NBA Free Agency: Top 5 Free Agent Shooting Guards

NBA Free Agency 2016 has begun and with it the dawn of a new era in the Association where players will garner previously unfathomable salaries.

Shooting Guards:

With the first day of the 2016 NBA Free Agency in the books many of the top talents signed deals to return to their existing teams.

Of note, it’s an especially deep free agent class for shooting guards and while I’m including some names here who I anticipate to sign with their original teams (and some have while I was writing this) I’ve lengthened this list beyond 5 to include interesting options at this position

The 5 shooting guards I expect to re-sign with their existing teams in quick succession are DeMar DeRozan, Dwyane Wade, Bradley Beal, JR Smith and Jordan Clarkson.

DeMar DeRozan

As expected DeMar DeRozan, agreed to return to the Toronto Raptors within the first few hours of free agency. General Manager Masai Ujiri traveled to L.A. to negotiate the reported 5-year $139M deal.

The other free agent on the Raptors list to re-sign is Bismack Biyombo who is reportedly awaiting Ujiri in L.A. as well, but Toronto’s current salary cap wouldn’t offer space for a deal unless moves are made.

2015-16: per game stats

Points: 23.5

Rebounds: 4.5

Assists: 4.0

Steals: 1.0

3 Point Shooting: 33.8%

Field Goal Percent: 44.6%

As per The Veritcal DeMar #DeRozan has AGREED to a 5-year deal with #Raptors #NBAFreeAgency Every1 who told me he was gone .HELLO!

— Tamberlyn's Tip-Off (@TTOTambz) July 1, 2016

His backcourt mate and BFF Kyle Lowry had the best congrats tweet based on his hashtags of the night:

New: Kyle Lowry is never buying DeMar DeRozan dinner again – https://t.co/krfKVHVSMV pic.twitter.com/eE817AogDK

— Raptors Republic (@raptorsrepublic) July 1, 2016

LOVE #Lowry hashtags 2 #DeRozan #NBAFreeAgency #DinnerIsNeverEverOnMeAgain #ialreadyChargedAllMyBillsToYourCard #WowCongrats #EARNEDNOTGIVEN

— Tamberlyn's Tip-Off (@TTOTambz) July 1, 2016

Dwyane Wade

It’s anticipated Dwyane Wade will sign a deal with the one and only professional team he’s ever played with. Yet, the earlier agreement with Hassan Whiteside makes the negotiations of Wade’s deal tricky. Further complicating matters is GM Pat Riley is set to meet with the cream of the free agent crop Kevin Durant on Sunday.

Also of note is the fact restricted free agent Tyler Johnson is garnering interest from other teams which could force the Heat to match whatever offer he receives.

The big problem is knowing whether the Heat’s currently top paid asset Chris Bosh will be able to return to the court given the issues he’s suffered from blood clots in his leg. Making matters even more complicated is the team won’t be able to decipher this information until some time in August (after a 6 month period of blood thinner treatment).

Riley has a difficult task because Wade has twice taken a discount so the Heat could secure other talents. And though no one is suggesting the 34 year old Wade should be handed a blank cheque surely there should be some sort of payback for the player who brought the Heat three titles.

Miami entered free agency with $48,008,675 committed to their roster and a free agent list of Dwyane Wade, Hassan Whiteside, Luol Deng, Joe Johnson, Gerald Green, Udonis Haslem, Amar’e Stoudemire, Beno Udrih, Dorell Wright (all unrestricted) and restricted free agent: Tyler Johnson.

So far they’ve come to terms with Whiteside (4-years at $98M) and have lost Joe Johnson. The remaining 8 free agents are still in limbo including Wade and Deng.

2015-16: per game stats

Points: 19

Rebounds: 4.1

Assists: 4.6

Steals: 1.1

3 Point Shooting: 1.9%

Field Goal Percent: 45.6%

Vertical reporting Miami is currently negotiating a 2year contract extension with #DwyaneWade #NBAFreeAgency (not a big surprise)

— Tamberlyn's Tip-Off (@TTOTambz) July 1, 2016

Ultimately one would have to lean toward Riley finding a way to get the job done, but nothing is ever set in stone, so the Heat need to be diligent in rewarding their long serving star. He’s done them right, now they need to return that favor.

