2023 NBA Free Agency: Ranking the 10 Players Available

• Some big names are available in the 2023 NBA free agency
• Kyrie Irving and James Harden are among top free agents
• Sports Brief looks at the top 10 free agents for next season

The 2022/23 NBA season is done and dusted, the 2023 NBA Draft is complete, and teams are thinking of retooling their rosters ahead of the 2023/24 season.

We have witnessed a few contenders make their big moves already, although the free agency is yet to open. This year, the free agency list is not the best, but it has players who could change the fortunes of a team, especially in the postseason.

Kyrie Irving is the top free agent available, but it is unclear where he will land in the next weeks. James Harden and Fred Van Vleet are the other free-agent guards that contending teams will look to grab.

Top players like Kevin Durant and LeBron James have made high-profile moves in recent years, and we could see surprises in their year's free agency. Sports Brief looks at the top 10 free agents in 2023.

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Top 10 free agents

10. Bruce Brown (Unrestricted free agent)

Brown was Denver Nuggets' unsung hero in their 2023 NBA championship run, per the Athletic. His sixth-man role gave the Nuggets the firepower they needed to win their first NBA title. He recently declined his $6.8 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent. Since the reigning NBA champions have not established early Bird rights on the 6-foot-4 forward, the most they can offer him in free agency is $7.8 million for next season, per ESPN. Many contenders will look to sign him since he averaged 12 points per game in the 2023 postseason.

9. Jakob Poeltl (Unrestricted free agent)

Poeltl is coming off his best offensive season. The center shot 63% from the field and 65% after a midseason trade brought him back to the Toronto Raptors from the San Antonio Spurs. His rim-protecting ability has regressed, and since he can't shoot 3-pointers, making him a tough player to gauge when analyzing how much he could be worth.

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8. Khris Middleton (Unrestricted free agent)

Middleton recently declined his $40 million player option with the Milwaukee Bucks to become a free agent. The NBA champion has been plagued by injuries in the last few months. He turns 32 in August and his injury record may force teams to think twice about giving him a lengthy deal. He could still resign with the Bucks, a team he's been with for 10 seasons.

7. Josh Hart (Player option (June 29 deadline)

Hart was a revelation for the Knicks since joining from the Portland Trail Blazers. Hart and the Knicks extended the deadline for his $12.9 million player option until Thursday, June 29. He could opt in or decline and become an unrestricted free agent eligible to sign a new deal with the Knicks or another team.

6. D’Angelo Russell (Unrestricted free agent)

Although his postseason was somehow disappointing with the Lakers, he played a crucial role in getting them there following a mid-season trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves. He's entering his prime and could be a good piece for many teams.

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5. Cam Johnson (Restricted free agent)

Johnson was part of the trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns. He averaged over 16 points per game with the Brooklyn Nets, and his 3-and-D skills are in high demand these days, especially for contending teams.

4. Draymond Green

The four-time NBA champion recently declined a $27.6 million player option to enter free agency. He's been a key piece for the Golden State Warriors during their dynasty, and there's a high possibility they will re-sign him on a longer deal. They dealt Jordan Poole to the Washington Wizards, and it is highly likely they will re-sign a key piece to their championship aspirations.

3. Fred VanVleet (Unrestricted free agent)

Van Vleet recently declined his $22.8 million player option to enter unrestricted free agency. He could get more than that in free agency as he enters his 30s. He was a key player for the Raptors in their 2019 NBA title run and could be a key piece for a contender.

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2. James Harden (Player option (June 29 deadline)

The 2018 MVP opted out of his deal for 2023-24 and $35.6 million, and he is torn between returning to Houston or returning to Philadelphia, which suffered an agonizing exit from the 2023 NBA playoffs. he will be 34 in August be he showed in 2022/23 he is still a top- player. He led the NBA in assists per game last season, and the 76ers will need him to take another stab at the title.

1. Kyrie Irving (Unrestricted free agent)

The 2016 NBA champion has had a turbulent few years in the NBA. He was an All-Star starter last season and remains a big name in the league. He has been heavily linked with the Los Angeles Lakers, but the Dallas Mavericks are a tempting option, given they have a superstar in Luka Doncic.

Other free agents: Brook Lopez, Donte DiVincenzo, Austin Reaves, Tre Jones, Jordan Clarkson, Matisse Thybulle, Josh Okogie, Kelly Oubre Jr., Jerami Grant, P.J. Washington, Patrick Beverley, Dillon Brooks, Harrison Barnes, Nikola Vucevic and Christian Wood

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How much will Wembanyama make?

Sports Brief earlier broke down Wembanyama's potential salary for the 2023/24 season. He is expected to earn as much as $12.2 million in his first season.

Based on salary cap projections ($136 million), the young French phenom's on-court earnings could be as much as $55.2 million over the next four years.

Wembanyama could make way more from his off-court deals. He is a Nike athlete and could add a few endorsement deals ahead of his rookie season.