SPORTS

Rod Beard's top 15 NBA free agents

1. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City. Age: 27. Position: Forward. Statistics: 72 games, 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5 assists. He is the most-coveted star on the market. The question is whether Durant will return to the Thunder or decimate its fan base like LeBron James did to Cleveland. The Warriors, Spurs and Clippers reportedly are among the teams to schedule a meeting.
1. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City. Age: 27. Position: Forward. Statistics: 72 games, 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5 assists. He is the most-coveted star on the market. The question is whether Durant will return to the Thunder or decimate its fan base like LeBron James did to Cleveland. The Warriors, Spurs and Clippers reportedly are among the teams to schedule a meeting.
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2. LeBron James, Cleveland. Age: 31. Position: Forward. Statistics: 76 games, 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists. He said before the championship parade he was going to stay, and fans are hoping that wasn’t a heat-of-the-moment reaction. But by fulfilling his promise to bring Cleveland a title, James is more than allowed to go if he wishes.
2. LeBron James, Cleveland. Age: 31. Position: Forward. Statistics: 76 games, 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists. He said before the championship parade he was going to stay, and fans are hoping that wasn’t a heat-of-the-moment reaction. But by fulfilling his promise to bring Cleveland a title, James is more than allowed to go if he wishes.
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3. Al Horford, Atlanta. Age: 30. Position: Forward/Center. Statistics: 82 games, 15.2 points, 7.3 rebounds. Horford’s versatility as a rebounding center and stretch power forward will drive up the price, pushing away many teams without cap space. The Hawks can offer him the most money and years, but can they give him the best chance of winning a title.
3. Al Horford, Atlanta. Age: 30. Position: Forward/Center. Statistics: 82 games, 15.2 points, 7.3 rebounds. Horford’s versatility as a rebounding center and stretch power forward will drive up the price, pushing away many teams without cap space. The Hawks can offer him the most money and years, but can they give him the best chance of winning a title.
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4. Hassan Whiteside, Miami. Age: 27. Position: Center. Statistics: 73 games, 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.7 blocks. One of the better bigs available, he’s looking to get out of Miami. Whiteside changes things defensively, but his offensive game still is developing. The Lakers are rumored to be looking to add him as a centerpiece with D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram.
4. Hassan Whiteside, Miami. Age: 27. Position: Center. Statistics: 73 games, 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.7 blocks. One of the better bigs available, he’s looking to get out of Miami. Whiteside changes things defensively, but his offensive game still is developing. The Lakers are rumored to be looking to add him as a centerpiece with D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram.
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5. Nicolas Batum, Charlotte. Age: 27. Position: Forward. Statistics: 70 games, 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists. There aren’t a lot of top-tier wings on the market — and Batum will be sought after because of that alone, maybe even with a max offer of $25 million-plus. He’s 27 and has a versatile game and good length that worked well in Charlotte.
5. Nicolas Batum, Charlotte. Age: 27. Position: Forward. Statistics: 70 games, 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists. There aren’t a lot of top-tier wings on the market — and Batum will be sought after because of that alone, maybe even with a max offer of $25 million-plus. He’s 27 and has a versatile game and good length that worked well in Charlotte.
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6. Mike Conley, Memphis. Age: 28. Position: Guard. Statistics: 56 games, 15.3 points, 6.1 assists. The top point guard in free agency, he missed the end of the season with an injury. Conley takes care of the ball and guided the Grizzlies to a couple good seasons. If he leaves, they don’t have an immediate replacement.
6. Mike Conley, Memphis. Age: 28. Position: Guard. Statistics: 56 games, 15.3 points, 6.1 assists. The top point guard in free agency, he missed the end of the season with an injury. Conley takes care of the ball and guided the Grizzlies to a couple good seasons. If he leaves, they don’t have an immediate replacement.
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7. DeMar DeRozan, Toronto. Age: 26. Position: Guard. Statistics: 72 games, 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4 assists. After another All-Star season, he’s due for a big payday. The Lakers are rumored to be a potential landing spot for the Los Angeles native, but the Raptors are eager to make a pitch, too.
7. DeMar DeRozan, Toronto. Age: 26. Position: Guard. Statistics: 72 games, 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4 assists. After another All-Star season, he’s due for a big payday. The Lakers are rumored to be a potential landing spot for the Los Angeles native, but the Raptors are eager to make a pitch, too.
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8. Ryan Anderson, New Orleans. Age: 28. Position: Forward. Statistics: 66 games, 17 points, 6 rebounds. He’ll likely have a big payday because of the bidding frenzy. At 6-foot-10, Anderson is an elite 3-point shooter who can stretch defenses. It’ll be interesting to see how high the offers go and whether he gets a max offer.