Bradley Beal:

As expected the Wizards quickly agreed to terms with Bradley Beal for a 5-year $133M deal (though some sites are saying it’s $128M).

The high amount was expected, but was it too much. The question has to be posed: Is a player who has yet to deliver a fully healthy season worth this contract? In 4 season with Washington Beal has averaged 61 games or 75% of games. Digging deeper in 2 of his 4 seasons Beal has played 55 and 56 games . Obviously the Wizards aren’t concerned or they wouldn’t have committed to paying him $26.6M for the next 5 years.

2015-16: per game stats

Points: 17.4

Rebounds: 3.4

Assists: 2.9

Steals: 1.0

3 Point Shooting: 38.7%

Field Goal Percent: 44.9%

Bradley #Beal looks to sign 5-year $133M max deal (meanwhile Wiz have NINE Free Agents to address Typical Beal "me first" #NBAFreeAgency

— Tamberlyn's Tip-Off (@TTOTambz) July 1, 2016

JR Smith

Though the first day passed without JR Smith agreeing to a contract everyone expects he’ll re-up with the Cavaliers. Since JR is a restricted free agent if teams want to put pressure on Cleveland they may want to offer Smith a large contract. The Cavs spent inordinate amounts this season and were penalized via a luxury tax that was more than the teams entire salary.

It’s not as if Smith hasn’t warranted a decent salary after his performance in the post season. I still maintain the 8 points Smith scored to open the third quarter of Game 7 were the catalyst that sparked their win.

2015-16: per game stats

Points: 12.4

Rebounds: 2.8

Assists: 1.7

Steals: 1.1

3 Point Shooting: 40.0%

Field Goal Percent: 44.9%

Jordan Clarkson

Jordan Clarkson was yet another player who came to terms quickly with his existing club within hours of free agency beginning.

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Being a restricted free agent coupled with the Lakers having so much available salary it made sense to forge ahead. The surprise was when the Lakers signed Timofey Mozgov to a $64M contract basically within minutes of Clarkson’s deal. The combined $114M spending spree offered plenty of fodder for social media fans.

2015-16: per game stats

Points: 15.5

Rebounds: 4.0

Assists: 2.4

Steals: 1.1

3 Point Shooting: 34.7%

Field Goal Percent: 43.3%

Best of the Rest:

Of the remaining shooting guards here are the top opinions (I’ve inserted any deals that arose while crafting this piece):

Evan Fournier

Magic retain restricted free agent Evan Fournier who signs 5-year, $85 million extension #NBAFreeAgency

— Tamberlyn's Tip-Off (@TTOTambz) July 2, 2016

Kent Bazemore

In the initial hours of free agency the Houston Rockets brought in Bazemore who was extremely impressed with their pitch. Unfortunately, he decided to return to the Hawks:

As reported on @TheVertical's show: Kent Bazemore planned to hold off meetings until July 5, but has now entered room with the Rockets.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2016

Houston star James Harden is attending the Rockets' meeting with free agent Kent Bazemore tonight, sources tell The Vertical.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2016

Kent Bazemore's agent says #Rockets brought impressive group to meeting. pic.twitter.com/bbfouHNhmc

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 1, 2016

Dog & pony show by #Rockets go for naught as Hawks & UFA Kent Bazemore agree on a four-year, $70M deal #NBAFreeAgency

— Tamberlyn's Tip-Off (@TTOTambz) July 2, 2016

While most of the top free agents are off the board 7 viable candidates remain:

Courtney Lee

One of my under radar FA favs Courtney #Lee receiving interest from Knicks & Kings #NBAFreeAgency

— Tamberlyn's Tip-Off (@TTOTambz) July 1, 2016

SCS will update as free agency news develops. For now if you’re a fan who wants to follow free agency closely consider checking out my Free Agency Profiles for all 30 teams:

Next: Free Agency Profiles for all 30 Teams

And early free agent signings:

Next: First 12 hours of Free Agency

Along with articles covering the draft:

Next: Reviewing the top 30 Draft Picks

Next: SCS Editor Mock Draft

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