The trade deadline might have passed but there is never enough time to talk about the possible movement in the league. The league has the rest of the regular season, the All-Star break, and the playoffs to get through. Some of those contracts are finally finishing up in their final year. With a lot of movement projected, there will be no shortage of stars available.
James Harden and Khris Middleton headline the players with player options, while Kyrie Irving enters the field as an unrestricted free agent. Among other players, fans are going to keep an eye on what happens this season. The end of the regular season and playoffs could dictate the decisions of some players and their player options. Either way, some teams will have money to spend while others will frantically wonder what they can do to retain some of their stars. The top 2023 NBA free agents always headline the summer and have us excited in the thick of winter.
These are the top 25 NBA free agents for the 2023 summer.
25. Bruce Brown Jr. (Player Option)
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Brown has proven to be a solid player in this league. He is likely due a pay raise so that would make sense that he declined his option. If Brown exercises his option, Brown will make at least $6.8 million next season. Brown is averaging 11.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals. He is also shooting 49.1% from the field and 39.4% from three-point range.
If Brown rejects the option, it would be tough for the Nuggets to keep him. However, if the Nuggets make a run, Brown could come back to win a title. It all comes down to his decision. Either way, Brown could probably get doubled his salary for his numbers.
24. Bogdan Bogdanovic (Player Option)
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A career 38.4% shooter from outside is hanging right at his career average this year. Bogdanovic is shooting 38.3% from three-point range this year. Combined with 14.8 points, Bogdanovic’s identity as a reliable outside shooter remains apparent. At 30 years old, he is making $18 million and can make that same amount if he exercises his option.
Would Bogdanovic decline his option thinking he can get more money? That is an interesting question because he is having a solid season. The outside shooting comes at a premium which is a common theme in this league. If he declines his option, there will be teams looking at shooters that can flirt around 40% consistently.
23. Malik Beasley (Team Option)
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It would be a shock to see the Lakers decline Beasley’s team option. Beasley is 26 years old and scheduled to make about $16.5 million next season. Before coming to Los Angeles, Beasley was averaging 13.4 points and shooting 35.9% from three-point range. Before this year, he was shooting around 37% from three-point range.
The Lakers need outside shooting, which is why Beasley was brought to the team via trade. With the team lacking true outside shooters, the team will probably exercise his option. However, in a world that the team doesn’t, Beasley is a player entering his prime with serviceable skills.
22. Kelly Oubre Jr. (Unrestricted Free Agent)
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A career season on a bad team might lead to a lot of money. After all, the Pistons gave Jerami Grant three years for about $60 million a few years back. Oubre could be in a similar position to get a big payday. Oubre is averaging a career-high 20.2 points in 35 appearances for the Hornets. That also includes 5.1 rebounds and a career-high 1.6 steals.
Oubre might not be a 20-point scorer on a contending team, but could he bring a sixth-man presence? Needing a proven scorer to bolster the bench, there will be teams willing to give Oubre a contract. The question will be for how much?
21. Jakob Poeltl (Unrestricted Free Agent)
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For a contending team, world Poetlt be a starting center? For the Spurs, he gave the team 12.1 points and 9.0 rebounds in 46 games. If Poeltl was on a contending team, he might be used as a backup. Regardless, it’s a player that can shoot over 60% from the field and give the team at least one block per game.
For most teams, rim protection and offensive efficiency would be welcomed. Plenty of teams need rim protection so Poeltl will get a job. The 7-foot-1, 27-year-old has his prime in front of him. Will he want starting minutes or go to a team that can make a run?
20. Dillon Brooks (Unrestricted Free Agent)
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Brooks’ stock has taken a hit the last few seasons but has shown glimpses of a solid two-way player. In 2021-22, Brooks averaged 18.4 points in 32 games. This year, Brooks is averaging 14.8 points. Consistently, his outside shooting has decreased in the last two years. What Brooks brings to the table are toughness and grit.
He reminds us of Jae Crowder. He has no issue not being liked and does the dirty work on the defensive end. He has a solid scoring average as well. He might not make as much money as he would have if he was a free agent in 2021, but that should fare well for the Grizzlies if they want to bring him back.
