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2024 NBA Free Agency Primer

Fri Jun 28 4:08pm ET
Field Level Media

When the green flag drops on NBA free agency on Sunday, the queue of general managers ready to spend will depend on which players actually reach the open market.

Changes in the Collective Bargaining Agreement permitted players to re-sign with their current teams and a number of coveted potential free agents are already off the board. Pascal Siakam ($189.5 million) returned to the Indiana Pacers, OG Anunoby ($212.5 million) is back with the Knicks, Immanuel Quickley ($175 million) agreed to stick with the Raptors, Nic Claxton (four years, $100 million) grabbed a bag in Brooklyn and Malik Monk ($78 million) re-upped with the Kings after his runner-up Sixth Man of the Year award finish.

Several other would-be free agents in line for significant paydays also signed new contracts during last season, including Grayson Allen (Suns), Mike Conley (Timberwolves) and Jrue Holliday (Celtics).

The good news for pending free agents: there's plenty of money left. Whether teams find much talent to offer their pot of gold isn't as certain.


Teams are permitted to negotiate with all free agents as of 6 p.m. ET on Sunday. We won't include restricted free agents such as 76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey with the full expectation he's ticketed for a max deal in Philadelphia.

Here's a look at the players potentially available by expected salary tier.

Baseline of $30 million per season:

SF DeMar DeRozan, Bulls

Season 16 for DeRozan might be a new start given the emphasis he placed on being with a winning team after Chicago's season-ending loss to the Miami Heat in the play-in round. A pairing with Joel Embiid in Philadelphia could be enticing unless the Lakers or Clippers find themselves looking to replace an All-Star of their own this summer and welcome DeRozan home.

SF Paul George, Clippers

If the Warriors are holding the door with a max contract, George might be compelled to hit the exits. He was a beneficiary of an All-Star supporting cast in L.A., but no doubt could thrive in a lineup led by Steph Curry and Draymond Green.

PG James Harden, Clippers

Pass-first Harden brought tremendous value and, dare we say, chemistry to the Clippers last season. At age 35, he can be a playmaker and floor-spacer. If there's cause for concern, it's durability and, in turn, longevity. He made 44 percent of his 3-pointers before the All-Star break but finished at 38.1 percent for the season.

SF LeBron James, Lakers

A perimeter shooter and elite passer at age 39, James can't possibly be leaving the Lakers after GM Rob Pelinka selected Bronny James in the second round of the draft this week. If he does take his talents elsewhere, the list of teams LeBron James would consider at this stage is miniscule.

From the $15 million-20 million rack:

C Isaiah Hartenstein, Knicks

At 26, Hartenstein earned his reward by proving he's an award-worthy role player for a title contender. Re-signing Anunoby and acquiring Malik Bridges from the Nets puts the Knicks in a precarious position where the options are trading Julius Randle or letting Hartenstein walk.

SG Klay Thompson, Warriors

On a short-term deal, would some team be willing to pay more? Maybe. But Thompson might not see a two-year, $48 million offer like the one he received from the Warriors last year. He's not the same defender but can still shoot, and there's a demand for his ultra-competitive, championship brand.

SF Buddy Hield, 76ers

If it's 3s you need, we have just the Buddy. Hield doesn't attack the basket or get to the foul line which causes efficiency scoring police to sound the alarm. He's the fundamental definition of a shooter, with more 3s than anyone in the NBA the past five seasons.

F Tobias Harris, 76ers

He turns 32 in July and legions of Philly fans would be glad to drive him to the airport, but their disdain for Harris is over the top for a player who ranked in the top 56 in field goal percentage (48.7), points per game (17.2) and rebounds per game (6.5).

Best of the rest:

G D'Angelo Russell, Lakers

SF Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Nuggets

SG Gary Trent, Raptors

PG Markelle Fultz, Magic

C Jonas Valanciunas, Pelicans

Player Notes
John Konchar Mon Nov 4 7:00pm

Memphis Grizzlies guard/forwardJohn Konchar(quadriceps) has been ruled out for Monday's matchup against Brooklyn. Konchar will miss his third consecutive contest, battling a contusion in the right quadriceps. The 28-year-old has averaged 5.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in 19.0 minutes this season. His absence is another blow for the team as injuries continue to pile up. Jaylen Wells and Scotty Pippen will likely continue to see increased roles as they have recently.

