Spotrac’s Free Agent by Position Series

Point Guards   |   Shooting Guards   |   Small Forwards   |   Power Forwards   |   Centers

2025 NBA free agency is right around the corner. This year’s class is considered a fairly weak one in terms of top-end talent. However, there are still several impact players available. In these rankings, we took a similar approach to the one many teams use when it comes to ranking available players. Each position was broken down into tiers. The tiers are:

  • All-Star: These aren’t all necessarily All-Stars, but they have the ability to be an All-Star
  • Starters: These players are either starters or they produce at a starter-level of impact
  • Rotation: These are solid players that should be in a team’s regular season rotation
  • Fringe: These are players at the end of the bench or Two-Way players playing mostly in the G League

Players were then ranked within their tiers. All potential free agents have been ranked, including those with pending options.

ALL-STAR TIER

  1. Kyrie Irving – Dallas Mavericks (UFA – PLAYER OPTION)
    Even with his injury, Irving is the best available free agent point guard. But here’s the thing: He’s not really available. Most everyone expects him to re-sign with Dallas on a new deal. How big and long of a deal is the real question here, but expect Irving to do well for at least a few years in his next contract.
  2. James Harden – LA Clippers(UFA – PLAYER OPTION)
    Harden is expected to return to the Clippers. He’ll either opt in, or he’ll opt out and sign another 1+1 contract. Either way, Harden is still a productive All-Star-level player, even if the end is starting to close in.

STARTER TIER

  1. Fred VanVleet – Houston Rockets (UFA – TEAM OPTION)
    The Rockets and VanVleet agreed to push back this option decision. That means that there’s at least some thought from the Rockets about declining the option. The best path forward for both sides is Houston declines the option, but re-signs VanVleet to a long-term deal. If the option is picked up, keep an eye on VanVleet being used as a large chunk of salary-matching in a trade.
  2. Josh Giddey – Chicago Bulls (RFA)
    Giddey isn’t a threat to leave, as only the Brooklyn Nets have enough cap space to sign him to a large enough offer sheet to make the Bulls blink. That’s not going to happen. Expect Chicago to try to squeeze Giddey some, but ultimately, he’ll be back with the Bulls on a long-term contract.
  3. Dennis Schroder – Detroit Pistons (UFA)
    Schroder is the first player on this list that is a threat to leave for a new team. The Pistons would love to re-sign him, but Detroit’s first priority is going to be re-signing Malik Beasley. Pending the path that takes, Schroder could get squeezed out. Even as he moves towards his mid-30s, Schroder remains a terrific backup and solid spot starter. That should put him range for Non-Taxpayer MLE deals.
  4. Chris Paul – San Antonio Spurs (UFA)
    Paul is still getting it done, but a lessened role. He was very productive for San Antonio, who was able to keep his minutes in a manageable range. That can continue for anyone who needs a veteran point guard. The big question: Where does Paul want to play? He talked about how hard it was being away from his California-based family last season. That could mean he has a self-limited market.
  5. Malcolm Brogdon – Washington Wizards (UFA)
    Brogdon’s season was kind of a mess. He was hurt a lot, and the Wizards weren’t focused on playing their vets too many minutes. Still, Brogdon can be a solid contributor as a sixth man or as a lower-usage starter. The veteran’s ability to play either guard spot and on- or off-ball will appeal to playoff contenders.
  6. Russell Westbrook – Denver Nuggets (UFA – PLAYER OPTION)
    We’re at the point where signing Westbrook is very much agreeing to take the good with the bad. He can’t shoot. He’s wildly inconsistent. He hasn’t been able to fully tone down his role. But Westbrook is a jolt of energy when he hits the floor. He’s still pretty good at getting downhill to make plays. He’s a willing passer. There’s a good chance Westbrook picks up his option and returns to the Nuggets vs looking for a new spot in free agency.
  7. D’Angelo Russell – Brooklyn Nets (UFA)
    Russell is good as a low-end starting point guard. He can do enough on-ball, while being ok off-ball, that you can get by with him in your starting lineup. Russell might look for an opportunity with a contender, but that means taking the Non-Taxpayer MLE. There’s a chance the Nets could give him a slightly bigger one-year deal (or two years with team control on Year 2), as a way to hit the salary floor, while retaining Russell as a potential trade asset.
  8. Tyus Jones – Phoenix Suns (UFA)
    Last season didn’t go the way Jones hoped it would. He took a veteran minimum deal, but hoped with a strong year as a starter on a playoff team, that more money might be available this year. Instead, Jones found himself coming off the bench for a bad Suns team. He’s still among the best backup point guards in the league, and a capable fill-in starter. That should garner Jones some offers this summer.

