Russell Westbrook had a career resurgence last season in Denver, averaging 13.3 points, 6.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds in his 17th campaign.
The NBA offseason is about to begin and business operations around the league are on the verge of shutting down. What does that mean for the free agent market, which is leaner but not yet empty?
In this situation, a handful of restricted and unrestricted free agents will sign over the next few days, before everyone heads for the golf course or the beach. Others will ink just before the start of fall training camp. After that, once camp begins, the best basketball option for those who remain on the market will be overseas.
With very few exceptions, the free agent pickings aren’t robust. The best players agree to deal within a week after free agency starts, in early July. What’s left is a combination of journeymen, aging former stars, restricted free agents whose asking price is too steep (for now) and role players who’ll likely settle for minimums.
There are unsigned free agents who can help next season and even play important roles. Their worth will be determined by salary cap space and positional needs of teams with a few open roster spots.
Here are the 10 most intriguing remaining free agents (listed alphabetically by last name):
1. Malcolm Brogdon
He’s 32 and in the twilight yet brings enough goods to serve as a quality backup point guard or emergency starter on certain teams. Contenders with a backcourt need would be wise to kick the tires because Brogdon is steady, not reckless. He was decent on the rebuilding Wizards last season (12.7 points, four assists) where his certified leadership was valued. It would be a surprise if he’s still on the market when training camp starts.
2. Josh Giddey
There’s always a red flag when a restricted free agent hasn’t agreed to a deal with his current team or received a quality offer from another. Either Giddey’s asking price is too high for Chicago, or potential poachers aren’t sure they’ll get him because the Bulls will simply match and retain him. Giddey showed some worth in his first season with the Bulls where he averaged 14-8-7. The question is whether Giddey’s value is in the neighborhood of $30 million per season or thereabouts. At some point a deal will be made because someone, either the Bulls or Giddey, will cave.
3. Quentin Grimes
All the noise last season was centered around Luka Dončić’s departure from the Mavericks, but a more under-the-radar defection was Grimes going from Dallas to Philadelphia. Once arriving, he was tremendous, averaging 21.9 points and raising questions about the Mavs giving up on him, especially given their backcourt needs. Their loss was Philly’s gain. Of course, Grimes’ asking price as a restricted free agent is up considerably as well, despite a small body of work.
4. Al Horford
Horford is at the stage of his career where family and comfort are prioritized more than money; he’s already made a ton of that. Once the Celtics deemed him too expensive and bailed on him, Horford was placed in the position of deciding what team and city is best suited for his situation. Any team looking for a stretch big man would love to have him, partly because he can still produce in limited minutes, partly because he’ll surely come cheap. The Warriors are interested but San Francisco is a long way from his homes in Boston and Miami.
5. Jonathan Kuminga
The restricted free agent would probably prefer a change of scenery if only because his playing time and status under Steve Kerr seems iffy. But no other team, so far, has stepped forward with a big offer. Kuminga is obviously an emerging forward whose best years lie ahead. This is simply about his asking price and whether the Warriors agree to a sign and trade, or if Kuminga takes the less likely option and sticks around Golden State for one more season, then checks the market again next summer.
6. Damian Lillard
He’s not playing next season while mending from Achilles surgery and will be 36 when he returns to hooping. What’s more, Dame will pick and choose his next spot without regard to money; being close to family is far more important at this stage. There’s a chance he’ll just take his time for now and decide his destination later, maybe not until next spring. Since he hasn’t won a championship, he can step back and survey potential spots. Whomever lands Dame will get a refreshed star at a reasonable price.
7. Chris Paul
He’s 40 and better equipped to be a backup. The good news is Paul played all 82 games last season for the Spurs, looks fit and has an open mind. He’s another long-time veteran who already banked his generational wealth and would rather be close to family and the city in which he wants to live. All signs point to Paul being in Los Angeles next season; as to which team, that’s up in the air. The more romantic option is the Clippers where he can retire with the franchise he once elevated.
8. Gary Payton II
Any team looking for defensive help will consider the Son Of Glove, who most likely will not return to the Warriors next season. Payton is older than you think (32) yet still has bounce. He’s one of a handful of free agents caught in the late-summer money squeeze, when teams run out of cash and start looking for bargain buys. Payton made $9 million last season and will probably stay within that range. He’ll be on someone’s roster this fall; it’s just a matter of where and when.
9. Cam Thomas
The certified scorer (24.0 point average last season) and restricted free agent for the Nets is looking for his first big payday. He and Brooklyn evidently are far apart in negotiations; otherwise he’d be signed by now. He and Kuminga appear to be comps, so maybe when one signs, the other will follow soon thereafter. It’s all about price and value, nothing more or less, with Thomas.
10. Russell Westbrook
He’s the great unknown in free agency. Some teams still believe he can contribute, others are convinced he’s finished. Westbrook’s last three stops (Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets), all contenders, declined to bring him back, which isn’t exactly a vote of confidence. His jump shot, never a strength, is now a serious liability as opposing defenses are giving him ample room to shoot and encouraging him to do so. Plus, he can be a turnover machine. But Russ still has his motor even in his decline. That might get him one more look.
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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