The summer of Boston and of fathers and sons is expected to get more clarity over the coming weeks as NBA free agency kicks off Sunday, just days after the draft was completed.
The champion Celtics won’t be too impacted by free-agent departures, while other teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors each have key decisions ahead.
Here is where the top NBA free agents could land in advance of the 2024–25 season:
Bronny James is now a member of the Lakers after he was selected in the second round Thursday, and any chance his famous father would leave the organization is long gone. LeBron James still figures to opt out of his current deal, but only to come to terms on a new multi-year contract with the Lakers and play for his friend and former podcast partner JJ Redick in 2024–25. When or if the James-James duo actually hits the court together remains to be seen.
The Clippers are set to open a new arena in the fall, which is not unrelated to their situation with George. The Clippers intend to be a winner in their new digs, and George supplies offensive consistency for the road ahead. The expectation is that George will be on the move, but only 10 miles to the south as he remains with the Clippers and opens shop in a new building. The Rockets, Warriors, 76ers or Magic could have a say about that.
Following an impressive season that earned Maxey the NBA Most Improved Player award, the guard is not likely to go anywhere. Maxey’s breakout season included 25.9 points and 6.2 assists per game. The Sixers figure to show their appreciation to a player who made the departure of James Harden easy to bear.
Finally, a player who figures to be on the move. DeRozan turns 35 this summer, so an extended deal has its risks, but the guard scored 24.0 points per game with 5.3 assists, so it isn’t as if production is on the decline. If George does happen to move on, perhaps to Philadelphia, DeRozan will replace him in his hometown with the Los Angeles Clippers. Other suitors: 76ers, Lakers, Magic.
Having already made over $200 million during his NBA career, it figures to be more about comfort level than breaking the bank for Thompson, who has been a star, has gone through the heartbreak of injury, and has come out on the other side. Thompson is not the athlete he once was, but he would have his best chance of reaching maximum productivity by staying with the team that knows him best in the Bay Area.
If there was any hope the Knicks would be able to re-sign Hartenstein, it likely went away when Nicolas Claxton reportedly agreed to a four-year, $100 million deal to remain with the Brooklyn Nets. Hartenstein is now in line for something similar, at least annually, and the Knicks don’t appear to have the financial flexibility to match. Suitors reportedly include Magic and Thunder.
Give credit to Harden for realizing a team need amid his move to the Clippers last season and diving into a playmaker role, even after saying he is a system unto himself. Harden averaged 16.6 points with 8.5 assists over 72 games at age 34. But he took 11.4 shots per game, his lowest since 2012–13, while still shooting 38.1 percent from 3-point range. Still, guards hold many of the cards in this free agent class, and the Spurs, Magic or Pelicans could come calling.
A two-time champion with two different teams, Caldwell-Pope showed his value in Denver, scoring 10.1 points per game last season and shooting 41.5 percent from 3-point range in two seasons for the Nuggets. With a cluster of stars getting paid in Denver, Caldwell-Pope looks set to depart, just like Bruce Brown did last offseason. Suitors: Magic, 76ers.
During six productive seasons in Philadelphia, Harris averaged 17.6 points and 6.6 rebounds, just above his career marks. But the soon-to-be 32-year-old averaged 9.0 points during a season-ending six-game playoff series against the Knicks. A dip in pay is expected, and it likely will come from a new team. Suitors: Mavericks, Pistons, Spurs, Pelicans, Jazz.
Tag Russell as another player with a solid regular season—even dynamic at times—that showed far too little in the playoffs. Russell could be set to depart Los Angeles, five months after he was originally set to be on the way out. He went on a scoring tear just before the trade deadline to save his spot in L.A., but his playoff effort was lacking. It still might be enough to secure a new deal with the team. Outside suitors include the Spurs, Magic and Rockets.
