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

None

STARTER TIER

  1. Malik Beasley – Detroit Pistons (UFA)
    Beasley is coming off one of his best seasons. He proved to be a perfect fit with the Pistons. The challenge for Detroit? They only have Non-Bird rights to re-sign Beasley with. That means creating cap space or using the MLE to match or beat offers from other teams.

  2. Quentin Grimes – Philadelphia 76ers (RFA)
    Grimes broke out after his midseason trade to the Sixers. He’s still a quality defender and good shooter, but Grimes showed he can do more on-ball in his 28-game run with Philadelphia. Would the Nets throw a big offer sheet his way and see if they can get the 76ers to blink? Or will Philly not even mess around and get Grimes to ink a deal early in free agency?

  3. Nickeil Alexander-Walker – Minnesota Timberwolves (UFA)
    Alexander-Walker has graduated to 3&D-plus status. He can capably defend anyone 1-3, while also adding a bit of playmaking into the mix. The shooting has stabilized in a great place over the last three years. The real question: Will Alexander-Walker get priced out on an increasingly expensive Wolves roster?

  4. Bruce Brown – New Orleans Pelicans (UFA)
    Brown had a weird season. He was injured for most of the first half of the year, then the Raptors weren’t exactly trying to win when he came back. With the Pelicans, Brown was up and down. He shot ok from deep, but struggled to finish inside. Stil, he’s a good defender, solid playmaker and can fill a number of roles. That’s good for contenders who need perimeter help off their bench.

  5. Cameron Thomas – Brooklyn Nets (RFA)
    Thomas would rank higher on this list, but he couldn’t stay healthy last season. At this point we can say he’s one of the better scorers in the league. Thomas is always ready to let it fly. The playmaking for others took a jump last season too. The Nets are lucky that Thomas is a restricted free agent and that they are the only ones with cap space. That should allow them to make things work towards bringing him back to Brooklyn.

  6. Keon Ellis – Sacramento Kings (RFA – TEAM OPTION)
    Ellis proved he can be a starter in the NBA. He’s an excellent defender and his shooting held up over the course of the entire season. Ellis is also a better-than-you-think playmaker too. Being a restricted free agent works against Ellis, while working in the Kings favor. Look for Sacramento to decline their team option, then to work out a long-term deal to keep Ellis around.

  7. Caris LeVert – Atlanta Hawks (UFA)
    LeVert is a solid bench scorer at this point in his career. He can hold up as a spot starter, but as a regular starter his lack of a consistent jumper and his defense start to work against him. Still, LeVert’s size and playmaking allow him to play 1-3 and that sort of versatility has value.

  8. Duncan Robinson – Miami Heat (UFA – EARLY TERMINATION OPTION)
    Robinson remains one of the best shooters in the NBA. He’s also got terrific size as a shooter, which allows him to fit in a lot of different lineup constructions. If he opts out, which is no guarantee, Robinson will have several offers coming out of the Non-Taxpayer MLE from shooting-needy teams.

  9. Gary Trent Jr. – Milwaukee Bucks (UFA)
    Trent outplayed the veteran minimum contract he signed with Milwaukee last year. The issue is if anything more will be waiting for him this summer. Trent can shoot and he’s still an above-average defender. But 3&D guys who can’t do much on-ball are starting to get pigeon-holed in as vet minimum players now.

ROTATION TIER

  1. Luke Kennard – Memphis Grizzlies (UFA)
    Even after somewhat of a down season, Kennard remains one of the best shooters in the NBA. He’s also a solid ball-mover. The defense is an issue, but for a bench guard, you can do a lot worse than Kennard.

  2. Tim Hardaway Jr. – Detroit Pistons (UFA)
    Hardaway remains a good scorer, if streaky shooter. He also started in 77 games for a pretty good Pistons team. Detroit would like to have him back, if the price is right. But Hardaway could be had for a team looking for rotation help on the wing, especially if the Pistons have to use resources to re-sign other players.

