A wave of moves this week has weakened the NBA’s free agency class.
Formerly members of this group, players like OG Anunoby (Knicks), Malik Monk (Kings), Immanuel Quickley (Raptors) and Pascal Siakam (Pacers) are no longer available.
Tyrese Maxey is also expected to sign a max contract with the 76ers, taking him off the board.
There are still tons of difference-makers who will be reachable once free agency begins Sunday at 6 p.m.
The Post’s Zach Braziller ranks players capable of changing teams.
1. Paul George, SF
The most intriguing free agent on the market, George is 34 and remains an injury risk — even though he played in 74 games a year ago, his most since the 2018-19 campaign. The nine-time All-Star remains a high-profile player who will command a maximum of four years and $221.1 million. This is likely a battle between the Clippers and 76ers.
2. LeBron James, F.
It seems like a formality that the self-proclaimed King is staying in Los Angeles, especially after the Lakers hired his podcast partner, JJ Reddick, as their new coach and drafted his son, Bronny, in the second round (55th overall) .
3. James Harden, G
Not the same player but still effective as a secondary option. Do the Clippers return Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George after injuries once again derailed this trio of stars in the playoffs?
4. DeMar DeRozan, SG
A quality veteran best positioned at this point in his career as a second or third option, DeRozan, 34, averaged 24 points, 5.3 assists and 4.3 last season with the Bulls. He doesn’t shoot very well from deep – just a career 29.6% 3-point shooter – which might give some suitors pause.
5. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG
Caldwell-Pope is a winner, two-time NBA champion, tremendous defender and 3-point shooter. The Nuggets would like to keep him, but they will have a lot of competition.
6. Isaiah Hartenstein, C
The 7-footer broke out at the perfect time — averaging rebounds (8.3), minutes (25.3) and steals (1.2). The Knicks can only offer him a maximum of four years and $72.5 million, which a number of teams can exceed — the Thunder top that list — though Hartenstein seemed to enjoy his two years in the orange and blue.
7. Klay Thompson, SG
Thompson is on the decline, as evidenced by his lowest scoring average (17.9) since his second year in the league. However, there is still plenty of value there for a size sharp shooting guard. The Magic look like a team to watch if they don’t stick with the Warriors.
8. Tobias Harris, S.F.
Like Russell, a poor playoff run overshadowed a quality regular season for the veteran floor-spacing wing. This may be the 32-year-old’s last chance to truly cash in on his money.
9. Miles Bridges, PF
It’s hard to see anyone committing long-term to the talented 6-foot-10 forward after he pleaded not guilty and was sentenced to three years of probation for domestic violence. Bridges had a strong comeback season after his year off, averaging 21 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
10. De’Anthony Melton, SG
A shifty, impactful player who is just entering his prime at age 26. Melton is a good shooter, making 36.9 percent of his 3-point attempts for his career, and can really guard. The 76ers were 22-11 with him as a starter. Who knows how this first-round series against the Knicks will play out if Melton, who suffered a back injury last year that limited him to 38 games, is healthy.
11. Tyus Jones, PG
A full-time first-team starter for his career, Jones set personal bests with the Wizards in points scored (12.0), assists (7.3) and three-pointers made (41.4 %). In a weak point guard market, the 6-foot-11 Jones can take advantage. He posted a 7.3-1 assist-to-turnover ratio with Washington.
12. Gary Trent Jr., SG
He picked a bad time to regress, recording his lowest production (13.7 points in 28.1 minutes) since becoming a part-time starter in 2020-21. But at 25 years old, that seems like an aberration for a fullback who plays on the field and has a solid track record.
13. Obi Toppin, P.F.
The former Knick has limitations as a defender and shot creator, but he’s dynamic in transition and has significantly improved his 3-point shooting. He can help your second unit.
14. Jonas Valanciunas, C
Durable and still effective at 32, the 6-foot-11 big man will have options in a weak free-agent class. He can help a playoff team, especially in limited minutes.
15. Patrick Williams, F
Someone will see overproduction potential in the former fourth overall pick, who thus far has been nothing more than a provocateur as a pro. Williams can defend at multiple positions and has made positive strides as a shooter. Moreover, he is only 22 years old.
16. Eric Gordon, SG
He declined his $3.4 million player option with the Suns to become a free agent. He’s still a useful player at age 35 — he averaged 11.0 points and shot 37.8 percent from 3 last year — and has a wealth of playoff experience.
17. Kelly Oubre Jr., SF
A solid defender but limited perimeter threat, the 6-foot-7 Oubre is effective when used properly on a quality team, as he showed with the 76ers last season.
18. Markelle Fultz, SG
The former first overall pick will never live up to expectations, and he took a step back last year. Still, he has good size for a guard (1.93m) and can provide energy and depth scoring off the bench, which he did for the Magic last season.
19. Isaac Okoro, SF
There’s room for growth for the 3-and-D wing, who doesn’t turn 24 until next January. The restricted free agent is one of several major moves the Cavaliers have made this offseason. His defense and career-high 39.1 percent shooting from 3-point range won’t be easily replaced.
20. Malik Beasley, SG
He had the second-best season of his career from deep (41.3%) for the Bucks and is more than just a specialist. He’s not a difference-maker defensively, but can be a microwave scorer off the bench.
21. Saddiq Bey, SF
Too bad the Knicks loaded up on the wing, because who wouldn’t want another Villanova player on Broadway? Bey is recovering from a torn ACL, which will likely limit his market, but when healthy, he’s a solid two-way player who can help a contender. A one-year probationary deal seems likely.
22. Nicolas Batum, SF
The 6-foot-8 wing showed he still has something left in him at age 35 — shooting 39.9 percent from 3 and averaging 5.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2 .2 assists after being traded to the 76ers. Batum remains a solid and affordable depth piece.
23. Derrick Jones Jr., S.F.
The high-flying wing has become much more than a dunker. He thrived with the Mavericks as a lockdown perimeter defender and should be eligible to land a multi-year deal after playing last season for a bargain $2.7 million. Dallas was two points better per 100 possessions with Jones on the floor.
24. Buddy Hield, SG
His miserable playoff run, in which he could barely get on the court, might scare off contenders. Still, 3-point specialists remain valuable in the modern NBA, and the 6-foot-4 Hield is a career 40 percent 3-point shooter. Only Steph Curry has hit more 3s in the last five seasons.
25. André Drummond, C
He has been mentioned as a potential fallback option for the Knicks if they fail to bring back Isaiah Hartenstein. The 6-foot-11 big man is coming off an efficient season in which he averaged 8.4 points and 9.0 rebounds in just 17.1 minutes for the Bulls. He led the NBA in offensive rebound percentage (18.7) among players who appeared in at least 30 games.
26. Kris Dunn, PG
Once considered a bust, the former Providence star has become a useful NBA player thanks to his lightning defense. He remains limited on the other end of the floor, but the Jazz were nearly 2.5 points better defensively when he was there.
27. Haywood Highsmith, SF
He guards, shoots well (39.6 percent from deep this season) and doesn’t turn the ball over — three things that appeal to virtually every coach. The 6-foot-5 undrafted wing is another Heat success story.
28. Kyle Anderson, F.
He’s had an impact on wins throughout his career, dating back to his high school days at St. Anthony’s in Jersey City. The 6-foot-10 Anderson can be a problem in spacing, but he’ll be useful everywhere else as a high-end, glue player.
29. Caleb Martin, S.F.
Versatility makes the 6-foot-5 Martin appealing. He can score in a variety of ways and defend multiple positions.
News Source : nypost.com
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