Teams are actively preparing for the 2023/24 NBA season with a series of blockbuster exchanges taking place in recent days. All teams are trying to find suitable contracts for the team. Besides transactions with other teams, the free transfer market is also a place for coaches to find suitable players.
In 2023, there are many unemployed stars and teams can freely approach and convince after June 30. Below are the most prominent names.
James Harden – Philadelphia 76ers (Player Option)
James Harden is still wondering about the future. The 33-year-old star has a Play Option clause in his contract, allowing him to become a free agent this summer and freely choose a new team. Harden has not yet decided whether to continue with the 76ers or return to the Houston Rockets. He feels distrustful of the 76ers’ plans.
Harden is one of the best defenders in the NBA today. He possesses a perfect set of attack and ball movement skills. During the 2022/23 season, Harden averaged 21.0 points , 6.1 rebounds , and 10.7 assists per game.
Khris Middleton – Milwaukee Bucks (Unrestricted free agent)
Middleton decided to decline the final year of his contract worth $40.4 million with the Bucks and become a free agent. Middleton still prioritizes staying with the Bucks if the club gives him a maximum contract. If an agreement cannot be reached with the Bucks, the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder are the teams with enough salary budget to give Middleton what he needs.
Middleton is the second star at Bucks, only behind Giannis Antetokounmpo. The 31-year-old is a well-rounded player with both good attack and defense. Last season, he had 15.1 points , 4.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists. Middleton’s performance was affected by the knee injury he suffered.
Kyrie Irving – Dallas Mavericks (Unrestricted free agent)
Irving’s old contract has expired, and he will become a free agent this summer. The Mavericks really want to renew with Irving, while the Los Angeles Lakers have never given up hope of recruiting this multi-talented star. The former Brooklyn Nets star’s priority is a maximum contract.
Despite his problems off the court, Irving is one of the NBA’s top stars with a superior skill set and is difficult to stop. In the 2022/23 season, Irving averaged 27.1 points after 60 games with the Nets and Mavericks with a scoring rate of 49.4%, a 3-point rate of 37.9% and a free throw rate of 90.5 %.
Draymond Green – Golden State Warriors (Unrestricted free agent)
Green turned down the final year of his contract worth $27.6 million with the Warriors. Green’s top priority is to continue to stay with the home team at Chase Center. But if the Warriors cannot meet his new salary requirements, the Los Angeles Lakers or Portland Trail Blazers both want Green.
Last season, Green averaged 8.5 points per game , 7.2 rebounds per game, 6.8 assists per game. However, Green’s contribution does not lie in parameters. He is the most important person in the way the Warriors run the game, both as an offensive leader and as a defensive leader. Coach Steve Kerr has repeatedly asserted that the Warriors cannot be a championship candidate without Green.
Russell Westbrook – Los Angeles Clippers (Unrestricted free agent)
Westbrook’s contract ended and he became a free agent. Although he no longer maintains the highest level, Westbrook is still a defender with very good speed and direct hitting ability. He showed harmony in the Clippers’ system. In a context where not many teams are interested in Westbrook, re-signing with the Clippers is the best option for the former MVP.
Last season, Westbrook averaged 15.9 points , 5.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. He had impressive performances for the Clippers after being blamed for every mistake at the Los Angeles Lakers.
