Free agent targets for all 30 teams

Welcome back to another edition of Enjoy Basketball!

The NBA Draft is done, and a new wave of rookies has entered the league. Now, free agency is right around the corner. In fact, the next time we catch up with you all, new faces are going to be in new places.

On Monday, we covered who some of the top names will be in free agency. Players like Deandre Ayton, Miles Bridges, and Bradley Beal could all be hooping in new threads by the time next season rolls around.

Now, let’s take a look at one realistic target each team should go after in free agency. The keyword in that sentence is realistic. Every team would love to get their hands on the big names, but we’re going to look at players that would be both realistically attainable for each team, as well as players that fit their current needs.

Let’s dive in.

Atlanta Hawks: Deandre Ayton

Just as we explain that not every team should target a big-name player… we start off with a big-name player. But for the Hawks, it just makes sense. They’re looking to reshape their roster around Trae Young, and starting with a guy who could be a potential All-Star would be a great way to do that.

Atlanta is expected to be extremely active in trade talks this summer, and completing a sign-and-trade for Ayton would be a great place to start. Phoenix would have to agree, but with the ammo the Hawks have on hand, they could put together a compelling package.

Boston Celtics: Cody Martin

Aaaand snap back to reality. This is where the realism kicks in. Boston has a bunch of TPEs that they can use, but if we’re talking about strictly free agency, they’ll only have the non-taxpayer MLE to use. Cody Martin would be the perfect 10th man on their bench.

The Celtics already have their top guys under contract heading into next year, so their priority will be to add depth. Martin is a quality three-point shooter and fully capable of switching on defense. And in Boston’s switch-heavy defensive system and drive-and-kick offensive system, that’s all he’ll need to do.

Brooklyn Nets: TJ Warren

This is a name that will pop up a bunch of times throughout the course of this newsletter. And honestly, he could be a target for every team around the league. Warren will be looking for a prove-it deal, and playing alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving would give him a chance to do that while competing for a title.

Warren is solid on both sides of the ball, and he’d give the Nets some much-needed size. With Irving, Patty Mills, Seth Curry, and other guards carrying their rotation, they depended heavily on Kessler Edwards last year. Adding Warren would be a huge help, even if he hasn’t played consistently in two years.

Charlotte Hornets: Isaiah Hartenstein

The Hornets need a center. That much is clear. However, they just drafted Mark Williams, so bringing in a starting-caliber center could end up stunting his growth a bit. Instead, adding Hartenstein would give them someone who could begin the year as a starter and then fluidly transition into a bench role.

Hartenstein had a quietly impressive season with the Clippers last season. He’s an underrated defender, is extremely efficient, and even has the ability to shoot the ball a bit. Plus, at just 24 years old, he’s just scratching the surface of his potential.

Chicago Bulls: TJ Warren

The first repeat name on the board! Chicago is in the market for shooting, but they also can’t really afford to add any more guards to their rotation. Enter Warren. Again, his 6’8 frame would bode well on both ends of the court, which would be valuable for the Bulls.

Patrick Williams should be able to assume the full-time starter role next year, but bringing Warren off the bench would be a nice luxury to have. His presence as a bench scorer and solid defender would improve the ceiling of this Chicago squad if he manages to get anywhere close to the player he was pre-injury.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Caleb Martin

The Cavaliers will have more spending power than this, but in reality, they’re in the market for wings. Warren could have easily been the choice here, but with Cleveland’s current timeline, throwing a little bit of extra money at Martin could make sense.

Martin just wrapped up a very productive season in Miami where he earned a standard deal by the postseason. In Cleveland, he could have a larger role as one of their main wings off the bench. With his efficiency and ability to defend, he could have a pretty big impact on the Cavs.

Dallas Mavericks: Nicolas Batum

Batum would be a dream fit on the Mavericks. Dallas is expected to lose Jalen Brunson, but rather than go out and snag another guard, bolstering the team’s wing depth seems like a better decision. Batum is a two-way force and would give them quality minutes.

At 6’8, Batum has been able to play minutes at the three, four, and five for the Clippers. Having that sort of versatility off the bench would be extremely useful for Dallas. Plus, his three-point shooting would instantly make him one of Luka Doncic’s favorite targets.

Denver Nuggets: Victor Oladipo

This may seem like an odd choice for the Nuggets, but with their salary-cap situation and need for guards, it could be a solid fit. Denver’s need for guard help was exposed in the postseason last year, so adding someone who can defend and handle the ball would give them a huge boost.

