Top 5 Players Still Available in NBA Free Agency
From RFAs to UFAs, there are still plenty of big-name talents out on the market for NBA teams to pursue a few days into free agency. As we take a look through the list of available players currently without a contract as of the 4th of July, some players are looking for their independence from their current team, while others will re-sign.
Let's have a look at the Top 5 players still available in free agency. But for this exercise, we'll leave out the ones who are clearly, undoubtedly, going to re-sign with their current teams (James Harden & Draymond Green, for example).
1. LeBron James, UFA
James confirmed that his time with the Los Angeles Lakers is over. And that he's coming back for a 24th NBA season during which he'll turn 42. We also learned from his agent, Rich Paul, on Friday, that five teams are seemingly the favorites to land him, but the Golden State Warriors are not one of them. And a surprising team has vaulted to the top of the list.
2. Jalen Duren, RFA, Detroit Pistons
This situation is getting nasty, depending on who you talk to. Contract talks between the Pistons and their breakout big man are nowhere close to being resolved. Duren, in fact, took meetings with the LA Lakers and Sacramento Kings on Friday, with hopes of landing a sign-and-trade. Ah, but Detroit must cooperate in that, and from their end, they have no intention of doing so, and say they'll match any offer sheet that Duren receives. But the fact that he's reportedly seeking $40 million per year on his next contract, and the Pistons are currently offering in the neighborhood of $25 million, means that something has to give.
3. Peyton Watson, RFA, Denver Nuggets
Another prized RFA, but in this case, it is cap constraints that have the Nuggets struggling to come to terms with their breakout two-way wing. They might not have room to match any offer sheet and stay under the second apron, so figuring out a way to clear some money off the books will be a necessity. Cam Johnson is the likely victim.
4. Bennedict Mathurin, RFA, LA Clippers
Yet another RFA who is no slam dunk to return to his team. A probability, perhaps, but not a slam dunk. The Clippers can match any offer, as they made him a qualifying offer. But let's see how high a rival team will go on the dynamic, scoring wing. The Clips have said they will not overpay.
5. Jonathan Kuminga, UFA
Once thought to be a superstar in the making (certainly, in his own mind, at least), Kuminga is now out there for the taking for any team in the NBA. The Atlanta Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option for the upcoming season. He managed just 12.3 points per game in his 16 games after being traded from the Golden State Warriors to the Atlanta Hawks.