  3. Dante Exum – Dallas Mavericks (UFA)
    Exum looked like he was on his way towards another good season before getting injured. His shot really does seem to have stabilized while he was out of the NBA for a couple of seasons. He’s a really solid rotation option, because Exum can play both guard spots and can defend 1-3.

  4. Ajay Mitchell – Oklahoma City Thunder (RFA – TEAM OPTION)
    Mitchell was underrated as a prospect coming into last year’s draft. He outplayed his two-way deal pretty quickly as a rookie too. He’s going to get caught up a bit in the Thunder’s overall guard depth, but don’t think OKC will just let him get away. Mitchell will either have his option picked up, or he’ll sign a long-term deal.

  5. Eric Gordon – Philadelphia 76ers (UFA – PLAYER OPTION)
    Gordon will turn 37 this season, but he can still shoot and he can still score. He’ll probably pick up his option, unless he knows there are more minutes awaiting him with another team.

  1. Gary Harris – Orlando Magic (UFA – TEAM OPTION)
    Harris can still defend and he can still shoot. His days as a sneaky-good starter are behind him, but Harris can fill a rotation spot. Because the Magic roster is getting full, and a tax bill is looming, Orlando will likely decline this option. From there, Harris may be off to a new team that needs backcourt depth.

  1. De’Anthony Melton – Brooklyn Nets (UFA)
    Melton is coming off a torn ACL, but should be ready to play near the start of the season. He’ll be a solid combo guard off the bench for a contender. This time around though, the MLE probably won’t be there for Melton. He may be looking at a veteran minimum “prove it” deal.

  2. Gary Payton II – Golden State Warriors (UFA)
    This is a situation where Payton probably has more value to the Warriors than any other team. They love his defense and energy, despite his lack of shooting and playmaking. There’s also a world where the Warriors re-sign Payton to create some tradable salary down the line.

  3. Sam Merrill – Cleveland Cavaliers (UFA)
    Merrill is a shooting specialist, but a good one. He’s not at the level of some of the others in this class, which means he’s probably going to get another vet minimum deal. But Merrill can help a contender that needs some shooting off the bench.

  4. Kevin Porter Jr. – Milwaukee Bucks (UFA – PLAYER OPTION)
    There might not be a more frustrating player than Porter in the NBA. The talent is there, but the production doesn’t always match it. With the Clippers, Porter was pretty rough. With the Bucks, Porter was pretty good. He’ll probably decline this option in hopes of a bigger deal, but it’s unclear if that will come or not.

  5. Alec Burks – Miami Heat (UFA)
    We’re now a few years into the whole “Oh yeah! Alec Burks!” experience. He languishes at the end of the bench for months, then gets some consistent minutes and produces. That’ll continue on a minimum deal somewhere next season.

  6. Pat Connaughton – Milwaukee Bucks (UFA – PLAYER OPTION)
    Connaughton is coming off a few years in a row of declining production. He’s very likely to pick up his $9.4 million option, because he won’t get anywhere near that kind of money in free agency. From there, look for the Bucks to possibly use Connaughton as salary-matching in a trade.

  7. Dalano Banton – Portland Trail Blazers (UFA)
    Banton has great size for a ballhandler, but the playmaking never really developed, nor has his jumper. That leaves him a solid, but inefficient scorer. Someone will give Banton another minimum deal, but unless he can improve the jumper, that’s all he’ll get.

  8. Brandon Boston Jr. – New Orleans Pelicans (UFA – TEAM OPTION)
    Boston did a really nice job for the Pelicans last season before getting hurt. He showed improved patience and more craft in his scoring game. He’s also starting to improve as a passer too. Look for New Orleans to pick up this option to continue to develop Boston.

  9. Keon Johnson – Brooklyn Nets (UFA – TEAM OPTION)
    Johnson is finally finding his way in the NBA. He did a nice job as a regular starter for the Nets. The lack of a consistent jumper is holding Johnson back, but his defense and overall court game has improved a lot. Brooklyn might decline this option for cap space reasons, but don’t rule out Johnson returning next season.

