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Over the first two days of NBA free agency, several significant moves have shaken up the league. For instance, Miles Turner was traded from Milwaukee, and Damian Lillard unexpectedly became a free agent. Additionally, many top players on the free-agent list—such as James Harden, Julius Randle, Nikkei Alexander-Walker, and Tygerome—quickly removed themselves from the market, often re-signing with their current teams.
Despite this, there are still quality players available. Here’s a rundown of the top 10 free agents as we head into the third day of free agency.
1) Damian Lillard
Lillard’s presence on this list is surprising. He’s a future Hall of Famer—seven-time All-NBA, nine-time All-Star, and part of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team—averaging 24.9 points and 7.1 assists last season. However, he’s nearing 35 and carries $112.6 million owed over the next two years, giving him financial freedom to choose his next team. He is expected to take time before making a decision, which might not come until next summer. Miami has been frequently linked to him, and there’s mutual interest, but Lillard seems in no rush.
2) Josh Giddey (Restricted)
There’s little suspense here. Giddey intends to stay with the Chicago Bulls. After a slow start post-trade from Oklahoma City (in exchange for Alex Caruso), he found his rhythm, averaging 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 9.3 assists after the All-Star break. He’s now Chicago’s focal point and won’t be leaving.
3) Jonathan Kuminga (Restricted)
Kuminga’s free agency brings interesting questions. It looked like he and the Warriors might part ways via a sign-and-trade since Brooklyn is the only team with cap space to sign him, but that deal seems unlikely. Despite this, Kuminga, a young, athletic player averaging 15.3 points while playing under Steve Kerr, could easily re-sign with Golden State.
4) Cam Thomas (Restricted)
Thomas offers a straightforward bench scoring option. He averaged 24 points last season for Brooklyn but lacked efficiency (34.7% shooting from three) and defense. Brooklyn still holds his rights and is open to sign-and-trade talks or a potential return.
5) Mo Wagner
Wagner opted for unrestricted free agency, declining his $11 million player option, but Orlando retains his Bird rights. He’s been recovering from an ACL injury since December, which cut short his previous season and may affect his start next year. Before the injury, Wagner averaged 12.9 points and 5 rebounds off the bench.
6) Quentin Grimes (Restricted)
Grimes averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists after moving from Dallas to Philadelphia at the trade deadline. Philadelphia intends to re-sign him, prioritizing him over Guerschon Yabusele, with money and contract length yet to be finalized.
7) Deandre Ayton
Ayton possesses the talent to rank higher, averaging 14.4 points and 10.2 rebounds last season, but concerns about his focus and attitude have hurt his standing. Issues like tardiness and locker room behavior have made teams wary. Portland, which paid him $35 million to stay away from young players, and the Lakers are linked to him, but no team has made a firm offer, reflecting hesitation.
8) Al Horford
At 37, Horford is still a valuable two-way player who can score inside, hit corner threes, and defend well. However, he can’t consistently perform at a high level nightly. He’s mostly connected to the Lakers and Warriors but might join any team with playoff aspirations.
9) Russell Westbrook
When at his best, Westbrook’s energy can change the game, though inconsistency remains an issue. He averaged 13.3 points and 6.1 assists for Denver but turned down a $3.5 million player option hoping for a bigger role and contract. Sacramento is heavily linked to him.
10) Chris Paul
The future Hall of Famer remains an elite floor general looking to play another season. He wants to be near his family in Los Angeles, sparking rumors about reunions with the Clippers or Suns. He could also serve as a mentor as he did with San Antonio’s young stars.
Other notable players include Spencer Dinwiddy, Chris Boucher, Amir Coffey, and Precious Achiuwa. Notably absent from the list is Malik Beasley, an unrestricted free agent currently under investigation for gambling.
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Fan Take: This free agency period is crucial because it highlights a mix of veteran superstars seeking new challenges and young talents poised for breakthroughs. Fans should watch closely as these moves could reshape team dynamics and define the league’s competitive landscape for years to come.
