NBA Free Agency 2019: Which players are available?

Author Photo
durant-kawhi-061219-ftr-getty.jpg

The 2019 NBA free agency will be one to follow. It has plenty of star power that could potentially alter the landscape of the league for years to come, with the likes of Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard expected to become free agents.

With that in mind, let's take a look at the 10 biggest free agents this offseason, along with about 40 other names that could help teams inch closer to making a championship run.

Unrestricted means the player is free to sign wherever he pleases. Restricted means the players' current team has the opportunity to match any offer that player receives. Player option means the player has the choice to re-join his current team or enter free agency unrestricted. Team option means that the team has the choice to re-sign the player or allow him to enter free agency unrestricted.

1. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors, Player Option

Durant signed another 1+1 in the 2018 offseason, leading to another player option in 2019. Even after his injury in Game 5 of the Finals, he is the highest-touted free agent in this class. You could say the next few years of the league rests on this decision, both because of how it impacts the Warriors and whichever team he joins should be leave.

2. Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors, Player Option

The Raptors took a risk trading for Leonard in the 2018 offseason knowing that it's completely his decision whether he stays or goes in the 2019 offseason. With the level that Leonard has been competing at this season, his free agency decision is equally as big as Durant's.

3. Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics, Unrestricted

Irving is the first player on this list to decline his player option for the upcoming season, making him an unrestricted free agent. Will he stay with the Celtics or will he sign elsewhere? Irving is coming off of a season in which he made the All-NBA Second Team for the first time in his career.

4. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors, Unrestricted

Thompson has proven his value over and over again as a main piece in the Warriors multi-championship run. He has emerged as one of the top pure shooters and perimeter defenders in the league, and you can expect him to be paid like it this offseason.

5. Jimmy Butler, Philadelphia 76ers, Unrestricted

Butler has reportedly declined his player option and will enter free agency unrestricted. Butler should gauge interest from a number of teams after an extremely impressive stretch of play this past postseason.

6. DeMarcus Cousins, Golden State Warriors, Unrestricted

It once seemed unlikely that Cousins would be with the Warriors beyond this season, but he suffered another serious injury early in the playoffs. Will he return to the Warriors on another "prove it" deal or will another team take a chance on him?

7. Kristaps Porzingis, Dallas Mavericks, Restricted

Porzingis missed all of the 2018-19 season with a torn ACL. Following his trade to the Mavericks, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the one-time All-Star is planning to sign the qualifying offer this summer, which would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer.

8. Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets, Unrestricted

Walker is widely regarded as the second-best point guard in this free agent class. If he re-signs with the Hornets, he'll lock in his spot as the best player in franchise history, if he hasn't done so already.

9. Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers, Unrestricted

Harris has shown out this season for two different franchises. The 76ers have all intentions of re-signing the scoring forward, but Harris will be a highly coveted option for teams looking to get one final piece to make a championship push should he weigh his options.

10. Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic, Unrestricted

Despite a rough postseason, Vucevic put everyone on notice this season by posting career-highs across the board. The first-time All-Star will be a highly touted piece this free agency.

Other notable free agents

Unrestricted

Al-Farouq Aminu, Portland Trail Blazers

Trevor Ariza, Washington Wizards

Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings

Michael Beasley, Free Agent

Patrick Beverly, Los Angeles Clippers

Bojan Bogdanovic, Indiana Pacers

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Los Angeles Lakers

Darren Collison, Indiana Pacers

Rudy Gay, San Antonio Spurs

Taj Gibson, Minnesota Timberwolves

Danny Green, Toronto Raptors

Al Horford, Boston Celtics

DeAndre Jordan, New York Knicks

Enes Kanter, Portland Trail Blazers

Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks

Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks

Luc Mbah a Moute, Los Angeles Clippers

Marcus Morris, Boston Celtics

Markieff Morris, Washington Wizards

Nikola Mirotic, Milwaukee Bucks

Julius Randle, New Orleans Pelicans

J.J. Redick, Philadelphia 76ers

Rajon Rondo, Los Angeles Lakers

Ricky Rubio, Utah Jazz

Lance Stephenson, Los Angeles Lakers

Isaiah Thomas, Denver Nuggets

Jonas Valanciunas, Memphis Grizzlies

Thaddeus Young, Indiana Pacers

Player option

Goran Dragic, Miami Heat

Marc Gasol, Toronto Raptors

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte Hornets

Dwight Howard, Washington Wizards

C.J. Miles, Memphis Grizzlies

Jeff Teague, Minnesota Timberwolves

Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat

Restricted

Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee Bucks

Kelly Oubre Jr., Phoenix Suns

Bobby Portis, Washington Wizards

Terry Rozier, Boston Celtics

D'Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets

Team option

Paul Millsap, Denver Nuggets

Jabari Parker, Washington Wizards

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.

Author(s)
Kyle Irving Photo

Kyle Irving is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.