December 13, 2024
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2016 NBA Free Agents

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2016 NBA Free Agency: The unrestricted NBA free agents for 2016. Age listing as of Oct. 31, 2016.

By Mike Elworth.

Follow Mike @MikeElworth24. For site updates follow @walterfootball.

  1. Chris Kaman, Trail Blazers, C. Age: 34. UFA.

    Kaman wasn’t in the rotation for the young and fun Blazers, and only played 16 games for them, but he is still a strong role player. Kaman isn’t a starting center, like he was for a decade, but per minute, he is still excellent. Kaman scores efficiently and is an elite rebounder, but how much does he have to give a franchise? Some contender should sign him and answer that question.


  2. Darell Arthur, Nuggets, PF/C. Age: 28.
    Re-signed with Nuggets (3 seasons, $23 million)

    Season-after-season, Arthur helps his team off the bench, as he is a big guy who can score and rebound, but this season, he added a three-point shot, which means his value has doubled. He is likely to become a free agent.


  3. Kris Humphries, Hawks, PF. Age: 31.
    Re-signed with Hawks(1 season, $4 million)

    Humphries played for three teams in one season, but still played when it mattered, the playoffs. I get that he doesn’t play much defense, but he is a double-double machine who is now a shooter. He should get paid.


  4. Tim Frazier, Pelicans, PG. Age: 25.
    Re-signed with Pelicans (2 seasons, $4 million)

    Frazier is so hard to rank as he has only played 62 games in two seasons, but when he has played, he’s been excellent. Most of his games last season were in a bit role with the Blazers, but in 16 games with the Pelicans, he averaged more than 13 points, four rebounds and seven assists while shooting 40 percent from three. He has shown elite distributing and shooting ability, so the Pelicans are very likely to keep him.


  5. Anderson Varejao, Warriors, C. Age: 34.
    Re-signed with Warriors (1 season, minimum)

    Varejao is a smart role player who is still an excellent rebounder who also defends amd can score and block shots. He is a play-maker, and the Warriors should keep him.





  6. Raymond Felton, Mavericks, G. Age: 32.
    Signed with Clippers (1 season, minimum)

    Felton had an excellent season for the Mavericks. I had assumed that he had little left, but starting half the games for the Mavericks and off their bench, he gave them solid scoring and assist numbers. Expect Dallas to sign him.


  7. Mike Muscala , Hawks, PF/C. Age: 25.
    Will play on his option

    Muscala is an efficient scorer who can shoot, rebound and block shots, which is a set of skills 90 percent of big men lack, although he hasn’t played too much in his three seasons. The Hawks will keep him on the team option if they are smart.


  8. Austin Rivers, Clippers, G. Age: 24.
    Re-signed with Clippers (3 seasons, $35 million)

    Rivers is a tough young player who really doesn’t have one particular skill, but he plays hard and actually tries on defense. Rivers can score and be a play-maker as well. As his father is the GM and coach of the team he plays for, he will play on the option or sign a multi-season contract.


  9. Aaron Brooks, Bulls, PG. Age: 31.
    Signed with Pacers (1 season, $2.5 million)

    Brooks is an elite shooter and a strong scorer, but he is small, inefficient and an average distributor, so he cannot start, meaning you need a third point guard. Regardless, he scores the ball and will come cheap for a team.


  10. Isaiah Canaan, 76ers, G. Age: 25.
    Signed with Bulls (2 seasons, $2 million)

    Canaan is a scorer for the second unit who needs to get more consistent, but he knows how to score the ball, although you want to see more assists. Philadelphia is weak at the point and should keep him.


  11. Donald Sloan, Nets, G. Age: 28. UFA.

    Sloan is an excellent distributor, and although he isn’t much of a scorer, he is a strong shooter. Some team will sign him to be their second point guard.


  12. Brian Roberts, Trail Blazers, PG. Age: 30.
    Signed with Hornets (1 season, $1 million)

    Roberts is a scoring second-unit point guard, yet is an efficient distributor, too. I see him on a different team.


  13. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Clippers, F. Age: 30.
    Re-signed with Clippers (2 seasons, $4.5 million)

    Mbah a Moute is a defender, and that is really it, but he can guard at least three positions and his opponent’s best scorer. He can make threes, too.


  14. Dewayne, Magic, C. Age: 27.
    Signed with Spurs (2 seasons, $6 million)

    Dedmon scores efficiently and is a strong rebounder and shot-blocker who is likely to be re-signed as he is an RFA this offseason. He is a nice second-unit center who is excellent per minute, so some team could try to steal him in free agency.


