Kyrie Irving is staying in Brooklyn and Jalen Brunson could head to the Knicks, but there’s still a lot to see as the NBA free agency opens on Thursday at 6 p.m.
The Post analyzes 25 free agents who will make news in the coming days:
James Harden, SF (76ers)
Harden opted for his $ 47.4 million player option for 2022-23 and will be renegotiating with Philadelphia in order to give the team more flexibility this summer.
Bradley Beal, SG (Magos)
If Beal returns to the Wizards with his maximum deal, it will be for five years at $ 251 million, the biggest deal in league history, and much more than anyone can offer. That would make staying in Washington a logical move, if the Wizards can afford that kind of money and if Beal is content to stay with a club that was 12th in the Eastern Conference last season and has no way out. clear towards an upward trajectory. now.
Zach LaVine, SG (Bulls)
LaVine has said it plans to look at its options, but they are limited if it wants to maximize its salary. The Bulls can offer him five years and $ 215 million, which is a $ 55 million advantage over any other team. The duo of Lavine and Lonzo Ball, who hit Chicago to a 27-13 record before Ball’s injury, looks like the Bulls could build.
Zach LaVine has options, but not so many can pay him the best dollar as he would like. Sportswire icon via Getty Images
Jalen Brunson, PG (Mavericks)
The Knicks have put all their chips in to get Brunson and clearly see the Villanova product as a franchise base. When free agency begins, they will have to do something they have often not done in the last 20 years: continue to attract a canopy-free agent to Madison Square Garden.
Deandre Ayton, C (Soils)
After the Pistons refused to switch to Ayton in the draft, the question now becomes what will happen to the former No. 1 restricted free agency. The Suns could offer him up to $ 179 million with a maximum deal, but they failed to sign him to the full last October. If Ayton is on the move, he will be an attractive asset to any team that needs a big man.
Miles Bridges, SF (Hornets)
Bridges, a restricted free agent, was on the verge of getting a good payday from Charlotte after establishing himself as a scorer and 20-point holder per game on a team that reached the play-in tournament last season . But the 24-year-old was reportedly arrested Wednesday night in Los Angeles for a felony of domestic violence, which could change the way the Hornets see him, who must also think of an extension for and PJ Washington.
Anfernee Simons, SG (Trail Blazers)
Simons, a restricted free agent, is likely to re-sign with Portland, whose general manager Joe Cronin has said he sees Simons as an important part of the team’s future. After the Blazers traded CJ McCollum, keeping Simons, who shot better by 40 percent from the 3-point range last season, is of paramount importance.
Bradley Beal’s way to make more money is to keep up with the Wizards.Getty Images
Jusuf Nurkic, C (Trail Blazers)
It looks likely Nurkic will re-sign with the Blazers, and Marc Stein reported that he is expected to do so. It’s no surprise after a successful season in which Nurkic averaged 15 points and 11.1 rebounds.
Kevon Looney, C (Warriors)
After a season in which he played all 82 games and proved himself in the playoffs, Looney will have a great payday when he comes to free agency without restrictions. It is estimated that the Warriors would like to withhold it, although their willingness to delve deeper into the luxury tax will play into that calculation.
Collin Sexton, SG (Cavaliers)
The eighth overall pick of 2019, Sexton played just 11 games last season due to a torn meniscus tear, but still received a qualifying offer to make him a restricted free agent. It remains to be seen if that means the Cavaliers still see him as part of their future or just wanted to keep their options open, but Sexton proved he has value in 2020-21 when he averaged 24.3 points.
The future of Collin Sexton’s Cavaliers looks set to be debated. Getty Images
Victor Oladipo, SF (Heat)
Oladipo bet on himself to reject a Rockets maximum extension in 2021. He didn’t finish well, as he ended up breaking his quad and playing only eight games last season. Now he may have to do it again, with a short-term deal to show he can still produce at an All-Star level.
Tyus Jones, PG (Grizzlies)
Jones, who comes to free agency without restrictions, had the best turnout ratio (7.0) since 1977-78, when individual-level billings were tracked, according to statistics and ESPN information. The Grizzlies have their bird rights and presumably would like to keep him close as a constant supporter of Ja Morant.
