NBA free agency 2024: Six players to keep an eye on who will define the market

NBA free agency has lost its luster in recent years. Teams reach contract extensions with their best players, and the trade market is a way for players to move around, not free agency.

Who is left on the free agent market? Here are six players to watch. (Note: This list does not include restricted free agents who are expected to re-sign with their team, such as Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia.)

paul george

For a long time, the expectation was that George and the Clippers would come to an agreement on a contract extension – even George and the Clippers expected it – but the sides were never close in terms of money or years. George wanted the Clippers to offer the maximum of four years ($221 million), but never heard from Los Angeles’ offer to Kawhi Leonard, three years and $150 million.

George has decided to go out and test free agency.

This means that negotiations between George, the Golden State Warriors, and the Clippers did not reach the point where a deal could be made (the Warriors were interested). Many teams interested in George could only get him there with a sign-and-trade deal, and now he’s out of the conversation.

Philadelphia has long been considered George’s top free agent destination, and many around the NBA were skeptical. News leaked that 76ers had cooled on PG13, Putting George between Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid makes the 76ers a bigger threat in the East (if they can get all three healthy in the playoffs).

Orlando has also been mentioned as a destination, and the Clippers are still in the mix.

Lebron James

He is on this list because He opted out of his $51.4 million contract for next season And will officially be a free agent. However, we’re not spending too much time on him because he’s not leaving the Lakers. Good luck finding anyone in the league who thinks he’s storming Los Angeles (where his son has just been drafted and his podcast partner has been hired as a coach) . He could re-sign with the Lakers for up to three years and $162 million with a no-trade clause and that would happen, although LeBron might want to keep it there for a while to give the Lakers room to move on. Could let that be – maybe use the mid-tier exception – adding talent to the roster before taking up too much cap space.

james harden

Another case where he’s a free agent but no one thinks he’s leaving Los Angeles – the Clippers knew they had to pay when they traded for him. Plus, as he saw when he was forcing that trade, Harden realized there wasn’t much of a market for him outside of Los Angeles. That said, he reportedly wants to see how the Paul George situation goes before re-signing in Los Angeles.

The real questions are years and money. Given that the Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard to a three-year extension, and that’s all they’ll offer George, it’s likely the Clippers will offer the 35-year-old Harden the same. Three years, expect $100 million, and everyone is happy (for now).

Kentavius ​​Caldwell-Pope

One of the most reliable role players in the league, KCP declined his $15.4 million option for next season because he could make more money now and, at age 31, received multiple years of security on the deal. Can do. Denver would love to keep a key player in its championship run, but the Nuggets are already deep into paying the luxury tax on Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. and locked in on the second apron with an extension Will go. Expect Caldwell-Pope to change teams.

Caldwell-Pope is a plus defender from the wing who shot 40.6% from 3 last season, ultimately scoring 10.1 points per game. Orlando and Philadelphia have been mentioned as interested and either team could come in with a big offer like $50 million for two years (something similar to what the Pacers made a year ago after signing Bruce Brown out of Denver. Did it for). KCP would probably want a third year.

Overall, Caldwell-Pope may be the best free agent to change teams this year.

Isaiah Hartenstein

Hartenstein is the best center on the free agent market – and Nick Claxton has set the price for that market by agreeing to a four-year, $100 million contract to stay in Brooklyn.

Hartenstein made some money for himself during the playoffs when he anchored the Knicks defense and averaged 8.5 points a game on 59.2% shooting, along with 7.6 rebounds – the Knicks would not have made the run they did without him. did.

New York wants him back, but after trading for Mikal Bridges and re-signing OG Anunoby, it was expected that the Knicks would be unable to keep both Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson (the latter of whom for two more seasons. are under contract for a total of $27.3 million). Depending on the final construction of the Bridges business, New York may be given a tighter cap on the first tax apron, and they are about $5 million short of that number; They won’t have the money to re-sign Hartenstein.

Even if they make a trade and avoid the hard cap, the Knicks can offer Hartenstein a maximum of four years and $72.5 million under the terms of the CBA. If another team offers more, they will lose him. If the market for centers breaks down and New York can trade Robinson, perhaps they can get Hartenstein back to that number, but all reports out of New York are that the franchise is pessimistic about its chances of retaining him.

Utah and Oklahoma City have long been mentioned as potential Hartenstein destinations.

demar derozan

The Bulls and DeRozan have discussed their mutual interest in making a deal, but here we are.

DeRozan is still a mid-range killer and bucket-protector, averaging 24 points and 5.3 assists a game for Chicago last season. He was also strong in grip. He can help many teams.

The question is years – DeRozan is 35 and showing some signs of decline. Will he agree to a two-year, $50-55 million contract, or will he ask for a third year? Would any team give it to him? It will also be interesting to watch the market for DeRozan as he is not a 3-point shooter so he won’t work for every team (Boston and Oklahoma City would be a poor fit, for example).