  15. Richard Jefferson, Cavaliers, SF. Age: 36.
    Re-signed with Cavaliers (2 seasons, $5 million)

    Jefferson is now mostly a shooter off the bench, but he plays hard and smart and is one of the best shooters in the NBA.





  16. Anthony Bennett, Raptors, PF/C. Age: 23.
    Signed with Nets (2 seasons, minimum)

    Bennett is a joke in the NBA right now as he was the first pick in the draft just three years ago and actually isn’t on a team. Regardless, I still think Bennett can be something in this league. He is skilled and athletic, as well as an excellent rebounder, but he can’t shoot. He has played his best ball as a center in international ball, and I think if he just played as a big man, he could find a role in the NBA.


  17. Anthony Tolliver, Pistons, PF/C. Age: 31.
    Signed with Kings (2 seasons, $16 million)

    Tolliver is a talented shooting big man, which is truly valued today in this league, meaning somebody will pay him.


  18. Jason Smith, Magic, PF. Age: 30.
    Signed with Wizards (3 seasons, $16 million)

    Smith is a skilled offensive big man, and although he isn’t much of a rebounder, he can block shots. Smith should sign with a contender as a third or fourth big man.


  19. Wesley Johnson, Clippers, SF. Age: 29.
    Re-signed with Clippers (3 seasons, $18 million)

    Johnson is a solid three-and-d starter. He shouldn’t have been the fourth pick in his draft, but he has found his niche in this league.


  20. Gerald Green, Heat, SF. Age: 30.
    Signed with Celtics (1 season, minimum)

    Green is a big scorer, and although he had a poor season, he is a very athletic talent. A number of teams could use his offense off their bench.


  21. Lance Thomas, Knicks, F. Age: 28.
    Re-signed with Knicks (4 seasons, $27 million)

    Thomas is a shooting and scoring bench forward, who just had his best season and seems to be a strong Triangle fit. He should be re-signed by the Knicks, the only team that plays it.


  22. Ian Clark, Warriors, PG. Age: 25.
    Re-signed with Warriors (1 season, $1 million)

    The small guard on the Warriors’ bench showed he is an efficient shooter and scorer who can also run an offense. As he is restricted, there is little chance the Warriors won’t sign him.


  23. Garrett Temple, Wizards, G. Age: 30.
    Signed with Kings (3 seasons, $24 million)

    Temple is a three-and-d guard who has proven he can start in this league. The Wizards should re-sign him as he is a strong third guard with Bradley Beal and John Wall.


  24. Marcelo Huertas, Lakers, PG. Age: 33.
    Re-signed with Lakers (2 seasons, $3.4 million)

    Huertas can’t really score, but he proved to be an excellent distributor in the Lakers’ second unit, and they should re-sign him. At almost 33, the international guard would likely make more money if he played internationally.


  25. Andre Miller, Spurs, PG. Age: 40. UFA.

    I assume that Miller will retire, but as he showed in Game 6 in the Spurs’ loss to the Thunder, he can still help run an offense and score the ball. He has aged so well that I could also see the Spurs signing him for another season. Those are the only options I see for him this offseason.





  26. Udonis Haslem, Heat, PF/C. Age: 35.
    Re-Signed with Heat (1 season, $4 million dollars)

    Haslem is an excellent veteran role player; he will play hard, defend and rebound for 5-15 minutes a game. Haslem will re-sign with the Heat or retire.


  27. Tyler Hansbrough, Hornets, PF/C. Age: 30. UFA.

    Hansbrough can score and rebound, and his hustle is elite, but he’s just a fourth big man now. I assume he will look for a different team.


  28. Jordan McRae, Cavaliers, G/F. Age: 25.
    Will Play on His Option

    McRae is a young pure scorer who with time can become a strong NBA sixth man. The Cavaliers should keep him.


  29. James Michael McAdoo, Warriors, F. Age: 23.
    Re-signed with Warriors (1 season, minimum)

    McAdoo has been with Golden State for two seasons and has one ring, but he hasn’t played too much. But, when McAdoo has, the scoring, rebounding and defensive numbers are all solid. With minutes, he could be an excellent role player.


  30. Tarik Black, Lakers, C. Age: 24.
    Re-signed with Lakers (2 seasons, $12.9 million)

    An energy big man, Black won’t score and isn’t much of a shot-blocker, but he rebounds and plays hard.


  31. Rasual Butler, Spurs, SF. Age: 37. UFA.

    Butler is a solid shooter and can score, plus can give 15 smart minutes off the bench.


  32. Hollis Thompson, 76ers, SG. Age: 25.
    Will play on his option

    Thompson is an elite shooter for a team’s bench, but that’s about it. If he becomes a free agent, the 76ers need to sign him, as they cannot lose their young talent, as mediocre as he may be.


