Friday’s NBA moves saw two of the biggest available names removed from the market to reach closer to the end of free agency. Many teams were interested in Klay Thompson and DeMar DeRozan as two respected veterans. Thompson finally received his buy out from the Dallas Mavericks and instantly signed with the Miami Heat. Meanwhile, DeRozan agreed to join the Denver Nuggets hours later to officially end the dream of other teams wanting him.
The following top ten free agents remain, with teams looking to add them before training camp:
Jalen Duren (Pistons)
Jonathan Kuminga (Hawks)
Bennedict Mathurin (Clippers)
Nick Richards (Bulls)
Gabe Vincent (Hawks)
Bruce Brown (Nuggets)
Brandon Williams (Mavericks)
Jaden Ivey (N/A)
Cam Thomas (N/A)
Ben Simmons (N/A)
Only a handful of names stand out as difference makers who will even start for their next teams. Playoff teams were looking at Thompson, DeRozan, and Bradley Beal as the most noteworthy veterans available at a cheap price.
Duren and Kuminga are the biggest names on the market who have had their negotiations with teams made public. Mathurin and Richards are interesting names who deserve playing time, but the rest of the names are risky options. The Memphis Grizzlies are the only team with more than $2 million in cap space to make the market less competitive.
Examining Where Kuminga & Duren End Up After DeMar DeRozan
The Detroit Pistons are still expected to retain Duren as the top free agent available right now. However, recent reports have indicated that the situation is getting ugly with both sides far apart on his contract.
Duren had an All-NBA regular season, but that goodwill went away when he had a terrible postseason. The Los Angeles Clippers have been rumored to be a threat to the Pistons. No other teams have been confirmed to have interest, so Detroit should still be the favorite.
Kuminga has a trickier market after the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Peyton Watson instead of him. The Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks are considered the two top options for Kuminga in free agency. Kuminga’s previous Atlanta Hawks team has shown no desire to bring him back after adding multiple new players.
How Will The Rest Of Free Agency Go?
Outside of the two top names, Mathurin is the only other major free agent left that’s guaranteed to get an NBA contract. The Clippers expect to retain Mathurin, but both parties are still flirting with other scenarios before signing a new deal.
The Golden State Warriors or other teams lacking depth could take the chance on some of the other names on the list, like Williams or Richards. However, a big question features players on the bubble and if they can extend their NBA careers.
Simmons, Thomas, and Ivey are three controversial players who ended last season without an NBA team. Desperate teams like the Sacramento Kings could take the chance on trying to get the most out of flawed names. NBA teams have about a month left to add the remaining free agents before training camp begins.
Every Major NBA Free Agent Left After DeMar DeRozan Signs