5 best remaining NBA free agents on the market in 2021

1. Lauri Markkanen

Lauri Markkanen is undoubtedly the top free agent on the market right now, but his situation is complicated. He’s a restricted free agent, after all.

The Chicago Bulls have matching rights thanks to a $9 million qualifying offer they made to Markkanen. He’ll be looking to make more than that while also finding a team that values him in a way Chicago clearly doesn’t. A sign-and-trade is possible. However, situations beyond Markkanen’s control may be hindering talks as Chicago faces an NBA tampering investigation.

Markkanen is also hurt by the fact that so much free agency has already happened, with money wrapped up all over the league.

Still, someone is going to want the 24-year-old forward. After all, he’s had a strong start to his NBA career as a 7-footer who can hit triples at a career rate of 36.6 percent.

The falling out with the Bulls has thrown a wrench in his career. The team that goes out to get him will add a player in the mold of Dirk Nowitzki to their lineup and be better for it.