Top 15 NBA free agents in historically loaded 2021 class
The 2019 NBA offseason was among the most exciting in recent memory, with several superstars changing teams. It might get one-upped two years later.The 2021 free agent class is headlined by three superstars in reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard. But it's also incredibly deep, with proven stars like Gordon Hayward, Kyle Lowry and Rudy Gobert potentially entering the mix, as well.So, who's the cream of this impressive crop? Here are the top 15 players who could become free agents in 2021.
Age: 26
2019-20 stats: 29.5 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 5.6 apg, 1.0 bpg, 1.0 spg, 55.3 % FG
Can the Greek Freak be lured out of Milwaukee? That question may not be answered until the 2021 offseason, as Antetokounmpo insists he won't request a trade before his contract expires. The suitors will line up -- the Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat reportedly among them -- but the ball is in the Bucks' court to convince the two-time NBA MVP to re-up on a supermax contract.
UPDATE (Dec. 15): So much for Antetokounmpo hitting the open market. The Bucks superstar is staying in Milwaukee, agreeing to a five-year supermax extension worth a whopping $228.2 milion, the largest deal in NBA history.
Age: 35
2019-20 stats: 25.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 10.2 apg, 1.2 spg, 49.3 % FG
All signs point to James either picking up his $41 million player option or restructuring his deal to stay in L.A. and try to bring another title to Tinseltown. But LeBron has surprised us before.
UPDATE (Dec. 2): LeBron's player option is no more after agreeing to a two-year, $85 million extension that will take him through the 2022-23 season.
Age: 29
2019-20 stats: 27.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 4.9 apg, 1.8 spg, 47 % FG
Leonard might be the most intriguing name to watch outside Antetokounmpo. The Clippers just fired head coach Doc Rivers after another postseason failure, and if L.A. falls short again this upcoming season, don't expect Leonard to stand around on ceremony. Might LeBron's Lakers try to bring Board Man aboard?
Age: 30
2019-20 stats (48 games): 25.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.4 spg, 43.9 % FG
So, yeah. The Clippers have an important offseason in 2021. If Leonard and George both pick up their options, L.A. is still a title contender. But if Leonard tests free agency, George may follow suit (or vice versa), leaving the Clippers suddenly starless.
UPDATE (Dec. 10): George is re-upping with the Clippers on a four-year contract extension worth $190 million, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Age: 28
2019-20 stats: 15.1 ppg, 13.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.0 bpg, 69.3 % FG
The Stifle Tower is a Jazz franchise cornerstone, but he ruffled some feathers in March with his COVID-19 incident. Utah may look to move Gobert prior to the 2021 NBA trade deadline if a new long-term contract doesn't appear likely.
Age: 28
2019-20 stats (19 games): 14.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.9 apg, 0.9 spg, 39.4 % FG
Oladipo has denied requesting a trade out of Indiana, but it's hard to believe the Pacers won't listen to asset-rich teams like the New York Knicks or the Brooklyn Nets if they come calling before the 2021 deadline.
Age: 30
2019-20 stats: 19.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 6.7 apg, 1.6 spg, 45.5% FG
The Bucks paid a king's ransom for the perennially underrated guard to upgrade their roster in what could be Giannis Antetokounmpo's final season in Milwaukee. Holiday has averaged 19.0 points or more in three consecutive seasons and is regarded as one of the top defensive guards in the league.
Age: 34
2019-20 stats: 19.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 7.5 apg, 1.4 spg, 41.6 % FG
If the Raptors want to make a serious run at a star like Antetokounmpo in free agency, they may consider moving Lowry at the NBA trade deadline. Lowry's long tenure in Toronto may finally be nearing an end.
Age: 31
2019-20 Stats: 22.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.6 apg, 53.1 % FG
If DeRozan picks up his 2020-21 player option, he'll be another talented guard in the 2021 free agency pool. The 31-year-old may not make it that far, though, as the Spurs could look to move him as they eye a rebuild.
Age: 30
2019-20 stats: 17.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 4.1 apg, 0.7 spg, 50 % FG
Common sense suggests Hayward will pick up his $34.1 million option for 2020-21 after another incomplete season. But that would place the oft-injured Celtics forward in a historically deep 2021 free agent class and raise the stakes for his 2020-21 campaign if he wants to see a big payday.
UPDATE (Nov. 21): After Hayward didn't pick up his player option with the Celtics, he bolted for Charlotte, signing a four-year, $120 million contract.
Age: 35
2019-20 stats: 17.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 6.7 apg, 1.6 spg, 48.9 % FG
Despite Paul's gargantuan contract (he's owed over $80 million over the next two seasons), he's still been traded twice in 16 months and will play for his third team in four seasons when he suits up in Phoenix. Injuries have hampered the veteran guard in recent years, but he was still able to play 70 games in a truncated season -- more than he's played in seven of his previous 14 campaigns.
Age: 31
2019-20 stats (18 games): 15.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.3 apg, 0.4 bpg, 35.2 % FG
Health is always the No. 1 concern for Griffin, who has undergone two knee surgeries in the past year and a half. Unless he wins Comeback Player of the Year this season, Griffin should happily pick up his $38.9 million player option for 2021-22.
Age: 33
2019-20 stats: 14.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.4 apg, 0.8 spg, 40.9 % FG
Conley's numbers took a pretty significant dip this past season as he took a back seat to All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell. He's a good candidate to latch on with a contender in 2021 if he makes it to free agency next summer.
Age: 27
2019-20 stats: 17.7 ppg, 15.2 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.6 bpg, 55.2 % FG
Drummond likely will pick up his $28.8 million player option for 2020-21 and test free agency in 2021. He's one of the game's best rebounders and rim protectors, but do teams still value that skill set enough to shell out significant cash for Drummond?
Age: 27
2019-20 stats: 10.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.1 bpg, 59.2 % FG
Need a rock-solid big man to battle opposing centers while giving you 10 points per game? Adams is your man. He should garner plenty of interest in free agency if OKC doesn't trade him first.