  10. Tyrese Martin – Brooklyn Nets (RFA – TEAM OPTION)
    Martin used the ample opportunities he got with the Nets to play himself off his two-way deal. Martin can do a little bit of everything, which is good, given he has great size for his position. Like other Nets with team options, Martin’s situation will be tied to what the team’s plans are for their cap space this offseason.

  11. Cam Spencer – Memphis Grizzlies (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Spencer flashed in the NBA last season, while dominating in the G League. He’s good enough to be on a standard NBA deal. The Grizzlies will keep free agent control with a qualifying offer this summer. From there, look for Spencer to try to work out a long-term deal on the main roster for next season.

  12. Garrison Mathews – Atlanta Hawks (UFA)
    Mathews is right on the edge of rotation and fringe. He can really shoot, but there’s nothing else here. And it’s tough for Mathews, because he’s not a good enough defender to earn minutes for his shooting to really shine. Someone that needs a designated shooter will snag Mathews on a minimum deal.

  13. Landry Shamet – New York Knicks (UFA)
    It was kind of a weird season for Shamet. He looked terrific in the preseason, but got hurt. After recovering, Shamet gave the Knicks some solid minutes, but was squeezed out of Tom Thibodeau’s tight rotation. At worst, Shamet is a good bench shooter with some remaining upside to make a Ty Jerome-like jump.

  14. Lonnie Walker IV – Philadelphia 76ers (UFA – TEAM OPTION)
    Walker made it back to the NBA after starting last year overseas. He was able to flash his scoring ability, but Walker remains an inconsistent shooter. Philadelphia has pretty good depth at the off-guard spot too. That could mean Walker’s option is declined and he’s back to trying to catch on as a depth guard elsewhere.

FRINGE TIER (UNRANKED AND PRESENTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

  1. Trey Alexander – Denver Nuggets (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Alexander might be the NBA equivalent of a 4A player: too good for the minors, but not quite good enough for the majors. Alexander was dominant in the G League, but didn’t really get a chance in the NBA. Look for another two-way deal, with hopefully more NBA minutes next season.

  2. Taran Armstrong – Golden State Warriors (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Armstrong is a fun prospect to monitor. He’s got good size for a playmaking guard and he’s outstanding passer. Armstrong shot it better than expected too. Look for him to be back on another two-way deal with the Warriors.

  3. MarJon Beauchamp – New York Knicks (UFA — TWO WAY)
    Beauchamp never quite put it together to earn a rotation role with the Bucks. The Knicks picked him up on a two-way, but he didn’t play much. There’s still a ton of potential here, but Beauchamp is probably looking at working his back through the G League.

  4. Josh Christopher – Miami Heat (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    After flashing in his first two seasons with the Rockets, Christopher kind of fell off the radar. He had a nice season in the G League on a two-way deal with Miami, but didn’t shoot it consistently. That’s going to hold Christopher back from landing a standard NBA spot.

  5. Seth Curry – Charlotte Hornets (UFA)
    Curry can still really shoot the ball. That’s all he does though. If a team needs a designated shooter, Curry could catch on at the end of a bench. But his lack of size and lack of playmaking ability will keep him in a depth role.

  6. Alex Ducas – Oklahoma City Thunder (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Ducas didn’t play much in the NBA or the G League last season. That’s kept him a bit of a mystery. Don’t be surprised if Ducas is back with the Thunder on another two-way deal.

  7. David Duke Jr. – San Antonio Spurs (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Duke’s lack of a consistent jumper will keep him from making an NBA team. He’s got good size as a combo guard, but that only goes so far if he can’t shoot. Heading overseas or a straight G League contract is probably in Duke’s future.

  8. Adam Flagler – Oklahoma City Thunder (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Flagler is a good shooter, but his lack of size limits him. If he was a better on-ball guy, Flagler could challenge for a standard roster spot. As it is, Flagler is a candidate for another two-way deal.

