NBA Free Agency: Ranking The Top 50 Players
We are almost there, folks…
NBA free agency kicks off on Sunday at 6:00 p.m., when teams can initiate negotiations with players on the open market (although they have to wait until the moratorium period ends on July 6th before officially signing players).
Before we start ranking the Top 50 free agents available, the NBA dropped the 20254 Las Vegas Summer League schedule yesterday.
Here are the Knicks first four contests:
Saturday, July 13, 5:00 p.m. EST - Knicks vs. Charlotte Hornets (ESPN2)
Tuesday, July 16, 4:30 p.m. EST - Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets (NBA TV)
Wednesday, July 17, 3:30 p.m. EST - Knicks vs. Sacramento Kings (NBA TV)
Friday, July 19, 7:00 p.m. EST - Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons (ESPN)
If the Knicks don't qualify for the championship game, they will play a fifth game on Saturday, July 20 or Sunday, July 21. If they make the title contest, it will be broadcast on Monday, July 22, at 9 p.m. ET. New York will likely announce their full roster next week.
Without further adieu, here are the FA rankings:
1. Tyrese Maxey / Philadelphia 76ers / Restricted
2. Paul George / LA Clippers / Player Option
3. LeBron James / Los Angeles Lakers / Player Option
4. DeMar DeRozan / Chicago Bulls / Unrestricted
5. Immanuel Quickley / Toronto Raptors / Restricted
(IQ reportedly plans to re-sign with the Raps for $175 million over five years)
6. James Harden / LA Clippers / Unrestricted
7. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope / Denver Nuggets / Player Option
8. Isaiah Hartenstein / New York Knicks / Unrestricted
9. Klay Thompson / Golden State Warriors / Unrestricted
10. Miles Bridges / Charlotte Hornets / Unrestricted
11. Tobias Harris / Philadelphia 76ers / Unrestricted
12. Jonas Valanciunas / New Orleans Pelicans / Unrestricted
13. Tyus Jones / Washington Wizards / Unrestricted
14. Buddy Hield / Philadelphia 76ers / Unrestricted
15. Gary Trent Jr / Toronto Raptors / Unrestricted
16. Chris Paul / Golden State Warriors / Team Option
17. Kelly Oubre Jr. / Philadelphia 76ers / Unrestricted
18. Caleb Martin / Miami Heat / Player Option
19. Patrick Williams / Chicago Bulls / Restricted
20. Obi Toppin / Indiana Pacers / Restricted
21. Kyle Anderson / Minnesota Timberwolves / Unrestricted
22. Derrick Jones Jr / Dallas Mavericks / Unrestricted
23. Isaac Okoro / Cleveland Cavs / Restricted
24. Saddiq Bey / Atlanta Hawks / Unrestricted
(The Hawks will not tender Bey a qualifying offer, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski)
25. De'Anthony Melton / Philadelphia 76ers / Unrestricted
26. Moritz Wagner / Orlando Magic / Team Option
27. Andre Drummond / Chicago Bulls / Unrestricted
28. Luke Kennard / Memphis Grizzlies / Team Option
29. Jalen Smith / Indiana Pacers / Player Option:
30. Spencer Dinwiddie / LA Lakers / Unrestricted
31. Royce O'Neale / Phoenix Suns / Unrestricted
(Woj is reporting that O'Neale intends to sign a four-year, $44 million deal to return to the Suns)
32. Malik Beasley / Milwaukee Bucks / Unrestricted
33. Markelle Fultz / Orlando Magic / Unrestricted
34. Sam Hauser / Boston Celtics / Team Option
35. Simone Fontecchio / Detroit Pistons / Restricted
36. Isaiah Joe / Oklahoma City Thunder / Team Option
37. Precious Achiuwa / New York Knicks / Restricted
38. Eric Gordon / Phoenix Suns / Unrestricted
39. Dario Saric / Golden State Warriors / Unrestricted
40. Monte Morris / Minnesota Timberwolves / Unrestricted
41. Naji Marshall / New Orleans Pelicans / Unrestricted
42. Gary Harris / Orlando Magic / Unrestricted
43. Haywood Highsmith / Miami Heat / Unrestricted
44. Nicolas Batum / Philadelphia 76ers / Unrestricted
44. Goga Bitadze / Orlando Magic / Unrestricted
45. Gordon Hayward / Oklahoma City Thunder / Unrestricted
46. Kevin Love / Miami Heat / Player Option
47. Xavier Tillman / Boston / Unrestricted
48. Taurean Prince / Los Angeles Lakers / Unrestricted
49. Drew Eubanks / Phoenix Suns / Player Option
50. Kyle Lowry / Philadelphia 76ers / Unrestricted