We’re now 10 days into the NBA’s 2021 free agent period, and the list of intriguing names on the open market has shrunk significantly, as has the number of open regular-season roster spots around the NBA.
Before the start of free agency, we listed 75 free agents we were keeping a close eye on this summer — our top 50 players, plus 25 others who earned honorable mention.
Of our top 50 free agents, only four remain unsigned, and three of those four are restricted. Of our 25 names who received honorable mention, just five are still on the board.
Here’s the breakdown of which of those players are still available:
Top 50:
- Lauri Markkanen, F, Bulls (RFA)
- Josh Hart, F, Pelicans (RFA)
- Hamidou Diallo, G, Pistons (RFA)
- Paul Millsap, F, Nuggets
Honorable mention:
- Avery Bradley, G, Rockets
- James Ennis, F, Magic
- Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, G, Thunder
- J.J. Redick, G, Mavericks
- Jarred Vanderbilt, F, Timberwolves (RFA)
The restricted free agents on these lists are the most interesting cases. I’d expect at least two or three of them to return to their current teams, but those standoffs may drag out a little longer, given the lack of leverage available to the players.
Markkanen, meanwhile, has said he wants a “fresh start,” so a sign-and-trade deal sending him elsewhere may be in the best interests of both him and the Bulls. However, it remains to be seen whether a sign-and-trade will come together, given the high asking prices put forth by both Markkanen (in terms of salary) and the Bulls (in terms of the trade return). It’s possible the free agent forward will resort to accepting his $9MM qualifying offer.
As for the veterans on this list, they may not be major impact players, but they should have no problem earning rotation roles in 2021/22 as long as they’re healthy. Millsap, in particular, would be a solid addition for any playoff team looking to fortify its frontcourt with a savvy, defensively-sound veteran.
As our running list of free agents shows, there are plenty of other noteworthy names still on the open market.
Teams seeking more backcourt help may take a look at former lottery picks Frank Ntilikina, Dennis Smith Jr., and Dante Exum, or veterans such as Isaiah Thomas, Langston Galloway, Jeff Teague, E’Twaun Moore, and Tyler Johnson. Jordan McLaughlin shouldn’t be overlooked either, though he’s a Timberwolves RFA who may be difficult to pry away without an overpay.
Shooters like Garrison Mathews, Wesley Matthews, and Denzel Valentine are still on the board, as are defensively versatile wings like Stanley Johnson, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and Andre Roberson.
Ersan Ilyasova, Patrick Patterson, and Mike Scott could be players of interest to teams looking for a frontcourt player capable of stretching the floor. DeMarcus Cousins, Bismack Biyombo, Ed Davis, and Isaiah Hartenstein are among the other big men still available.
What do you think? Which free agents still on the board – either among those we mentioned or those we didn’t – do you believe are capable of moving the needle for NBA teams this season?
Still feel like best fit for Mark next year is the bulls could use his shooting at the 4
Sign back for a year then go wherever u want
Lauri to Atl for Gallinari & a couple of 2nd rd picks. Chi gets their shooter, Lauri gets his fresh start, Atl gets a younger, better version of Gallo
Fresh start on a team he gonna be coming off the bench every year?
Tho I think he would be a better fit then Collins
He’d definitely be coming off the bench but it would also definitely be a fresh start tho. He’s obv never played for the Hawks before. Idk many situations where he’d be a starter rn tbh. He’d be a key bench guy for a winning team, that’s not a bad situation to be in. Plus we could give him a $15-20M deal for 1or2 yrs. And it’s laughable that Lauri would be a better fit than John lol. John is better at literally every facet of the game. Only thing Lauri has on John is height
Chicago doesn’t need a shooter but defence but more importantly it’s hard capped and can afford Galina is contract
I’m not a Hawks fan so I don’t care, but I would rather keep Gallinari.
