With NBA offseason activity coming to a complete halt, the Paris Olympics just around the corner, and teams only just getting their first look at their rookies at the Las Vegas Summer League, it feels like a second wave of trades could happen soon before training camps officially open across the league, but for now, the league's running season is on pause.
Cap space across the league is nearly depleted. At this point, the remaining free agents are likely looking at veteran minimum contracts, and that's where the value lies for teams. A year ago, the Dallas Mavericks didn't sign Derrick Jones Jr. to his minimum free agent contract until mid-August. He ended up being a starter on an NBA Finals team and signed a much more lucrative contract with the Los Angeles Clippers this summer.
With the grueling offseason officially upon us, let's take a look at the best players remaining on the 2024 NBA free agent market.
10. Markelle Fultz, guard: Fultz appeared to be turning his NBA career around with the Orlando Magic until his form dipped last year. The former No. 1 overall pick never recovered from his shooting slump and was even less impressive on the 3-point field last season, making just 4 of 18 3-point attempts all season. Fultz can still be a fearless driver, deft finisher and capable playmaker when he gets in the paint. At just 26 years old, it's fair to wonder if there's a new chapter in Fultz's NBA career or if time is truly running out.
9. Talen Horton-Tucker, guard: THT's progress has stalled since moving to Utah. He struggles to get to the rim on drives, lacks a reliable mid-range game and has never really improved as a three-point shooter. Still, Horton-Tucker is just 23 years old and has a ton of great experience, having played nearly 250 NBA games with 55 starts. With big size and long arms for a guard, he still has some potential for a team with a serious development program.
8. Spencer Dinwiddie, guardDinwiddie can still stretch the floor, but the rest of his game is starting to wane at age 31. The big guard shot 38% on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers last year with the Nets and Lakers, but his pull-up 3-pointers dropped to 26%. Dinwiddie also doesn't have much leverage attacking the paint right now, shooting just 48.8% from two-point range in 2022 and beyond.
7. Javonte Green, forwardGreen was unsigned for most of last season while recovering from a knee injury, but he quickly returned to his former self after signing with the Chicago Bulls in March. The 6'4″ forward is an explosive athlete who brings energy every time he gets the ball and plays with more power than his size would suggest. His 3-point shooting has improved (37% each of the past two seasons), and he has good jumping ability, solid defense and is a threat to make big plays in transition.
6. Davis Bertans, forwardBertans is a big, elite 3-point shooter. The 6-foot-10 forward is a 39.6 percent 3-point shooter for his career. There's not much else he can do offensively and he's a big liability defensively, but there are usually roster spots for knock-down shooters like him.
5. Luke Kennard, wingKennard is arguably one of the best three-point shooters in the league, shooting over 44 percent from three in each of the past five seasons. He'll likely return to the Grizzlies, but the fact that he's still active gives other teams a chance to acquire him.
4. Precious Achiuwa (center)Achiuwa is a springy 6-foot-9 big man with enough length to handle small-ball five duties. He's a “garbage man” style big man who can attack rebounds, make hustle plays and finish on interior feeds. With the Knicks still needing a backup center behind Mitchell Robinson, it seems likely Achiuwa will eventually work out a deal to return to New York.
3. Lonnie Walker IV, GuardWalker is an athletic scoring guard who can score all over the court. The 25-year-old shot 38.4% from three-point range last year and shot over 66% at the rim. If you need a scorer off the bench, Walker is the best option remaining on the market.
2. Isaac Okoro, wingWhile Okoro hasn't lived up to the expectations of a former top-five draft pick, he has made subtle strides over his past year in Cleveland. Always a tenacious on-ball defender who can check faster guards and stronger wings, Okoro finally became more hesitant as a 3-point shooter last year, hitting just 39.1 percent of his 3-point attempts. He still needs to increase his volume before teams are willing to take him seriously from a 3-point range, but at the very least, his stroke looks much better when he has enough time to make a shot.
1. Tyus Jones, GuardJones is a true point guard who is adept at protecting the ball, making the open pass, and taking the open shot. He led the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio last season and also made 41.4% of his three-point attempts. While he will always have limitations in terms of size and athleticism, Jones is extremely smart and skilled, making him a perfect low-cost purchase candidate at this point in the offseason.