A flurry of activity this week has weakened the NBA’s free agent class.
Players who were once part of this group, such as OG Anunoby (Knicks), Malik Monk (Kings), Immanuel Quickley (Raptors) and Pascal Siakam (Pacers), are no longer available.
Tyrese Maxey is also expected to sign a max contract with the 76ers, meaning Maxey will go undrafted.
But there remain plenty of difference-making players available for acquisition when the free agency period opens at 6 p.m. Sunday.
Post reporter Zach Braziller ranked the players who could move teams.
1. Paul George, SF
George is the most attractive free agent on the market, but at 34 years old he is older and still an injury risk, even though he played 74 games last year, his most since the 2018-19 season. The nine-time All-Star is a high-level player who could demand a four-year, $221.1 million contract, a deal likely to be contested between the Clippers and 76ers.
2. LeBron James, F
It seems like a formality for the self-proclaimed King to remain in Los Angeles, especially considering the Lakers recently hired his podcast partner, JJ Redick, as their new coach and drafted his son, Bronny, in the second round (55th overall).
3. James Harden, G
He’s not the same player, but he’s still an effective second option. After injuries once again cost the Clippers a trio of stars in the postseason, can they compete again with Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George?
4. DeMar DeRozan, SG
The 34-year-old DeRozan is a talented veteran who is best suited as a second or third option at this point in his career, averaging 24 points, 5.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds for the Bulls last season. He’s not a great 3-point shooter, hitting just 29.6 percent of his career attempts from three-point range, which could give some championship contenders pause.
5. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG
Caldwell-Pope is a two-time NBA champion, a great defender and 3-point shooter, and the Nuggets would love to keep him, but there will be plenty of competition.
6. Isaiah Hartenstein, C
The 7-foot-4 midfielder is averaging career-highs in rebounds (8.3), minutes played (25.3) and steals (1.2), and his breakout came at the perfect time. The Knicks can only offer him a four-year, $72.5 million max deal, which many teams could beat, with the Thunder topping that list, but Hartenstein seems to like his two years in the orange and blue.
7. Klay Thompson, SG
Thompson has shown signs of decline, as evidenced by his lowest scoring average (17.9) since his sophomore season in the league, but he’s still worth a lot as a big, capable guard, and the Magic are a team to watch if he doesn’t stay with the Warriors.
8. Tobias Harris, Science Fiction
For a veteran, floor-spacing wing like Russell, a poor postseason performance overshadowed a strong regular season, and this may be the soon-to-be 32-year-old’s last chance to really cash in.
9. Miles Bridges, PF
No one is likely going to be keen to sign the talented 6-foot-7 forward long-term after he pleaded not guilty and served three years probation on a domestic violence charge. Bridges had a strong season in his return from a year out, averaging 21 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
10. DeAnthony Melton, SG
A quietly influential player who is just entering his prime at 26 years old. Melton is a great shooter, making 36.9% of his three-pointers in his career. He’s also a really good guard. The 76ers were 22-11 when he was a starter. If Melton is healthy after playing in only 38 games last year due to a back injury, who knows how the first-round series against the Knicks will go.
11. Tyus Jones, P.G.
A full-time first-team starter throughout his career, Jones set career-best records in points (12.0), assists (7.3) and 3-point shooting (41.4%) with the Wizards. With a weak point guard market, the 6-foot-1 Jones stands to benefit. He posted an impressive 7.3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio with Washington.
12. Gary Trent Jr., SG
It was his worst performance (13.7 points in 28.1 minutes) since becoming a part-time starter in 2020-21, and he picked a bad time to take a step back, but it feels like an unusual outcome for a 25-year-old, court-spacing, proven guard.
13. Obi Toppin, PF
The former Knicks player has limitations as a defender and shot creator, but he is dynamic in transition and has vastly improved his 3-point shooting, which could help the second unit.
