The best players still available in free agency
The best players still available in free agency. Although the free agency has been open for more than a week, there are still a number of important players who have not signed contracts.
The names Deandre Ayton and Collin Sexton, both of whom were selected in the latest draught lottery, head the list of players who are still available. In addition to that, it features a number of seasoned players, such as Dennis Schroder and Carmelo Anthony, who might be of assistance to teams looking to add to their roster depth.
Here is where each of them ranks among the finest players that are currently unsigned to a professional deal.
(It is important to note that James Harden, who is rumored to be planning to accept a paycut and sign a two-year deal with the 76ers, as well as Miles Bridges, who was just jailed on allegations of domestic abuse, are not included in this list.)
The most talented players are still eligible to sign with new teams.
1. Deandre Ayton, Suns
Ayton, who was selected first overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, has played in all four seasons of his career and is averaging 16.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game. There have apparently been trading conversations involving Kevin Durant, which have held down some of the markets for Deandre Ayton, who is a restricted free agency.
2. Collin Sexton, Cavaliers
Due to a damaged meniscus, Sexton was only able to participate in 11 games during the previous season. In 2019-20, he scored an average of 20.8 points per game, and in 2020-21, he scored an average of 24.3 points per game while shooting an impressive 47.5/37.1/81.5 from the field, 3-pointers, and free throws respectively.
Both Ayton and Sexton are considered to be restricted, free agents.
3. Montrezl Harrell, Hornets
Harrell is regarded as one of the top reserve big men in the league and was once awarded the Sixth Man of the Year award. He played for both the Wizards and the Hornets during the 2021–2022 NBA season, averaging 13.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per contest.
During the course of a routine traffic stop, law enforcement is alleged to have discovered vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana in Harrell’s vehicle, leading to the filing of a felony narcotics complaint against him.
4. Dennis Schroder, Rockets
In the past three seasons, Schroder has played for a total of four different clubs, splitting his time evenly between starting and serving on the bench. At the point guard position, he continues to be a blur when he has the ball in his hands and contributes to scoring and playmaking.
5. Eric Bledsoe, Trail Blazers
Bledsoe is now a free agent after being released by the Trail Blazers, who were his last team. Bledsoe is still a game-changing defender who has the ability to break down other teams through his dribble penetration, despite the fact that he is not the player he once was.
6. Hassan Whiteside, Jazz
Whiteside has finished in the top three of the NBA in blocks twice during his career and is now among the top three in that category once again. At the center position, he not only blocks shots but also brings his stature and the ability to grab rebounds.
7. Carmelo Anthony, Lakers
Anthony is still capable of getting baskets. When he was 37 years old, he had a season in which he averaged 13.3 points and shot 37.5 percent from outside the arc.
Anthony is a veteran player who has appeared on the All-Star team ten times and was a part of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
8. LaMarcus Aldridge, Nets
In 2021, Aldridge decided to end his career as a player and sign a one-year contract with the Nets. He was a starter in 12 of the 47 games in which he participated and finished with an average of 12.9 points while shooting an impressive 55.8 percent from distance.