NBA Free Agency 2018: 20 best players available

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

16 of 20

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 21: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts to a call in the second half during Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 21, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz beat the Thunder 115-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

5. Paul George

After LeBron James, Paul George is likely the free agent whose fate is most endlessly speculated upon. While its generally assumed that the other three of the top five free agents listed here – Chris Paul, DeMarcus Cousins, and Kevin Durant – will resign with their current teams, there is no such assumption with George. Rather, the assumption has long been that he will likely leave to join his hometown Los Angeles Lakers. The speculation was further fueled by the ignominious end to the Thunder’s season, which gave those hoping in the potential of a Russell Westbrook and Paul George pairing little reason to believe in either its viability or the likelihood of George’s sticking around.

Paul George can still be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, but he’s shown less inclination to make that a goal in recent seasons, focusing more on his offensive game. For the first time in a full season, George shot over forty percent from 3 this past year and has historically displayed a very good ability to work off the ball in order to get open for catch and shoots or off of back door cuts under the basket.

George likely works best as a costar – it’s hard to imagine a team with him as the best player making major inroads in the Playoffs except under very particular circumstances – and that’s likely why his name is mentioned so often alongside others as a future Laker. Well, that, along with their amount of cap room and Lakers exceptionalism as well.

Home/NBA