The 2024 NBA free agent class is rather interesting with future Hall of Famers LeBron James, Paul George and Klay Thompson potentially heading it.
Other younger players such as Tyrese Maxey and Immanuel Quickley could also cash out with the NBA salary cap continuing to increase.
Let’s take a look at the top projected NBA free agents for this summer. But before we do that, let’s check in on some FAQs regarding NBA free agency.
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When does NBA free agency start?
Teams can begin to negotiate contracts with NBA free agents on June 30. They can’t enter into official agreements until July 6. That week window allows teams to discuss contracts with players on other teams. A lot of the time, verbal agreements are made during this week window with reports of signings and trades being imminent.
What’s the difference between restricted and unrestricted NBA free agency?
When an unrestricted free agent hits the open market, he can sign with another team without his former team having a say. Current teams can match any offer another team makes to a restricted free agent. We saw that back in the summer of 2012 when the Phoenix Suns matched the four-year, $132.93 million contract offer the Indiana Pacers made to center Deandre Ayton.
Can NBA free agents be traded?
Recently, teams have used the sign-and-trade as a part of the NBA free agency process. It does two things. This enables the team losing a free agent to acquire something of substance. Generally, it also enables the team signing said free agent to add other players to the mix by moving off current contracts.
This was utilized back in the summer of 2019 when the Brooklyn Nets pulled off a sign-and-trade for Kevin Durant with the Golden State Warriors. Brooklyn dealt away D’Angelo Russell to Golden State in the trade. The team was able to use that to sign other free agents to build around KD and Kyrie Irving. In turn, Golden State got something for Durant instead of losing him for nothing once he opted to sign with Brooklyn.
What are exceptions in NBA free agency?
The NBA allows for the midlevel exception, both from a taxpayer and non-taxpayer perspective. Teams that are over the luxury tax can sign a player for up to three years at $6.479 million per season. Those under the luxury tax (more on that below) can sign a player for up to four years at $10.49 million. This incentivizes teams to sign role players without it impacting their salary cap health.
What is the NBA luxury tax?
In addition to the soft cap, the NBA utilizes a luxury tax system that’s applied once a team exceeds a payroll higher than the salary cap. These teams pay a penalty for each dollar their salary cap exceeds the tax level. For example, the Warriors’ luxury tax number last season was $242.722 million.
What is the 2024-25 NBA salary cap?
The soft cap for the 2023-24 season was $136 million with a luxury tax threshold of $165 million. It’s not yet known what the cap will be for the 2024-25 season. Stay tuned to this page for updates.
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20. Malik Monk, guard, Sacramento Kings
Since struggling a tad earlier in his career with the Charlotte Hornets, Monk has morphed into a solid role player. He’s averaging 14.2 points and 4.5 assists on 36% shooting with the Sacramento Kings since the start of the 2022-23 season. He’ll certainly have a market in NBA free agency this summer.
19. Moritz Wagner, center, Orlando Magic (team option)
Orlando holds a team option worth $8 million for Wagner. It’s an option the team is going to pick up given what the 26-year-old center has done recently. He’s averaging 10.2 points and 4.2 rebounds on 53% shooting from the field since the start of the 2021-22 campaign.
18. Buddy Hield, guard, Philadelphia 76ers
If for nothing other than his scoring, Hield will be one of the top NBA free agent this summer. The former top-six pick from Oklahoma is averaging 15.7 points on 40% shooting from distance in his career. The only question here is whether Philadelphia will look to retain the veteran guard after acquiring him from the Indiana Pacers during the in-season NBA trade deadline.
17. Jonas Valanciunas, center, New Orleans Pelicans
Valanciunas might not fit the modern NBA in the truest sense of the term. But he’s been as consistent as they come. The 31-year-old is averaging a near double-double (13.5 points, 9.5 rebounds) while shooting 56% from the field in his career. He’ll be an intriguing free agent for teams interested in a traditional big.
