2022 NBA Free Agency Power Rankings

Now that the 2022 draft has come and gone, the focus for NBA fans shifts to free agency. With the league’s new year on the horizon, players switching teams will surely have a significant effect on NBA futures for next season.

The early buzz for NBA free agency seems centered in the northeast, where players like Bradley Beal, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving all have fans speculating about their futures. It’s hard to imagine players like Harden, John Wall, and Russell Westbrook declining their player options of upwards of $47 million. While the 2022 free agent class might not sport the headline names seen in years past, several stars remain in play. 

The NBA’s salary cap is expected to rise about $10 million from last year’s $112.4 million figure, with the luxury tax jumping by about $12 million to $149 million. Thursday, June 30th, signals the start of the league’s negotiating window, though teams and players must wait until the moratorium period passes to make signings official. Only a few teams enter free agency with significant cap space, among them: Detroit, Indiana, Orlando, Portland, and San Antonio. But other clubs are expecting to make cap-clearing moves. 

With NBA Odds shifting to the season ahead, here’s a look at power rankings for the top 25 players heading into 2022 NBA Free Agency. 

NBA Free Agency Power Rankings

1. Kyrie Irving, G, Brooklyn Nets

Reports last week indicated that the mercurial guard and the Nets find themselves at something of an impasse in recent contract negotiations. Irving could hit the open market by declining his $36.9 million player option. If he did so, the seven-time All-Star would have been among the most sought-after players in free agency. However, Kyrie announced on Monday that he plans on re-signing with the Nets, likely taking him off the market.  

While Irving’s missed a lot of time due to injury and vaccination status over the last few seasons, he remains a potential difference maker for teams making a championship run. Irving had reportedly listed several teams, including the Lakers, Heat, and Knicks, he’d consider in a sign-and-trade situation. BetOnline.ag favored the Los Angeles Lakers to be Irving’s next team if not the Nets, with +175 odds. Miami (+300) and New York (+400) trailing in odds. 

2. Bradley Beal, G, Washington Wizards

Although Beal was limited last season due to injury, the 10-year veteran remains the best player expected to hit the open market in free agency. Beal averaged over 25 points per game in three of his last four seasons, including two over 30 points per game. He set a career-high in assists per game last season (6.6) and remains one of the NBA’s best shot-makers. 

BetOnline.ag favors the Boston Celtics (+300) to be Beal’s next team if it isn’t the Wizards. Portland (+400) and Miami (+500) trail the Celtics in odds, but it seems more than likely Beal re-signs in Washington for over $200 million. 

3. Zach LaVine, G, Chicago Bulls

LaVine hits the market at the right time as an unrestricted free agent. He’s coming off back-to-back All-Star berths and made the playoffs for the first time in his career. While injuries remain a concern for the eight-year pro, he still sports elite athleticism and the ability to score at all three levels. LaVine averaged 25.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 4.7 APG on .491/.404/.851 shooting in his last two seasons with the Bulls.

Chicago made several win-now moves to bolster the roster, so it seems unlikely LaVine walks in free agency. Especially since he can net a deal north of $200 million with the Bulls and make another playoff push in the process. 

4. Deandre Ayton, C, Phoenix Suns

Phoenix elected against extending Ayton with a five-year max contract last year and seems unlikely to do so this offseason. Ayton stands as arguably the top restricted free agent on the market considering this age (24) and skill-set. 

An elite rebounder with excellent finishing skills around the basket, Ayton could be a difference maker switching teams this offseason. Draftkings listed the Suns as favorites (+120) last week, but the Detroit Pistons remain contenders to sign the former No. 1 overall pick (+175), too. Indiana (+800) and San Antonio (+900) are in the running for Ayton as well. 

5. Miles Bridges, F, Charlotte Hornets

Bridges bet on himself last season after reportedly declining a four-year extension offer from Charlotte last offseason. It proved a potentially lucrative move for the 24-year-old swingman, considering he established new career highs in most counting stats (PPG 20.2, RPG 7.0, and APG 3.8). 

