There is no shortage of star guards around the NBA right now but the problem for any franchise without one is that there are so few available on the open market as unrestricted free agents. Well, stop complaining as now is your chance to get one.
Here is a look at the top five free agent point guards that will be available as UFA’s this summer as well as their most likely destinations.
Goran Dragic, UFA
2014-15 Stats: 16.3 PPG, 4.5 APG, 3.5 RPG
Pat Riley didn’t hold back when it came to acquiring Dragic from the Phoenix Suns despite the fact that he was a pending unrestricted free agent. That’s because he felt that he could lock him up with a long-term deal. There is still every reason to believe he is right but the reality is that the deal isn’t done yet. Dragic is the top UFA point guard in an otherwise weak class and that could work against the Heat.
They’ve made offers in the four-year $80 million range but it’s likely they’ll have to go higher to keep him as other teams can max him out at four years and $86 million. The money might sound crazy but Dragic is a difference-maker. He provided the Heat with 16.6 points, 5.3 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 0.9 threes after coming over. He’d be a good fit on a number of teams that are desperate at the position. Predicted Destination: Miami Heat
Rajon Rondo, UFA
2014-15 Stats: 8.9 PPG, 7.9 APG, 5.5 RPG
Brandon Knight and Reggie Jackson are both restricted free agents that are expected to stay with their current teams but one UFA point guard that definitely won’t return to the team he played for last season is Rondo. The Dallas Mavericks couldn’t shut down Rondo soon enough and there is no doubt his stint with that team will hurt his value on the open market. However, the severe lack of star power at the position means Rondo will likely end up getting paid more than he deserves to play somewhere. While the Los Angeles Lakers were talked about the most as a potential destination heading in to the NBA Draft, their selection of D’Angelo Russell could change that with the Sacramento Kings now the more likely destination. Predicted Destination: Sacramento Kings
Jeremy Lin, UFA
2014-15 Stats: 11.2 PPG, 4.6 APG, 2.6 RPG
The Knicks and Houston Rockets are two of Lin’s former teams that are interested in bringing him back as a UFA but the more likely situation has him staying put in Los Angeles. The Lakers could reportedly still trade Russell in a deal for DeMarcus Cousins but they would be much smarter to keep Russell and bring back Lin as a veteran backup for the next couple of seasons. Predicted Destination: Los Angeles Lakers
Mo Williams, UFA
2014-15 Stats: 14.2 PPG, 6.2 APG, 2.6 RPG
Williams rejuvenated his career with the Charlotte Hornets this past year as he averaged just over 14 points and six assists while proving he still deserves to start in this league. The fact that he is already 32 years old will keep Williams from getting paid big money as a UFA, so look for him to take a smaller deal over a shorter term. One team that seems to be eyeing his services is the Cleveland Cavaliers, who want a backup scoring point guard behind Kyrie Irving. Predicted Destination: Cleveland Cavaliers
Aaron Brooks, UFA
2014-15 Stats: 11.6 PPG, 3.2 APG, 2.0 RPG
Brooks isn’t a great playmaker at the point guard position but there is no doubt about his scoring ability. He averaged over 11 points in just 23 minutes per game while playing in all 82 games last season. Brooks has shot 37% from beyond the arc over the course of his career including a 39% clip last season and while he would be a solid pickup for a contending team looking to add some scoring off the bench, the more likely situation has his signing back with Chicago this summer. Predicted Destination: Chicago Bulls
