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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 /
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Mar 24, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) looks to pass the ball as Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) defends during the third quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 108-104. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) looks to pass the ball as Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) defends during the third quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 108-104. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Andre Drummond (Restricted)

Andre Drummond is one of the most high upside big men in the game today. He’s still just 21 years old and has already proven that he can produce at a high level. As a finisher on the interior, as a rebounder, and as a defender, the Pistons center has shown over his first three seasons that he can put up stats and do so effectively.

Drummond has averaged a double-double over the past two seasons while missing just one game over that run. Moreover, his career field goal percentage is a solid 57 percent, though it did drop to 51.4 percent last season as he took a career-high 11.7 shots per game. Defensively, he’s been a fantastic and explosive rim-protector as he’s anchored the Pistons’ defense and averaged 1.7 blocks and one steal per game for his career.

Drummond isn’t a player without problems. His 39.7 percent career average from the foul line is troublesome to say the least, but his value as a post presence on both ends of the floor outweighs that glaring flaw. Detroit will likely be planning to match any deal given to Drummond since he will be a restricted free agent, but teams would be crazy not to at least try and land the services of the youthful potential star.

6. Al Horford

In only his second healthy season over the last four with the Atlanta Hawks, Al Horford’s stats weren’t as impressive as we’ve seen them be before. His production and efficiency dropped last season from what he did in the 29 games he played in the 2013-14 season, which might be seen as somewhat of a red flag.

However, Horford’s value can’t fully be measured with simple statistics. Under Mike Budenholzer, Horford’s assist numbers went up this season as his scoring went down. That’s clearly a product of the high volume ball-movement that the Hawks practice in their offense. That also doesn’t account for Horford’s defensive impact, which is criminally underrated as he can defend multiple positions all over the floor with his combination of strength and quickness for his position.

Horford turns 30 years old next summer, meaning this could be his last big contract before he enters the downside of his career. You have to wonder how his injury history will play into his free agency courting, but his performance when healthy is inarguably fantastic. If he leaves Atlanta, another team would almost surely benefit in every aspect of the game from having Horford on their roster.

5. Mike Conley

It may be a bit surprising to see Conley this high, but that’s largely because he never seems to get the credit that he deserves. The Memphis Grizzlies point guard is the motor that makes that team run. Yes, that team feeds off Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, but the team nearly falls apart if Conley isn’t running the show at the point.

Conley’s defense is largely the one thing that he does get credit for as a member of the Grizzlies. He’s one of the best defenders in the NBA at his position with the ability to stay with almost anyone and also hold his ground and not be bullied against slightly larger players. He’s not Tony Allen defensively, but he’s terrific nonetheless.

The offensive end is where Conley is often overlooked. His averages of 15.8 points and 5.4 assists per game aren’t staggering by any stretch, but it’s his efficiency and versatility that makes him so valuable. He can get to the rim and finish well there while also knocking down shots from long-range as a career 37.4 percent three-point shooter. Beyond that, he also has shown a propensity to open up defenses in a way that doesn’t always result in assists, but gets the offense started in a way that eventually leads to scoring.

A world where Conley isn’t on the Grizzlies seems a tad far-fetched, but it’s a possibility next summer depending on how loose the Grizzlies want to be with their expenses and how much Conley demands entering the open market. Seeing if Memphis wants him to continue running the show or if some team can lure him away will be one of the more fascinating plots of 2016 NBA free agency.

Next: Which Budding Superstars' Rookie Deals Will Be Up?

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