  9. Javonte Green – Cleveland Cavaliers (UFA)
    Green remains a good athlete and competitive perimeter defender. Unfortunately, Green doesn’t shoot it well enough to be a rotation player. But as a good locker room and practice guy, Green might snag an end-of-bench spot somewhere.

  10. Jalen Hood-Schifino – Philadelphia 76ers (UFA — TWO-WAY)
    Hood-Schifino never made an NBA impact with the Lakers or Sixers. He has been pretty good in limited G League appearances. With his size as an on-ball player, and still being fairly young, someone will give Hood-Schifino another opportunity, likely through a two-way contract.

  11. Talen Horton-Tucker – Chicago Bulls (UFA)
    As always: Horton-Tucker can score, but doesn’t do a lot else. He’s not a good enough shooter to play off-ball, and not a good enough playmaker to play on-ball. But because he works hard and is well-liked, Horton-Tucker will continue to compete for depth spots in the NBA.

  12. Mason Jones – Sacramento Kings (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Jones has outplayed his G League status, but hasn’t found his way in the NBA. He’s a terrific shooter and a better-than-you-think passer. This situation screams better money and opportunity overseas, unless Jones wants to continue to chase the NBA through a G League spot.

  13. Damion Lee – Phoenix Suns (UFA)
    Lee looked like an up-and-coming bench shooter, but a knee injury may have wrecked his career. A year of recovery, followed by a year of barely playing, didn’t do Lee any favors. He’ll likely get a camp spot to prove he can help a team, but nothing more than a minimum deal is coming his way.

  14. Kevin McCullar – New York Knicks (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    McCullar spent the early part of the season recovering from injury. In the G League, he flashed enough all-around skill to earn himself another two-way deal. The Knicks may want to keep McCullar around as a developmental guy.

  15. Bryce McGowens – Portland Trail Blazers (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    In the G League, McGowens is able to use his size and strength to overpower opposing defenders. In the NBA, his lack of shooting holds him back. That’s seen McGowens get kind of stuck. He could be ticketed for better money and opportunity overseas.

  16. Tristen Newton – Minnesota Timberwolves (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    Newton did very little in the NBA as a rookie. In the G League, he showed all the same skills that made him successful in college. He’s got good size for an on-ball playmaker, and Newton holds up fairly well on defense. If he could shoot it better, he’d be on an NBA deal. As it is, look for another two-way deal for Newton to keep working on the jumper in the G League.

  17. Trevelin Queen – Orlando Magic (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    This is another “too good for the minors, not good enough for the majors” situation. Queen can score and do enough other stuff in the G League, but it hasn’t translated to the NBA. He’s another guy who could head overseas for more money and a chance to play a bigger role.

  18. Rayan Rupert – Portland Trail Blazers (RFA – TEAM OPTION)
    Rupert hasn’t shown much in the NBA, and he’s been underwhelming in the G League too. But he’s still really young (only turning 21 at the end of May), so he could be back for another NBA run. Given that Portland can make Rupert a restricted free agent in 2026 too, they may just pick up their option and see if things click in Year 3 for the young guard.

  19. Garrett Temple – Toronto Raptors (UFA)
    Temple has become the guard version of Taj Gibson or James Johnson. He’s beloved in the locker room as a leader, but there’s no real on-court impact here. If Temple returns, it’ll be on a minimum deal to provide leadership.

  20. Stanley Umude – Milwaukee Bucks (RFA – TWO-WAY)
    After showing some potential with Detroit, things sort of stagnated for Umude last season with Milwaukee. He was ok in the G League, but didn’t dominate the way you hope a third-year player might. That could mean one more two-way deal is in Umude’s future.

  21. Lindy Waters III – Detroit Pistons (UFA)
    For a couple of seasons now, Waters has felt like a player who can do more. He’s a pretty good shooter with good size. There just isn’t a whole lot else there at the NBA level. Another vet minimum deal for a team that needs shooting with size is probably in the cards for Waters.