Free agency is quickly approaching, with Aug. 2 being the first day teams can begin negotiating with free agents.
Ahead of free agency, we're going to take a closer look at what could happen. And today, we're looking at who the best players are at the point guard position.
It will be an interesting market, one that is headlined by a trio of veterans in Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry and Mike Conley. The question is, will we see much movement or will many of the point guards set to be free agents stick with their current teams?
With that in mind, here are the best point guards in this year's free agent class.
Honourable Mention
- Lonzo Ball, New Orleans Pelicans (restricted): 14.6 points, 5.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals in 31.8 minutes per game
- Derrick Rose, New York Knicks (unrestricted): 14.7 points, 4.2 assists, 2.6 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game
- Reggie Jackson, LA Clippers (unrestricted): 10.7 points, 3.1 assists, 2.9 rebounds in 23.0 minutes per game
- TJ McConnell, Indiana Pacers (unrestricted): 8.6 points, 6.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 1.9 steals in 26.0 minutes per game
5. Dennis Schroder, Los Angeles Lakers
Status: Unrestricted
Age: 27 years old
2020-21 averages: 15.4 points, 5.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds in 32.1 minutes per game
After finishing second in Sixth Man of the Year voting as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Schroder was traded to the Lakers. He had his moments as a secondary creator next to LeBron James, but he was never quite able to find his footing in Los Angeles. During the 2020-21 season, it was reported that Schroder declined a four-year, $84 million extension. Will he get what he's looking for from the Lakers or will he have to go elsewhere?
4. Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets
Status: Player option
Age: 28 years old
2020-21 averages: 6.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists in 21.3 minutes per game
Dinwiddie appeared in only three games in the 2020-21 season due to a partially torn right ACL that required surgery. Having been recently fully cleared for all basketball activities, he has reportedly declined his player option for next season to enter free agency.
According to Kristian Winfield of The New York Daily News, Dinwiddie wants to "go home" to Los Angeles or "wants the bag."
Dinwiddie is still young and is only a season removed from averaging a career-best 20.6 points and 6.8 assists per game. Any team interested in him will be hoping he can return to that level post-injury.
3. Mike Conley, Utah Jazz
Status: Unrestricted
Age: 33 years old
2020-21 averages: 16.2 points, 6.0 assists, 1.4 steals in 29.4 minutes per game
There's a good chance that this ends in an agreement between Conley and the Jazz. Conley fit in like a glove next to Donovan Mitchell this season and enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career, proving himself to once again be one of the league's most reliable players at the point guard position. This could be more about what Conley's next contract looks like than where he ends up.
2. Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors
Status: Unrestricted
Age: 35 years old
2020-21 averages: 17.2 points, 7.3 assists, 5.4 rebounds in 34.8 minutes per game
According to reports, the Raptors explored trades for Lowry at this season's trade deadline. Now an unrestricted free agent, it wouldn't come as a huge surprise if he did leave Toronto in pursuit of another title and/or big payday as he enters his late 30s. With his leadership and experience, any contender in need of a point guard would be wise to pursue Lowry, who played a leading role in Toronto's championship run in 2019.
MORE: Which teams make sense for Lowry?
1. Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns
Status: Player option
Age: 36 years old
2020-21 averages: 16.4 points, 8.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds in 31.4 minutes per game
Following his departure from the Houston Rockets, many thought Paul would be a lock to pick up his $44.2 million player option for the 2021-22 season. Now, not so much. Paul might not make as much annually on his next contract, but he could opt out of his player option to sign a longer-term deal, whether it's with the Suns or another team. In saying that, it's hard to imagine him not being in a Suns uniform next season based on how well this season has gone.
First published in NBA Argentina and translated by NBA Canada's Scott Rafferty.
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