ROTATION TIER

  1. Ty Jerome – Cleveland Cavaliers (UFA)
    Jerome stayed healthy and put together a career-year. He’d like to stay with the Cavs, who would love to have him back. The challenge? Cleveland only has Early Bird rights for Jerome. That could limit their offer to him, which makes him available for teams looking for a very good bench guard.
  2. Tre Jones – Chicago Bulls (UFA)
    Much like his brother, Jones is really good as a backup point guard and a bit stretched as a full-time starter. That still leaves him as a really valuable player for a lot of teams. That just might not be in Chicago, due to the number of other on-ball playmakers the Bulls already have.
  3. Davion Mitchell – Miami Heat (RFA)
    Miami can control the process for Mitchell in restricted free agency. That should leave the Heat in a place to get him back on a relatively team-friendly deal. Mitchell was really good for Miami after landing there at the trade deadline. Look for him to return to the Heat.
  4. Ben Simmons – LA Clippers (UFA)
    Simmons isn’t really a point guard anymore, but most of the play-time trackers have most of his minutes coming at point guard last year. He found himself a bit in LA, which was good to see. A big deal isn’t coming for Simmons, but fit is what matters most for him at this point. Don’t rule out a return to the Clippers.
  5. Jared Butler – Philadelphia 76ers (UFA – TEAM OPTION)
    Butler did a nice job for both the Sixers and Washington Wizards last season. There’s still a little upside left here too, which is why he’s ranked ahead of some more recognizable names. A team would do well to sign Butler and make him their primary backup point guard, especially on a veteran minimum deal.
  6. Spencer Dinwiddie – Dallas Mavericks (UFA)
    Dinwiddie is still solid enough as a backup guard for a playoff contender. He’s overmatched as a starter at this point, but for the vet minimum, you could do a lot worse. He’ll pick a spot with a contender where he can be a part of the backcourt rotation.
  7. Monte Morris – Phoenix Suns (UFA)
    Morris is at a crossroads. Can he still be a high-end backup? Or have those days passed him by? Things didn’t go well for him with the Suns, but that entire situation was a mess. Someone will give Morris another shot at being their backup point guard on the veteran minimum.
  8. Tre Mann – Charlotte Hornets (RFA)
    There’s a chance the Hornets don’t extend Mann a qualifying offer, which would make him an unrestricted free agent. That feels like it would be a mistake. Mann has shown he can fill the sixth man/bench scoring guard role very well when he’s healthy. Keep an eye on Mann as a potential summer steal for a smart team.
  9. Cameron Payne – New York Knicks (UFA)
    Payne remains a productive backup point guard. The Knicks may want him back for another year, or Payne could look for a spot where he could get more playing time.
  10. Aaron Holiday – Houston Rockets (UFA – TEAM OPTION)
    Holiday put together another solid season for the Rockets. His main value lies in his ability to defend opposing point guards, while playing off-ball on offense. $4.9 million might be a bit steep, but Houston could pick up this option which would make Holiday a nice piece of salary-matching in a potential trade.
  11. Cory Joseph – Orlando Magic (UFA – TEAM OPTION)
    When he took over as the starting point guard, Joseph stabilized things for Orlando on offense. He’s not a big scoring threat, but Joseph can run an offense and keep the ball moving. He’s also a solid defender. Another minimum deal is looming, but the Magic roster is starting to get pretty stuffed.
  12. Jordan Goodwin – Los Angeles Lakers (UFA – TEAM OPTION)
    Goodwin did an excellent job on his two-way deal and got promoted to the main roster before the end of the season. Don’t be surprised if the Lakers pick this option up to keep him in the fold for backcourt depth.
  13. Ryan Rollins – Milwaukee Bucks (RFA)
    Expect the Bucks to issue a qualifying offer to Rollins to make him a restricted free agent. From there, Milwaukee should look to work out a long-term deal. With Damian Lillard out, the Bucks will need backcourt depth. Rollins can give them that in the form of someone familiar with the team’s scheme on both ends.
  14. Collin Gillespie – Phoenix Suns (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Gillespie outplayed his two-way status by a decent margin. Had the Suns been ticketed for a postseason spot they likely would have converted Gillespie to a standard deal. As it is, Phoenix should bring him back, either on another two-way contract or a standard deal.
  15. Jevon Carter – Chicago Bulls (UFA – PLAYER OPTION)
    Carter should pick up his $6.8 million player option for next season, as he won’t see that kind of money in free agency. From there, the Bulls could use him as salary-matching in a trade, which could help Carter find a path toward more playing time elsewhere.
  16. Markelle Fultz – Sacramento Kings (UFA)
    Fultz didn’t play a lot after signing with the Kings late in the season. The most important thing? He showed he was healthy. That should see him get some veteran minimum offers to catch on somewhere in a backup role.
  17. Vasilije Micic – Phoenix Suns (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Micic has been rumored to have big offers waiting for him overseas. Normally, $8.1 million would be way too much to pay a non-rotation guard. But the Suns could pick up their option for Micic and then put him into a trade. Don’t be surprised if that happens, then is followed by a buyout. That’s probably best for all parties involved.

