Fansided

Top 25 NBA Free Agents for 2016

By Cody Williams

Dec 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Thunder 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Thunder 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 10
Next
Mar 8, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) handles the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (34) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) handles the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (34) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

16. Jonas Valanciunas (Restricted)

The fifth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Jonas Valanciunas, will be at the end of his rookie deal. As the Toronto Raptors center can take offers from other teams, his free agency in 2016 is one of the most intriguing of anyone in the class. That’s largely because it’s difficult to gauge what the market will be for his services.

We’ve seen Valanciunas’ ability to dominate a number of times. His massive, strong frame allows him to bully most big men in the post and get buckets on the interior. He has a nice touch on that end of the floor and, though he likely can’t be a primary option, he can be a reliable scorer in the post. However, his offense does tend to come at the expense of his often-lackadaisical defensive effort.

As he’ll be just 24 years old next summer and has another season to prove himself, Valanciunas has the opportunity to prove that he’s deserving of a big contract next summer. The intrigue comes with just how big that offer will be and how much money the Raptors will be willing to match.

15. Harrison Barnes (Restricted)

Harrison Barnes is coming off a season where he played an integral part in the Golden State Warriors winning the 2015 NBA Championship. He wasn’t Stephen Curry by any means, but his versatility as a forward allowed the Warriors the flexibility to play the small-ball lineups that allowed them to have the success that they enjoyed.

Barnes’ best season came in his third year in the league, averaging 10.1 points, 5.5 boards, and 0.7 steals per game while shooting 48.2 percent from the floor and 40.5 percent from three. He’s already proven that he can be effective at multiple positions on both ends of the floor, which is promising considering that he’s still just 23 years old and will still be considered a young talent next summer.

There’s a good chance that Warriors will match any offer given to Barnes as a restricted free agent. However, there will almost certainly be teams looking to throw huge money his direction given what he’s already proven and what he could potentially grow into. It’s hard to put a price on a player as effective and versatile as Barnes, but teams will have to do so next summer if they want to try and lure him from Golden State.

14. Al Jefferson

Al Jefferson’s second season with the Hornets wasn’t nearly as productive or effective as his first, but the big man certainly showed he still has immense value. Even after 11 seasons in the league, Jefferson is one of the most effective big men in the NBA on the offensive end of the floor and can be one of the top-two offensive options on a playoff team.

Jefferson’s downfall has always been on the defensive end over his career, but Steve Clifford and the Hornets have proven that he can be a part of an effective defense. He’s not going to be an anchoring rim protector, but you can play to his strengths on that end of the floor to where he’s not a liability in the context of a defense.

Jefferson will be just 31 years old next summer. He’s undoubtedly a veteran at this point, but there’s a more-than-likely chance that he’s not yet at the end of his career. If he chooses to leave Charlotte, Jefferson should be seeing a lot of offers coming his way considering the experience and offensive prowess he brings to the frontcourt.

Next: Will An All-Time Great Leave His Home?

Home/Kevin Durant