16. Bruce Brown, guard, Toronto Raptors (team option)
After acquiring him from the Indiana Pacers in the Pascal Siakam trade, the Raptors opted not to move Brown for other pieces. This seems to suggest that they’ll pick up the $23 million option on his contract for next season. It will likely come with the intention of trading the 27-year-old wing. Brown is averaging a solid 11.0 points and 4.4 rebounds on 47% shooting this season. He’s also seen as a plus-level defender.
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15. D’Angelo Russell, guard, Los Angeles Lakers (player option)
After returning to the Lakers on a two-year, $36 million contract last summer, Russell was the subject of in-season trade rumors. It certainly puts his future in Los Angeles in question. The 28-year-old guard has an $18.69 million player option for the 2024-25 campaign. Russell is still averaging 17.6 points and 6.4 assists on 42% shooting from distance. Expect him to opt out and become one of the top NBA free agents this summer.
14. Klay Thompson, guard, Golden State Warriors
Despite some drama with being relegated to bench duties this season, we fully expect this four-time NBA champion to return to the Warriors in NBA free agency. He’ll likely take a discount to do so. If not, there is still going to be a market for a player that’s shooting 38% from distance on the season. Sure, Thompson might not be his pre-injury self. But he can help a contending team.
13. Patrick Williams, forward, Chicago Bulls (restricted)
One of the top NBA free agents on the restricted market this summer, Williams never really panned out into being a star with Chicago. The 2020 No. 4 pick is averaging 9.7 points and 3.9 rebounds in his career. Despite this, there is going to be a market for the 22-year-old’s upside. Take that to the bank.
12. Miles Bridges, forward, Charlotte Hornets
It remains to be seen whether Bridges’ off-court issues will impact him in free agency. The forward sat out the entire 2022-23 season after a domestic dispute led to felony charges being filed (since dropped). What we do know is that he’s a stellar player on the court. This season alone, Bridges is averaging 21.4 points and 7.3 rebounds on 37% shooting from distance.
11. Tobias Harris, forward, Philadelphia 76ers
The 31-year-old Harris remains a vastly underrated figure around the Association. Since back in 2015-16, he’s averaging a stellar 17.5 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting 38% from distance. Look for Harris to latch on with a contending team if he does not return to Philadelphia.
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10. Nic Claxton, center, Brooklyn Nets
At 24 years old, Claxton remains one of the best defenders in the Association. He’s posted a 6.1 defensive win shares since the start of the 2022-23 season. That very same span is seeing Claxton average 12.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. As such, he’ll be one of the top NBA free agents of 2024 this summer.
9. OG Anunoby, forward, New York Knicks (player option)
There is every reason to believe that Anunoby will decline his $19.93 million player option for next season. It’s one of the reasons the Toronto Raptors traded him to New York. The expectation here is also that the Knicks will do everything possible to retain the three-and-D player. The former All-NBA defender is averaging 16.2 points on 48% shooting since the start of the 2022-23 season. This very same span has seen him post a 7.3 defensive win shares. That seems good.
8. James Harden, guard, Los Angeles Clippers
Is the 34-year-old Harden now merely a role player or will he be seen as one of the top NBA free agents this summer? It’s an open question. What we do know is that he’s been more efficient in his first season with Los Angeles than in the recent past. That includes shooting 41% from distance while averaging 8.3 assists compared to 2.6 turnovers in 2023-24.
7. Jrue Holiday, guard, Boston Celtics (player option)
Holiday, 33, has seen his numbers take a beating this season playing with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. He’s averaging just 13.0 points and 4.8 assists per game. These would represent Holiday’s worst numbers since 2011-12. Even then, he’s a top-end defender and can run an offense. The expectation here is that Holiday will pick up his $37.37 million option for next season.
6. Immanuel Quickley, guard, Toronto Raptors (restricted)
Slated to hit the restricted market, Quickley is going to be one of the top NBA free agents this summer. He proved his worth with the Knicks before being dealt to Toronto ahead of the in-season deadline. Now in a larger role with the Raptors, the young 24-year-old guard is averaging 17.0 points and 5.5 assists on 43% shooting from distance. Teams will obviously value that.
