Best NBA free agents remaining with Tyus Jones, Luke Kennard, Gordon Hayward off board

How is it already August? It seems like the 2023-24 NBA season just ended, yet here we are just over a month away from players reporting back to their teams for preseason practices and training camp in preparation for the 2024-25 season. Still, several key free agents remain available for NBA teams to negotiate with, even after Tyus Jones, Luke Kennard, and others recently came off the board.

Jones was one of the best free agents remaining after NBA Summer League in Las Vegas concluded. With the market quiet and virtually no teams having the ability to offer him a long-term deal, Jones opted to take a one-year, minimum deal to prove his worth with a contending team. The 28-year-old point guard is among the best in the league when it comes to assist-to-turnover ratio, and he will now aid Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal in their pursuit of a title with the Phoenix Suns.

Kennard was another big name to recently come off the board as a free agent late in the NBA offseason, as he ultimately returned to the Memphis Grizzlies. In June, the Grizzlies declined Kennard's $14.8 million team option in hopes of finding common ground on a deal that would save them some money in luxury taxes. On Wednesday, the two sides came to an agreement on a $11 million contract for the 2024-25 season. He will become an unrestricted free agent once again next summer.

While Jones and Kennard decided to sign new contracts, Gordon Hayward didn't receive much interest this offseason. As a result, the 34-year-old veteran forward has decided to call it quits. On Thursday, Hayward announced on social media that he was going to be retiring, ending his 14-year NBA career. Hayward, a 2017 All-Star, never fully recovered after a devastating leg injury he suffered at the start of the 2017-18 season with the Boston Celtics, as his time with the Charlotte Hornets shortly after was also cut short due to injuries.

Entering the month of August, very few impactful talents remain available for teams to negotiate with ahead of training camp. However, players like Isaac Okoro and Markelle Fultz still remain on the open market, searching for new contracts before the 2024-25 season.

Isaac Okoro – Restricted free agent

The Cleveland Cavaliers have spent a ton of money on their core group this offseason. Donovan Mitchell received a $150 million extension, Evan Mobley received a $224 million maximum rookie contract extension, and Jarrett Allen recently got a $91 million extension. With Darius Garland also under contract after signing a max deal last summer, the Cavs now have their focal points through the 2027-28 season. The only question mark remaining is Isaac Okoro, who remains a restricted free agent this summer.

Okoro has made a name for himself in Cleveland due to his 3-and-D capabilities while shooting a career-high 39.1 percent from the perimeter during the 2023-24 season. The Cavs have been exploring all of their options pertaining to bringing Okoro back, as well as possibly including him in a sign-and-trade to upgrade their talent on the wing. It is not hard to imagine that the Cavs will bring him back on a team-friendly contract at this stage, a deal that could set the Cavs up for a roster move ahead of the trade deadline.

Markelle Fultz – Unrestricted free agent

After signing both Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cory Joseph this offseason, it appears as if Markelle Fultz's time with the Orlando Magic has come to an end. Despite the label of being a “bust” as the No. 1 overall pick in 2017, Fultz has averaged 11.6 points and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 48.0 percent from the floor over the last five seasons in Orlando.

The 26-year-old point guard hasn't commanded much attention in free agency around the NBA to this point, yet it would be surprising if he isn't on a roster at the start of training camp. Fultz can still bring a lot to the table as a backup guard for a team that already has an established presence in their backcourt. Keep an eye on playoff-contending teams having interest in Fultz pertaining to one of their final roster spots and a minimum deal.

Lonnie Walker IV – Unrestricted free agent

There may not be a better scoring weapon available in free agency right now than Lonnie Walker IV. With a variety of teams interested in his services last offseason, Walker opted to sign a one-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets. He averaged 9.7 points per game while shooting 38.4 percent from beyond the arc in 58 games with Brooklyn. Any team looking to bolster their bench scoring should want to gamble on Walker with a minimum contract, especially since he is still only 25 years old. Walker is yet another example of how the new financial rules in the CBA have impacted middle-class NBA free agents.