Paul Millsap would be a big addition for several teams. Josh Hart as a wing defender/shooter, Wesley Matthews obviously as a 3 and D guy at the 2/3 spots, Frank Ntilikina would be useful for a few teams that could use defense and versatility at a couple of positions, and he started to knock down shots last season. Shaq Harrison also as a versatile defender/disruptive defensive presence that can playmake. TLC as a 2 way 2/3 that can shoot, put the ball on the floor, defend adequately. RHJ defensively at the 4…Langston Galloway and tyler Johnson as combo guards that can defend and shoot. E’twan Moore is a scorer as a 2/3 that can give you some minutes at both guards spots with size, if necessary. Garrison Matthew’s as a shooter for teams with defenders around him, like a Toronto…Mike Scott as a defensive option at the 4, with so many teams still needing help there. Hartenstein as a playmaking big that adequately defends. Ilyasova as a floor spacing big that team defends….you can probably say something about a lot of guys, and look around the league at teams that need certain things at the same positions, and find a spot. Most of those guys you would expect to probably still be looking for spots, but guys like Millsap are really surprising to still see out there. Wish the Heat would have grabbed him instead of Morris or even PJ Tucker, to be honest, although I’d take both Millsap and Tucker
Formerlyz, good breakdown. Markieff Morris is 6-11 so he can play a little more Center and true Center than Milsap can at 6-7. PJ Tucker is defensive Savant extraordinaire. Milsap at this point is just a guy who won’t hurt you. He’ll bring leadership but I’m not sure how much. He still wants to play and I’m sure not yet mentally regulated to vocal leader in the locker room.
But yes I’d much rather have Markieff Morris and PJ Tucker every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Paul Millsap is reaching the end of the line and Markieff might be also but Morris can take the three big time.
Morris is 6’8″ish.
jbl, wow you’re right. I had to look it up because I was going to say yes MARCUS Morris is 6-8 but I always thought Markieff Morris was listed 6-11. But it’s right there one place is 6-8 and other place says 6-9. Amazing.
I guess he shrunk LOL just kidding, I think some guys exaggerate their height of course. Wow.
Markieff Morris at his best has never been what Millsap still is right now, but I do agree Morris can give you some small ball 5 minutes. He isnt as tall as you think though lol…but Millsap as a defender with size at the 4, that pretty much does everything has been my number 1 guy on top of my list for the Heat for a couple of years now. I just assumed he would get more than the midlevel
Dallas, Portland, Sacramento, Minnesota all would be great fits for him, and there were a few others, besides the Heat, that already filled that spot that could have really used him
I agree with you now that Markieff is not 6-11. But seriously, am I the only one out there that remembers Markieff was 6-11? Help !
Now I’m looking at all up and one site says Marcus is six-nine and Markieff is 6-8 !!! What happened, I thought Markieff was a power forward word 6-11 shot-blocker defensive player and Mark Morris was a small forward shooter scorer.. Wow.
I think Markieff was listed at 6″9 at one point, but they’re twins…Markieff is a 4/5, and Marcus is a 4/3. Marcus is the better defender and shooter, Markieff is the better rebounder. The height thing you’re referring to was probably fixed when the league started doing more accurate sizes a couple of years ago
“Take the three” If you mean the 3p he can’t, hes a below average shooter over he’s career and especially last year shot 31%
Demian you’re right… Yeah I just saw him shoot it all the time with the Lakers last year. It was about the only thing he did on offense LOL.
Mark sign and trade to Wolves for Hernangomez and Culver
I think they are waiting to see how the Simmons situation plays out
The bulls don’t want contracts back, especially these 2 contracts
I’d like to see the Raptors bring biyombo back. They really need frontcourt help and hes already a fan favorite.
No no no no no, that ship sailed long ago.
I’d rather the the Celtics sign Paul Millsap and cut that waste of space Grant Williams or Dennis Smith Jr or Danta Exum over Carson Edwards
Markkanen – Memphis
Hart – Pelicans
Diallo – Spurs
Millsap – Blazers
Bradley – Suns
Ennis – 76ers
Mykhailuk – Kings
Redick – Bucks
Vanderbilt – Timberwolves
Sacramento, Memphis, and the Spurs already have 15 or 16 players under contract, they have no room to add another player unless it’s a 2-way deal.
Hart, Markkanen or Milsap make GSW #1 in the West, but the taxes would mean they would cost Lacob $100M a year or so for each year of the deal.
I think the market on these guys is weighing heavily on the Simmons, Siakam and Lillard markets.
And how do you fit them on the cap? Hart and mark won’t take minimum deals and neither will millsap lmao
Lakers should be looking at Langston G. He’s a solid vet who plays D. He definitely helps them.
Bucks should be looking at JJ. He fits them well. Millsap can still help a contender. Sixers should sign him. No UFA now can expect more than the minimum. Don’t agree with moving Markkanen. But it’s probably best for both sides now. But I would not give him away. Imo he still has upside and game.
