THE SECOND TIER
AL HORFORD CELTICS
Horford was a great signing when he chose the Celtics over the Rockets in 2016. Since he appears likely to move on, his varied skills could lift many of the already solid teams with cap room.
KHRIS MIDDLETON BUCKS
Sure, Giannis Antetokounmpo helped make Middleton an All-Star. Middleton helped Antetokounmpo make the Bucks the top team last regular season. He is likely to stay, but will be expensive.
MALCOLM BROGDON BUCKS
Brogdon is a restricted free agent, giving the Bucks a chance to match an offer sheet. But they might have a tough choice between Brogdon and Middleton if a team with cap room to fill tries to scare them off.
TOBIAS HARRIS 76ERS
Harris has many skills, but timing could be his most valuable this summer. His rangeshooting touch fits with the style of the times and he is a free agent in the summer there are more teams able to pay top dollar than top free agents.
KRISTAPS PORZINGIS MAVERICKS
The Mavericks gave up a lot to get Porzingis and will pay whatever is necessary to keep him. That appears to be his plan, too.
TERRENCE ROSS MAGIC
Ross flew a bit under the radar, but has emerged as a proven scorer as a sixth man, heading to free agency off a career year.
NIKOLA VUCEVIC MAGIC
Vucevic’s postseason struggles might have hurt his stock a bit, but had a career year with by far his best defensive season.
PATRICK BEVERLEY CLIPPERS
Having finished a contract he considered below market, Beverley will likely seek to cash in, though it would be tough to find a better fit that he did when the Rockets dealt him to the Clippers.
Others to watch: DeMarcus Cousins, Warriors; DeAndre Jordan, Knicks; Harrison Barnes, Kings; Marcus Morris, Celtics; Jonas Valanciunas, Grizzlies; Austin Rivers, Rockets; Bojan Bogdanovic, Pacers; Rodney Hood, Trail Blazers; Rajon Rondo, Lakers; Thaddeus Young, Pacers; Derrick Rose, Timberwolves; Al-Farouq Aminu, Trail Blazers; Ricky Rubio, Jazz; Brook Lopez, Bucks, Willie Cauley-Stein, Kings; Enes Kanter, Trail Blazers.