Al Horford's future remains unclear.
Al Horford's future remains unclear.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
This story originally appeared in this week’s Sunday Basketball Notes. Read the rest here.
We’re a week into free agency and there have been more trades than impactful signings, but there are a handful of available players at moderate salaries that could impact their new teams, including Celtics center Al Horford.
This was not a stellar free agent class, which is why teams such as Washington accepted contracts through this season instead of saving up money for this group.
Here is a look at the most attractive remaining free agents and where they may be headed:
Al Horford — There are several teams interested in the 39-year-old big man, including the Celtics, but it’s likely the Boston fan favorite will head elsewhere. Horford has to determine whether the West Coast is an option to conclude his career. Horford is comfortable in Boston. His family resides here and it could be a difficult decision to uproot and head to Golden State for perhaps one season. With the Lakers signing Jaxson Hayes to a one-year contract to backup Deandre Ayton, there is little chance for Horford to head to the Celtics’ rivals. Golden State is the favorite here, but Horford could return to Boston on a discount contract or even retire.
Jonathan Kuminga – In the previous generation, being a restricted free agent was an enticing situation because teams could bid on players and the current team had the right to match. But in this free agent generation, restricted players are often too difficult to acquire unless their current team has no interest in re-signing them. There has been no formal offer for Kuminga, a promising but inconsistent swingman who has been stifled in coach Steve Kerr’s system. The Warriors would love him back on their qualifying offer for one more season and it might be the safe bet for Kuminga to bet on himself, accept the offer, and become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Quentin Grimes — The 76ers guard had a breakout stretch after being acquired from the Mavericks and now he reportedly wants $25 million per season, so therefore he has no offers. Teams that make offers to restricted free agents need salary cap space, meaning teams can’t drive up the market price with no intention of honoring the deal. Grimes is likely to return to Philadelphia and then become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Russell Westbrook — Once again, Westbrook may have overplayed his hand in free agency, opting out of the final year of his contract with the Nuggets at $3.4 million in hopes of landing a more lucrative deal elsewhere. Westbrook is not for every NBA team and there is a limited market for an energy-filled veteran who has a tendency to pout when he’s not playing his desired minutes. After Westbrook opted out, the Nuggets brought back Boston native Bruce Brown to fill his role. Brown is younger and played the best basketball of his career with the Nuggets. The best Westbrook could do now is accept a minimum deal from a contender and hope for the same role he received in Denver. It would have been prudent just to stay with the Nuggets.
Chris Paul (right) and Russell Westbrook are both free agents this summer.
Chris Paul (right) and Russell Westbrook are both free agents this summer.Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
Chris Paul — The soon-to-be 40-year-old point guard wants to play another NBA season and wants to stay close to his West Coast home. That counts a lot of teams out but Paul still has market value. He played in all 82 games last season for San Antonio and is still a strong floor leader. A team looking for a part-time point guard and mentor would be smart to bring him on. The Clippers could bring him back to pair with James Harden or he could return to Phoenix, who lost point guard Tyus Jones to the Magic.
Chris Boucher — He’s played in Toronto all but one game in his career and is a solid 3-point shooter from the corner but he’s likely to get only a minimum deal because of the drying market. Boucher was solid last season in averaging 10 points and 4.5 rebounds in 17 minutes and may be a target for a contending team that’s low on cap space. The Raptors are still in rebuilding mode and general manager Masai Ujiri was just fired, so Boucher is expected to sign with a new team. Injuries have plagued Boucher, who has played in 76 or more games just twice in seven years.
Malcolm Brogdon — He just hasn’t been the same player since winning the Sixth Man of the Year award in his lone season with the Celtics. Brogdon has played in just 63 games over the past two seasons. The question is whether Brogdon still has enough left at age 32 to be a quality backup point guard. Now that he comes at a likely inexpensive price, he can play a role on a winning team instead of being just a trade chip as he was in the past two seasons. Brogdon’s days as a starter likely are over but a contending club will eventually take a chance on a player who was very good just two years ago.
Cameron Payne — He had his moments in New York but Payne eventually was benched for the Eastern Conference finals against the Pacers. Teams usually like their backup point guards to be steady game managers but Payne sometimes believes he’s capable of more than he can deliver. There are too many solid guards on the market for Payne to be a priority.
Daniel Theis — This is an interesting one because his former team is looking for a center but Theis’s days of playing major minutes may be over. Theis knows the Celtics’ system and is not afraid to get physical. But for any team, Theis is likely an 11th hour option as a backup center. He played in 39 games last season with the Pelicans but he’s still capable of grabbing rebounds and giving out hard fouls.
Marvin Bagley — The second overall pick in 2018 is a journeyman now but he can still run the floor and provide a spark with his energy. Bagley was limited to 31 games last season because of injuries but he could be a final resort for a team looking for a third big man. Bagley just hasn’t been able to stay healthy or productive and it’s been a disappointing career considering he was selected ahead of Trae Young, Luka Doncic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Gary Payton II — The defensive ace’s three-year, $27 million contract has expired and the Warriors are likely to move on from the oft-injured reserve. He’s likely to sign a minimum or maybe a taxpayer midlevel contract. Payton can give a contender a solid on-ball defender and decent 3-point shooting. Injuries have been a problem and he’s only played in more than 62 games once in his career.
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.