NBA free agency is a interesting time. It gives some teams hope that they can find the next piece to their potential championship winning puzzle. With the free agnecy period right around the corner I decided to rank my top 15 free agents by each position. First up is the point guards.
15. Norris Cole
- Team: New Orleans Pelicans
- Years in the League: Five
- 2015-2016 stats: 10.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 45 games (started 23)
After years of having a small role with the Miami Heat Norris Cole averaged a career high in points this past year. Given that a lot of players where injured in the Pelicans disastrous season it gave Cole an opportunity to show what he can do. While he himself had an injury riddled season, look for him to bounce back nicely wherever he goes.
14. Tim Frazier
- Team: Portland Trail Blazers/New Orleans Pelicans
- Years in the league: Two
- 2015-2016 stats: 5.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 51 games (started two) between both teams
Frazier was released by the Trail Blazers during the trade deadline was signed by the Pelicans once injuries piled up on the team. In only 16 games with New Orleans, he averaged 16.1 points and 7.5 assists in 29.1 minutes a game. He could be a great pickup for any team that signs him. Side here Frazier was the D-League Rookie of the Year and D-League MVP last season.
13. Raymond Felton
- Team: Dallas Mavericks
- Years in the league: 11
- 2015-2016 stats: 9.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 0.9 steals in 80 games (started 31)
After a horrible first season in Dallas, Felton had a nice bounce back year. He just turned 32 so he may not be the first option at point guard anymore but he did average 15.0 points in the playoffs when Deron Williams was down. Felton will be in an NBA uniform next season either with the Mavericks or some other team, most likely as a backup point guard.
12. D.J. Augustin
- Team: Oklahoma City Thunder/Denver Nuggets
- Years in the league: Eight
- 2015-2016 stats: 7.5 points, 1.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 62 games (started none) between both teams
Long gone are his days as a starting point guard for the Charlotte Bobcats. Since 2011, he has suited for seven different teams and might be on his eighth. He struggled to find time in OKC but once he was in Denver he received more playing time which has definitely helped his value this offseason. It is unlikely that he will land a starting job but he will land a decent job as a role player.
11. Ish Smith
- Team: New Orleans Pelicans/Philadelphia 76ers
- Years in the league: Six
- 2015-2016: 12.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 77 games (started 53) between the two.
The journeyman has finally found a break in the big leagues. Ish Smith has played with NINE different teams in his career. He was released by the Pelicans in the beginning of the year and was signed by the Sixers. Once he joined Philly he turned head and is now looking for a nice payday. Not bad for an undrafted journeyman? Smith will look to take on a nice role wherever he goes.
10. Langston Galloway
- Team: New York Knicks
- Years in the league: Two
- 2015-2016 stats: 7.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 82 games (started 7)
The former All-Rookie Second Team member took a step back this year. Galloway has shown flashes that he can score the ball but he needs to show that more on a consistent basis if he wants to stick around the league for a little bit longer.
9. Seth Curry
- Team: Sacramento Kings
- Years in the league: Three
- 2015-2016 stats: 6.8 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 44 games (started 9)
After signing a couple of 10-day deals the last two years, Curry finally got his big break. The younger brother of Stephen had a similar shooting percentage as his brother (45.0% for Seth, 45.4% for Steph). The Kings extended a qualifying offer to Curry, making him a restricted free agent. This shows that Sacramento are interested in bringing him back. Expect him to get a nice contract this offseason.
8. Matthew Dellavedova
- Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
- Years in the league: Three
- 2015-2016 stats: 7.5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 76 games (started 14)
Dellavedova has improved his offensive game this past season and has always been a defensive nightmare to other players. His game has been noticed since the Cavaliers finals run last year when he was guarding Steph Curry. He gets under the skin against players he guards. Every team likes a scrappy guy like him so look for him to get a good amount of offers.
7. Mario Chalmers
- Team: Miami Heat/Memphis Grizzlies
- Years in the league: Eight
- 2015-2016 stats: 10.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 61 games (started 7) between both teams
The longtime Miami Heat member was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. During his time with the Grizzlies he played really well. Unfortunately he suffered a season ending achilles injury and waived in order for the team to sign other players. While recovering from that serious injury teams will still be interested in the player based on his short stint in Memphis and consistency in Miami.
6. Ty Lawson
- Team: Houston Rockets/Indiana Pacers
- Years in the league: Seven
- 2015-2016 stats: 5.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 66 games (started 13) between both teams
Ty Lawson was considered a steal for the Houston Rockets and had hopes of helping the team get over the hump. After being benched multiple times and clashes with coaches and players he was waived. He was then signed by the Indiana Pacers and things did not work out there either. It was not long ago that Lawson was averaging 17 points and considered a borderline All-Star.
5. Deron Williams
- Team: Dallas Mavericks
- Years in the league: 11
- 2015-2016 stats: 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 65 games (started 63)
Deron Williams had a nice bounce back year with the Mavs after couple of mediocre years in Brooklyn. However he struggled in the playoffs but at 32, Williams can give you valuable minutes when on the floor. He has opted-out of his deal but he should get interest in a very thin point guard class.
4. Brandon Jennings
- Team: Detroit Pistons/Orlando Magic
- Years in the league: Seven
- 2015-2016 stats: 6.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 48 games (started 7) between both teams
Before tearing his achilles more than a year ago, Jennings was efficient for the Pistons. This past season was a slow one as he was recovering from the injury and really was not a factor for both Detroit and Orlando this year. With the Injury pretty much behind him he’ll generate a good amount of interest in free agency. Jennings is a solid scoring guard that any team would want on their roster.
3. Jeremy Lin
- Team: Charlotte Hornets
- Years in the league: Six
- 2015-2016 season stats: 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 78 games (started 13)
Primarily as a bench player for Charlotte, Lin had a great season and even received some votes for Sixth Man of the Year. He has played for five teams in six seasons and is looking for a long-term deal. Lin was a great fit for the Hornets and they should do whatever they can to keep him.
2. Rajon Rondo
- Team: Sacramento Kings
- Years in the league: 10
- 2015-2016 stats: 11.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 11.7 assists and 2.0 steals in 72 games (started 72)
Rondo last year signed a one-year “prove it” deal to show that he is still a top point guard in the league. After leading the league in assists he did just that and is at the top of the free agent rankings. While his play did not translate to wins in Sacramento, he showed that he can still play well after a terrible stint in Dallas. Look for Rondo to get looked at by teams that have star power that lack a true point guard.
1. Mike Conley
- Team: Memphis Grizzlies
- Years in the league: Nine
- 2015-2016 stats: 15.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.2 steals in 56 games (started 56)
The longtime Memphis Grizzlies will be hitting the free agent market for the first time. He has never made an All-Star team, but has always put up great numbers every season. At 28 years old, he still has a lot left in the tank and many teams will be going after him. The Memphis Grizzlies all time leader in games played will get payed this offseason, big time.
The point guard free agent class is weak this year with only Rondo and Conley as the only guys looking for a full-time starting spot while the other guys are more role players. Either way each of these players will have impacts wherever they go. Stay tuned as I go over the top 15 free agent shooting guards next.