Austin Reaves Mon Nov 4 6:30pm

According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Los Angeles Lakers forwardAustin Reaves(ankle) has been cleared to play against the Detroit Pistons on Monday. The 26-year-old has yet to miss a game this season. He's a starter in any fantasy format, averaging 17.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.2 threes per game to start the year. Anthony Davis (hip) and D'Angelo Russell (foot)are also available after being listed as probable earlier on Monday.

Anthony Davis Mon Nov 4 6:30pm

Jovan Buha from The Athletic has reported that Davis (hip) will be available for Monday's matchup with the Pistons. As anticipated, he has been upgraded from probable to available status and will carry on playing despite experiencing right hip soreness. This issue hasn't affected his performance, as he's currently averaging 31.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.2 blocks, and 1.8 steals over 36.0 minutes per game.

D'Angelo Russell Mon Nov 4 6:20pm

According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Los Angeles Lakers guardD'Angelo Russell(foot) has been cleared to play for Monday's matchup with the Detroit Pistons. The veteran guard was listed as probable with a right foot contusion earlier in the day, but it appears the injury won't keep him off the court for Monday's contest. He will continue in the starting five alongside Austin Reaves(ankle) andAnthony Davis(hip), who are also available after being listed as probable.

De'Aaron Fox Mon Nov 4 6:10pm

Sacramento Kings star guard De'Aaron Fox (hand) is dealing with a ligament issue in his left pinky on his shooting hand, but he intends to play through it. The speedy guard dislocated the finger during training camp, though X-rays were negative. The injury hasn't impacted his scoring efficiency, as he's shooting a solid 47.7 percent from the field across six games this season. So far, he's averaging 23.5 points, 5.7 assists, and 2.5 steals per game and continues to make a strong impact on both ends of the floor.

Dean Wade Mon Nov 4 5:50pm

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (illness) won't play on Monday versus Milwaukee. Wade has been starting in place of the injured Max Strus (ankle). However, he's averaged only 6.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals this season. With Caris LeVert (knee) also out, Isaac Okoro will move into the starting lineup and be worth adding to fantasy lineups. The same can be said for Sam Merrill, who had 17 points in 22 minutes off the bench on Saturday against the Bucks, the first of back-to-back contests between the clubs.

Caris LeVert Mon Nov 4 5:40pm

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Caris LeVert (knee) won't play on Monday against the Bucks. The veteran has been battling knee soreness, so he'll miss his second consecutive contest. With Dean Wade (illness) also out versus Milwaukee, Isaac Okoro will get the start, giving him streaming potential for fantasy managers. Sam Merrill, coming off a 17-point showing on Saturday, should be lumped in the same category as Okoro.

Ben Simmons Mon Nov 4 5:30pm

Brooklyn Nets utility man Ben Simmons won't suit up on Monday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. Simmons won't play in back-to-back contests for the foreseeable future, so his absence is maintenance related. But with Noah Clowney (hip) also out, Nicolas Claxton may work his way back into the starting lineup. If not, Brooklyn may go small and have Dorian Finney-Smith handle things in the middle. There's also streaming potential for Ziaire Williams and Jalen Wilson to see an uptick in fantasy production with Simmons off the floor.

Kevin Huerter Mon Nov 4 5:20pm

Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Huerter (illness) won't play on Monday night in Miami. He hasn't felt well, keeping him off the court for Saturday's overtime loss to the Raptors. Doug McDermott got the start in that one. However, he finished with only four points in 15 minutes. With that in mind, McDermott should be left out of fantasy lineups. Instead, Keon Ellis, who had eight points, two steals, and two blocks versus Toronto, is worth streaming. Ellis will also be an enticing DFS value option.

Stephen Curry Mon Nov 4 5:10pm

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (ankle) will return for Monday's game against the Wizards. The sharpshooter has missed the last three games because of a sprained right ankle. But he had been progressing even more over the last few days, so fantasy managers had a feeling he was on his way back. While there is a chance Curry will see fewer minutes than usual in his first game back, he remains a must-start. Brandin Podziemski, who will likely head back to the bench, is still worth adding to any fantasy lineup.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Mon Nov 4 4:50pm

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (adductor) won't play on Monday night against the Cavaliers. The multi-time All-Star has been listed on the injury report all season for a knee issue. However, an adductor strain will keep him off the floor versus Cleveland. With Khris Middleton (ankles) still out, Damian Lillard should see a surge in scoring opportunities. Bobby Portis, who will likely slide into the starting lineup, Gary Trent Jr., and Brook Lopez could also surpass fantasy expectations with Antetokounmpo sidelined.