Donte DiVincenzo, SG (Reis)
The Kings, despite negotiating for DiVincenzo midway through the season, did not extend a qualifying offer, turning the shooter into an unrestricted free agent, ESPN reported. He averaged 10.3 points from the Kings bench last season.
Gary Harris, SG (Magic)
Harris, a 3-and-D winger whose game will always add value to today’s NBA, worked with a role that saw him play 31 games from the bench for an abysmal Orlando team last season. Because Magic’s gear is younger, it seems likely that Harris will jump on a team that needs to shoot.
Mohamed Bamba, C (Magic)
The key question for Orlando’s low season is whether the recruitment of Paolo Banchero will allow the Magic to release Bamba into the restricted free agency. The Texas product averaged 10.6 points and 8.1 rebounds last season, but letting it walk would open up maximum space for GM John Hammond to operate.
Gary Payton II, PG (Warriors)
The 29-year-old played a key role from the Warriors bench, finishing second in the league in steals and proving to be a key defensive gear. After spending his career floating between teams, Payton would have to get a multi-year contract and, most importantly, the Warriors retain their first bird rights.
Mitchell Robinson, C, (Knicks)
It would be a surprise to see Robinson leave the Knicks. Bleacher Report reported that it is likely to sign a four-year, $ 60 million pact to stay with the team. Such an agreement would block the former second-round pick as the Knicks ’long-term center and hopefully in a pick-and-roll tandem with Brunson.
Mitchell RobinsonGetty Images
Montrezl Harrell, C (Hornets)
At this point, there is little mystery in what Harrell brings. The 28-year-old can take a place on the bench in any of the big positions, provide 10-15 points per game, compete on the boards and contribute minutes to the playoffs.
Bobby Portis, C (Bucks)
With the Bucks maintaining their first bird rights, Portis estimates his salary will increase to about $ 10 million a year. Bleacher Report reported Wednesday that Portis could return to the Bucks for four years and more than $ 40 million.
Nic Claxton, C (Nets)
Claxton established itself this season as a capable center for the Nets, averaging 8.7 points and 5.6 rebounds. The Nets will likely have to go for the luxury tax anyway, but the cost of maintaining Claxton could be a determinant as to how high the cost will be for owner Joe Tsai.
Marvin Bagley III, PF (Pistons)
Bagley arrived in Detroit with a four-team deal in February, but it’s an open question whether the Pistons will try to keep him in restricted free agency. Detroit has already added a great man, Jalen Duren, through the draft, and could use his space for the cover, which appears to be the biggest in the league, to go after another.
Kyle Anderson, PF (Grizzlies)
Anderson’s production dropped slightly last season, but he’s still a good defensive player who came off the bench with 21.5 minutes per game for the Western Conference finalists last season. If the Grizzlies, who have the rights to Anderson’s birds, try to bring him back, he will presumably play the same role.
Patty Mills, PG (Nets)
Mills had a $ 6.1 million player option next season that he chose not to participate in, Brian Lewis of The Post reported, making him attractive in a short-term deal for any team. that he needed a backup shipowner, and left the Nets to seek help in this. position.
James Harden seems willing to stay in Philadelphia, with a more favorable deal for the team. Getty Images
Lonnie Walker IV, SG (Spurs)
When Walker enters the restricted free agency, the Spurs have a decision on their hands. The 23-year-old’s output increased in the second half, but leaving Walker without a qualifying offer would open up considerable space.
Otto Porter Jr., PF (Warriors)
Porter’s contributions from the bench for a title winner -8.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game with a 56.0 eFG percentage- should get him a decent reward in free agency.
Honorable mentions
Guard points
Ricky Rubio, Delon Wright
Ales
Joe Ingles, TJ Warren, Jeremy Lamb, PJ Tucker, Josh Jackson, Rodney Hood, Nic Batum, Kent Bazemore, Malik Monk, Wesley Matthews, Josh Okogie, Carmelo Anthony, Bruce Brown, Andre Iguodala, Derrick Jones Jr.
Big
Serge Ibaka, Tristan Thompson, Derrick Favors, Hassan Whiteside, Markieff Morris, Thaddeus Young