A max-level contract might price Bridges out of the Queen City. And a few teams, including Detroit and Indiana, stand in position to scoop him up during 2022 NBA free agency. 

6. Jalen Brunson, G, Dallas Mavericks

Brunson’s breakout performance during the NBA playoffs should equate into a bigtime profit for the point guard. Dallas didn’t offer Brunson an extension last offseason, so retaining four-year playmaker could prove expensive. Brunson’s steady improvement throughout his career spiked in the postseason when he helped the Mavericks score wins over the Utah Jazz without Luka Doncic in the lineup. The Mavs are now faced with re-signing Brunson to a deal upwards of $100 million, with teams like the New York Knicks already expressing interest.

7. Jusuf Nurkic, C, Portland Trail Blazers

Portland pivoted to a tank by season’s end thanks to myriad injuries up and down the roster. Among those was Nurkic’s foot injury, which stopped a season where 27-year-old big-man posted 15 PPG, with career-highs RPG (11.1) and shooting percentage (53.5). He’s an excellent finisher and is an accomplished passer from the high-post. 

8. Collin Sexton, G, Cleveland Cavaliers

Sexton’s season ended with a torn meniscus after just 11 games last season, but the 23-year-old guard hopes to regain his form as one of the most explosive scorers in the league. In the two seasons prior to his injury, Sexton averaged 22.5 PPG on efficient shooting splits (.474/.376/.828). In his absence, Darius Garland emerged as an All-Star guard in Cleveland, so there might not be room for Sexton, a restricted free agent, in the Cavaliers backcourt. 

9. Anfernee Simons, G, Portland Trail Blazers

The 23-year-old Simons burst onto the scene in his fourth season with the Blazers, emerging as a potential long-term fit in Portland beside Damian Lillard. He averaged 22 points and 5.5 assists with .452/.415/.871 shooting splits in 30 games as a starter last season, his most extended stretch of the kind in his young career. By trading away C.J. McCollum last season, Portland created the cap space to keep Simons, another restricted free agent. 

10. Bobby Portis, F/C, Milwaukee Bucks

Portis proved to be another player who made the right choice in betting on himself last season. After winning the NBA championship with the Bucks in 2021, Portis signed a team-friendly deal with a player option. Now, Portis can parlay his play into a new payday as a stretch big who’s a reliable rebounder with a steady shooting stroke. 

11. Malik Monk, G, Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers lost season saw the emergence of Monk as a minimum-salaried shooter for a failed Los Angeles team. Monk may have played his way off LA’s roster as the Lakers remain over the cap and he’s likely looking for more than taxpayer mid-level exception ($6.3 million). After hitting over 39 percent from three last season, Monk could land a deal for the full mid-level ($10 million). 

12. Bruce Brown, G, Brooklyn Nets 

A do-it-all talent like Bruce Brown inked a one-year deal with Brooklyn last offseason after proving his worth as an undersized roll man. Brooklyn’s acquisition of Ben Simmons might make him expendable, but contending teams could always use reliable role players with switch-ability on defense and a solid shooting stroke from deep. 

13. Tyus Jones, G, Memphis Grizzlies 

Entering his seventh NBA season, Jones could be in line for a significant pay raise this offseason. Jones led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio in each of the last four seasons, and set new career-highs in PPG (8.7) and 3-PT percentage (.390). In 23 games as a starter, Jones averaged 12.7 points and 6.6 assists in 30.3 minutes. Those numbers indicate Jones might be worth an expanded role with a different club. 

14. Mo Bamba, C, Orlando Magic 

The writing seems to be on the wall for Mo Bamba leaving the Magic, considering the team gave his jersey number to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Paolo Banchero. But the former No. 6 overall selection still sports a ton of upside as a rim-protecting and floor-spacing big. The 24-year-old is a restricted free agent who established career-highs across the board, including in games played (71), BPG (1.7), and 3-point percentage (38.1). 