Kevin Huerter Mon Nov 4 4:40pm

Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Huerter (illness) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Miami Heat. After missing Saturday's contest against the Toronto Raptors, the 26-year-old has a chance to return. He has been productive this season, averaging 11.6 points and 2.8 rebounds across 26.0 minutes over five games. If Huerter is unable to play, expect Keon Ellis and Malik Monk to potentially step into larger roles. Fantasy managers should monitor his status leading up to tip-off for any updates.

Jalen Smith Mon Nov 4 4:30pm

Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith (knee) is probable for Monday's game against the Utah Jazz due to left knee effusion. After missing one game due to the injury, the 24-year-old returned on Friday against the Brooklyn Nets, posting five points, five rebounds, and a block in just 14 minutes. Currently, Smith is delivering solid production with averages of 10.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while playing only 13.8 minutes per contest. As the backup center to Nikola Vucevic, he is expected to continue providing valuable depth in that role.

Brandon Miller Mon Nov 4 4:20pm

Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (glute) is listed as questionable for Monday's matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. After missing four games, Miller made a strong return on Saturday against the Celtics, contributing 16 points, six assists, four rebounds, two steals, and a block. His 31 minutes of play in that game suggest he is in good health, but his status is certainly worth monitoring since he's listed as questionable. At just 21 years old, fantasy managers are hopeful that he will remain healthy and continue to grow and improve throughout the season.

Steven Adams Mon Nov 4 4:10pm

Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (knee) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the New York Knicks. The team has been cautious with his return following right knee surgery, but he has seen action in two games thus far. In those appearances, the 31-year-old has averaged just 12.0 minutes, contributing 3.0 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. Adams is expected to offer depth behind star center Alperen Sengun when fully integrated into the rotation.

Aaron Gordon Mon Nov 4 4:00pm

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (knee/calf) is probable for Monday's game against the Toronto Raptors. He is expected to play despite dealing with a couple of minor injuries. With Jamal Murray sidelined due to a concussion and concerns about the team's depth, Gordon's playmaking skills will be vital for the Nuggets. This season, he has been a key contributor, averaging 17.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.

Wendell Carter Jr. Mon Nov 4 3:50pm

Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (foot) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 25-year-old was initially questionable but will be sidelined as he manages a left plantar fascia strain sustained in the second quarter of Sunday's loss to Dallas. The big man is also dealing with ongoing right knee tendinitis, adding to his challenges. Fortunately for Orlando, Goga Bitadze (foot) has been cleared to play and should help fill the gap. Carter Jr. has been a solid fantasy contributor this season, averaging 8.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 26 minutes per game, and managers will be hoping for a quick return.

Goga Bitadze Mon Nov 4 3:50pm

Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze (foot) is set to play on Monday against the Oklahoma City Thunder after missing the last five games. With Wendell Carter Jr. sidelined due to a foot injury, Bitadze's return comes at a crucial time for the Magic. Although Bitadze will be available, Moritz Wagner is likely to handle the majority of the minutes at center. The Magic, sitting at a 3-4 record, will need all available bodies as they navigate the absence of star forward Paolo Banchero. Bitadze could be a valuable addition for fantasy managers looking for frontcourt depth.

Zion Williamson Mon Nov 4 3:40pm

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (hamstring) is officially questionable for Monday's matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. The talented forward missed Sunday's game, and his status for Monday remains uncertain. If he sits out again, players like Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Jamal Cain could see increased minutes. Fantasy managers are hoping for consistent health from Williamson this season, as he's been a strong contributor when on the court, averaging 21.4 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.

Pat Connaughton Mon Nov 4 3:30pm

Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton (left adductor strain) is expected to be available for Monday's matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 31-year-old went scoreless in Saturday's loss to Cleveland, and while the strain may impact his performance, he's anticipated to push through it. Through six games this season, Connaughton has provided 3.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game off the Bucks' bench.


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