FRINGE TIER (UNRANKED AND PRESENTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

  1. Reece Beekman – Brooklyn Nets (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Beekman didn’t do a whole lot in the NBA last year in minimal playing time. In the G League, despite only playing 14 games, Beekman was pretty solid. Another two-way contract is likely in his future.
  2. J.D. Davison – Boston Celtics (RFA – TEAM OPTION)
    Davison was the G League MVP. He’s long-since outplayed that level. But the lack of a consistent jumper has held him back from making the jump to an NBA rotation. Look for Boston to bring Davison back, as a roster in transition will need some stability.
  3. Jeff Dowtin – Philadelphia 76ers (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Like Davison, Dowtin has proven he’s more than a G League player. He’s point-guard sized, but more of a scorer. In his most significant NBA playing time yet, Dowtin held up pretty well. He should get a look for a depth role in the NBA.
  4. Tyson Etienne – Brooklyn Nets (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Etienne can really shoot it. He was a sniper in the G League. Even more encouraging was his improvement as a playmaker. Another two-way deal should be in the cards for him this offseason.
  5. Bones Hyland – Minnesota Timberwolves (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Hyland hasn’t been able to seize his opportunities in the NBA. He didn’t do much after joining Minnesota on a two-way deal. He’s probably looking at training camp deals or more lucrative deals overseas.
  6. Quenton Jackson – Indiana Pacers (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Jackson flashed in the NBA this season. He also played really well in the G League. He showed improved shooting, which is great given he has terrific size for the point guard position. He might catch on with a team looking for guard depth.
  7. Daniss Jenkins – Detroit Pistons (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Jenkins showed he can be a playmaker in his time in the G League. He’ll have to shoot it better to get more NBA opportunities. Another two-way contract is probably in his future.
  8. Yuki Kawamura – Memphis Grizzlies (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Kawamura is a really fun player and an exceptional playmaker. Unfortunately, his lack of size works against him on defense and he doesn’t shoot it consistently. He could be back on another two-way deal to see if the shooting can improve enough for more of an NBA opportunity.
  9. Kyle Lowry – Philadelphia 76ers (UFA)
    We’re about at the end of the line for Lowry. Reports are that he wants to play another year. The Sixers will likely bring Lowry back for one more year as a locker room vet, but his on-court production is just about gone at this point.
  10. Mac McClung – Orlando Magic (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    McClung is more than just a Slam Dunk Contest champion. He can score and he can shoot, plus he’s improved his playmaking. Unfortunately, none of that has translated to a real NBA shot yet. If it doesn’t come this year, McClung is probably looking at heading overseas.
  11. Jordan McLaughlin – San Antonio Spurs (UFA)
    McLaughlin has slipped after a few productive years as a solid backup. He’s a third point guard now for a team that doesn’t want to be caught shorthanded due to injuries. He’ll get a vet minimum opportunity from someone.
  12. Elfrid Payton – New Orleans Pelicans (UFA – TEAM OPTION)
    Payton had some good moments filling in on an injury-decimated Pelicans team. He’s still a solid defender and good playmaker. As ever, the shot holds Payton back from being a regular rotation guard. He’ll probably catch on somewhere on a make-good deal with a training camp opportunity.
  13. Patty Mills – LA Clippers (UFA)
    Like a few others on this list, Mills is closing in on the end of a good, long career. Mills might catch on somewhere, because teams value his leadership and his ability to heat up quickly if called upon in an emergency.
  14. Dru Smith – Miami Heat (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Smith’s career has been one major injury followed by another. He keeps battling back and flashes potential. Now, he’ll have to do it again, likely via another two-way contract, possibly somewhere other than Miami.
  15. Pat Spencer – Golden State Warriors (RFA)
    Spencer can play. He’s shown enough in the G League and after his late-season conversion with the Warriors to get an NBA deal. Don’t be surprised if the Warriors bring him back on a minimum deal as familiar point guard depth.
  16. Isaiah Stevens – Miami Heat (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Stevens had a solid rookie season in the G League. He’s a first-rate playmaker and can score. Next up is improving his outside shot. That will likely come while on another two-way deal, possibly running it back with the Heat.
  17. Keaton Wallace – Atlanta Hawks (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Wallace flashed in his NBA minutes this season. He also put together his best all-around G League season. Another two-way contract is probably in line for Wallace, as he continues to develop as a shooter and playmaker.
  18. TyTy Washington Jr. – Phoenix Suns (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Things haven’t clicked for Washington in the NBA yet. In the G League, he’s been really good. Washington is simply too quick for minor league guards, and he’s shot it fairly well. Another two-way deal is probably in the cards for Washington, unless he gets a better offer to play overseas.
  19. Delon Wright – New York Knicks (UFA)
    Wright doesn’t do enough offensively to lock in a regular role as a backup. He can defend though, and Wright stays ready when his number is called. Those are traits that coaches prefer in a third point guard. He’ll have another shot on a non-guaranteed deal to fill that role for someone next season.