Oladipo hasn’t been perfect since his return, but that also means he’ll be looking for another chance to prove himself next year. With Jamal Murray set to return, he could assume the role as the team’s ball-handler off the bench, while also giving them some defensive help when needed.

Detroit Pistons: Miles Bridges

The Pistons have a ton of cap space now. While some believe they will use that to take on bad contracts and add draft picks, throwing a bag at Bridges makes sense. He fits their current timeline and would also give them a starting forward to replace Jerami Grant.

Reports have surfaced that the Hornets are hesitant to give Bridges a max deal, and while that may not be true in the end, Detroit doesn’t lose anything by giving Bridges a max. Worst-case, Charlotte matches and they move on. Best-case, they solidify their core for the future.

Golden State Warriors: Ben McLemore

In reality, the Warriors’ main focus in free agency will be to bring back all of their core players. This includes guys like Otto Porter Jr., Gary Payton II, and even players like Damion Lee and Juan Toscano-Anderson. But if they’re looking to add cheap depth, McLemore would be a solid option.

He’s still only 29 years old, but he’ll probably only get league-minimum deals this summer. McLemore has always been a solid three-point shooter, which is almost always a must for the Warriors, and he’d give them some decent wing depth for the bottom of their bench.

Houston Rockets: Josh Okogie

Houston is in a position where they can afford to take risks on some players. Okogie is the perfect example of one of those guys. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and while the Timberwolves have his bird rights, they may not be too antsy to re-sign him. That would be Houston’s chance to strike.

Okogie has struggled to put it all together so far throughout his career, but earning some serious playtime off the bench for the Rockets could help. He’s always been a plus defender, so it would just be about polishing his offensive game.

Indiana Pacers: Malik Monk

The Pacers are set up to have some serious cash this summer. And while Miles Bridges could be atop their wish list, Monk seems like the more attainable name. With Tyrese Haliburton running the show, Monk would have the freedom to do what he does best - score.

There are definitely some defensive concerns when it comes to Monk, but with a young team like the Pacers, taking a chance on the upside makes sense. At just 24 years old and coming off of a great season in LA, Monk could thrive as a scorer in Indiana if given the opportunity.

LA Clippers: Tony Snell

As crazy as it sounds for a team that missed the playoffs last year, the Clippers don’t really need anything this summer. Once they get Kawhi Leonard back, they should be set up to compete for a title. But Snell could be a decent end-of-the-bench guy.

Snell’s solid shooting is enough to justify handing him a spot on the end of LA’s bench. Their rotation is pretty full already, so simply bringing back their core players will be their goal. Snell would be nothing more than a cheap depth piece.

Los Angeles Lakers: Austin Rivers

At this point, the Lakers should be targeting any cheap player that they feel can help them win. Only this offseason, maybe they should keep their average age below 35. Rivers is set to turn 30 by the start of next year and would be a great fit.

Rivers is a combo guard who’s solid on both sides of the ball. The Lakers wouldn’t need him to do too much, but as long as he can play his role, he’d get playing time. He’s a scrappy, hard-nosed player who can shoot the ball and pass it well, making him an ideal fit for their bench backcourt.

Memphis Grizzlies: Deandre Ayton

Weird, right? The Grizzlies have the ability to clear up around $30 million in cap space this summer, making them one of the most dangerous teams on the market. Although they haven’t been mentioned as an Ayton suitor, it could be a match made in heaven.

Right now, the Grizzlies running Steven Adams at the center, but why not get younger? Ayton is a two-way force, and with Memphis’ depth around him, he could be the team’s second All-Star next to Ja Morant. It’d certainly be a big swing, but it might just be possible.

Miami Heat: Chris Boucher

With rumors swirling that PJ Tucker could be moving on this summer, adding some extra depth at the big man position could be useful. Boucher is versatile in the sense that he can spend time at the power forward and center position, and he’d fit in nicely with the Heat.

Miami has their non-taxpayer MLE available to them, meaning they can sign players for up to $10.2 million. Boucher will almost certainly be available for around that price, and the chance to compete for a title with the Heat could be enough to convince him to leave Toronto.

Milwaukee Bucks: Avery Bradley

This would fit the mold of Milwaukee’s free-agent signings in recent years. Jrue Holiday is their starting point guard, but they’ve made a habit of signing veteran backups for him. There was George Hill (twice), Jeff Teague, and this summer, that could be Avery Bradley.

