production in the former fourth overall pick, who so far only been a tease as a pro. Williams can guard multiple positions and has made positive strides as a shooter. Plus, he’s just 22.

16. Eric Gordon, SG

Declined his $3.4 million player option with the Suns to become a free agent. Still a helpful player at the age of 35 — he averaged 11.0 points and shot 37.8 percent from 3 last year — and has a wealth of playoff experience.

Eric Gordon has collected plenty of postseason experience throughout his career. Getty Images

17. Kelly Oubre Jr., SF

A strong defender but a limited perimeter threat, the 6-foot-7 Oubre is effective when used properly on a quality team, as he showed with the 76ers last season.

18. Markelle Fultz, SG

The former No. 1-overall pick is never going to live up the hype, and he took a step back this past year across the board. Nevertheless, he has good size for a guard at 6-foot-4 and can provide energy/depth scoring off the bench, which he did for the Magic last season.

19. Isaac Okoro, SF

There remains room for growth for the 3-and-D wing, who doesn’t turn 24 until next January. The restricted free agent is one of several major decisions for the Cavaliers this offseason. His defense and career-high 39.1 percent 3-point shooting won’t be easily replaced.

Isaac Okoro’s impact will be difficult for the Cavaliers to replace if he doesn’t return to Cleveland. Getty Images

20. Malik Beasley, SG

Enjoyed the second-best season of his career from deep (41.3 percent) for the Bucks and is more than just a specialist. He’s not a defensive difference-maker but can be a microwave scorer off the bench.

21. Saddiq Bey, SF

Too bad the Knicks have loaded up on the wing, because who wouldn’t want another Villanova player on Broadway? Bey is recovering from a torn ACL, which likely will limit his market, but when healthy he’s a solid two-way player who can help a contender. A one-year, prove-it deal seems likely.

22. Nicolas Batum, SF

The 6-foot-8 wing showed he still has something left at the age of 35 — shooting 39.9 percent from 3, and averaging 5.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists after being traded to the 76ers. Batum remains a solid and affordable depth piece.

Nicolas Batum still has something left to offer at 35 years old. Getty Images

23. Derrick Jones Jr., SF

The high-flying wing has become so much more than a dunker. He thrived with the Mavericks as a lockdown perimeter defender and should be able to get a multi-year deal after playing last season at a bargain of $2.7 million. Dallas was two points better per 100 possessions with Jones on the floor.

24. Buddy Hield, SG

His miserable postseason, in which he could barely get on the court, may scare off contenders. Still, 3-point specialists remain valuable in the modern NBA, and the 6-foot-4 Hield is a career 40 percent 3-point shooter. Only Steph Curry has hit more 3s the past five seasons.

25. Andre Drummond, C

He has been mentioned as a potential fallback option for the Knicks if they can’t bring back Isaiah Hartenstein. The 6-foot-11 big man is coming off an efficient season in which he averaged 8.4 points and 9.0 rebounds in just 17.1 minutes for the Bulls. He led the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage (18.7) among players who appeared in at least 30 games.

Andre Drummond could be a fallback option for the Knicks in free agency. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

26. Kris Dunn, PG

Once considered a bust, the former Providence star has developed into a useful NBA player thanks to his lights-out defense. He remains limited on the other end of the floor, but the Jazz were nearly 2.5 points better defensively when he was out there.

27. Haywood Highsmith, SF

He guards, shoots well (39.6 percent from deep this season) and doesn’t turn the ball over — three things that appeal to virtually all coaches. The undrafted 6-foot-5 wing is another Heat success story.

28. Kyle Anderson, F

Has impacted winning his entire career, going back to his high school days at St. Anthony of Jersey City. The 6-foot-9 Anderson can hurt spacing but will help everywhere else as a high-character, glue guy.

29. Caleb Martin, SF

Versatility makes the 6-foot-5 Martin appealing. He can score in a variety of ways and defends multiple positions.

30. Dario Saric, PF/C

A 6-foot-10 forward who can stretch opposing defenses like Saric is valuable. Was a quality reserve for the Warriors this past season — averaging 8.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in just 17.2 minutes while also shooting 37.6 percent from deep.

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