The 2019 free-agent crop has the potential to be one of the most star-studded classes in recent NBA history. Much can change over the next nine months (for instance, star players can sign extensions or unexpectedly opt into the final year of their contracts), but it’s safe to assume that there will be an abundance of top-tier superstars up for grabs next summer.
Over the next week, I’ll rank the best available prospective free agents at each position. We’ll start with the guards.
1. Kyrie Irving – Player Option – Boston Celtics
When healthy, Irving is an unstoppable offensive force. In 2016-17, he averaged 25.2 points and 5.7 assists, while shooting over 40% from downtown and 90% from the charity stripe. Per Basketball-Reference, he became just the third player in NBA history to average at least 25 points and five assists, while shooting north of 40% and 90%. The other two are Steph Curry and Larry Bird. And back in the 2016 Finals, Irving proved he can play his best when the lights shine the brightest. However, one worrisome red flag is that he’s been bitten by the injury bug quite frequently, having missed at least ten games in six of his seven pro seasons. Nonetheless, assuming he bounces back from his most recent knee surgery, there will be plenty of teams lining up to hand him a max contract on July 1st.
2. Klay Thompson – Unrestricted – Golden State Warriors
Thompson is often lost in shuffle playing alongside three other future Hall-of-Famers, but make no mistake, NBA executives are well aware that Thompson is one of best two-way players on the planet. Not only is he one of the league’s preeminent perimeter defenders, he’s also one of the game’s greatest shooter. Klay holds the NBA record for most made 3-pointers in a single playoff game (11) and currently ranks sixth all-time (just behind Reggie Miller and ahead of Kobe Bryant) in total postseason 3-pointers. Thompson is also remarkably durable. Dating back to the start of the 2014-15 season, Klay has played in 391 games, the most in the NBA over that span.
3. Jimmy Butler – Player Option – Minnesota Timberwolves
Like Thompson, Butler’s worth lies in his ability to dominate on both ends of the floor. His incredible versatility makes him remarkably valuable to the Wolves. However, there have been rumors that Butler is unhappy in Minnesota and didn’t vibe with his teammates last season. There have also been rumblings that Butler and his buddy Kyrie Irving want to join forces and sign with the same team next summer. Stay tuned…
4. Kemba Walker – Unrestricted – Charlotte Hornets
Kemba is an elite offensive guard. In 2016-17, when he made his first All-Star team, he was one of just four players to average at least 23 points, five assists and three made 3-pointers per game (James Harden, Steph Curry and Isaiah Thomas were the other three). Walker made the All-Star team last season as well. Despite his diminutive stature, he has also been an ironman, having missed a total of only six games over the previous three seasons combined.
5. Goran Dragic – Player Option – Miami Heat
Dragic made his All-Star debut last season, and since the start of the 2016-17 campaign, he has averaged an impressive 18.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.0 steals per contest. However, he will be 33 years old when he hits the free-agent market next July. It will be interesting to see what type of offers he receives.
6. Eric Bledsoe – Unrestricted – Milwaukee Bucks
After finding a comfort zone in Milwaukee following a mid-season trade, Bledsoe played incredibly well for the Bucks down the stretch. Over his final 30 games of the season, he averaged 19.8 points, 6.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 2.1 treys and 1.9 steals, while shooting a scorching 52.1% from the floor, 40.5% from 3-point range and 83.9% from the charity stripe.
7. Tyreke Evans – Unrestricted – Indiana Pacers
Evans exceeded expectations in Memphis last season. He appeared in 52 games (32 starts) for the Grizzlies and averaged 19.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.2 treys. Only four other players in the league matched or exceeded those stats in those categories. The other four (James Harden, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and DeMarcus Cousins) were All-Stars. Evans inked a one-year, $12 million deal with Indiana in July, allowing him to re-enter the free-agent fray next summer in hopes of cashing in with a long-term contract.
8. Terry Rozier – Restricted – Boston Celtics
Rozier stepped up in a big way for the Celtics last season after Kyrie Irving and Marcus Smart were sidelined by injuries. “Scary Terry” started 16 games for Boston during the regular season and averaged 15.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists in those contests. Then, in the playoffs, he averaged 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.7 treys, as the Celtics advanced all the way to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. If the C’s lose Kyrie Irving in free agency, they will undoubtedly look to lock up Rozier longterm. However, if they re-sign Kyrie, they may be forced to let Rozier walk away.
9. D’Angelo Russell – Restricted – Brooklyn Nets
2018-19 will be an important season for Russell. The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft is still just 22 years old and possesses a world of talent; however, he hasn’t been able to put it all together on the court. Russell hasn’t distinguished himself defensively and has been inefficient on the offensive end. For his career, he is shooting just 40.9% from the field, 34.4% from downtown and 75.4% from the stripe. Encouragingly, his assist rate has climbed in each of his three pro seasons, and jumped all the way up to 35.7% last season.
10. Ricky Rubio – Unrestricted – Utah Jazz
Always a spirited defender, Rubio is coming off a stellar offensive season in Utah. He averaged career-highs in points (13.1), 3-pointers (1.2), field goal percentage (.418), and 3-point percentage (.352). Despite having seven years of NBA experience under his belt, Rubio is still just 27 years old and in the heart of his prime.
Best of the Rest:
* Isaiah Thomas – Unrestricted – Denver Nuggets
* Darren Collison – Unrestricted – Indiana Pacers
* Spencer Dinwiddie – Unrestricted – Brooklyn Nets
* Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Unrestricted – L.A. Lakers
* JJ Redick – Unrestricted – Philadelphia 76ers
* Malcolm Brogdon – Restricted – Milwaukee Bucks
* Patrick Beverley – Unrestricted – Los Angeles Clippers
* Jeff Teague – Player Option – Minnesota Timberwolves
* Rajon Rondo – Unrestricted – Los Angeles Lakers