  33. Martell Webster, Wizards, SF. Age: 29. UFA.

    Webster is a shooter and scorer who had injury problems and couldn’t shoot or score when he did play. But, he is a buy-low candidate because he can shoot among the best in the league and give you 10-12 points as a reserve.


  34. James Jones, Cavaliers, F. Age: 36.
    Re-signed with the Cavaliers (1 season, minimum)

    Jones is one of LeBron James’ best NBA friends and will go where he is. Jones is mainly just a shooter, but he is one of the best in the league.


  35. Norris Cole, Pelicans, G. Age: 28. UFA.

    Cole is a mediocre reserve point guard. He can score and run an offense decently, but he is more of a scorer than a point guard. Cole is a sparkplug of a guard who will give energy in the second unit.





  36. Steve Novak, Bucks, SF. Age: 33. UFA.

    Novak is one of the five or 10 best three-point shooters in the NBA, but that is all he does. If you need an elite shooter as your 10th man for cheap however, you know who to call.


  37. Jason Terry, Rockets, G. Age: 39. UFA.

    Jason Terry has had a truly excellent career, but he is basically just a shooter now and could retire. I see him signing somewhere to try and win a second title this offseason.


  38. Troy Daniels, Hornets, SG. Age: 25.
    Signed with Grizzlies (3 seasons, $10 million)

    Troy Daniels is one of the best shooters in the NBA and is an excellent scorer per minute. With more playing time, he could be a strong rotation player in this league. A lot of teams are likely going to be calling him this offseason; I would.


  39. Chris Andersen, Grizzlies, C. Age: 38.
    Signed with Cavaliers (1 season, minimum)

    Andersen is still a rebounder and defender who is physical, and I expect him to sign with another contender, as his skills can help in the playoffs.


  40. Kirk Hinrich, Hawks, G. Age: 35. UFA.

    Hinrich is now just a defender and shooter, but he is excellent in the latter and can guard multiple positions. Hinrich will likely sign to be on a playoff team’s bench and re-signing makes a lot of sense for him.


  41. Ronnie Price, Suns, PG. Age: 33. UFA.

    Price is as average of a second point guard as you can have, but he defends, can shoot and is a capable play-maker.


  42. Shane Larkin, Nets, PG. Age: 24. Player Option

    Larkin had easily his best season in the NBA, showing the potential that made him the 18th pick in his draft. He was an excellent distributor and an efficient shooter, and because of said season, he would be smart to become a free agent.


  43. Greg Smtih, Timberwolves, C. Age: 25. UFA.

    Smith has shown that he can score efficiently, rebound, give you six fouls and he is probably going to be on his fourth team in four seasons.


  44. Willie Reed, Nets, F. Age: 26. RFA.

    Reed did not play much in his first season in the league and only 39 games, but he did show a lot of potential, averaging 15.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per 36 minutes. The Nets do not have much talent and will probably keep him.


  45. Jordan Hamilton, Pelicans, G/F. Age: 26. UFA.

    Hamilton has played just 25 games in two years, but he has proven that he is a strong NBA shooter and rebounder. He played well for the Pelicans when they signed him mid-season, and the team would be smart to keep him.





  46. Damjan Rudez, Timberwolves, F. Age: 30. Team Option.

    Damjan – I like typing that – is basically just a shooter, but at 6-10, that will keep you in the NBA.


  47. Mike Miller, Nuggets, G/F. Age: 36.
    Re-signed with Nuggets (2 seasons, $6 million)

    Miller is one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA, but with his age and injuries I think he will retire. If not, look for him to sign with a contender, maybe the Cavaliers.


  48. Alonzo Gee, Pelicans, SF. Age: 29 .
    Re-signs with the Pelicans(1 seasons, the minimum)

    Gee is a mediocre shooter and scorer, but he defends and rebounds, so I think the Pelicans will keep him on his very cheap option of less than $1.5 million.


  49. Pablo Prigioni, Rockets, PG. Age: 39 .
    Signed with Rockets (2 seasons, minimum)

    Prigioni is a solid shooter, defender and distributor, but he really cannot score and is 39, so he is, at best, a minimal second point guard for a team next season. Prigioni likely re-signs, but he could retire or go international again.


  50. Caron Butler, Kings, SF. Age: 36. Player Option.

    Caron Butler doesn’t have many games to play and has played very poorly for a couple of seasons now, but he is an excellent veteran and is still a three-point shooter. Still, when he says no to his option, somebody will sign him if he isn’t retired.


Go to Mike Elworth’s NBA Free Agent Rankings 151-175.

Back to Mike Elworth’s NBA Free Agent Rankings 1-50.

Back to Mike Elworth’s NBA Free Agent Rankings 51-100.








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