5 Players to pay attention to in free agency
Forbes.com
Nikola Vucevic
The former 16th pick out of the University of Southern California has proved to be one of the best centers in the league. In his career, he has had two all-star game appearances, the first in 2019 and being selected again in 2021. This season, Vucevic was the starting center for the Chicago Bulls, averaging 17.6 PPG and 11.0 RPG. Ranked 6th in the NBA for rebounds per game, the center still has a lot to offer and will be a solid pickup for any team lacking a solid presence in the paint if the Bulls decide not to pursue him this offseason.
Jerami Grant
Nba.com
The 6-foot-8 small forward has exploded into a dominant scorer these last three NBA seasons, averaging 20.1 PPG. The former Syracuse star has become an anchor in the Portland Trailblazer's electric offense being the team's second-highest scorer behind superstar Damian Lillard. With a current salary of 21 million dollars a year, Grant is an expensive piece to add to a team but will assist any franchise in putting more points on the board.
Lakersdaily.com
Kyrie Irving
The eight-time all-star and former NBA Champion is one of the best point guards in the entire NBA. His impressive ability to score all over the court caused Irving to be known as an elite shot-creator that not many players in the NBA can stop or imitate. Irving is a proven superstar who is sure to make an impact on any team he joins. Last season, he averaged a staggering 27.1 PPG, 5.3 APG, and 5.1 RPG for the Dallas Mavericks, showing that he is a worthwhile player to have on any team. His off-the-court publicity has made him a complicated personality to add to a locker room, but despite that, Irving is still an incredible asset to any team.
Lakersdaily.com
Russell Westbrook
The nine-time all-star and former NBA Most Valuable Player is also one of the league’s best point guards. Westbrook's athleticism and leadership on the court make him one of the best court generals in the game. Lately, due to his inability to be consistent from deep, the former MVP has struggled to consistently score the ball as he had been able to in earlier seasons (15.9 PPG this season compared to his career average of 22.4 PPG). Despite that, the point guard can still aid any franchise in moving the ball around and increasing opportunities to score, as is seen through his impressive 7.8 APG. However, there is a question on whether Westbrook will be able to succeed on the court with other superstars, but it is important to recognize the value he can have to a team and the depth he can add to a bench.
Sportsillustrated.com
D'Angelo Russell
The former all-star point guard is a great addition to any team. Russell’s ability to effectively shoot the ball from deep (averaging 39.1 3PT percent) and involve his teammates in the offense helps him increase the efficiency and scoring ability of any team he joins. Last season, Russell was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers from the Minnesota Timberwolves late in the season and averaged 17.9 PPG with 6.2 APG. After being traded, Russell and teammate Malik Beasley aided the Lakers in making a Western Conference Finals appearance despite barely making the playoffs. Russell’s ability to score anywhere on the court made a significant impact on the Lakers’ deep playoff run and there is no doubt that wherever he signs during free agency will benefit from his presence.