THEY WON’T COME FOR FREE
The 25 top players hitting the market
Like the day after Thanksgiving each year, the shopping season officially opens Friday with the kickoff of NBA free agency.
While the biggest names changing teams this summer likely will come via the trade market — now including James Harden as a possibility after he exercised his contract option — there still are several impact players available, even if many end up staying with their existing teams.
Here are The Post’s top 25 NBA free agents this summer, along with their status as unrestricted or restricted (right-tomatch) free agents:
1. Fred VanVleet, Raptors (UFA)
The hard-nosed guard and former league champion should have suitors — led by Houston, with Toronto still in the mix — after averaging 19.3 points and 7.2 assists.
2. Khris Middleton, Bucks (UFA)
The three-time All-Star declined a $40 million option, and can Milwaukee let Giannis Antetokounmpo’s sidekick leave after a first-round playoff exit?
3. Draymond Green, Warriors (UFA)
The glue guy to Golden State’s recent championships might have to take less to stay than he could get from an up-andcoming team, such as the Kings.
4. Kyrie Irving, Mavericks (UFA)
The Lakers don’t seem interested in a Kyrie-LeBron reunion, and Dallas will try to bring back the never-dull former Net for a do-over, despite disastrous results after his deadline arrival.
5. Jerami Grant, Trail Blazers (UFA)
Portland’s decision on Damian Lillard could affect the status of Grant, who averaged 20.5 points and shot 40.1 percent from 3-point range.
6. Kyle Kuzma, Wizards (UFA)
It’s rebuild time in D.C. after jettisoning Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis. Kuzma, a 21-point scorer last season, should land a nice deal from a team with cap space.
7. Bruce Brown, Nuggets (UFA)
The do-it-all former Net showed his value and versatility during Denver’s championship run and the Lakers are among the teams interested.
8. Brook Lopez, Bucks (UFA)
The 35-year-old former Nets center has reinvented himself as an elite rim protector and a threat from beyond the 3-point arc.
9. Cam Johnson, Nets (RFA)
Johnson will land a significant offer sheet, perhaps in excess of $100 million. Brooklyn will have to decide whether to match to keep a key piece of the Kevin Durant trade.
10. D’Angelo Russell, Lakers (UFA)
Russell endured a horrible Western Conference finals against Denver, but indications are the Lakers want to bring back the 27-year-old point guard.
11. Austin Reaves, Lakers (RFA)
The Lakers have indicated they plan to match any offer Reaves garners, and it could be pricey after he averaged 16.9 points and 4.6 assists during their playoff run.
12. Russell Westbrook, Clippers, (UFA)
The former MVP probably earned another try with the Clips over 26 starts after his Lakers departure, despite a quiet first round against Phoenix.
13. Eric Gordon, Clippers (UFA)
The 34-year old shooter was a late addition here after the Clippers waived him Wednesday rather than guarantee his $21 million salary.
14. Caris LeVert, Cavaliers (UFA)
The injury prone wing was a valuable contributor over 74 appearances last season, his most games played in seven NBA seasons.
15. Rui Hachimura, Lakers (RFA)
The Lakers extended a qualifying offer to retain matching rights after Hachimura went 19-for-39 (.487) from 3-point range in the playoffs
16. Dillon Brooks, Grizzlies (UFA)
Brooks said some controversial things during the playoffs, but he’s averaged 16.2 points the past four seasons and made the All-Defensive team last season.
17. Jakob Poeltl, Raptors (UFA)
The 7-1 center has averaged 11.0 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over 235 starts with the Spurs and the Raptors.
18. Kelly Oubre Jr., Hornets (UFA)
Oubre missed time with a hand injury last season, but the wing scored a careerbest 20.3 points per game in 48 appearances for the Hornets.
19. Kevin Love, Heat (UFA)
The five-time All-Star is a .370 career 3-point shooter and showed he still has some value during the Heat’s run to the Finals.
20. Donte DiVincenzo, Warriors (UFA)
With Josh Hart’s opt-in, the Knicks’ Villanova connection could be augmented with this two-way shooting guard who drilled 39.7 percent from deep for Golden State.
21. Christian Wood, Mavericks (UFA)
The 6-10 center has played for seven teams in eight years, and he’s looking for another home despite averaging 18.1 points and 8.9 boards since 2020-21.
22. Seth Curry, Nets (UFA)
Steph’s 32-year-old younger brother actually has a higher career 3-point percentage of .435, third among active players.
23. Coby White, Bulls (RFA)
The former lottery pick found his role running the second unit with point guard Lonzo Ball missing the entire season with a knee injury.
24. Max Strus, Heat (UFA)
The Pacers reportedly are hot for Strus, a career .371 shooter from long range who started in the playoffs due to injuries to Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo.
25. Grant Williams, Celtics (RFA)
Williams has emerged as an effective “stretch-4” off Boston’s bench, shooting .403 on 3-point attempts over the past two seasons.
Also available (alphabetical)
Unrestricted: Mo Bamba, Will Barton, Malik Beasley, Torrey Craig, Taj Gibson, Jeff Green, Joe Ingles, Kevin Knox, Trey Lyles, Shake Milton, Georges Niang, Frank Ntilikina, Mason Plumlee, Cam Reddish, Josh Richardson, Derrick Rose, Dario Saric, Dennis Smith Jr., Gabe Vincent, Lonnie Walker IV, Yuta Watanabe. Restricted: Miles Bridges, Jaxson Hayes, Matisse Thy bulle, PJ Washington.