Bradley was a staple in the Lakers’ rotation last season, and while they didn’t end up doing too well, his role in Milwaukee would be a lot smaller. His playmaking and defensive abilities would make him a nice fit as Holiday’s backup.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Donte DiVincenzo

This may be an unlikely free-agent signing, but that doesn’t mean it’s unrealistic. There were rumors at the end of last season that DiVincenzo was mad at the Kings for not giving him significant minutes, as he accused them of trying to tank his market value. In turn, he’ll likely look to move on (though the Kings can match any offer he gets).

Adding a defensive-minded guard/wing would benefit the T-Wolves. Not only would it allow them to trade Malik Beasley, but he also fits their timeline a bit better. Minnesota could offer him the full MLE (roughly $10.2 million) if they wanted.

New Orleans Pelicans: Admiral Schofield

This may seem like an odd signing for the Pelicans, but they’re actually pretty set on depth heading into next season. Anybody they sign probably won’t get significant minutes, as with the return of Zion Williamson, their core rotation will probably be set. Enter Schofield.

The 25-year-old could come in and be a solid 10th man on the roster for the Pelicans to take a chance on. He hasn’t quite panned out during his career thus far, but he’s a big wing that has shown potential in spurts. At the very least, he’s a solid G League project to monitor for them.

New York Knicks: Mo Bamba (other than Jalen Brunson)

Brunson is essentially locked in to be a Knick at this point, but even after they sign him, they could have some money left over. Signing Bamba to be their backup big man behind Mitchell Robinson could be a solid upside swing for New York.

The Knicks are stuck in a weird place where they’re not quite good enough to win right now, but they also aren’t rebuilding. Taking a chance on Bamba could provide them with a solid opportunity to do both at once. Plus, his defense would probably fall in line with Tom Thibodeau's high standards.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Knox II

Let’s be honest - the Thunder probably won’t make any signings in free agency this year. They want to prioritize the youth they have on the team, and adding salary to their books probably isn’t on their to-do list. But taking a chance on Knox could be a fun idea.

Knox hasn’t found his place in the league yet, but if there’s any place that he could do it, it would be in Oklahoma City. Handing Knox a two-year deal with a team option for the second year would give him a chance to revitalize his career without the Thunder taking any real risk.

Orlando Magic: Jarrett Culver

This is similar to the argument for the Thunder signing Knox. The Magic need sings, so why not take a chance on someone who has struggled in previous situations. Culver is still super young, is still a solid defender, and the freedom to develop could serve him well.

Just like with Knox, signing Culver to a two-year deal with a team option for year two would mean there’s no real risk for the Magic. Best-case scenario, they get a solid defensive wing, and worst-case scenario, they let him go after the season.

Philadelphia 76ers: Otto Porter Jr.

The Warriors will likely try to retain Porter, but if the 76ers can steal him, it would be a massive win for them. Philly is expected to hand PJ Tucker a three-year, $30 million deal at the start of free agency, but if they could snag Porter, too, they definitely should.

Porter could be worth more than what the Sixers can give him on the open market, but there’s no harm in trying. His defensive versatility and solid three-point shooting would give the 76ers’ lineup a massive boost at the forward position.

Phoenix Suns: Isaiah Hartenstein

For his second appearance on this list, Hartenstein would be landing with the Suns. Since Deandre Ayton’s future in Phoenix is unknown, securing a quality center should be at the top of Phoenix’s priority list this summer.

As mentioned previously, Hartenstein is good enough to be a starter but would be best as a high-quality backup. His versatility at the center position would fit in well with the Suns, and if they do end up losing Ayton, having a young center to take the reigns is a good plan (even if Hartenstein is nowhere near the player of Ayton).

Portland Trail Blazers: Gary Harris

Harris had q quietly good season last year in Orlando and should draw some interest on the open market this summer. Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons are going to be Portland’s backcourt heading into next year, but having extra guard depth off the bench will be important.

Last season, Harris revived his three-point shooting, nailing 38.4% of his triples on 5.0 attempts per game. Add that efficiency to his always-solid defense, and Harris would make a great backup shooting guard for the Blazers as they attempt to compete in the West.

Sacramento Kings: Lonnie Walker IV

It’s unclear whether or not the Spurs will look to re-sign Walker this summer, as they just drafted two guards. If they let him walk, Sacramento could look to make a run at him. Despite having two solid point guards, they don’t really have much depth at the two.

Walker is only 6’4, but he can play the two and the three when necessary. He had a down season last year in terms of efficiency, but taking a chance on the youngster could help Sacramento both win now and plan for the future.

San Antonio Spurs: Deandre Ayton

For the third time, Ayton finds himself on this list. The Spurs are going to have a ton of spending power this summer, so making a run at Ayton could make a lot of sense. Pairing him with their core could accelerate their timeline while also staying young.