5. DeMar DeRozan, forward, Chicago Bulls
DeRozan will be 35 once the 2024-25 NBA season starts. Despite this, he just continues to play at a great all-around level. Since the start of the 2014-15 campaign, the wing is averaging 23.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists on 48% shooting. He’s legit on both ends, and will have a huge market in NBA free agency.
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4. Pascal Siakam, forward, Indiana Pacers
Indiana took a chance on acquiring Siakam from the Toronto Raptors ahead of the trade deadline. It knew that he wasn’t going to sign a contract extension. It creates an interesting dynamic with him potentially being the top free agent depending on what happens with the three above him. Siakam has just been great over the past five seasons, averaging 22.7 points to go with 7.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists on 48% shooting from the field.
3. LeBron James, forward, Los Angeles Lakers (player option)
The question here is obvious. Will King James pick up the $51.42 million option on his contract for next season? It is no longer a foregone conclusion with the possibility of GOAT parting ways and looking for a new home. It’s going to be all about whether James believes the Lakers can contend, because, he’s still doing his part. It’s going to be among the top NBA storylines of the summer.
2. Tyrese Maxey, guard, Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia made the unfortunate decision not to sign Maxey to a rookie-level max contract last summer. It now means that he’ll be among the top NBA free agents with a lot of suitors for the youngster’s services. A first-time All-Star this season, the 24-year-old Maxey is averaging 25.9 points to go with 6.4 assists on 38% shooting from three-point range. He really is a No. 1 option waiting to happen.
1. Paul George, forward, Los Angeles Clippers (player option)
George has a June 29 deadline to pick up the $48.79 million option on his contract for next season. At this point, it’s an open question whether he’s going to do that. The future Hall of Famer continues to deal with injury, complicating things. What we do know is that he’s an elite all-around player on the court. This season has George averaging 22.1 points to go with 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 40% shooting from distance.
Top 2024 NBA free agents by position
Point guard
- Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics (player option)
- D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers
- Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors
- Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Clipppers
- Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls (team option)
- Tyus Jones, Washington Wizards
- Spencer Dinwiddie, Los Angeles Lakers
- Kyle Lowry, Philadelphia 76ers
- Monte Morris, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors (player option)
Shooting guard
- Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
- James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers
- Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
- Buddy Hield, Philadelphia 76ers
- Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings
- Evan Fournier, New York Knicks (team option)
- Gary Harris, Orlando Magic
- Alec Burks, New York Knicks
- Eric Gordon, Phoenix Suns
- Talenn Horton-Tucker, Utah Jazz
Small forward
- Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers (player option)
- LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers (player option)
- OG Anunoby, New York Knicks
- DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls
- Bruce Brown, Toronto Raptors (team option)
- Gary Trent Jr., Toronto Raptors
- Malik Beasley, Milwaukee Bucks
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Denver Nuggets (player option)
- Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets
- Caleb Martin, Miami Heat
Power forward
- Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
- Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers
- Kyle Anderson, Minnesota Timberwolves
- P.J. Tucker, Los Angeles Clippers
- Kelly Olynyk, Toronto Raptors
- Jalen Smith, Indiana Pacers (player option)
- Taurean Prince, Los Angeles Lakers
- Dario Saric, Golden State Warriors
- Markieff Morris, Dallas Mavericks
- Thaddeus Young, Phoenix Suns
Center
- Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans Pelicans
- Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets
- Moritz Wagner, Orlando Magic
- Mason Plumlee, Los Angeles Clippers
- Andre Drummond, Chicago Bulls
- Isaiah Hartenstein, New York Knicks
- JaVale McGee, Sacramento Kings
- Christian Wood, Los Angeles Lakers (player option)
- Xavier Tillman, Boston Celtics
- Kevin Love, Miami Heat (player option)