The frenzy of NBA free agencies usually goes at a fast and furious pace from the moment teams and players can reach deals. That was the case once again this year, with most players on our list of the top 75 free agents coming off the board in the first 24 hours of the moratorium. Since then, news from the free agency has been slowly coming in as the entire league awaits the most important move of the offseason.
Kevin Durant called for a change to the Brooklyn Nets hours before the agency opened. The Nets reportedly want a young star and at least three first-round picks for the superstar striker. The latest reports say there is no imminent deal, and it is possible that the Nets will hold both Durant and Kyrie Irving to the training ground. You can follow all the rumors of Durant with our updated tracker.
You can follow each free agency signature with our live tracking. There may not be much free agency movement until Durant is finally marketed. With that in mind, here’s a list of the best free agents of 2022 currently still unsigned.
The best free agents in the NBA of 2022, ranked
Ranking Player position Previous team Type Ranking Player position Previous team Type 1 James Harden G Philadelphia 76ers Unrestricted 2 Deandre Ayton C Phoenix Suns Restricted 3 Collin Sexton G Cleveland Cavaliers Restricted 4 Caleb Martin G Miami Heat Restricted 5 Montrezl Harrell C Washington Wizards Anthony Unrestricted 6 F Los Angeles Lakers Unrestricted 7 Isaiah Roby C Oklahoma City Thunder Unrestricted 8 Thomas Bryant C Washington Wizards Unrestricted 9 Dennis Schröder G Houston Rockets Unrestricted 10 Hassan Whiteside C Utah Jazz Unrestricted 11 Austin Rivers G Denver Nuggets without restrictions 12 Blake Juan Griffin C without restrictions 13 Blake Juan Griffin C Hernangomez F Utah Jazz without restrictions
* This list does not include Miles Bridges, who remains unsigned after being arrested for domestic violence just before the agency opened. He is a restricted free agent until the Charlotte Hornets withdraw their qualifying offer, as rumored. Read our teller about the complaints Bridges faces.
Here are some notes on the most interesting free agents that are still available.
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James Harden, G, Philadelphia 76ers: Harden returns to the Sixers, but is still waiting for a new deal after opting for his $ 47.3 million player option for next season. Expect Harden to sign a multi-year agreement for less money a year but with more money guaranteed for the duration of the contract.
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Deandre Ayton, C, Phoenix Suns: Ayton was always going to be the most fascinating free agent this year, and that has proven to be true. There seems to be a real fight between the Suns and the former No. 1 overall pick. With Phoenix chasing a Durant business, Ayton is likely to remain unsigned until KD finally moves on. If he doesn’t go to Brooklyn on a sign and exchange, he could sign directly with the Indiana Pacers (who have the maximum space for the maximum) or return to the Suns with a long-term deal or a year. qualified offer. Ayton will only turn 24 next season and has already shown he can be a reliable center-back for a winning team. We’ll see if he finally gets the maximum contract Phoenix didn’t want to give him.
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Collin Sexton, G, Cleveland Cavaliers: Sexton missed the rest of last season after breaking his meniscus 11 games during the year. The 23-year-old guard was on his way to a big payday earlier as a microwave scorer who averaged more than 24 points per game in the 2020-21 season. There should still be a strong market for Sexton’s services, but again it looks like he won’t sign until Durant and Irving’s futures are fixed. His ideal fit would be on a team with a large wing creator, so he could focus on scoring more than playing. Could the Mavs have interest after losing Jalen Brunson to the Knicks?
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Caleb Martin, G, Miami Heat: Martin’s twin brother, Cody, accepted a four-year, $ 32 million deal with the Hornets, and Caleb should seek a similar deal. Martin is a 6.5 winger who hit 41 percent of his three with Miami last season. It is the best two-way side left on the market and will only turn 27 next season.
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Carmelo Anthony, F, Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony just turned 38, but was still effective as the Lakers’ big wing shooter last year, hitting 37.5 percent of his three in nearly six attempts to party. A return to Los Angeles is not in doubt, but other teams could have an interest in a minimum deal as long as it remains unsigned.
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Isaiah Roby, C, Oklahoma City Thunder: Roby is a big 6’8, 230-pound mobile man who improved up to 44% from three-point shooter in 99 attempts last season. The 24-year-old has the right combination of size and athleticism to have a real advantage if his skills can continue to develop. It’s worth a flyer for almost any team in the league.
We will update this list as free agency continues.