Post by ucfinfan86 on Feb 29, 2024 15:58:44 GMT
I think this is a strong class and a great year to have cap space. The class has stars at the top and depth throughout.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF, 30, A- C C- B+ B+ C Bucks
2x Allstar is the top FA in the class. He averaged 31/13 in 2023, but numbers fell in 2024 with the addition of KD. He is still one of the best big men in the league, but has a glaring weakness with ball handling. He’s going to be eligible for a starting salary north of $50mil. This will be the first true 10+yr experience star in FA and will be fascinating what offers he receives.
2. Kawhi Leonard., SF, 34, B A- C A- C C Pacers
IMO the 3rd best SF in the league, but will be 34 year old. Would have likely been an allstar this year if he didn’t miss 15 games to injury. He has a well-rounded game without any weakness except his age. I would think he gets a large 3 year deal.
3. Cade Cunningham, PG, 24, B- A- B C C- B Pistons
His team has been awful and his defense ratings leaves a lot to be desired. His turnovers are a bit high at 3.4, but he’s a very good scorer and has been a pretty efficient scorer on a team without very much offensive talent. He’ll be just 24yo and would expect he also gets the 25% max.
4. Evan Mobley, PF, 24, B+ C- C A- B B Cavaliers
This is probably a bit of a projection. He was basically a 12/12/2 this season, but at only 24yo you would hope he’s still improving. I’m not sure what his ceiling is…15/12/2.5? Still, he’s a young talented player and I would expect he gets the 25% max that he’s eligible for.
5. Trey Murphy lll, SF, 25, C+ A+ C B C B Pelicans
What a player he developed into. Would never have guessed I would have him ranked as the #5 FA in a loaded class. He’s probably the best shooter in the league (I think he’s the only A+ outside rating). His ratings don’t jump out, but you can’t argue with his production. 20/6 with only 1 turnover a game. In a league that doesn’t have a ton of shooting, he should be extremely valuable.
6. Cam Thomas, SG, 22, B A- C B- C- B Nets
I struggled with this rating. I originally had him 10th and as I’m writing him up, I was like, wait he’s better then LaVine. Then I compared him to Jalen Green and thought the same thing. So I’m placing him at 6. He’s a 2x all-star with good handles and has shot 47% both years. He doesn’t offer much on defense, but neither do most guys on this list. Even as I write this….should he be even higher?
7. Jalen Green, SG, 23, B+ A- C C+ C- A Rockets
Jalen is basically the SG version of Cade. His offensive rating looks nice and at 23yo with A potential you would expect he’ll still improve. He was more efficient in 2023 shooting 46%. His 6 rebounds are probably an outlier due to how bad of a rebounding team the Rockets were. He doesn’t really offer anything else aside from scoring, but there’s still potential for him to be a top tier scorer at the position.
8. Jaylen Brown., SF, 28, A- A- D+ C+ C C Nets
He was undervalued due to his massive contract. He played a 6th man role in 2023 and in 2024 was able to start (I think he may have played out of position at PF some). He was 21/7 with strong percentages and is in his prime at 28yo. Depending on where he lands, he does have backup SG eligibility. You do wish his defense was stronger. Only 1.1 combined stocks in 2024 with C+ rating
9. Lauri Markkanen., PF, 28, B A- D- C+ B- B Magic (resign not accepted)
He’s an offensive minded PF that offers limited defense and rebounding. He’s made 2 straight All-NBN teams and an all-star team so he can provide a nice offensive boost as a mentor. He shot 47% from 3 in 2023 and is backup SF eligible. He could make for an awesome 3rd big who can backup 3-5 if he’s not your cup of tea as a starting PF.
10. Zach LaVine., SG, 30, B+ A- C C+ C- C 76ers
Basically Jalen Green but 8 years older? All offense and doesn’t offer very much defensively. He doesn’t hurt you with turnovers and is backup PG eligible if he can transition to a backup PG/SG as he ages. He won the 2024 slam dunk so he still has his athleticism. He’s probably a guy that gets a large 2 year deal as a placeholder until a team can develop a long term SG.
Honorable Mention
LeBron James…, PF, 41, A- B+ B B+ C+ A Pelicans
Alperen Sengun, C, 23, B+ C+ C+ B B B Rockets (resign offer)
Josh Giddey.., SF, 22, B B+ B- B C A Mavericks
Jonas Valanciunas, C, 33, B- B- D+ B+ B D Pelicans
Steven Adams, C, 32, B- D- C- B+ A D Magic
Ivaca Zubac, C, 28, B D F+ B A C Nets
Paul George, SF, 35, B- A- C B- C D Mavericks
Jalen Suggs, PG, 24, C A- B A- C- C Timberwolves
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF, 30, A- C C- B+ B+ C Bucks
2x Allstar is the top FA in the class. He averaged 31/13 in 2023, but numbers fell in 2024 with the addition of KD. He is still one of the best big men in the league, but has a glaring weakness with ball handling. He’s going to be eligible for a starting salary north of $50mil. This will be the first true 10+yr experience star in FA and will be fascinating what offers he receives.
