Free Agency Fireworks

06/30/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

James Harden Trade & Top Free Agent Predictions When the Market Opens Tonight (6:00 pm ET)

The rush of NBA free agents is coming quickly. As we step away for a short holiday break, you’ll likely see 55 free agents find new teams or new contracts that will shift the outlook of the 2023-24 NBA season in the next few days. Many of them will re-sign or ink new deals right out of the gate, and many more will have to wait. There are roughly 25-30 free agents who fit the role of impact starter or fringe contributor, and they will have no problem finding work. We’ve got all 30 listed below. But as we know with the free-agent window, things change fast.

Free Agency Opens: Tonight (6:00 pm ET)

Latest Updates: James Harden, arguably the top potential free agent, has opted into his $35.6 million player option with the 76ers under the agreement that both sides will work to facilitate a trade. That means Harden is on the move. The Kings and Harrison Barnes also agreed to a 3-year, $54 million extension that keeps him from walking in free agency. Our big board didn’t last 24 hours…

Top-10 Free Agents

1. James Harden (PHI) | Opt-In Trade*

2. Kyrie Irving (DAL) | Unrestricted FA

3. Khris Middleton (MIL) | Unrestricted FA

4. Fred VanVleet (TOR) | Unrestricted FA

5. Draymond Green (GSW) | Unrestricted FA

6. Cameron Johnson (BKN) | Restricted FA

7. Austin Reaves (LAL) | Restricted FA

8. Jerami Grant (POR) | Unrestricted FA

9. Brook Lopez (MIL) | Unrestricted FA

10. D’Angelo Russell (LAL) | Unrestricted FA

Other Notable FAs: Kyle Kuzma (WAS), Russell Westbrook (LAC), Jakob Poeltl (TOR), Christian Wood (DAL), Harrison Barnes (SAC), Jordan Clarkson (UTA), Bruce Brown (DEN), Grant Williams (BOS), Josh Hart (NYK), Rui Hachimura (LAL), Caris LeVert (CLE), P.J. Washington (CHA), Dillon Brooks (MEM), Joe Ingles (MIL), Tre Jones (SAS), Max Strus (MIA), Gabe Vincent (MIA), Donte DiVincenzo (GSW), Kelly Oubre Jr. (CHA), Dennis Schroeder (LAL)

Predictions & Expectations

We expect many of the top players to re-sign with their former teams. The aging veterans who haven’t moved in a while may be reluctant to shift, and they’re simply testing the waters. We think Khris Middleton (MIL) and Russell Westbrook (LAC) will stay put. Kyrie Irving (DAL) and Draymond Green (GSW) are wild cards. Look for Green to potentially land in Portland with Damian Lillard, but the Warriors will still try to keep him. And Fred VanVleet could become a solid building block for a young team like the Spurs or Rockets.

The Ringer: This is the Sumer of Flawed Free Agent Point Guards

Yahoo! Sports: Blazers’ Quest to Improve Around Damian Lillard Starts With Free Agency

Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images