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Best NBA free agents available: Lillard now top player remaining in free agency
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- Best NBA free agents available: Lillard now top player remaining in free agency
(This story has been updated with new information)
NBA free agency is into its third day, but there's still plenty of movement. And while plenty of players have found new homes, there have also been some surprises — and some veterans who have unexpectedly entered the market.
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None is bigger than nine-time All-Star Damian Lillard , whom the Bucks waived Tuesday, July 1, allowing him to test the market as an unrestricted free agent.
The Los Angeles Lakers made a move on Wednesday, July 2 to help shore up their front court, when they agreed to a two-year deal with former No. 1 overall pick DeAndre Ayton , according to reports. Ayton finalized a buyout of his contract with the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, June 29
In any case, this is the time in free agency when savvy teams can fill holes in their rosters with low-cost players who are often specialists.
Here are the best remaining NBA free agents as of 8 p.m. ET on July 2:
Damian Lillard with the Bucks during the NBA playoffs
1. Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks guard
2024-25 stats: 24.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 7.1 apg, 44.8% FG, 37.6% 3PT, 92.1% FT
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This was as unexpected an addition to the market as could be. The Bucks waived Lillard and stretched the remaining $113 million of his contract, meaning that he will get that money and still have the chance to pick his preferred destination. The tricky part is that Lillard tore his Achilles tendon Sunday, April 27 and is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season. That means his next meaningful basketball will likely come in the fall of 2026, when he will be 37. Still, he's a sharpshooter and three-tier scorer who should have plenty of suitors. Given the nature of his injury, however, Lillard may take his time and be selective when choosing his next stop.
2. Josh Giddey , Chicago Bulls guard
2024-25 stats: 14.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 7.2 apg, 1.2 spg, 46.5% FG, 37.8% 3PT, 78.1% FT
Giddey is a pending restricted free agent in his first season with the Bulls after Oklahoma City traded him for Alex Caruso . Giddey does a little bit of everything for the Bulls, putting together career highs in assists, 3-point shooting percentage, 3s made per game and minutes. His strong play late in the season elevated the Bulls, which had lacked a distributor and creator, into playoff contention.
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3. Jonathan Kuminga , Golden State Warriors forward
2024-25 stats: 15.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.2. apg, 45.4% FG, 30.5% 3PT, 66.8% FT
Kuminga is a restricted free agent, meaning the Warriors can match any offer from other teams and retain him. He has missed time with injuries but he's the kind of youthful, athletic wing the Warriors could use, with further development. With Golden State's trade for Jimmy Butler , Kuminga fell out of the rotation, though he did re-emerge once injuries forced him back on the floor.
4. Quentin Grimes , Philadelphia 76ers guard
2024-25 stats: 14.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 46.7% FG, 38.5% 3PT, 75.7% FT
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Grimes is a restricted free agent, and he made the most of his opportunity after being traded from Dallas to Philadelphia. Grimes averaged 21.9 points on 46.9% shooting from the field and 37.3% on 3s and has scored at least 30 points five times with the 76ers, including 46 in an overtime loss against the Rockets .
5. Cam Thomas , Brooklyn Nets guard
2024-25 stats: 24 ppg, 3.8 apg, 3.3 rpg, 43.8% FG, 34.9% 3PT, 88.1% FT
Thomas is headed for a raise on his $4 million salary in 2024-25. Limited by injuries that sidelined him for more than half of the season, he can still get buckets and drop 20-plus in just about every game. The Nets reportedly extended a qualifying offer to Thomas, making him a restricted free agent.
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6. Chris Paul , San Antonio Spurs guard
2024-25 stats: 8.8 ppg, 7.4 apg, 3.6 rpg, 1.3 spg, 42.7% FG, 37.7% 3PT, 92.4% FT
How much more does Paul want to play? He signed a one-year, $10.4 million contract last offseason and will have his choice of teams in unrestricted free agency if he wants to continue his playing career.
7. Malik Beasley , Detroit Pistons guard
2024-25 stats: 16.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.7 apg, 43% FG, 41.6% 3PT, 67.9% FT
A veteran sharpshooter, Beasley is a plug-and-play sniper who should give any team instant contributions just from the volume of shots and accuracy he has from beyond the arc. Though he's only an occasional starter, Beasley ranked seventh in the NBA in 3-point shots per game (9.3). Now the subject of a gambling probe , his market appears to have diminished.
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8. Russell Westbrook , Denver Nuggets guard
2024-25 stats: 13.3 ppg, 6.1 apg, 4.9 rpg, 1.4 spg, 44.9% FG, 32.3% 3PT, 66.1% FT
Westbrook declined his player option for 2025-26 at $3.4 million for the season. After the Nuggets were active in the opening days of free agency, a return to Denver appears unlikely. Still a wildly talented player who sometimes plays out of control, will another team be willing to take him on?
9. Al Horford , Boston Celtics center
2024-25 stats: 9.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 42.3% FG, 36.3% 3PT, 89.5% FT
This had been another fruitful relationship at the end of Horford's career. Following the end of a two-year, $19.5 million contract with the Celtics, Horford is an unrestricted free agent. Though he didn't have as good a season as last, he's beloved by his teammates.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA free agents best available: Top 10 players remaining in 2025