14. Jonas Valanciunas, C
Durable and still effective at 32, the 6-foot-11 big man would be an option in a weak free agent class, especially one who could contribute to a playoff team with limited minutes.
15. Patrick Williams, F.
Some may see more potential than they realize from the former No. 4 overall pick, who has only been a promising prospect in the professional ranks up until now. Williams can guard multiple positions and is steadily improving as a shooter. Plus, he’s only 22 years old.
16. Eric Gordon, SG
He declined his $3.4 million player option with the Suns and became a free agent, but even at 35 years old, he remains a reliable player, averaging 11.0 points and shooting 37.8% from three-point range last year, and has plenty of playoff experience.
17. Kelly Oubre Jr., SF
At 6-foot-7, Oubre is a strong defender but a limited threat on the perimeter. He can be effective when deployed properly on a quality team, as he showed with the 76ers last season.
18. Markelle Fultz, SG
The former No. 1 overall pick never lived up to expectations and generally regressed last year, but he has the size for a guard at 6-foot-4 and can provide energy and scoring off the bench, which he did last season with the Magic.
19. Isaac Okoro, Sci-Fi
The 3-point and defensive wing doesn’t turn 24 until January, so he still has room to grow. The restricted free agent is one of several big decisions for the Cavaliers this offseason, and his defense and career-best 39.1% 3-point shooting percentage won’t be easily replaced.
20. Malik Beasley, SG
While he shot the second-best 3-point percentage of his career (41.3%) with the Bucks, he’s not just a specialist, and while he’s not a difference-maker defensively, he can be a microwave scorer off the bench.
21. Saddiq Bey, Sci-Fi
It’s a shame the Knicks are so focused on wings, because who wouldn’t want a Villanova player on Broadway? Bey is recovering from a torn ACL and likely has a limited market, but he’s a solid two-way player who could contribute to a championship-contending team when healthy. He’ll likely get a one-year prove-it deal.
22. Nicolas Batum, SF
The 6-foot-8 wing proved he still has some power at age 35, averaging 5.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists on 39.9 percent 3-point shooting since being traded to the 76ers. Batum remains a solid, affordable addition.
23. Derrick Jones Jr., SF
The high-flying wing has become more than a dunker. He was a solid perimeter defender with the Mavericks and should be able to sign a multiyear deal after playing for a bargain $2.7 million last season. Dallas was two points per 100 possessions better with Jones on the floor.
24. Buddy Hield, SG
A dismal postseason in which he barely got on the court may put him off a championship contender, but 3-point specialists are valuable in the modern NBA and the 6-foot-4 Hield is a career 40% 3-point shooter. Only Stephen Curry has made more 3-pointers over the past five seasons.
25. Andre Drummond, C
He has been mentioned as a possible replacement if the Knicks are unable to bring back Isaiah Hertenstein. The 6-foot-11 big man is coming off an efficient season in which he averaged 8.4 points and 9.0 rebounds in just 17.1 minutes with the Bulls. He led the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage (18.7) among players who appeared in at least 30 games.
26. Kris Dunn, P.G.
Once considered a failure, the former Providence star has developed into a productive NBA player thanks to his stellar defense, and while his production remains limited on the other end of the court, the Jazz were nearly 2.5 points better defensively when he was on the floor.
27. Haywood Highsmith, San Francisco
He’s a good guard, he shoots well (39.6% from 3-point range this season) and he doesn’t lose the ball — three things that almost every coach likes. The 6-foot-5 undrafted wing has been another success story for the Heat.
28. Kyle Anderson, F
Anderson has been instrumental in winning games throughout his career, dating back to his days at St. Anthony of Jersey City High School. At 6-foot-9, Anderson may be constrained in space, but his integrity and team-building qualities will help him in every other capacity.
29. Caleb Martin, Sci-Fi
Standing at 6-foot-5, Martin is known for his versatility, being able to score in a variety of ways and guard multiple positions.
