The second day of NBA free agency is now in the books, and it delivered two of the most stunning moves in recent history. The Milwaukee Bucks signed Myles Turner to a 4-year, $107 million deal, but to do so, they had to waive Damian Lillard. Those moves mean Lillard now headlines the list of the best free agents still on the market.
Point Guards
– Damian Lillard
– Josh Giddey (Restricted)
– Russell Westbrook
– Chris Paul
– Spencer Dinwiddie
– Dante Exum
– Malcolm Brogdon
– Ben Simmons
– Cam Payne
– Ryan Rollins
– Kyle Lowry
There are a fair few options at the point guard spot. Josh Giddey is the only one from this group whose future is somewhat clear. Giddey averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game in 2024-25, and the Chicago Bulls are expected to re-sign him at some point.
As for Lillard, who tore his Achilles in the playoffs, the Golden State Warriors are one of the teams that have reached out to him. He averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game for the Bucks in 2024-25, and it’s unclear when he’ll be able to return.
Former Warrior Chris Paul is another man in demand. Paul averaged 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game for the San Antonio Spurs in 2024-25. NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns are the two teams with a legitimate shot at signing the veteran.
Spencer Dinwiddie spent last season with the Dallas Mavericks, but it doesn’t look like he’ll be returning to the team, as they’ll need to make a trade to create a roster spot for him. Dinwiddie averaged 11.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game in 2024-25 and would be a solid acquisition for any team.
Dante Exum is another who spent last season with the Mavericks. Unlike Dinwiddie, though, the team is looking to bring him back by opening up a roster spot for him. The Australian averaged 8.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game in 2024-25.
Malcolm Brogdon was traded to the Washington Wizards last year, but would spend much of the 2024-25 season on the sidelines. Brogdon played just 24 games and averaged 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game for the Wizards. He was linked to the Sacramento Kings recently, but they have now signed Dennis Schroder. So, it remains to be seen where Brogdon ends up.
Former All-Star Ben Simmons is also on the market, and he is reportedly seeking a salary greater than the minimum. Simmons averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game for the Brooklyn Nets and Clippers in 2024-25, and the Toronto Raptors have been linked to him.
Next, we get to Cam Payne, who averaged 6.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game for the New York Knicks in 2024-25. There hasn’t been much chatter when it comes to Payne, but he is a solid backup point guard and should get picked up at some point.
Ryan Rollins was initially a restricted free agent, but the Bucks rescinded their qualifying offer on Tuesday. Rollins averaged 6.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game in 2024-25, and the youngster now gets complete control over his future.
Kyle Lowry is the last of the notable point guards, and he averaged 3.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2024-25. Lowry has spoken about wanting to return to the 76ers, but it’s unclear if the team is interested in bringing him back.
Shooting Guards
– Cam Thomas (Restricted)
– Quentin Grimes (Restricted)
– Malik Beasley
– De’Anthony Melton
– Gary Payton II
– Amir Coffey
– Landry Shamet
– Lonnie Walker IV
There is a lot of variety when it comes to the shooting guard spot. You’ve got a pure scorer in Cam Thomas, who averaged 24.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game for the Nets in 2024-25. Thomas is expected to be back with the team.
Quentin Grimes is perhaps the most intriguing name on the list after he averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game for the 76ers last season. The 76ers would like to retain Grimes, but the asking price might prove to be too high.
Malik Beasley was expected to get a three-year, $42 million deal from the Detroit Pistons after averaging 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game in 2024-25. It doesn’t look like that deal is on the table anymore, as Beasley is under federal investigation for gambling and is also being sued by multiple parties. The timing couldn’t have been any worse.
Speaking of misfortune, De’Anthony Melton had gotten off to a pretty good start to the 2024-25 season with the Warriors, but tore his ACL less than a month into the campaign. Despite that, the Lakers are reportedly interested in the guard, who averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game for the Warriors.
Melton’s former Warriors teammate, Gary Payton II, also appears to be on his way out. Payton averaged 6.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game in 2024-25, and it’s looking doubtful that he’ll remain a Warrior.
Amir Coffey has spent each of his six seasons in the NBA with the Clippers, but it looks like his time with the franchise could be coming to an end. Coffey averaged 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game in 2024-25 and is expected to get a better offer than what the Clippers can put on the table.
Unlike Coffey, his former teammate Landry Shamet has bounced around the NBA a fair bit and could be on the move again. Shamet averaged 5.7 points, 1.2 rebounds, 0.5 assists, and 0.5 steals per game for the Knicks in 2024-25. The Knicks have an interest in retaining him, but he is expected to draw interest from several contending teams.
Lonnie Walker IV spent the first half of last season overseas but eventually returned to the NBA and signed with the 76ers. He averaged 12.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game for Philadelphia in 2024-25, but hasn’t been strongly linked to a team in free agency yet.
Small Forwards
– Jonathan Kuminga (Restricted)
– Cam Reddish
We now move to the forwards, and there is just one good one left.
Jonathan Kuminga, who averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game in 2024-25, is the best small forward still on the market. The Warriors can match any offer that comes his way, though, and there is optimism that he will re-sign.
Former Laker Cam Reddish is the other notable option here. Before being waived by LA, Reddish averaged 3.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game in 2024-25. Considering he wasn’t picked up last season, it appears unlikely there will be much interest in his services.
Power Forwards
– Chris Boucher
– Precious Achiuwa
The power forward spot is one where there aren’t any more big names available. Chris Boucher is a solid backup option to have, though, and has been linked to a few teams.
Boucher is a good shot blocker and rebounder, who is also capable of scoring inside and outside. He averaged 10.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game for the Toronto Raptors in 2045-25 and could prove to be quite a steal for a team.
Boucher’s former Raptors teammate Precious Achiuwa finds himself on the market, too. Achiuwa averaged 6.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game for the Knicks in 2024-25. There doesn’t appear to be much interest in his services at the moment, though.
Centers
– Deandre Ayton
– Al Horford
– Moe Wagner
– Jaxson Hayes
– Bol Bol
Lastly, we get to the centers, with Deandre Ayton and Al Horford being the headliners.
Ayton averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2024-25. He accepted a contract buyout from the Trail Blazers to hit free agency and has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, who are in desperate need of a big man.
Al Horford is another big to be linked with the Lakers. Horford averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game for the Boston Celtics in 2024-25. The Celtics hope to retain Horford, and time will tell if they succeed in that quest.
Moe Wagner hit the market after the Orlando Magic declined his $11 million team option, but he is expected to return to the team and reunite with his younger brother, Franz. Wagner averaged 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game for the Magic in 2024-25 before tearing his ACL.
Jaxson Hayes’ time with the Lakers seemed to have come to an end after this past season, but it appears a reunion cannot be ruled out. Hayes averaged 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game in 2024-25, and the Lakers could bring him back on a team-friendly deal.
While Hayes could be back with the Lakers, it doesn’t appear as if Bol Bol will return to the Suns. Bol averaged 6.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game in 2024-25. He had some impressive moments during his time with the Suns, and it will be interesting to see which team picks him up.
