Avery Bradley is a solid two-way player. (Getty)
This year’s free-agent market features a solid, if not spectacular, crop of shooting guards. But not having any franchise cornerstones is hardly anything to balk at. Good NBA players such as Avery Bradley, Will Barton and J.J. Redick will be available and have value on the market. Here are Yahoo Sports’ top 10 free-agent shooting guards, all of whom are unrestricted.
Previously: Top 10 FA point guards
1. Avery Bradley
Age: 27
Bradley is a defensive wizard and easily one of the best perimeter
defenders in the league. Capable of knocking down 3-pointers, Bradley —
who has not played since March 13 because of abdominal surgery — is a
playmaker and deft combo man. In terms of available two-way two-guards,
he is the cream of the crop this summer. Will he accept the mid-level
exception though?
Fits with: Pelicans, Thunder, 76ers
2. Will Barton
Age: 27
A scoring microwave who gets buckets at all three levels, the 6-foot-6
Barton can start or come off the bench, with nearly identical role
splits for the Nuggets
last season. A reliable 3-point shooter who has connected on 37 percent
of his threes each of the past two seasons, Barton can expect a healthy
market for his services.
Fits with: Nuggets, Pacers, 76ers, Magic
3. J.J. Redick
Age: 34
Redick had a terrific season in Philly, averaging a career-high 17.1
points while knocking down 42 percent of his threes. An efficient scorer
who spreads the floor and competes defensively, he can help a
contender. Money will be a vital factor for Redick, whose days to grab a
nice deal may be dwindling.
Fits with: 76ers, Nets, Cavs, Lakers, Magic, Suns
Dwyane Wade has some game left, but will he return to play next season? (AP)
4. Dwyane Wade
Age: 36
Wade has made it abundantly clear
he will only play for the Heat should he return for another season. He
may not be “Flash” anymore, but the 36-year-old future Hall of Famer
mustered up enough playoff magic for the Heat to give the good folks of
South Beach one more season of Wade.
Fits with: Heat
5. Wayne Ellington
Age: 30
A former first-round pick, Ellington, 30, has quietly put together two
efficient seasons in Miami, resurrecting a once-dwindling career. A
great shooter who excels coming off pin-downs and as a one-dribble
pull-up man, Ellington averaged a career-high 11.2 points while shooting
39.2 percent from 3-point range. He also recorded a career high 58.8
true-shooting percentage. An energetic guard who spreads the floor and
serves as a secondary ball-handler if necessary — and an adequate
defender — the former Tar Heel should have no problem securing a
multi-year deal.
Fits with: Heat, 76ers, Lakers, Clippers, Pelicans, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Jazz, Pacers
6. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Age: 25
KCP had a decent — albeit hardly normal — season with the Lakers
because he was commuting to play home games from jail after a probation
violation. A solid shooter (38.3 percent from three, 78.9 percent on
free-throws) who can guard two spots, he is best as a reserve 3-and-D
specialist. Without question, KCP should have taken the five-year, $80
million offer from Detroit last summer.
Fits with: Lakers, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Jazz
7. Marco Belinelli
Age: 32
After his February buyout with Atlanta, Belinelli played
an instrumental role down the stretch for the 76ers, hitting clutch
shots, playmaking and proving to be a pesky defender. An experienced,
cagey veteran, Belinelli would be a great addition to any team in the
hunt.
Fits with: 76ers, Lakers, Cavs, Spurs, Warriors, Celtics, Nuggets, Jazz, Pacers, Mavericks
8. Joe Harris
Age: 26
Harris had a career year in Brooklyn, draining long-range shots,
hitting pull-up jumpers and showing that he is a willing defender. A
quality locker-room presence who is as low maintenance as he is
productive, Harris won’t have any trouble finding a home this summer.
Fits with: Warriors, Hawks, Cavs, Nets, Celtics, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Jazz, Suns, Pacers, Mavericks