NBA free agency: Top shooting guards on the market
We might as well get this out of the way. This list won’t include expected names such as Klay Thompson — one of the best shooting guards in NBA history — or Paul George.
“Why not?” you might wonder. And it’s a fair question.
Older players tend to play up a position to lessen their physical burden on a game-to-game basis. As such, Yahoo has decided to follow positional tracking and embrace the new position of those players. So without further ado, here’s a look at the top shooting guards on the market this summer.
This year's top free agents: point guards | small forwards | power forwards | centers
1. Bruce Brown Jr., Toronto Raptors
Status: Toronto exercised its team option
2023-24 salary: $22,000,000
2023-24 digits: 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists
The 27-year-old had a bit of a down year after leaving the Denver Nuggets, splitting this season between the Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors. He still provided what he usually does: stellar defense, playmaking, timely offense, ball-handling and positional fluidity.
Toronto could look to trade him during the summer as to not lose him for nothing. The Raptors failed to move him before the deadline, but summers are always different.
2. Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings
Status: unrestricted free agent who agreed to deal
2023-24 salary: $9,945,830
2023-24 digits: 15.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists
Over the past two seasons, Monk has been one of the league’s most potent bench players. Not only has he provided the Kings with a highly effective scoring punch, he’s also developed as a playmaker, posting more assists in the last two seasons than his first five combined.
With the Kings having Monk's early Bird rights, the sides reportedly agreed Thursday night to a four-year, $78 million deal that includes a player option.
3. Buddy Hield, Philadelphia 76ers
Status: unrestricted free agent agreed to deal
2023-24 salary: $19,845,098
2023-24 digits: 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists
As one of the best shooters of his generation, Hield should see a fair market despite his defensive shortcomings and somewhat advanced age (31). He isn't a featured player, nor a star, but his ability to space the floor will unquestionably be an attractive element for elite teams that are looking to break through and win a ring.
It does need to be mentioned Hield might not be able to finish games due to his aforementioned defensive struggles and a lack of handle. So there's a chance teams include that analysis in their calculations when they offer him a deal.
Hield agreed to join Golden State on a sign-and-trade deal for two years and $21 million.
4. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Denver Nuggets
Status: unrestricted free agent agreed to deal
2023-24 salary: $14,704,938
2023-24 digits: 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists
Caldwell-Pope, 31, is a 3-point shooting wing who offers quality defense. That comes at a premium in today's NBA.
For the Magic, that was worth a three-year, $66 million deal.
5. Gary Trent Jr.
Status: unrestricted free agent
2023-24 salary: $18,560,000
2023-24 digits: 13.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists
Despite a season in which Trent struggled, he remains a high-volume 3-point shooter who can defend at a solid level. Those guys don't grow on trees, so presumably he'll get a decent chunk of offers.
The key to signing Trent to the right situation is understanding who he is and who he isn't. He's not much of a creator, but he does move in a way that keeps defenses off-balance. He's not an otherworldly defender, but he plays well within a team construct.
What is the dollar total of such a player? It's difficult to project. But given the coming increases to the salary cap starting in 2025, teams might be more willing to offer him in the range of $20 million annually over four years, knowing that such value will soon resemble that of the non-tax mid-level exception.
6. Malik Beasley
Status: unrestricted free agent
2023-24 salary: $2,019,706
2023-24 digits: 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists
While Beasley is certainly a one-trick pony, he does do that one trick rather well. His high-volume 3-point shooting, connecting at a 41.3% rate, offers an element most teams are in need of.
Beasley struggled to find a market last summer, but there's an odd tendency in the NBA to look at players on minimum deals and somehow get them back to a higher price point.
Will Beasley continue that pattern? It wouldn't be for a lack of trying. He started 77 games for the Bucks this past season, a team that came in with championship aspirations. That's not nothing.
Notable free agents
Caleb Martin, Miami Heat
Status: unrestricted free agent (player option)
Tough-nosed wing who has carved out a strong two-way career for the Heat. He holds a $7.1 million player option, which seems low for what he offers on the court.
Gordon Hayward, Oklahoma City Thunder
Status: unrestricted free agent
Former All-Star wing who has gone into decline. He can still handle the ball and offer some shooting.
Luke Kennard, Memphis Grizzlies
Status: unrestricted free agent
Sweet-shooting lefty who played just 39 games this season. He could use a change of scenery, with Memphis declining his $14.7 million option, but both sides are interested in a restructured deal.
De’Anthony Melton, Philadelphia 76ers
Status: unrestricted free agent agreed to deal
Two-way guard who has become more of a shooter in recent years. The Warriors agreed to a one-year deal at $12.8 million.
Isaiah Joe, Oklahoma City Thunder
Status: unrestricted free agent agreed to deal
After a season of strong play, the Thunder declined Joe's $2.1 million team option and agreed to a four-year, $48 million deal.
Spencer Dinwiddie, Los Angeles Lakers
Status: unrestricted free agent
Struggled this year with the Nets and Lakers and is looking to recapture some of his former glory.