15. Victor Oladipo, G, Miami Heat

Oladipo flashed glimpses of his pre-injury All-Star form in his second season with the Miami Heat. Had the 30-year-old worked his way into the rotation earlier this season, he may have carved out an expanded role, beyond that of a defensive stopgap. But by the end of Miami’s postseason run, Oladipo worked his way into the rotation, though his offense remained hit-or-miss. While he may never regain that All-Star form consistently, Oladipo did look the part of a pivotal player in the postseason. 

16. Nic Claxton, C, Brooklyn Nets

Injuries limited Claxton to just 94 games through his first three NBA seasons, but 23-year-old remains an intriguing option for teams seeking a rim runner on offense and rim protector on defense. He can switch onto guards on the perimeter, but his offensive game remains limited to finishing around the basket. It’s unclear how Brooklyn can have Claxton and Ben Simmons on the floor at the same time, meaning Claxton, a restricted free agent, could shake free.

17. Mitchell Robinson, C, New York Knicks

Another rim-protecting big, Robinson also stands as an elite offensive rebounder. He has averaged 11.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per 36 minutes during his first four NBA seasons, but the Knicks did not offer him top dollar in an extension. Robinson struggles at the free throw line (48.6 percent last season) remain a concern, but at 24-years-old, he’s one of the league’s youngest unrestricted free agents. 

18. Gary Harris, G, Orlando Magic 

Harris found his shooting form last season, hitting 38.4 percent from deep. The 27-year-old has been largely forgotten playing in Orlando over the last year-and-a-half, but he’s molded himself into a competent 3-and-D guy in that time. Harris averaged 11.1 PPG coming mostly off the bench and played in 61 games, his most in four years. 

19. Delon Wright, G, Atlanta Hawks 

Wright’s numbers in Atlanta might not stand out, but the 30-year-old guard has carved out a reliable role as a defensive-minded backup guard in the league. He hit 37.9 percent from three last season and remained an excellent perimeter defender and useful ball-handler. Wright will be a great fit off the bench for any contending team. 

20. Lonnie Walker IV, G, San Antonio Spurs 

Walker established new career-highs in PPG (12.1) and APG (2.2), playing primarily off the bench for the Spurs last season. At 23-years-old, Walker still sports intriguing potential as a two-way guard with excellent length. He’s a restricted free agent, but San Antonio has a suddenly crowded roster following their three first round picks in the 2022 NBA Draft. 

21. Donte DiVincenzo, G, Sacramento Kings

DiVincenzo continued to work his way back from an ankle injury after being a full-time starter for the Milwaukee Bucks during their title-winning season. The 25-year-old flashed his old form in Sacramento following the trade deadline last season, averaging 10.3 PPG and 3.6 APG with a 36.8 3-PT percentage. He could be an intriguing 3-and-D option for a contender. 

22. Chris Boucher, F, Toronto Raptors

Boucher took a step back following a breakout campaign in 2020-21, but the 29-year-old remains an intriguing option as a rim protector and floor spacer. An athletic and energetic big man, Boucher remains a disruptive force on defense. If he can regain his three-point shooting stroke, he’ll be a find for any contending team looking for a bench boost. 

23. Otto Porter Jr., F, Golden State Warriors 

Porter outperformed his minimum-deal contract with the Warriors last season, and could be in line for an expanded role and raise elsewhere should he seek it. Porter proved himself to be a reliable 3-and-D forward who could create offense off the dribble and in pick-and-roll if need be. 

24. Jordan Nwora, F, Milwaukee Bucks

Heading into just his third NBA season, Nwora is an interesting young player that a club could seek out and bet on his potential. He’s an athletic wing with good size and a reliable shooting stroke from deep, as well as defensive upside. 

25. Marvin Bagley III, C, Detroit Pistons 

The former No. 2 overall pick flashed some of that tantalizing following his trade to Detroit last season. But the moves the Pistons made recently may push him off the roster altogether despite surrendering two second-round picks to acquire him. An explosive finisher down low, Bagley still needs work on developing a consistent jumper and being a reliable interior defender. But at 23-years-old, he still sports a ton of upside.