With the 2022 NBA Draft behind us, all attention shifts to the next stage of the offseason: free agency.
While it wasn't anticipated to be a very impactful or exciting free agency period this year, All-Star guard Kyrie Irving made sure to disrupt that with a saga that went from potentially leaving the Nets to reportedly opting into the final year of his contract to remain in Brooklyn.
If and when Irving signs the paperwork – which needs to occur by Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET – that will be one massive piece off the free agency board. So who is left?
The Sporting News is here to provide you with positional breakdowns for all the best players available in free agency. Each list is crafted off of Stephen Noh's 25 best players in free agency, with our writers filling in the blanks by position beyond the players he listed.
Take a look at the best point guards available in free agency below.
Best point guards available in 2022 NBA free agency
1. James Harden | Status: $47.4 million player option | Age: 32
Harden's $47.4 million player option is a tough one to turn down, considering it would make him the second-highest player in the league next season behind Stephen Curry. However, if the 32-year-old is trying to maximize profits for the remaining years of his career, he could opt out of his contract and sign a five-year, $270 million extension with the 76ers. He could also opt in to the final year of his deal and still sign a five-year, $230 million extension with Philadelphia.
If he chooses to opt out and sign elsewhere, the most Harden could make is $200.1 million over four years.
According to Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer, 76ers ownership has been "resistant" to the idea of giving Harden a long-term contract, but "all signs point toward" him returning on a shorter-term contract extension.
Update: Harden has declined his player option
MORE: James Harden free agency: Strengths, weaknesses, contract, best fits, latest news
2. Kyrie Irving | Status: $37 million player option | Age: 30
After all of the noise that Irving may be heading out of Brooklyn, the All-Star guard is now expected to opt into his $37 million player option to stay with the Nets for the final year of his contract.
Even though he only appeared in 29 regular season games last year due to vaccination requirements, Irving proved he's still a top talent in the league by averaging 27.4 points, 5.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds on .469/.418/.915 shooting splits.
Update: Irving has picked up his player option
3. Jalen Brunson | Status: Unrestricted free agent | Age: 25
Brunson has become one of the most coveted free agency targets following an impressive showing during the 2022 NBA Playoffs. In the first three games of the postseason, stepping up in the absence of an injured Luka Doncic, Brunson averaged 32.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.0 steals. Even upon Doncic's return, Brunson still made an impact, averaging 21.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists in the Playoffs.
The Mavericks are hoping to retain Brunson in free agency, but the Knicks also cleared the cap space necessary to make a run at the rising star guard during the NBA Draft.
4. Tyus Jones | Status: Unrestricted free agent | Age: 26
Jones has long been considered to be one of the best backup point guards in the NBA and he'll have the chance to find a new, bigger role this offseason. In 23 games as a starter, filling in for an injured Ja Morant, Jones averaged 12.7 points and 6.6 assists per game. The Grizzlies went 19-4 in 23 games with Jones as their starting point guard.
5. Russell Westbrook | Status: $47.1 million player option | Age: 33
Westbrook has a $47.1 million player option to remain in Los Angeles and according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the former MVP is expected to opt in to that final year on his deal by the end of the month.
Westbrook had a down year last season, only averaging 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists but the 33-year-old is looking to run things back with the Lakers' star core of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Update: Westbrook has picked up his player option
6. Dennis Schroder | Status: Unrestricted free agent | Age: 28
Schroder signed a mid-level exception deal with the Celtics last offseason, setting him up to bet on himself ahead of free agency again this season. The 28-year-old was traded by Boston at the deadline, where he finished out the year in Houston.
For the season, Schroder averaged 13.5 points, 4.6 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game, showing he can make contributions on the offensive end for a team that needs scoring off the bench.
7. Ricky Rubio | Status: Unrestricted free agent | Age: 31
Rubio was enjoying a solid season with the Cavaliers before the veteran guard suffered a season-ending ACL injury back in December. Over 34 games, Rubio averaged 13.1 points, 6.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals, showing he can serve as a reliable playmaker and floor general. His ACL injury will have an impact on the money he makes in free agency, but the 31-year-old will surely still be able to help elevate a team in need of guard depth upon his return.
8. Delon Wright | Status: Unrestricted free agent | Age: 30
Wright appeared in 77 games for the Hawks last season but the 30-year-old didn't have a very big role. He only averaged 4.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game but he could still be a helpful rotational piece as a bigger playmaking guard (6-foot-5) who plays strong defense.
9. Patty Mills | Status: $6.2 million player option | Age: 33
Mills has a $6.2 million player option to remain in Brooklyn but it feels likely that his decision would depend on what happens with Irving and Durant. Mills is one of the most reliable veterans in the league and he probably wants to make his presence felt on a championship contender. He averaged 11.4 points while shooting 40.0 percent from 3 last season, proving he can still add a scoring punch to go with his intangible leadership skills.
Update: Mills has declined his player option