19. Gary Trent Jr. (Player Option)
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Like teammate Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr. owns a player option. The Toronto backcourt could feature two new faces next season because of it. Trent’s option is worth $18.5 million. He is in the midst of a career season, averaging 18.6 points. At 24 years old and with plenty of prime years left, Trent could look around the league at others making at least $20 million and seek that out.
Trent’s 36.9% shooting from outside could hamper him but he is a career 38.4% shooter. If Trent declines his option, a three-year deal worth $60 million doesn’t seem unlikely. For an outside shooter in this league, that seems to be the market price and Trent can provide exactly that.
18. Seth Curry (Unrestricted Free Agent)
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One of the most consistent outside shooters in the league will always find a job. Curry has shot at least 40% from three-point range every year since 2018. Outside of a three-game spell with the Mavericks in 2017-18, he has hit at least 50% dating back to 2015. Curry may not be a dominant scorer in the starting lineup, but he could make a bench very deep with his shooting.
This year, Curry is shooting 42.5% from three-point range in 23.2 minutes. His average is right around 10.6 points in 39 appearances for the Nets. Given the direction of the Nets, it will be interesting to see if they want to bring Curry back. If Curry doesn’t come back to Brooklyn, there will be a team looking for three-point shooting ready to sign him.
17. P.J. Washington (Restricted Free Agent)
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How much do the Hornets value Washington in their future? The fourth-year player is playing out the final year of his rookie contract. He is averaging a career-high 15.1 points per game in 32.9 minutes in 58 games. At 24 years, Washington could get a solid deal from Charlotte given that he has prime years left and could be paired with LaMelo Ball.
Other teams will value what Washington brings as well. The numbers for Washington will determine if the Hornets want to match the contract offer sheet. A player that can average double-digit points, five rebounds, and a block will have value from other teams around the league.
16. Cameron Johnson (Restricted Free Agent)
Johnson is playing out his fourth year in the league. Before this year, Johnson was coming off two straight years of 60 appearances. Last year, Johnson averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and shot 42.5% from three-point range. Johnson was hampered by injuries to start the year, limiting him to 17 appearances with the Suns.
In those 17 games, Johnson averaged 13.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and shot 45.5% from three-point range. Johnson was traded to the Suns in a package for Kevin Durant. At 24 years old, the Nets could match an offer sheet if that meant that they viewed Johnson as a part of their future. If not, Johnson’s a career 39.5% shooter from deep so teams will be looking for outside shooters.
15. Russell Westbrook (Unrestricted Free Agent)
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Westbrook will have the rest of the season to prove his worth. It’s getting to a point where Westbrook is entering a stage in his career where he could be out of the league. With that said, Westbrook remains a solid player in the league. It all comes down to what he wants to do. Can he accept the fact that he is a backup player in a contending league?
If Westbrook can make that transition, he can bring valuable minutes. Westbrook averaged 15.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 7.5 assists. If you took those numbers in half and reduced his minutes to 20 minutes, anybody would take two-thirds of what these numbers are. Again, if Westbrook can make a move in his playing time and attitude toward being a backup, then he remains a solid player. If he believes he is a starter, he could be out of the league and off of this list.
14. Harrison Barnes (Unrestricted Free Agent)
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Barnes is making $18.3 million and is 30 years old. He probably has one more “good” contract left in his career. That contract could come from the Kings because he has been a vital part of the team. What makes Barnes special is that he can play both forward positions. He is also a great outside shooter. Right now, Barnes is shooting 37.6% from deep. If he can bump that up to 38%, that would be five consecutive seasons shooting that well.
In a league where outside shooting comes with a premium, having the stats to back it up always helps. With his youth and skills, a team will have him on their priorities board. It will be interesting to see how the Kings close out this season. Domantas Sabonis has one year left on his deal at $19.4 million. Keegan Murray will be playing on house money for two years after next year too. Pending how much money Barnes wants, the Kings will have some negotiating to do.
13. Jordan Clarkson (Player Option)
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Clarkson can exercise his player option worth $14.2 million in the offseason. The state of the Jazz and the state of his play are two different things. Clarkson is a former Sixth Man of the Year winner that is playing starter’s minutes. For that, he is averaging a career-high in points (21.1) with 4.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
Pending the market, Clarkson could get $20 million in salary each season. If that is the case, Clarkson could test the market. The Jazz entering a rebuild is another conversation but the team chose to not trade Clarkson at the deadline. At 30 years old, does Clarkson fit Utah’s long-term plans? If not, he is a valued scorer that can bring a ton of talent to a team.
