NBA Rumors: Ranking The Top 25 2022 NBA Free Agents

NBA Rumors: Ranking The Top 25 2022 NBA Free Agents

On the heels of Steph Curry's fourth ring and first NBA Finals MVP, Matt MacKay ranks the top 25 NBA players available on the free agent market heading into the upcoming 2022-2023 NBA season.

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Top 25 Free Agents

Zach LaVine (SG, CHI)

Chicago's star shooting guard, Zach LaVine, is among the best crop of free agent talent available on the 2022 NBA free agent market. He has received All-Star nominations for two consecutive seasons, averaging 24.4 and 27.4 points per game. The 27-year-old is durable and can manufacture points against any defensive scheme, making him an asset as a robust and reliable shooting guard for teams in need of improving their offense.

Miles Bridges (SF, CHA)

Miles Bridges has a ridiculous vertical and dramatically improved his scoring output in 2021, averaging 20.2 points and 7.0 rebounds across 80 games. The 24-year-old forward is versatile and can play the three or four-spot on the court, depending on the system. Bridges' non-stop motor will attract many suitors in free agency and a likely pay raise from his current $4.06 million AAV.

DeAndre Ayton (C, PHX)

The seven-footer has nice touch around the rim and is the definition of an enforcer inside the paint. Ayton averaged a double-double during his fourth year in the league with Phoenix (17.2 Ppg and 10.2 Reb) and finished with an impressive 36.8 three-point percentage in 2021.

Jusuf Nurkic (C, POR)

It was nice to see Jusuf Nurkic return to total health for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2021. The seven-footer averaged 15.0 points and 11.1 rebounds across 56 regular season games last year and is still only 27 years old. The demand for big men who can shoot has never been higher, so expect Nurkic to quickly find a new contract matching or exceeding his current $12 million AAV.

Collin Sexton (PG, CLE)

A torn meniscus in Collin Sexton's left knee held the fourth-year point guard to only 11 games in 2021. However, he's averaged at least 16 points and enjoyed a career-high 24.3 points per game during the 2020-21 season. Sexton is agile, fast-paced, and commits minimal turnovers, driving his market value.

Carmelo Anthony (PF, LAL)

The Lakers relied heavily on Carmelo Anthony throughout a tumultuous 2021 season, as the veteran averaged 13.3 points per game. However, he continues to convert three-pointers at a reasonable rate (37.5%) and appears very durable heading into his 21st season in the league.

Andre Drummond (C, BKN)

Andre Drummond is far-removed from his All-Star days back in 2015 and 2017, but that doesn't mean that teams won't offer a handsome payday to the veteran center. Drummond played in just 24 games for the Brooklyn Nets in 2021 but averaged a double-double (11.8 points, 10.3 rebounds) and displayed his elite rebounding ability when available. Durability is a concern, but his presence and finesse around the bucket make Drummond a top 25 free agent.

T.J. Warren (SF, IND)

T.J. Warren has produced consistently for a few years, but he went viral during a playoff stretch for the Indiana Pacers during the 2019-20 NBA season. Despite his 6-8, 220 frame, the 28-year-old does not do a lot of facilitating (1.2 assists) or rebounding (4.1.) A foot injury derailed his 2021 season but expect the forward to return to an 18-point average for a willing suitor in 2022.

Montrezl Harrell (PF, CHA)

A mid-season trade sent Montrezl Harrell from Washington to Charlotte in 2021. The 28-year-old power forward broke out during his three-year tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers a few years ago, but he's still averaging over 20 minutes per night heading into his ninth season. He lacks a solid outside shot, but his ability to rebound and score as an undersized power forward keeps Harrell atop the 2022 available free agents.

Dennis Schröder (PG, HOU)

Every team needs a player like Dennis Schröder. The 28-year-old German point guard has averaged double-digit points for all five teams he's played for, including a stint in Boston and Houston in 2021. His length, speed, and vision make Schröder a guard that every team wants to stash on their bench for depth. In addition, he is talented enough to earn starting minutes, depending on the personnel and scheme.

Serge Ibaka (C, MIL)

Big men with experience are not common in the NBA. However, a player like Serge Ibaka adds intangible value to a locker room with his strength, size, and extensive trips to the NBA Finals with Oklahoma City and Toronto. Ibaka averaged under 20 minutes for the Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, but he is still averaging over five rebounds and has a soft three-point shot to boost his value as a free agent.

Kyle Anderson (SF, MEM)

Kyle Anderson played over 21 minutes per night for the Memphis Grizzlies in 2021, but he only averaged 7.6 points and 5.3 rebounds. However, the versatile forward offers strong defense and sound vision to counter his lack of scoring production. At 28 years old, Anderson may be a better offensive weapon in a more fast-paced scheme outside Memphis in 2022.

