2021 NBA Free Agency: Top 10 Available And Where They May Land
Tonight begins perhaps the most exciting NBA event and that is the start of the Free Agency period.
NBA Free Agents Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, Lonzo Ball
Teams and players will officially be able to begin negotiations and sign deals at 6 P.M. ET tonight if they haven’t done so already under the table. Barring anything crazy that happens once free agency hits, we will most likely see prize-free agents Kawhi Leonard and Chris Paul return to their respective teams. After those two are off the board you have a heavy point guard pool that teams have shown a lot of interest that they feel could be the missing piece from a championship run like a la the Suns this past year.
Here is my list of the top 10 free agents that should be a high priority for teams:
1.Kawhi Leonard
This is an obvious choice at No. 1 as Leonard is still a top-five player in the NBA. You could argue he and the Clippers were well on their way to an incredible understory matchup with the Bucks in the Finals hadn’t he went down to his partially-torn ACL injury in the second round. He was averaging 30.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.1 steals in 11 playoff games shooting 57.3 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from three-pointers. He is also coming off another All-NBA season in both categories.
He will need time to recover from his injury but he is well worth the gamble if somehow the Clippers don’t re-sign him. But reports from Chris Haynes say that option won’t be likely for other teams as Clippers and Leonard are expecting to work on a new max deal. If you are worried about how he will return from this injury you can look to Kevin Durant’s recent run this past season.
2.Chris Paul
Paul is coming off an amazing season where he earned All-NBA honors and led his team to their first Finals in decades. Therefore he is deserving of one last big payday as he has become a franchise-altering player this late in his career. He is up there in age at 36 but you are still getting an ultra-competitor that is an on court-coach, and also still produces at a high level.
Just like Kawhi, early signs from Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer is that Paul is “all but destined” to stay with Phoenix and run it back. But if it’s a small sliver of a chance that he leaves, the 11-time All-Star will be a hot commodity. If Paul is serious about winning a championship in the twilight of his career, his best route as teams get healthy will not be back with the Suns. There’s nothing wrong with ring chasing despite what Giannis just said.
3.Kyle Lowry
Once we get the big dominoes out the way, this is where free agency really begins with Lowry being the next best available. Who would’ve thought Lowry would be a prize-free agent in 2021? He isn’t Chris Paul as far as one of the best points of all time but he is dang near close to him at this stage in their careers and can offer you close to the same value Paul does. He can truly be a missing piece for teams like the Celtics, Sixers, Mavericks, and Heat who all will improve with what he brings as far as leadership, tenacity, and his scoring ability at age 35.
Lowry will demand big money but he is well worth it to any possible contender. He has been tied to making a return to Philly for some time now but more teams including the Lakers who want his services. Another element he brings is he might be able to persuade DeRozan to tag along with him as the two both had a mutual interest in reuniting on a contender. Heat have had perhaps the strongest interest and sings as of this moment point him towards South Beach.
4.Lonzo Ball
Wasn’t expecting the Chino Hills star this high on the list? Well, neither was a lot of teams after his initial run in L.A., but here we are with him being one of the more coveted players in this year’s free agency pool. Ball is still so young that it is crazy to not take a chance on him. He has improved his three-point shooting drastically since being in New Orleans and is regarded as a true traditional point guard that players love to play with. Not to mention, he is great on the defensive side as well.
The Bulls and Celtics have a lot of interest in the oldest Ball brother as the idea of him returning to the Pelicans is becoming less and less likely from both sides. Charlotte is an interesting destination for him as well as the Pacers who could possibly get him in a sign and trade for Brogdon. Putting him in a winning situation will truly let his talents shine brightest. The potential is there for him to be an All-Star in this league.
5.DeMar DeRozan
DeRozan is looking to play for a title contender next season and he has already put it on the table that he is willing to take less money to do it. For what he lacks as a three-point shooter he is undoubtedly a bucket getter at the age of 32. And he is also an underrated playmaker after averaging a career-high 6.9 assists. That value just can’t be ignored on the market. He isn’t a “Robin” at this stage of his career but he can be that third guy to form a big three to compete with the likes of the Nets and the Lakers.
His days of making max money are behind him but there will be a strong need for his services. He is one of the best offensive players that will be available this Summer. Clippers could use his services while Kawhi heals and he will get to return home in California. Otherwise, maybe the Mavericks take a go at him after trading away Josh Richardson.
6.John Collins
In Collins' eyes, he is a max player worth over $120M and he will certainly be in line for that with some teams. What he provides is an athletic big that can stretch the floor and the fact that he is only 23 years old means he can get better. The upside is there if teams want to take a chance if Atlanta can’t resign him.
Spurs have been linked to picking up the bill for Collins services but it seems as the notion is that he will eventually resign with the Hawks. Though he and Trae Young have butted heads in the past before it seems like that is all water on the bridge as they carried the Hawks to an ECF appearance. More teams should try to pry him away however in an attempt to weaken the competition as he is that valuable.
7.Duncan Robinson
In a league where three-point shooting is premier, Robinson is one of the best at it. A legit sniper that can put his shot up in catch and shoots, off the dribble, off the P&R, etc. He moves well without the ball making him a constant threat on the court. This season he had a career true shooting percentage of 65.1 — which is an NBA best.
His market price will be similar to what we have seen Joe Harris got this past season. Miami can make the move to resign him but his availability in their trade offers shows that he isn’t a top priority for them making him a nice pick up for any team that has been struggling shooting…Lakers?
8.Reggie Jackson
Was it lightning in a bottle? Or was it the blossoming of Jackson becoming an All-Star caliber player during the Clippers' latest playoff runs. He was simply sensational in the playoffs and the advanced stats show how he was up there with some of the best players in the league in scoring upping his points per game by seven points in the postseason. The Clippers surely won't be able to resign him unless he takes a big pay-cut for the team that “saved his life.”
There are plenty of teams that have the money that can take the chance on Jackson to be what Terry Rozier is right now for the Hornets. It will be interesting to see if teams share this same thought and give him his well-deserved money. He is a very gifted offensive player and can be a big scoring boost for any playoff team.
9.Spencer Dinwiddie
This was a hard call to make but Dinwiddie edges out Mike Conley Jr. in this top 10 list. Though he is coming off his season-ending injury last year he has generated some interest from teams that have the money to give him the max contract he desires. He is younger than Conley and was coming off the best season of his career as the head guy for the Nets. He is a great playmaker and a bucket getter.
It’s unclear where Dinwiddie will land but they're a lot of teams that can use his services. Clippers could make a run at him or the Pelicans could as well if Lonzo leaves. Wizards have shown interest as well as Knicks where he wouldn’t even have to get a new home.
10. Tim Hardaway Jr.
He isn’t one of the more efficient scorers in the league but he still can get you a bucket as he has shown these past two playoff runs. He shoots his career-best from three as part of the Luka Doncic offense and Dallas should look to resigning him to a deal where he can continue to flourish with the superstar.
Another player needs to be in a title-contending situation to show what he can bring to a team. Mavericks certainly have that hope but they need either KP to enter a time machine or bring in another All-NBA player. If he doesn’t resign there is perhaps a reunion with the Knicks who were at the bottom in scoring.
