It’s that time of the year when players are looking to get paid and teams are hoping to improve.
Let’s break down the top available shooting guards in this year’s free-agent market.
(Note: Positions are determined off Basketball-Reference’s positional breakdowns, meaning a player will be listed at the position in which he played the most minutes.)
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Free-agent position rankings: Point guards
Status: Player option
Value of option: $14.8 million
The Austin Reaves breakout is upon us. The 6-foot-5 pick-and-roll decision-making maestro will unquestionably decline his modest option and enter into unrestricted free agency to cash in — and he certainly will.
Reaves is too attractive to not garner plenty of interest. He’s a three-level scorer, has greatly improved his playmaking and could help raise both the floor and ceiling for several franchises as a pending All-Star who’s entering the best years of his career.
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What makes sense: A four-year deal in $150 million-160 million territory would seem fitting for Reaves, whether he stays in Los Angeles or signs elsewhere.
Status: Player option
Value of option: $48.9 million
LaVine had an off-year with the Kings and is a prime candidate to land on the trade market if he picks up his option and becomes an expiring contract.
The 31-year-old can be enormously efficient, often sporting a TS% in the mid-60s, and that efficiency is bound to increase as soon as he’s cast in a proper role next to an elite playmaker who can set him up consistently and allow him to lean into more of an off-ball role.
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What makes sense: If the Kings can persuade LaVine to decline his option so they can offer him an extension at a lower price point, that could be worth an exploration. Of course, he’d have to get compensated thoroughly for turning down almost $49 million. Would $100 over three years get it done?
Status: Unrestricted free agent
Powell is a ridiculously efficient scorer — 60.9 TS% — who plays well within the fabric of an established offense and who fully embraces the fact that he’s not a creator. He can easily function next to a primary lead guard while maintaining a high volume of shooting responsibilities.
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There is tremendous value in a player of such quality who understands his own limitations, yet who can still dominate in certain aspects of the game. As such, Powell should have plenty of interest on the open market.
What makes sense: At 33, Powell is who he is, and a long-term deal might not be in the cards. A jumbo deal for two years for $55 million or a slightly more modest three years for $70 million is probably is within reason.
Status: Unrestricted free agent
Dosunmu, who was viewed as one of the better trade-deadline acquisitions, lived up to that hype as a Wolf, playing formidable ball in the postseason (including a 43-point eruption) and ultimately looking every bit the long-term backcourt fit next to Anthony Edwards.
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With his ability to play both on and off the ball, Dosunmu will have plenty of interest from teams around the league, looking to nab a reliable two-way player who occasionally can run the offense.
What makes sense: Sticking in Minnesota makes the most sense, as he could step into a ton of minutes, major responsibility and the chance to prove himself as one of the better guards in the league. Anything under $20 million per year would be a steal.
Status: Unrestricted free agent
This was an odd season for Grimes, who picked up his qualifying offer last summer and decided to bet on himself after a ridiculously strong finish to the 2024-2025 campaign.
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The 6-4 off-guard had moments when he looked like a future full-time starter and moments when he looked barely playable due to his passivity. Yet Grimes also had to deal with a changing role, more competition in the backcourt and having to adjust to several injuries to teammates. So while he assuredly lost money this season, there’s still potential.
What makes sense: Grimes’ inconsistent season was a problem, and you have to wonder if signing a short-term contract actually is the best bet moving forward so he can redeem himself. If he’s offered the full non-tax MLE, however, he should probably take it.
Best of the rest
6. Luke Kennard, Los Angeles Lakers
Status: Unrestricted free agent
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Kennard remains one of the very best 3-point shooters in the NBA, a major talent to have firmly in place next to Luka Dončić. Just off that fact alone, it makes sense for the Lakers to have interest in bringing him back.
7. Kevin Porter Jr, Milwaukee Bucks
Status: Player option
Value of option: $5.4 million
Porter has always had big numbers, but questions remain about his actual influence. If he opts out, teams will have questions about his fit on a good team and whether he can integrate in a meaningful way.
8. Keon Ellis, Cleveland Cavaliers
Status: Unrestricted free agent
Ellis is a player who is easy to implement, given the combination of his off-ball gravity and defensive acumen. While it isn’t clear how much he’ll earn on the open market, several teams should have interest.
;)
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