Top 25 NBA free agents: The biggest names potentially available this summer (Part 2)

NBA free agency is rapidly approaching and big names around the league are set to hit the open market.

Teams can officially begin negotiations Friday at 6 p.m. ET. However, no deals can be officially signed until July 6.

We continue our countdown of the 25 best free agents this summer with players 12-1. For Part 1, click here.

12. Nikola Vucevic (Unrestricted)

(Editor’s note: This article was published before Vucevic and the Bulls agreed on a three-year, $60-million extension June 28.)

Vucevic has been remarkably consistent, averaging a double-double and at least 17.6 points in five straight campaigns. He also played in all 82 games last season, displaying impressive durability as a 32-year-old. But the veteran center has certainly declined from the All-Star form of his Orlando Magic years. And Vucevic remains a liability on the defensive end, making it hard to find a great fit for him if he leaves the Chicago Bulls.

11. Austin Reaves (Restricted)

Two years after joining the Los Angeles Lakers as an undrafted free agent, Reaves is primed for a big payday. The crafty guard broke out last season, averaging 17.6 points and 5.5 assists after the All-Star break. Reaves’ strong performance translated to the postseason, where he finished third on the Lakers in scoring and second in assists. The most L.A. can offer Reaves is $50.8 million over four years, but the Lakers can match larger offers that rival teams tender to the 25-year-old.

10. Brook Lopez (Unrestricted)

At this point in his career, Lopez is an excellent defender as a rim-protector in drop coverage and not an option in other defensive schemes. While that certainly cuts his pool of interested teams, clubs looking for an anchor around the basket and a spot-up 3-point shooter can’t do better than the 35-year-old. Lopez is tied for the most-ever seasons with 100 blocks and 100 threes, having done it four times.

9. Jakob Poeltl (Unrestricted)

Early indications are that Poeltl will stay with the Toronto Raptors, who parted with a top-six protected first-rounder in February for his expiring contract. Toronto’s risk makes sense for his skill set, though; he’s an excellent 7-foot-1 roll man with solid hands and a great rebounder and rim-protector – all qualities the Raptors lacked. However, Poeltl will almost certainly garner plenty of interest, and returning to Toronto isn’t a foregone conclusion.

8. Cam Johnson (Restricted)

Coming off his rookie deal, Johnson should receive sizable offers from teams looking to lure him away from the Brooklyn Nets. The 27-year-old has upped his scoring in each of his four NBA campaigns, and he averaged career highs of 15.5 points and 4.4 rebounds last season. Johnson can play either forward position, and his elite 3-point efficiency – over 40% in each of the past two campaigns – allows him to fit seamlessly into nearly any lineup.

7. Kyle Kuzma (Unrestricted)

Kuzma may have pedestrian advanced statistics and below-average defensive abilities, but he was one of only four players to average at least 21 points, seven rebounds, and three assists per game while making over 150 3-pointers last season. His offensive versatility is a coveted skill in today’s NBA, and he’ll likely be paid handsomely for his services, whether or not he remains with the Washington Wizards.

6. Jerami Grant (Unrestricted)

The Trail Blazers’ ultimately disappointing campaign meant Grant’s impressive individual year went under the radar. The 6-foot-8 forward scored 20.5 points per game on 47.5/40.1/81.3 shooting splits, and his defensive versatility would be welcomed by most teams in the league. His future in Portland is up in the air, though, as the Blazers continue to figure out what they want to do with Damian Lillard.

5. Draymond Green (Unrestricted)

After he declined his $27.5-million player option, Green is one of the most difficult free agents to assess. His value to the Golden State Warriors is obvious – Green is still a perennial All-Defensive candidate and one of the league’s best passing big men. However, as a total non-shooter, the 33-year-old forward would be an awkward fit with most other squads. Green is likely more valuable to the Warriors than he would be to other potential suitors.

4. Khris Middleton (Unrestricted)

After making three All-Star appearances in four seasons and being the second-leading scorer on a championship team, Middleton played just 33 games in his injury-riddled 2022-23 campaign. He averaged 15.1 points per game and hit 43.6% of his field goals – the worst mark of his career. There are two ways to view Middleton: as a top-tier scoring option who can make threes and defend, or as an aging player past his peak.

3. Fred VanVleet (Unrestricted)

Nearly every free-agent class has that domino everybody waits on before they make their own move. With the markets for our top two names narrowed down a bit, VanVleet, who’s received plenty of interest over the years, could be the one who ultimately holds up the league. The Raptors’ free-agent guard could stay put or head elsewhere for the first time, but an eight-figure deal is the likely outcome no matter where he lands.

2. Kyrie Irving (Unrestricted)

Irving’s number of suitors may be limited due to his off-court issues and health woes – he’s missed 18 or more games in each of the last four campaigns. Still, the eight-time All-Star’s talent is undeniable. Irving averaged 27.1 points on stellar 49.4/37.9/90.5 shooting splits last season, placing him among the league’s most dynamic and efficient scorers. The Dallas Mavericks will likely do everything they can to retain Irving after trading for him in February.

1. James Harden (Player Option)

No one will mistake the 2023 version of Harden for the MVP and scoring champion from his Houston days. But the NBA’s reigning assists leader is still an ultra-valuable offensive piece as he’s transitioned into a full-time point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers. Last season, Harden became just the second player in league history to average 21 points and 10 assists while making at least 38% of his threes. Magic Johnson was the first to do it in his MVP-winning 1989-90 campaign.