In addition, we have a little more mystery this time. There is no guarantee that we will know the destination of any major free agent at 6:01 p.m. as we did a year ago. First, some parties are being punished at least slightly by the release of the second round of elections by the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat in the wake of the 2021 catastrophe. Most importantly, however, many of these situations may take a little longer to play. . Most notable: the future of Deandre Ayton. The top unrestricted free agent in this year’s category does not have obvious suitors with a maximum contract at the moment, with teams such as the Detroit Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs now becoming places for unwanted contracts in the last two days. These were supposed to be the two main horses chasing to motivate other teams to pay to re-sign their own players. Remove them and there is valuable space in the market to chase free agents over the $ 10 million a year limit. Without such an offer, Ayton’s employers in Phoenix also have no overwhelming incentive to give him a budget deal. The Suns would be on the verge of luxury tax, if they did not exceed it, with another max or near max agreement in their books. With so little space on the market, where could a competitive offer come from? Could the Indiana Pacers, who are probably being rebuilt, but perhaps not, make a trip to Ayton with their not-so-large room or an inscription-and-exchange for Miles Turner? What about the Orlando Magic, who have money and motivation, but seemingly need perimeter help more than another big one? Could the Memphis Grizzlies get into the game with a surplus of assets and a $ 22 million cap? (The Grizzlies’ front office, already locked in its familiar refuge in the Utah Summer League, is not turning its back on the myriad options the team faces this summer.) The people of Ayton are going to hit the bushes for signs and trades, but is there anything that really works? Will Ayton sign the $ 16.4 million qualifier and try again next summer? It is a strange state of affairs. No one really believes that Ayton will return to Phoenix… however it is becoming increasingly difficult to make scripts where he will end up somewhere else. Something has to give, you will think, but it has not happened yet. As for the other top free agent in this category, Miles Bridges, he was arrested the day before the start of the free agent. It is not clear how this will affect the interest of other groups. The Hornets extended a $ 7.9 million qualifying bid for him to return to Charlotte. Meanwhile, some teams on the sidelines right now are still trying to get into the game. The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to work on corners on D’Angelo Russell’s offers. The Sacramento Kings could have $ 20 million in a room if they find a home for Risan Holmes. The Oklahoma City Thunder have 24 hours to spend $ 23 million in the cap room. Philly Matisse Thybulle is widely known to be available for the right asset. you can have Furkan Korkmaz just by asking nicely. And, of course, there’s Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving. He almost broke the Internet before opting for his 2022-23 contract for $ 36.5 million, but that does not mean that the situation there is over. Just because the monster is submerged under Loch Ness at the moment does not mean it will not surface again later this summer. In contrast, several other free agents destinations are already known. Bradley Beal, Zach LaVine, James Harden, Mitchell Robinson, Jusuf Nurkić and Nicolas Batum are almost certain to sign again with their respective teams. Jalen Brunson, not so much. Donte DiVincenzo did not receive a qualifying bid, although Sacramento exchanged draft shares for him during the trading session, perhaps as part of a Kings cap-room game that depends on another transaction being made first. (Ή no… but it’s the best reason I found.) There is activity below and in the food chain of the market. John Wall has been acquired and looks likely to become a Clipper through their taxpayer middle-class exemption, which in turn probably means Isaiah Hartenstein will take his payday somewhere else. The Clippers will bring back Batum and Amir Coffey, but, like the Heat, they will not leave a difficult situation and few advantages to prevent them from circling in the water for other prey. Harden’s exclusion in Philadelphia and the subsequent re-signing for lower capitalization, according to The Athletic, are also important in this market segment. It probably opens the door for the Sixers to sign PJ Tucker with the exception of the mid-level non-taxpayer, even though the rumored three-year deal for the 37-year-old seems to be tempting. (I say this as someone who once signed a 37-year-old to a three-year contract for the full MLE.) Well, with all that being said… who is really available to sign right now? Glad you asked. I have already listed my top 25 free agents at BORD $ before free agency, as well as BORD $ prices for each possible free agent in point guard, shot guard, small forward, power forward and center. These links also contain some descriptions of how player ratings came about and where the market may differ for specific players. This list has changed slightly as a result of decisions in the last two days. Heading into the first minute of the free dealership, see what the “BORD Table” of the top 25 free agents (and BORD $ views) looks like after some options and extensions. We will watch it as the free company continues: (Photo by Deandre Ayton: John Hefti / USA Today)