Talen Horton-Tucker – Unrestricted free agent

Talen Horton-Tucker hasn't received any real offers from NBA teams in free agency this offseason. The Dallas Mavericks were rumored to have interest in him, but they recently signed Spencer Dinwiddie to round out their roster.

Last season with the Utah Jazz, Horton-Tucker averaged 10.1 points and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 39.6 percent from the floor in 51 total games. Do not be surprised if there are quite a few European teams that show interest in the former Los Angeles Lakers second-round pick.

Marcus Morris Sr. – Unrestricted free agent

Marcus Morris Sr. will be 35 by the time the 2024-25 season begins. Still, he has proven year-after-year to be a dependable scorer. Throughout the entirety of his career, Morris has always been known for being a shooter, and he shot over 40 percent from three-point range with the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers last season.

The Cavs still have open roster spots, one of which could go to Morris, and it is possible that the 76ers could explore the possibility of bringing back the veteran. In fact, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer recently flirted with this idea. No matter where Morris ends up, he will be a reliable scorer on the bench.

Danilo Gallinari – Unrestricted free agent

If there is one area in which Danilo Gallinari can still help a team as he gets set to turn 36 years old, it is three-point shooting. For his career, the Italian big man has shot 38.1 percent from three-point range. Do not let his 32.3 percent shooting from deep last season with the Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, and Milwaukee Bucks fool you. Even though knee injuries have limited Gallinari's usage through the years, he is still an experienced offensive weapon who is an excellent option for a contending team to have on their bench. Should Gallinari's time in the NBA be over, it wouldn't be surprising to see him return to Italy and play in the EuroLeague.

Evan Fournier – Unrestricted free agent

Much like Gallinari, Evan Fournier is a seasoned veteran who understands his role as a perimeter shooter in this league. Despite the 2023-24 season not being his best, Fournier has still managed to shoot 37.4 percent from three-point range for his career. Any team needing an extra spot-up shooter should look no further than the Frenchman on the wing. It doesn't appear as if the veteran is having thoughts of leaving the NBA right now.

Jae Crowder – Unrestricted free agent

It wasn't too long ago that Jae Crowder was playing a pivotal role for the 2019-20 Miami Heat and the 2020-21 Phoenix Suns. Interestingly enough, both teams ended up making it to the NBA Finals. Known for his abilities as a 3-and-D wing who can guard virtually any position, Crowder brings toughness and experience to his organization. That is why the Milwaukee Bucks have valued his leadership over the last two seasons. However, the Bucks brought in others like Gary Trent Jr. and Taurean Prince this offseason, signaling that Crowder will need to look for a new team. The 34-year-old may wind up being a mid-season addition for any team that runs into injury problems.

Robert Covington – Unrestricted free agent

There are so many experienced forwards still remaining on the pen market that are viable three-point shooting options. Robert Covington is another one of those players, but he stands out because of his defensive versatility as a small-ball center. He has the size to still be a rotational defender in this league, and Covington has always been a pretty reliable three-point shooter. Everyone who talks about Covington always discusses what a great locker room leader he is as well. Between playing on the wing and in the frontcourt, Covington is likely to receive a minimum contract from a team.

Cedi Osman – Unrestricted free agent

When LeBron James departed from the Cavs in 2018, Cedi Osman saw his role on the wing increase. Osman averaged double-digit scoring numbers for four straight seasons in Cleveland, and then he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in 2023. Last season, Osman saw his lowest minutes since his rookie year, resulting in lower than expected scoring and shooting averages. Although Osman is not an electric or athletic finisher, he is a steady presence on the wing that can get going from deep. Out of all the players on this list, he is probably one of the most deserving to remain in the NBA. At the same time, concerns over his defensive effort loom large as to why he remains a free agent late this NBA offseason.