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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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Apr 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after making a 3 point basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the fourth quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after making a 3 point basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the fourth quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Damian Lillard (Restricted)

Damian Lillard faded a bit in his third season with the Trail Blazers and in the NBA after being selected sixth overall in 2012. It wasn’t so much regression, except in regards to his three-point percentage which dropped five percent from his sophomore season, but rather the fact that he struggled for parts of the season and didn’t take another huge leap forward.

When Lillard captured the basketball-viewing world’s attention fully in the 2014 NBA Playoffs, it felt as if he were being anointed as the league’s next superstar guard. As he struggled in the months of January and March, though, he looked more like a third-year player still totally getting his footing in the league rather than the next superstar. Given that and the fact that he didn’t particularly improve as a playmaker in terms of creating for teammates and didn’t improve drastically defensively, he’s still just a fantastic young player that hasn’t made the leap.

He obviously has another season before his rookie deal ends next summer during which all of these perceptions could change. We know he’s a top-tier scorer who relishes in big moments and clutch opportunities, but he has more to do before he qualifies as a superstar in this league.

As Lillard will be 26 years old next July, it seems unlikely that Portland would want to go back to the drawing board by letting him walk in restricted free agency. Moreover, it’s also highly unlikely that he’ll even see free agency given that the Trail Blazers can offer him an extension this summer. However, there’s always a chance that he could be on the market in 2016 free agency. If that were to happen, there would undoubtedly be teams lining up to bet on Lillard making the leap and becoming a superstar.

3. Joakim Noah

Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah wasn’t the box score filling machine this season that we’ve seen him be in previous years. He averaged the fewest minutes, points, rebounds and blocks over the past six seasons. Moreover, he also shot three percent worse from the field than his previous career-low.

Injury problems have crept up for Noah in recent years, most notably with his feet. Perhaps that’s something that will be remedied not playing crazy minutes under Tom Thibodeau, but he is a player that will be 31 years old next summer and could be beginning to break down.

Despite a decrease in his production and being on the wrong side of 30 years old, though, Noah is going to be desired by numerous teams around the league when he hits the open market next summer. He’s an emotional leader that can anchor a defense, but can also help facilitate an offense as both a scorer and a passing big man.

The 2015-16 season will be huge for Noah in proving that last season wasn’t a sign of things to come. If he’s able to do that, the Bulls will have to fork over a hefty deal if they want to keep Noah around. Given the fact that Chicago is going to try and pay Jimmy Butler this summer, seeing if they’re willing to pay Noah as well will be fascinating to see.

2. Anthony Davis (Restricted)

There’s no need to talk about potential anymore when it comes to Anthony Davis. He is here and he is a superstar ready to dominate the league. If you need any evidence of that, watch his performance in the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs when he near single-handedly kept the Pelicans competitive against the eventual champion Warriors team.

The near inconceivable part of Davis’ rise to stardom is that he’s not even close to his prime. Davis will be just 23 years old next summer when his rookie deal comes to an end and there’s no reason to believe that he won’t continue to expand on an already elite skill-set on both ends of the floor.

If the Pelicans have their way, Davis won’t be seeing restricted free agency next summer in any capacity. They have already said publicly that they plan to offer the big man a max extension this summer in hopes of locking him up long-term. It’s curious, though, that there is no word on whether or not Davis intends to stay in New Orleans or take that max extension when it’s sent his way.

With the idea of brands and big markets being more prevalent than ever in the minds of players, you have to wonder if Davis isn’t another player thinking in those terms. This is speculation, but it’s fathomable to think Davis could turn down an extension offer and see if he can get out of New Orleans as a restricted free agent. Though that’s not a guarantee to happen, he’ll be close to the chief desire of almost every team in the league if it does.

Next: Who Is the Top Dog of 2016 NBA Free Agency?

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