Top 25 NBA Free Agents for 2016

10. Bradley Beal (Restricted)

Wizards guard Bradley Beal was the third overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft and, when healthy, has lived up to the hype that led to him being selected there. Beal, who will be only 23 years old next July, is now coming to the end of his rookie deal, meaning that the Wizards will be faced with a big decision about how big of a part Beal will play in their future.

Beal is the perfect compliment to a slashing point guard like John Wall. His awareness and activity off the ball gives him a great deal of good looks from various spots around the floor. The fact that he’s shot 40 percent from three over three years is not an aberration, either; he’s a stone cold shooter with deep range. Throw in the fact that he’s also has the potential to be a plus defender on the wing and it’s obvious how valuable he already is and could potentially be as he enters his prime.

Health has been the biggest issue for Beal to this point, but he’s been immensely valuable to the Wizards to this point. It’s hard to imagine the team letting him go elsewhere, but there’s always a chance that it could happen. Given that chance, it’s almost a formality that another organization will put a big offer in front of him next summer that will force Washington to make that decision.

9. Hassan Whiteside

Center Hassan Whiteside burst onto the scene during the 2014-15 season with the Miami Heat and quickly became one of the most buzz worthy players in the league. With his ability on both ends of the floor, the 26 year old center will likely be looking for a big pay day next summer.

In 48 games last season, Whiteside put up 11.8 points, 10 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in just 23.8 minutes per game. He’s explosive on the offensive end and can finish effectively at the rim while showing the same explosiveness on the boards. Moreover, he’s already established himself as an elite rim-protector at the NBA level.

The biggest concern about Whiteside as of right now, though, is a lack of maturity. There were several instances throughout the season where that was on display, be it with his reactions or silly flagrant fouls in the heat of the moment. If he can show more maturity and continue producing at a high level next season, though, some team will be putting a deal that will pay him a lot of money in front of him next summer.

8. Nicolas Batum

Nicolas Batum had a disappointing run with the Portland Trail Blazers last season, posting his least productive and least efficient year of his seven-year career. That being said, his career prior to last season has proven that last year was likely an anomaly.

Batum has been a weapon on both the offensive and defensive end of the floor during his time with the Trail Blazers. He can get to the rim and finish, score from the perimeter, defend multiple positions, rebound, and pass all at an above average level. He’s not a superstar, but he can be the do-it-all player on an upper-tier team in this league.

If he can rebound this upcoming season and show that last season was far from his normal level of proficiency, most teams around the league will seek to sign Batum. His versatility and skills are quite uncommon in one player, which will only raise his value on the open market and likely make him one of the more impactful signings of the 2016 free agency period.

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