There’s a legend at the top of the list, but things drop off pretty quickly after that.
Let’s break down the top small forwards in this year’s free agent market, with the negotiating window opening at 6 p.m. ET June 30.
(Note: Positions are being determined off Basketball-Reference’s positional breakdowns, meaning a player will be listed at the position in which he played the most minutes.)
Free-agent position rankings: Point guards | Shooting guards
1. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Status: Player option
Value of option: $52,627,153
Another year, another LeBron James player option. The man likes his control, and who can blame him? After all, he’s 40 now and the most statistically accomplished player in NBA history. Keeping his own options open seems fair, especially as the end has to be near.
(Right? It has to be, doesn’t it? He’s 40 for crying out loud!)
James remains a top-20 player — some will argue he’s higher, and there’s certainly a case to be made for that — so his decision will have ripple effects for the Lakers, but it would be fairly surprising if wasn’t back with L.A.
What makes sense: His son, Bronny, is a Laker, so another year of on-court bonding should be of interest to James. More than likely, he opts out and signs a new one-plus-one deal, maintaining control of his future.
2. Kelly Oubre Jr., Philadelphia 76ers
Status: Player option
Value of option: $8,382,150
The 29-year-old wing might not be an All-Star, but he can score at a fairly high level (16.6 points over his past three seasons), is a decent rebounder and will compete defensively even if that side of the floor doesn’t always come naturally to him.
That type of production isn’t always easy to install onto a team, as Oubre does need shots and touches without being super efficient, but if he were to accept a sixth-man role on a good team, perhaps there’s a path to success that could see him and the team he signs with level up.
What makes sense: The Sixers are a bit of a mess, but that also means they could have a need for scoring. If Oubre dreams of producing a lot of numbers, sticking around makes sense. If his priority is to join a good team, taking a smaller deal in Boston to serve as a one-year replacement for Jayson Tatum shouldn’t be ruled out.
4. Caris LeVert, Atlanta Hawks
Status: Unrestricted free agent
LeVert isn’t usually a pillar of efficiency, but this year he seemed more deliberate and careful with his shots, leading to one of the best years of his career, albeit in somewhat low volume.
The 30-year-old seems to be embracing his new life as a backup wing, one that suits him given that a starting spot is a bit too much for him.
What makes sense: There are minutes to be found in Atlanta, so sticking around isn’t the worst idea. He won’t be receiving starter-money offers regardless, so optimizing the situation should be his priority.
5. Taurean Prince, Milwaukee Bucks
Status: Unrestricted free agent
Sometimes, you just need someone who is predictable and consistent within his own role. That’s Prince. He’ll take open 3-pointers — and make them at a high clip — play some out-of-position defense and give you a solid locker-room presence.
The best part? It won’t break the bank to bring him in, and he’s perfectly capable of playing off more dynamic players. He might not be a starter you rely on deep into the postseason, but he’s a card you can play when you need veteran leadership.
What makes sense: Prince joined Milwaukee last year in hopes of making a Finals push. While that didn’t materialize, the strategy wasn’t bad. Could he and the Denver Nuggets have a shared interest that could benefit both sides?
6. Amir Coffey, Los Angeles Clippers
Status: Unrestricted free agent
Coffey got better this season, and a large part of that was his floor-spacing capabilities. The 6-foot-7 wing shot almost 40.9% from 3-point range on a career-high 3.4 attempts per game, which should make him interesting to multiple teams in need of a player who can bend defenses.
At almost 28, Coffey’s next contract will presumably take him through his prime years, so if he and his agent were to prioritize money, that’d be an entirely fair approach.
What makes sense: Sniff out the teams most desperate for 3-point shooting and leverage that need into the biggest payday possible.
7. Justin Edwards, Philadelphia 76ers
Status: Team option
Value of option: $1,955,377
You’d be excused if you aren’t too familiar with Edwards’ game, as the rookie played for a Sixers team that most fans turned their attention away from after a gruesome start, middle and end to the year.
The 21-year-old did well under the circumstances. He scored at a decent clip (10.1 points), was a solid rebounder and proved to be able to hit outside shots with some regularity. While young, you can see the path toward a larger role.
What makes sense: Philadelphia represents an avenue for minutes and general opportunity, and it has the control to bring him back and perhaps keep him long term next summer. On the off chance the 76ers don’t keep Edwards, every team with an average age of under 26 should be calling his agent.
Best of the rest
Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets
Status: Unrestricted free agent
Tate lost a ton of minutes this season due to a crowded roster, and he’s knocking on the door of entering his 30s. That doesn’t mean he isn’t good, or that he won’t help a team. But it does mean he should be very gettable this summer.
Ziaire Williams, Brooklyn Nets
Status: Restricted free agent
The athletic wing can play multiple positions and is still young.
While his game is still more theoretical than practical, there’s enough juice there for teams to keep squeezing. Who knows? In the right place and in the right role, perhaps there’s a breakout looming.
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