12. Christian Wood (Unrestricted Free Agent)
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The experiment in Dallas seems to be working. The Mavericks made a move for Wood in the offseason. Wood is averaging 17.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 38.0% from three-point range. Having Wood allows the Mavericks to play small ball and stretch out the floor. The issue is that keeping both Wood and Kyrie Irving could be very expensive.
If the Mavericks can’t keep Wood, there will be teams looking for a 6-foot-9 big that can shoot from outside at 27 years old. Having length with shooting is always a plus. Wood owns double-double potential which makes him valuable. The outside shooting mark is a bonus.
11. Jerami Grant (Unrestricted Free Agent)
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The Trail Blazers sent a first-round pick for Grant in the offseason. Grant has lived up to expectations by averaging 20.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. He is also shooting 48.4% from the field and 40.6% from three-point range. That outside shooting is a career-high. With those numbers, would a team be willing to pay more than the $20.9 million he is receiving this season?
At 28 years old, Grant has his prime right in front of him. A power forward that can shoot from the outside is always sought out. It may not be the Trail Blazers though, who are in a strange flux with their team makeup. If Portland doesn’t bring Grant back, he will have plenty of suitors.
10. Kristaps Porzingis (Player Option)
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If you are a Wizards fan, what do you want? Is keeping Porzingis the right play? It all comes down to his decision, but it’s not unrealistic to see Porzingis decline his option. This is going to be his best overall season since 2019-20. Porzingis is averaging 22.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and shooting 37.1% from three-point range.
The player option for next year is worth $36 million. Porzingis is 27 years old and appears to finally be healthy. If Porzingis wants to get a max deal, he could decline his option and probably make a lot more money over time. The question will be if the Wizards are wanting to add Porzingis to the future. With Bradley Beal’s injuries, we didn’t see much of the dynamic duo. Bringing Porzingis for that type of money could be a huge risk. In the end, a 7-footer that can shoot from outside as always is the product description when it comes to his game and if he remains healthy, this is a lethal player.
9. Nikola Vucevic (Unrestricted Free Agent)
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The Bulls whiffed on this one. The Bulls had a tradeable asset at the deadline but refused to deal with Vucevic for anything. Now, he could walk in free agency. However, the Bulls are reported to believe that the team can re-sign him in the offseason. It’s not that Vucecvic is having a terrible year. He is averaging 17.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, and shooting 52.0% from the field. Those are solid numbers.
The issue is that the Bulls seem to rely on Vucevic heavily as a second scoring threat, especially with the injury to DeMar DeRozan. On a contending team, Vucevic as the third scoring option would be an ideal setup. Vucevic could get a decent contract this offseason, which is what scares many Chicago fans. Regardless, this is a player that has averaged a double-double in the last five seasons.
8. Brook Lopez (Unrestricted Free Agent)
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At 34 years old, Lopez is giving off the vibes of Al Horford. Even though Horford is in a different stage of his career, he has remained an important piece of the Celtics’ success. The same goes for Milwaukee. Lopez is shooting a career-high 37.5% from three-point range and a career-high 2.5 blocks. He could win Defensive Player of the Year this season.
Lopez has proven he has plenty left in the tank. A long-term deal seems unlikely at this point, but a two-year deal could be possible for big money. With that said, Lopez is with a contender, a team he won a title in 2021. Leaving Milwaukee seems unlikely, even if it meant taking less money, but given his career season, that money could help make the decision harder.
7. D’Angelo Russell (Unrestricted Free Agent)
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Russell’s first two games with the Lakers haven’t looked great in shooting from outside, but this is a player that has reached 38.7% or higher in two of these last three seasons. Russell is a solid point guard in this league and remains in his prime at 26 years old. This is a seasoned veteran nearing a decade of league play and continues to serve teams well.
Some teams need point guard help and are willing to pay up to $30 million a season to get it. Russell owns a career average of 17.7 points and 5.7 assists. He brings 20-point scoring abilities but hasn’t had to be that guy because he was playing with Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards the last few years.