Sixers have Paul Reed, who I would compare to Millsap, and Simmons can play the 4 behind Harris, and then they brought in Niang as an offensive option there, although not sure how much he would play if everyone is healthy
Markanen will be sign and traded for a pick and the TPE can be used to sign and trade Millsap
I thought Exum looked good in the Olympics. I figured someone would throw him a contract, even with his injury history
There are still a couple of teams that could use defense at the guard position
Hopefully we take Mr Exum back.
Man…I was hoping for 1 of Ntilikina, Shaq Harrison, or Wes Matthews for the Heat’s final roster spot, but a minimum deal pushes them into the tax…makes me really question the Markieff Morris pickup b/c I would just prefer Okpala over him at the 4, behind PJ Tucker, and the Heat still need wing help…if they leave that spot open, they’re essentially relying on the 2 summer league guys that get the 2 way deals
I think if they wait 50 games, if my math is right, they can sign a minimum guy and stay out of the tax, so they’re possibly just going to wait for a buyout guy, but I dont know if they can 100% get to that point without problems, if they dont address it now. An injury to Jimmy Butler or Kyle Lowry would be a big deal
I wouldn’t mind if Daryl could work some magic and get Hart on the squad. We could use him.
how many games woukd this team win?
Bradley
Redick
Hart
Millsap
Markannen
More than the 2021-2022 Houston Rockets squad.
ZING!
You are of course referring to their summer league squad.
You think that squad is winning 25+???
While theoretically, depending on who else would be on that hypothetical team, they’d be pretty decent, at least if this was 2 years ago…I actually like the outlook for Houston moving forward. They’re young, but extremely versatile, and as I pointed out last year, they picked up some undervalued assets that can contribute. I’m pretty sure Josh Cristopher is literally Nick Young that traveled to the future 15 years ago, with some moments of KCP-like defense, but they have a chance to surprise some people, assuming they play the right combinations. That being said, Kevin Porter, Jalen Green and Josh Christopher on the same team with 1 basketball should make for an interesting scenario
At this point if they can swing a deal for Bertans and give up Markkanen and get a 2nd I’d be okay with it. We need a stretch 4 off the bench and I trust Bertans more than I trust Markkanen. Hell, I would trust the ghost of Drazen Petrovich over this fool.
This is a message for my Pels David Griffin, if you’re serious about upgrading our defense then I think you should stop playing around and resign Josh Hart. Hart is the type of player every team needs a defensive minded wing who has a decent shot but plays harder than anybody else on the floor, steals, diving for loose balls defending the other team best scorer, please Griff RESIGN JOSH HART!!!!!
Ya I’ve long said they cant afford to lose him, going back to before last season, even with some of the young guys they added. I have to think with cap space dried up around the league, they should be able to keep him right?
Why overpay if you don’t have to? The perception is that NOLA will go to the MLE to match for Hart, and few teams can offer that.
Whether it’s the lack of the most desirable FAs, or the stagnant salary cap (shrinking relative to estimates), it’s notable that almost all of the teams in the mix for the top available FAs operated over the cap, via S&T. A mechanism that was almost went extinct a few seasons ago.
It’s filtered down to the RFA market too. Did a single RFA sign an offer sheet? Has a major RFA agreed to accept the QO? Those were supposed to be the only two alternatives if a guy couldn’t reach agreement on a new contract with the home team.
No offer sheets signed yet this offseason. Bruce Brown was the only RFA to accept a QO this offseason besides Jarrell Brantley (whose QO was just a partially guaranteed minimum-salary deal) and some two-way guys.
So what happens if e.g. Markannen gets no offers other than the Bulls QO? Could he sit out the season for $0 and then be a UFA?
No, if he were to sit out the season without touching the qualifying offer, the Bulls would be able to give him another QO next summer.
Denzel Valentine……pure basketball comedy
UFA Millsap has been consistently above-average still after about 20 years but should move on since MPJ is entrenched now. He has mentored as much as he can (prob not much).
RFAs-
Vanderbilt also got to 16 PER, in his 3rd year. Energetic size but not that skilled or sophisticated. Might wind up starting for MIN so they might go close to MLE; I have no info on that.
Ennis shot 43%3 and blends in well. ORL is all about youth now. 30 & well-travelled but no sign of slipping. Bid 2/$9
DET has too many players incl Seku… how high would they go to match for Hami Diallo? Rebound snatching guard, but that 39%3 in 41 attempts? Another 1/$7.