While they likely wouldn’t need to, San Antonio could make this a sign-and-trade, too. But in general, adding Ayton to a lineup with Keldon Johnson, Dejounte Murray (if he isn’t traded), and their other young guns would make them a sneaky-good team in the Western Conference.

Toronto Raptors: Nicolas Claxton

The Nets are probably going to look to bring Claxton back, but if the Raptors can pry him away, he’d be the perfect center for their team. On a roster that values versatility and athleticism, Claxton would be a big man that can provide them with both.

He’s still only 23 years old and has shown some real flashes of potential with the Nets. Whether or not they are willing to give him the full MLE is unknown, but the Raptors should absolutely throw him that money if they can.

Utah Jazz: Bruce Brown Jr.

The Jazz desperately need players that can defend, and Brown would be able to help with that. His versatility has made him one of the most intriguing players in the league, as he’s able to play almost every position on the court.

Brooklyn will probably hope to re-sign Brown, but the Jazz could throw him their full non-taxpayer MLE in an attempt to steal him. Having Brown’s defensive and offensive versatility would give the Jazz a ton of options on both sides of the court.

Washington Wizards: Tyus Jones

It’s no secret that the Wizards have been looking for a point guard, so why not try to snag one of the best backups in the business and try his luck as a starter? Jones just wrapped up a great season in Memphis, and while they would probably love to retain him, that could get expensive.

Washington will have their full MLE available to them, so offering Jones that would be their best shot at snagging him. He’s one of the most efficient point guards in the league and rarely turns the ball over. And at 26 years old, he still has room for improvement.

Kyrie Irving opts in

After all the rumors, all the drama, and all the trade talks, Irving will be back in Brooklyn next season. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported this news, as well as a quote from Irving, who, in typical Kyrie fashion, made sure to be as cryptic as possible, making this statement:

"Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow. I’ve made my decision to opt in. See you in the fall. A11even.”

Technically, Irving can still be traded, and since he’s on an expiring deal, the Nets may choose to move him by the trade deadline. But based on his own words, it looks like he and his friend Kevin Durant are going to give it one more go together on the Nets.

Knicks locked in for Brunson

Over the past few days, Brunson’s move to New York has been gaining a ton of momentum. In fact, reports have surfaced that him signing with the Knicks is all but certain at this point. Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported that they plan on offering him a four-year, $110 million deal when free agency opens.

They made room for such a deal by trading Kemba Walker to the Pistons on draft night and following that move up by trading Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel to Detroit on Tuesday night. That will leave the Knicks will more than enough room to sign Brunson, as well as some leftover money to make other moves.

Murray-Hawks trade (with no Collins)

While initial reports indicated that the Hawks and Spurs were working on a deal that would swap Dejounte Murray for John Collins, updated rumors have noted that, while a deal is being discussed, it wouldn’t include Collins. Instead, the potential trade is based around Danilo Gallinari and multiple first-round picks.

According to Zach Klein of WSB-Ch.2 Atlanta and Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, the Spurs want to prepare for the 2023 offseason by clearing cap space. The Hawks partially guaranteeing Gallinari’s deal is a huge contingency.

Why Looney's unspectacular uniqueness is invaluable to Dubs - Monte Poole (NBC Sports Bay Area)

What a change of scenery could mean for Jalen Brunson and Deandre Ayton - Kevin Pelton (ESPN)

The Undrafted Free Agent Roll Call - Maxwell Baumbach (No Ceilings)

Three former Wizards just won an NBA championship. Is there a deeper meaning to it? - Marcus Atkinson (Bullets Forever)

Statistical proof the Grizzlies are picking extremely similar players in the NBA Draft to support Ja Morant - Bryan Kalbrosky (USA Today)

Thanks for sticking with us throughout the longer newsletter today. Let us know what you think of the target listed for your favorite team! Is it a good pick? A bad pick? Should your team be doing more?

Free agency kicks off at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 30, so make sure to have your popcorn ready. Things are going to get spicy this year. Expect a ton of trades to get done this summer, too.

That'll be it for us. Thanks for reading. See y'all next time.

- Jack Simone

Last Trivia Answer: The answer to Monday’s newsletter trivia is Tobias Harris and CJ McCollum! Both are set to earn big-time paydays next year, but neither has ever made an All-Star Game (though both have been close).

Trivia Question: Since free agency is upon us, let’s look at cap space. According to Spotrac, which team has the highest total cap? (I.e. Has the most money on the books.)