6. Kyle Kuzma (Player Option)
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Who is the biggest bargain in the NBA this season? There is a great case for Kuzma. At $13.0 million, Kuzma is averaging 21.3 points per game, which is a career-high. With Beal battling injuries, Kuzma has stepped up as the third scorer. Kuzma has always had the talent to produce this. Is a team willing to pay him the money to make this a permanent job?
At 27 years old, Kuzma is entering his prime years. Given what Kuzma is averaging, he clearly sees that he can make more money for his production. Plus, the Wizards are stuck with likely to oblige his requests if he wants to stay. The Wizards appear to have a team not constructed well either. Kuzma will have options. Staying with the Wizards and seeking more money is one option. The other is testing the market. Either way, Kuzma is getting a raise.
5. Fred VanVleet (Player Option)
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A 28-year-old point guard that can score 20 points a game and shoot 40% from three-point range will get paid. With the state of the Raptors, it was surprising to see VanVleet retained at the trade deadline. VanVleet owns a player option worth $22.8 million. The team’s state is in the middle which is where no team wants to be. VanVleet could leave the Raptors or look to sign an extension.
VanVleet is averaging 19.9 points and 6.5 assists. His outside shooting of 34.4% is down compared to the last three seasons. He is a career 37.5% shooter from deep, so that will remain a focal point in discussions. Even if VanVleet is not the team’s primary point guard, he could be moved to shooting guard and his passing makes him even more appealing. He has averaged at least 6.0 assists in the last four seasons. A shooting guard that can shoot from deep and pass would be coveted.
4. Draymond Green (Player Option)
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Something that seemed impossible a year ago seems possible now. With luxury tax concerns, the Warriors may not be able to afford Green. Green owns a player option worth $27.5 million for next season. For what Green brings to the table, that isn’t a terrible deal. Green is averaging 8.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.9 assists. He remains an elite defender. There are a lot of variables out there for a team that would want to pay good money.
Green’s decision could come down to what happens in the playoffs. The Warriors have won four titles this year. The team is somewhat underwhelming this season but has proven they can make a long playoff run. If the Warriors get bounced in the first round, Green could be more swayed to decline his option. However, a trip to the second round or further could sway him to have one “last dance” with this core.
3. Khris Middleton (Player Option)
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Assuming Middleton becomes a free agent, he will be a highly coveted player on the market. Even though Middleton has battled injuries this season, his past is enough to back up his worth. In 16 games, Middleton’s numbers are his lowest since 2014-15. However, it all goes back to battling injuries. A healthy offseason and training camp will allow Middleton to get back to his prime self.
The 2021-22 season saw Middleton average 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. Those are All-Star numbers. Again, it would be a shock to see Middleton decline his option. He is due $40.3 million and is having a career-low year. He would not get that type of money but he could decline the offer to seek an extension. The Bucks have a window to compete right now and he is a major part of that.
2. James Harden (Player Option)
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We won’t get a feel for this until the playoffs. Harden owns a player option worth $35.6 million but if the 76ers do not go far this year, he could easily leave. Harden took less money so the team could add pieces. With that said, Harden’s competitive drive and money interests are unknown to us. There are rumors that he could leave for a larger contract or even return to Houston if the 76ers do not make it far.
The way the variables add up, it’s going to take at least an appearance in the Conference Finals to stick around but that is all speculation. Harden remains a top guard in the league. He might not be the 30-point scorer he was once, but he is a player that can contend for an assists title. He is doing that right now with 10.8 assists his 21.5 points in 40 games.
1. Kyrie Irving (Unrestricted Free Agent)
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Can the Mavericks retain Irving this off-season? The team gave up a decent haul to acquire him, but it’s Kyrie Irving. Does anybody know what he wants? In four games, Irving has already gone back to old All-Star ways. He is averaging 28.2 points, 7.0 assists, and shooting 53.3% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range.
The Mavericks won’t be the only team looking to scoop him up. The Lakers are linked to Irving after the debacle with the Nets and refusing to trade him. Irving was rumored to be interested in playing with LeBron James but has other rumors linking him to the Suns as well. However, Luka Doncic is pretty darn good too. The Mavericks made the Conference Finals last year and could make it back. Time will tell with Irving because his mood could change real quick, but the number of dollar signs from Mark Cuban could make Dallas his forever home.
Source: fadeawayworld
