NBA Free Agency has quieted down greatly, and while there are several names left to sign contracts, the quality of the names has greatly diminished over the last three days.
It’s possible that a name was missed here or there, but from what I can find, this is how I, Ryan Blackburn, would rank the top 25 remaining free agents available in the NBA today:
Top 25 Remaining Free Agents
- LeBron James – Forward
- Jalen Duren (RFA) – Center
- James Harden – Guard
- Draymond Green – Forward
- Peyton Watson (RFA) – Wing
- Rui Hachimura – Forward
- Benedict Mathurin (RFA) – Wing
- Jonathan Kuminga – Forward
- Matisse Thybulle – Wing
- Gary Payton II – Wing
- Spencer Jones (RFA) – Forward
- Khris Middleton – Forward
- Russell Westbrook – Guard
- Javonte Green – Wing
- Josh Okogie – Wing
- Quinten Post (RFA) – Center
- Bruce Brown – Guard
- Guerschon Yabusele – Big
- Ziaire Williams – Wing
- Andre Drummond – Center
- Bradley Beal – Guard
- Aaron Holiday – Guard
- Nicolas Batum – Forward
- Jeremy Sochan – Forward
- Nick Richards – Center
By my count, that makes five total guards, seven total wings, eight total forwards, one big (Yabusele is a 4/5 hybrid at this point), and four total centers. Only the players in the top 11 or so spots should be expected to avoid a minimum contract and sign for more than that, while anyone under there (outside of Quinten Post) is probably in line for the veteran minimum.
LeBron James is obviously the top remaining free agent. Jalen Duren and James Harden will certainly sign for the most remaining money, but James’ free agency appears to be the central plot point for the rest of the NBA. James’ fit in Denver has been covered here before, and it’s clear he would be an excellent addition for the Nuggets if he decided to go that direction.
Denver’s remaining free agents on this list are Peyton Watson, Spencer Jones, and Bruce Brown. Both Watson and Jones are restricted free agents, and the Nuggets are surely negotiating with both players and their agents to determine the right price point they would sign for a new deal. Brown is unrestricted, and with the announced signing of Tyus Jones yesterday,
Outside of Denver’s current free agents though, it should be said that the Nuggets can’t be done filling out their backcourt depth. Denver could use another ball handler and defender. Russell Westbrook fits the bill as a ball handler. Aaron Holiday, Javonte Green, and Josh Okogie are better defensive options. The Nuggets might have to seek out the trade market for a player that fits both categories at once.
After that, the roster simply needs more clarity with regard to how much money can/should actually be spent. If the Nuggets are looking to reduce salary, waiving Jonas Valanciunas is the easiest path there, freeing up $8 million immediately. If the Nuggets need more savings, they’ve already been rumored to try and find a new home for Zeke Nnaji, who would be entering his seventh season with the team. If that’s not enough savings, additional trades will be considered featuring a starter with a larger contract.
If the Nuggets are successful with their push to acquire LeBron James, that simplifies the process a bit more and allows Denver more flexibility with their current starting wings. If the Nuggets cannot recruit LeBron to Denver, they will have to be more wary about trading a starter away because it will be difficult to replace that talent level on the roster with whatever they acquire in return.
Whatever the Nuggets decide to do will be decided around their negotiations with James and Watson. Those two remain the largest dominoes left to fall into place. If they’re in Denver’s favor, the Nuggets could build a truly excellent team next season. If not, the pathway to contention grows exponentially more difficult.