2. Kawhi Leonard., SF, 34, B A- C A- C C Pacers
IMO the 3rd best SF in the league, but will be 34 year old. Would have likely been an allstar this year if he didn’t miss 15 games to injury. He has a well-rounded game without any weakness except his age. I would think he gets a large 3 year deal.
3. Cade Cunningham, PG, 24, B- A- B C C- B Pistons
His team has been awful and his defense ratings leaves a lot to be desired. His turnovers are a bit high at 3.4, but he’s a very good scorer and has been a pretty efficient scorer on a team without very much offensive talent. He’ll be just 24yo and would expect he also gets the 25% max.
4. Evan Mobley, PF, 24, B+ C- C A- B B Cavaliers
This is probably a bit of a projection. He was basically a 12/12/2 this season, but at only 24yo you would hope he’s still improving. I’m not sure what his ceiling is…15/12/2.5? Still, he’s a young talented player and I would expect he gets the 25% max that he’s eligible for.
5. Trey Murphy lll, SF, 25, C+ A+ C B C B Pelicans
What a player he developed into. Would never have guessed I would have him ranked as the #5 FA in a loaded class. He’s probably the best shooter in the league (I think he’s the only A+ outside rating). His ratings don’t jump out, but you can’t argue with his production. 20/6 with only 1 turnover a game. In a league that doesn’t have a ton of shooting, he should be extremely valuable.
6. Cam Thomas, SG, 22, B A- C B- C- B Nets
I struggled with this rating. I originally had him 10th and as I’m writing him up, I was like, wait he’s better then LaVine. Then I compared him to Jalen Green and thought the same thing. So I’m placing him at 6. He’s a 2x all-star with good handles and has shot 47% both years. He doesn’t offer much on defense, but neither do most guys on this list. Even as I write this….should he be even higher?
7. Jalen Green, SG, 23, B+ A- C C+ C- A Rockets
Jalen is basically the SG version of Cade. His offensive rating looks nice and at 23yo with A potential you would expect he’ll still improve. He was more efficient in 2023 shooting 46%. His 6 rebounds are probably an outlier due to how bad of a rebounding team the Rockets were. He doesn’t really offer anything else aside from scoring, but there’s still potential for him to be a top tier scorer at the position.
8. Jaylen Brown., SF, 28, A- A- D+ C+ C C Nets
He was undervalued due to his massive contract. He played a 6th man role in 2023 and in 2024 was able to start (I think he may have played out of position at PF some). He was 21/7 with strong percentages and is in his prime at 28yo. Depending on where he lands, he does have backup SG eligibility. You do wish his defense was stronger. Only 1.1 combined stocks in 2024 with C+ rating
9. Lauri Markkanen., PF, 28, B A- D- C+ B- B Magic (resign not accepted)
He’s an offensive minded PF that offers limited defense and rebounding. He’s made 2 straight All-NBN teams and an all-star team so he can provide a nice offensive boost as a mentor. He shot 47% from 3 in 2023 and is backup SF eligible. He could make for an awesome 3rd big who can backup 3-5 if he’s not your cup of tea as a starting PF.
10. Zach LaVine., SG, 30, B+ A- C C+ C- C 76ers
Basically Jalen Green but 8 years older? All offense and doesn’t offer very much defensively. He doesn’t hurt you with turnovers and is backup PG eligible if he can transition to a backup PG/SG as he ages. He won the 2024 slam dunk so he still has his athleticism. He’s probably a guy that gets a large 2 year deal as a placeholder until a team can develop a long term SG.
Honorable Mention
LeBron James…, PF, 41, A- B+ B B+ C+ A Pelicans
Alperen Sengun, C, 23, B+ C+ C+ B B B Rockets (resign offer)
Josh Giddey.., SF, 22, B B+ B- B C A Mavericks
Jonas Valanciunas, C, 33, B- B- D+ B+ B D Pelicans
Steven Adams, C, 32, B- D- C- B+ A D Magic
Ivaca Zubac, C, 28, B D F+ B A C Nets
Paul George, SF, 35, B- A- C B- C D Mavericks
Jalen Suggs, PG, 24, C A- B A- C- C Timberwolves