As we count down the hours until the NBA's free agency frenzy (which is set to begin at 12:01 a.m. ET on July 1), we take a look at the league's most talented guards who will be hitting the market as unrestricted free agents, meaning they're free to sign with any team.
Note: Restricted free agents, who can be retained by their current team if a contract offer is matched, weren't taken into consideration.
1. Mike Conley • PG • Memphis Grizzlies
2015-16 stats - Points: 15.3, assists: 6.1, rebounds: 2.9, steals: 1.2, field goal percentage: 42.2%, player efficiency rating: 19.45
Don't let his lack of All-Star appearances fool you; Conley sits comfortably in the upper echelon of NBA floor generals. He's fully capable of changing the outlook of a franchise lacking at the point guard position.
2. DeMar DeRozan • SG • Toronto Raptors
2015-16 stats - Points: 23.5, rebounds: 4.5, assists: 4.0, steals: 1.0, field goal percentage: 44.6%, player efficiency rating: 21.58
Despite his occasional struggles during the Raptors postseason run, DeRozan has secured himself as one of the NBA's top scorers. He gets to the free throw line more frequently than most (8.4 attempts per game) and — at just 26-years-old — has a bright future ahead. He struggles defensively at times and lacks a perimeter game, but nonetheless, he'll surely draw some max contract offers. The question is: will it be from Toronto?
3. Dwyane Wade • SG • Miami Heat
2015-16 stats - Points: 19.0, rebounds: 4.1, assists: 4.6, steals: 1.1, field goal percentage: 45.6%, player efficiency rating: 20.42
While it's hard to picture Wade — with 13 seasons and three titles in Miami under his belt — anywhere else, his departure from South Florida this summer isn't out of the question. At 34-years-old, he's no spring chicken, but his productivity last season, where he ranked in the top-three among shooting guards in points, rebounds and assists, has him near the top of plenty of wishlists as July 1 nears.
4. J.R. Smith • SG • Cleveland Cavaliers
2015-16 stats - Points: 12.4, rebounds: 2.8, assists: 1.7, steals: 1.1, field goal percentage: 41.5%, player efficiency rating: 12.43
Take away what transpired over the past couple of months and Smith may not be on this list. But now, as an NBA champion who played a vital role in the Cavs' postseason run, a lights-out three-point shooter and an improved defender, Smith's value has grown exponentially. If he doesn't come to an agreement with Cleveland, he'll get paid elsewhere.
5. Rajon Rondo • PG • Sacramento Kings
2015-16 stats - Points: 11.9, assists: 11.7, rebounds: 6.0, steals: 2.0, field goal percentage: 45.4%, player efficiency rating: 16.92
As a below-average shooter with an attitude problem, Rondo certainly won't be the most sought-after point guard come July 1. He's more of a gamble that other available players, and, chances are he'll end up underperforming yet again. That said ... the 30-year-old vet is still one of the NBA's best passers, as was shown by his league-leading 11.7 assists per game last season. He's far from the player he once was, but there's still some fragments of that perennial All-Star from Boston in there somewhere. Could we be in for a Rondo resurgence?
Other notable unrestricted guards: Jeremy Lin, Courtney Lee, Eric Gordon, Jamal Crawford, Deron Williams.
Restricted: Bradley Beal, Jordan Clarkson, Evan Fournier, Dion Waiters.
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