2024 NBA Free Agent Rankings: Top 10 Small Forwards

Some Knicks news before we continue with our free agency rankings: 

🏀 Rokas Jokubaitis, whom the Knicks selected in the second round of the 2021 draft, averaged 7.4 points and 2.8 assists in 17.7 minutes over 32 appearances for Barcelona in the ACB league this past season. Encouragingly, he was highly efficient, shooting 56.6% from the floor and 48.6% from three-point territory. 

During Lithuania's impressive run to the knock-out stage in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Jokubaitis averaged 12.6 points, a team-high 5.8 assists (vs. just 1.8 turnovers), 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 made three-pointers. 

However, in March, Alessandro Luigi Maggi of Sportando reported that Jokubaitis is "expected to leave Barcelona" this offseason and that Rokas will likely sign with Zalgiris if he stays in Europe.

The Knicks still control his NBA rights, yet according to the New York Post's Stefan Bondy, Jokubaitis will only participate in the Las Vegas Summer League for the Knicks if Lithuania fails to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Lithuania will head to Puerto Rico in early July to compete for a spot in the Olympic Games. They have a good chance to advance as they will be the favorites in a group that includes Mexico, Ivory Coast, Italy, Puerto Rico and Bahrain.

🏀 The Knicks own three top 40 picks in this month's draft, Nos. 24, 25 and 38. There has been some speculation that New York may look to package those selections and move up or trade out of this year's draft. Yet, Ian Begley of SNY.TV thinks the Knicks are not "fully committed" to moving their picks. "In some of New York's recent draft meetings, discussions have been centered on finding players in the draft who can fill a void," Begley writes. "In the aftermath of their Game 7 loss to the Pacers, there has been internal concern over the Knicks' roster depth in the postseason (particularly against Indiana). So, in some of these recent draft meetings, the focus has been on finding players who can bolster the back end of the roster."

🏀 One prospect consistently connected to New York during the draft process has been Ryan Dunn out of Virginia. Dunn is a 6-foot-7 wing with an imposing 7-foot-2 wingspan. Per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Dunn is "arguably the top defender in college basketball as an on-ball defender and an elite shot blocker (2.3 per game) for his position."

Dunn worked out for New York at the team's practice facility earlier this month. 

While his offensive game is raw and his shot needs work (he converted just 12 of his 35 three-point attempts during his two years at Virginia), Dunn will be able to make an immediate impact on the defensive end. And that's the quickest way to Thibs' heart. 

"Dunn is probably going to be close to a lottery pick or right outside of it," an NBA executive told Scotto. "I'd say he's the most versatile defender in college basketball. The offense is a little bit behind, the shooting most notably. He's got to be able to at least make corner threes when he gets into the league. I think it's a touch issue. He sees the game. He's just sped up a lot. He plays with a lot of energy and doesn't always know how to suppress it at times. Offensively, he cuts, screens, and dives well. He can catch lobs. He can pass a little bit, especially in a short roll situation or if he's catching it on the run and making the right read. He's got to develop more on-the-ball stuff and his shooting."

The Knicks have nailed recent picks in the mid-20s (Immanuel Quickley was the 25th overall selection in 2020, and Quentin Grimes went 25th the following year), so we'll see if they can continue that trend.

Dunn was born and raised on Long Island (Freeport), so being drafted by the Knicks would be a homecoming. 

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After previously ranking the top point guards and shooting guards set to become free agents, today I'll break down the best small forwards up for grabs this summer.

1. Paul George / LA Clippers / Player Option:

George is eligible to sign an extension with the Clippers until June 30 but would become arguably the top overall free agent in this year's crop if he declines his $48.8 million player option for the 2024-25 season. If PG does hit the open market, the Sixers are expected to make a serious run at him. Philly can offer up to $212 million over four years. However, because George has leverage over LA and can pick up his option, he's not limited to teams with cap space. For instance, let's say he wants to play alongside Jalen Brunson in New York. The Knicks could send out a package centred around Julius Randle and Bojan Bogdanovic's expiring contract. Food for thought... 

2. OG Anunoby / New York Knicks / Player Option:

Anunoby has a player option worth $19.9 million for the 2024-25 campaign, which he will almost certainly decline. Last month, I detailed in-depth why it's imperative for New York to bring back OG. He is efficient on the offensive end and one of the most versatile and impactful defenders in the entire league. Because the Knicks control OG's Bird Rights, New York can offer a max contract summing to $245.3 million over five seasons. The most any team other than NY can offer Anunoby is $181.9 million over four years.  

3. DeMar DeRozan / Chicago Bulls / Unrestricted: 

DeRozan will turn 35 in August but is still playing at a very high level. Last season, he logged a league-leading 37.8 minutes per game and was one of only four players in the Eastern Conference to average at least 24 PPG and 5 APG while shooting above 45% from the floor and 85% from the FT stripe (Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid were the other three). According to NBC Sports Chicago's K.C. Johnson, the Bulls offered DeRozan a two-year contract that would pay him as much as $40 million per season, but he is reportedly seeking a three-year deal.