NBA Free Agency Countdown: Best Point Guards Available

Reags6/05/2018 8:00 PM

NBA free agency is one of my favorite times of the year and arguably the most recognizable offseason in pro sports. So with that in mind we’re going to countdown the best players at each position heading into the offseason. This will be any sort of free agent – whether they are unrestricted or restricted. Let’s get into it.

The point guard position is absolutely loaded across the league right now. When you see guys like Curry, Russ, Paul, Lowry, Conley, Kyrie among others, you can see the depth at this position. So this offseason there are plenty of names out there for people to sign. Now, most of these guys aren’t in the level of those names listed, but there are plenty of guys that are starters or guys that can be a key player off the bench – see Livingston, Shaun. Here are the 10 best point guards available this summer.

10. Derrick Rose
Unrestricted free agent, 29 years old, Previous Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Say what you want about Rose, but he has to make this list – mostly because there aren’t a lot of big names as free agents, but also because he’s one of the more intriguing names out there. He was brought on by his former coach to Minnesota, where he was a point guard off the bench at the vet minimum. However, is he willing to do that again? That’s who he has to be at this point. Keep an eye if someone tries to overpay for him thinking you’re getting the Bulls version of him. Minnesota should let him walk – since they already have a better backup point guard in Tyus Jones – but don’t be surprised if he ends up back there.

9. Shabazz Napier
Restricted free agent, 26 years old, Previous Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Napier seemed to find a spot with Portland coming off the bench and being a go-to scorer for the Blazers with that second unit. He averaged just about 9 points per game, which is fine if that’s his role. Now, the problem with Napier is he did most of that during the first half of the year. He hardly got on the floor in the first round series against the Pelicans and really struggled in the second half of the year. He is still a liability on the defensive side of the ball – although he did just have his best defensive year of his career based on Defensive Box Plus/Minus. I’d assume the Blazers match whatever Napier gets in free agency, because it’ll likely be a low deal. Remember, what did you do for me lately? That will be the play here.
8. Elfrid Payton
Restricted free agent, 24 years old, Previous Team: Phoenix Suns
I know some people may think Payton is a bit too low here, but I still question just who he is at the NBA level. He needs to improve his shooting, but he seemed to find a decent home in Phoenix, who I expect to match what he gets in free agency. The Suns will likely draft a big and a wing with their two top-16 picks in the upcoming draft and try to build around Payton/Booker/those two. That said, Payton is still a young player at just 24 years old and is an excellent passer. But, the question is can he become at least an average threat to shoot the ball? Otherwise teams will just continue to sag off of him and there’s not a whole lot of need for someone like that in today’s NBA.
7. Dante Exum
Restricted free agent, 22 years old, Previous Team: Utah Jazz
I actually think Exum is worth slightly overpaying for in free agency. At just 22 years old, you’re getting an incredibly young player who is excellent off the dribble. Part of what makes Exum a bit unknown or a bit under the radar is the fact that he’s dealt with injuries during his NBA career. Don’t be surprised to see a team throw a bit more money than expected at Exum, hoping to strike gold with a guy that is going to be younger than some dudes drafted this year. Exum is a real quick guard who is able to beat most guys off the dribble. Utah will likely want to sign him to a one-year qualifying offer, but keep an eye on what happens with the restricted free agency.
6. Milos Teodosic
Player Option, 31 years old, Previous Team: Los Angeles Clippers
One of the players I was most excited to watch heading into his season was Milos. Why? Well, just watch this passing highlight reel:

He played just 45 games this season though after suffering an injury early in the season. That said, he was effective on the offensive side of the ball as he averaged 9.5 points and 4 assists per game while shooting 38% from three. Defensively? Yeah, he was a mess, but that was expected when he came over from Europe. This is the first player option we’re dealing with on the list though. If he opts in, he’ll get at least $2.1 million guaranteed. I expect him to be a Clipper.
5. Rajon Rondo
Unrestricted free agent, 32 years old, Previous Team: New Orleans Pelicans
It’s unfortunate you can’t just sign a guy for the playoffs, because if so, you’d get one of the better point guards in the league. However, you have to sign Rondo for the regular season as well. However, him and Jrue Holiday made one of the better defensive backcourts in the league and he is close with a guy like DeMarcus Cousins – who the Pelicans hope to resign. The question for Rondo, similar to Rose, is will he be willing to take a smaller contract than perhaps he thinks he’s worth? He signed a one-year $3.3 million deal with the Pelicans last offseason, which should be something similar to what he signs this year. I think he’ll get locked up fairly quickly by the Pelicans again.

4. Isaiah Thomas
Unrestricted free agent, 29 years old, Previous Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Probably a top-2 guy the sense of being an intriguing free agent. Two years ago he was an All-NBA player and now he’s sort of forgotten about. Sure, a lot of that has to do with the injuries suffered this year, but he’s also now 29 years old and coming off of hip surgery while being diminutive and a liability defensively. He’s also talked about the ‘Brinks Truck’ quite a bit and I don’t think that’s coming. What I’m intrigued by with Thomas though is what sort of team is he interested in and what sort of team is interested in him? I don’t believe you can be a title contender if he’s your top option, so does he want to go to a team that can pay him but not compete? Or is he willing to be the 3rd option on a team that could compete for a title?
3. Marcus Smart
Restricted free agent, 24 years old, Previous Team: Boston Celtics
Yeah, I know some people may not think of Smart as a point guard, but I’m throwing him in this group. He did play just 54 games this past season dealing with a hand and wrist injury, but it’s pretty clear we know who Smart is as an NBA player despite that and being 24 years old. Now, you know he’s going to be a defensive presence, but also a liability in shooting the ball. He doesn’t lack confidence shooting, but is just a career 29% shooter from three, averaging over 4 attempts per game. Smart recently said he thinks he’s worth more than $12-14 million, which might be true. The Celtics have to make a decision with Smart and Rozier, so if a team comes in with a strong offer, the Celtics may let him walk.
2. Fred VanVleet
Restricted free agent, 24 years old, Previous Team: Toronto Raptors
VanVleet was the floor leader for the best bench group we’ve seen in years at the NBA level. I firmly believe he has the game to be a starter in this league, especially with his ability to defend as well. Now, the two questions relating to FVV personally is just how bad is his shoulder and can he be effective against a starting group the way he was against benches this past season? He’s talked about wanting to be loyal to the Raptors, since they gave him a chance in the league, but will they be able to pay him? The Raptors have a bunch of money tied up, so it really just comes down to what sort of discount is VanVleet is willing to take to stay with Toronto.
1. Chris Paul
Unrestricted free agent, 33 years old, Previous Team: Houston Rockets
Clearly the best player in this group is also the most intriguing free agent out there. There was a rumor floating around today that Paul wants a max deal, something I’m not sure if he’ll get from the Rockets. At the same time, the Rockets are a team that can compete for a title, which is what Paul wants to do. He also didn’t really slow down this year, as he should have been an All-NBA player and is still one of the best point guards in the league. Obviously he had the hamstring injury against the Warriors, but Paul was damn good this year putting up 18.6 ppg/7.9 apg/5.4 rpg this season. I’ll still be surprised to see him anywhere than Houston.