Marvin Bagley III (PF, DET)

Marvin Bagley III is one of the most talented power forwards hitting free agency. He was traded out of Sacramento and played well in Detroit for the final 18 games of the 2021-22 season, averaging 14.6 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Pistons. Bagley is only 23 and still has a lot in the tank before hitting his prime, making him a quality forward for teams to consider signing.

Mo Bamba (C, ORL)

Orlando has hampered the growth and development of their seven-footer, Mo Bamba. He just turned 24, scored 10.6 points, and hauled 8.1 rebounds across 71 games for the Magic in 2021, showcasing a silky 38.1 three-point percentage on top of improved confidence inside the arc. Bamba could continue to develop during his fifth season in Orlando, but he could benefit from another team signing him in free agency due to his versatility and size.

Ricky Rubio (PG, IND)

A torn ACL kept Ricky Rubio out for most of the 2021-22 season. The veteran point guard played 34 games with Cleveland and averaged 13.1 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.1 rebounds across 34 games before suffering his season-ending injury. Plenty of teams will desire Rubio's services, but his $17 million AAV could make a few teams pivot off of the 31-year-old Spaniard.

Lonnie Walker IV (SG, SAS)

A frustrating start led to a successful two-year run for Lonnie Walker IV during his four years under Greg Popovich in San Antonio. The 23-year-old shooting guard averaged a career-high 12.1 points across 23 minutes in 70 games for the Spurs in 2021. While he only started six games, Walker is a rangy guard who can produce points for a team in a pinch.

Jeremy Lamb (SG, SAC)

Jeremy Lamb was traded out of Indiana and sent to Sacramento in 2021, where he continued to play under 20 minutes and slightly increased his scoring output to 7.9 points across 17 games for the Kings. Lamb is not an elite talent and is a bit one-dimensional outside of scoring a few buckets. However, he's a good depth piece to sign. His $10.5 million AAV could scare a few teams away, but others may pay up depending on their backcourt needs.

Joe Ingles (SF, POR)

Another player coming off of a torn ACL, Joe Ingles finally ended his tenure in Utah after coming off the bench and earning sixth-man recognition. The 34-year-old forward adds a few assists and a couple of buckets to any team needing a depth piece in their frontcourt.

Thaddeus Young (PF, TOR)

He's definitely past his prime, but Thaddeus Young is still a big-body power forward capable of absorbing rebounds and forcing steals. The 33-year-old shoots 35.4 percent from three-point range to stretch opposing defenses, creating an incentive for teams to sign him.

Gary Harris (SG, ORL)

Gary Harris' first full year in Orlando proved fruitful, as the 27-year-old shooting guard averaged 11.1 points and shot just south of 40 percent from the three-point line. Harris played nearly 30 minutes but did little else besides scoring, so his contribution is a bit shallow, especially looking at his current $21 million AAV.

Blake Griffin (PF, BKN)

Blake Griffin could be on the move, coming off his first season, averaging under 10 points. The 33-year-old forward still possesses some appeal from teams desiring frontcourt depth, but starting minutes are likely off the table for this former perennial All-Star.

Derrick Jones Jr. (SF, CHI)

It's a crowded scene in Chicago, which could be why Derrick Jones Jr. only played 17.6 minutes and scored 5.6 points across 51 games for the Bulls in 2021. He's only been in the league for six years, but he's played for four teams, earning his most minutes in Miami and Portland before landing in Chicago. However, Jones is 25 years old and could develop into a double-digit scorer if given the right opportunity.

Kevin Knox (SF, ATL)

After a promising rookie campaign for the New York Knicks, Kevin Knox has struggled to produce. As a result, he was traded to Atlanta at the end of the 2021-22 season, where he only averaged 6.5 minutes. Knox is a project, but he's only 22 years old, and many teams could take a chance on developing his skills to restore his confidence.

Taurean Prince (PF, MIN)

An undersized power forward who is efficient on offense, Taurean Prince needs to clean up his defensive presence when defending the paint. The 28-year-old forward has averaged double-digit points in four seasons and could return to his ceiling on a team that needs a quick, undersized forward who can score off the bench.

Andre Iguodala (SF, GSW)

The 38-year-old Andre Iguodala returned to Golden State to earn another ring after a two-year stint in-between for the Miami Heat. While his best days are far behind, Iguodala has a great motor and averaged more assists (3.7) than rebounds (3.2) for the Warriors across 31 games for 19.5 minutes in 2021. In addition, Iguodala creates scoring opportunities and hustles on defense, making him an expensive but quality depth piece for teams to sign in 2022.