8. Ryan Anderson, New Orleans. Age: 28. Position: Forward. Statistics: 66 games, 17 points, 6 rebounds. He’ll likely have a big payday because of the bidding frenzy. At 6-foot-10, Anderson is an elite 3-point shooter who can stretch defenses. It’ll be interesting to see how high the offers go and whether he gets a max offer.
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9. Dwight Howard, Houston. Age: 30. Position: Center. Statistics: 71 games, 13.7 points, 11.8 rebounds. He had a turbulent couple of years in Houston but plenty of teams are in the market for a traditional big man. Many pundits believe the well-traveled Howard still can get it done — if he’s in the right situation. Could the Knicks or Hawks be the right fit for him?
9. Dwight Howard, Houston. Age: 30. Position: Center. Statistics: 71 games, 13.7 points, 11.8 rebounds. He had a turbulent couple of years in Houston but plenty of teams are in the market for a traditional big man. Many pundits believe the well-traveled Howard still can get it done — if he’s in the right situation. Could the Knicks or Hawks be the right fit for him?
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10. Joakim Noah, Chicago Age: 31 Position: Forward/Center Statistics: 29 games, 4.3 points, 8.8 rebounds He’s been hampered by injuries, but is ready to make a contribution. Noah is likely not to return to Chicago, which is retooling, and the Knicks are making a significant push to add him to their Big Three of Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick Rose.
10. Joakim Noah, Chicago Age: 31 Position: Forward/Center Statistics: 29 games, 4.3 points, 8.8 rebounds He’s been hampered by injuries, but is ready to make a contribution. Noah is likely not to return to Chicago, which is retooling, and the Knicks are making a significant push to add him to their Big Three of Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick Rose.
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11. Jeremy Lin, Charlotte. Age: 27. Position: Guard. Statistics: 78 games, 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3 assists. In a crop of point guards lacking youth and depth, he will make out well in the new salary-cap era. Lin has been with five teams in six seasons, so he’ll be looking to find a more long-term home.
11. Jeremy Lin, Charlotte. Age: 27. Position: Guard. Statistics: 78 games, 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3 assists. In a crop of point guards lacking youth and depth, he will make out well in the new salary-cap era. Lin has been with five teams in six seasons, so he’ll be looking to find a more long-term home.
Streeter Lecka, Getty Images
12. Pau Gasol, Chicago. Age: 35. Position: Forward/Center. Statistics: 72 games, 16.5 points, 11 rebounds, 4.1 assists. He’s on the downside of his career, but still could play a big role with a team looking to utilize his versatility inside and on the perimeter. He’s a defensive liability, but paired next to a quality center, Gasol could be a valuable asset with his veteran savvy.
12. Pau Gasol, Chicago. Age: 35. Position: Forward/Center. Statistics: 72 games, 16.5 points, 11 rebounds, 4.1 assists. He’s on the downside of his career, but still could play a big role with a team looking to utilize his versatility inside and on the perimeter. He’s a defensive liability, but paired next to a quality center, Gasol could be a valuable asset with his veteran savvy.
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13. Andre Drummond, Detroit. Age: 22. Position: Center. Statistics: 81 games, 16.2 points, 14.8 rebounds. He’s a restricted free agent, and the Pistons likely will offer him a max contract in the range of 5 years, $120 million. He has free-throw issues, but beyond that, he’s a top-five center — and most teams would covet a chance to sign him.
13. Andre Drummond, Detroit. Age: 22. Position: Center. Statistics: 81 games, 16.2 points, 14.8 rebounds. He’s a restricted free agent, and the Pistons likely will offer him a max contract in the range of 5 years, $120 million. He has free-throw issues, but beyond that, he’s a top-five center — and most teams would covet a chance to sign him.
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14. Jamal Crawford, L.A. Clippers. Age: 36. Position: Guard. Statistics: 79 games, 14.2 points, 2.3 assists. In four years with the Clippers, he’s become synonymous with the Sixth Man award. Crawford is 35, but still can shoot from 3-point range (34 percent) and run an offense.
14. Jamal Crawford, L.A. Clippers. Age: 36. Position: Guard. Statistics: 79 games, 14.2 points, 2.3 assists. In four years with the Clippers, he’s become synonymous with the Sixth Man award. Crawford is 35, but still can shoot from 3-point range (34 percent) and run an offense.
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15. Harrison Barnes, Golden State. Age: 24. Position: Forward. Statistics: 66 games, 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds. As the Warriors look to make subtle changes, Barnes is slated for a bigger contract. The 76ers are rumored to be interested, which might not be a bad fit for both parties.
15. Harrison Barnes, Golden State. Age: 24. Position: Forward. Statistics: 66 games, 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds. As the Warriors look to make subtle changes, Barnes is slated for a bigger contract. The 76ers are rumored to be interested, which might not be a bad fit for both parties.
Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images