As we approach the NBA offseason, several players’ situations are unclear, either due to unrestricted free agency status, or team/player options hanging over their heads.
Still, it’s time to break down the potential top point guards in this year’s free-agent market.
Advertisement
(Note: Positions are being determined off Basketball-Reference’s positional breakdowns, meaning a player will be listed at the position in which he played the most minutes. So if you’re looking for James Harden and Kyrie Irving, you’ll find them in the shooting guard section.)
1. Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets
Status: Team option
Value of option: $44,886,930
Since becoming an All-Star in 2022, VanVleet has seen his scoring diminish every year since. That doesn’t mean he isn’t important to the Rockets as their main facilitator, but almost $45 million for a guy who barely cracked 14 points and didn’t even crack 38% shooting overall is a lot.
Advertisement
Given that this year’s market flat-out isn’t flush with cash, it’d behoove the Rockets to decline the option and negotiate a deal at a lesser price. Worth noting: The two sides recently agreed to push back the deadline of the option, suggesting they’re interested at a continued partnership, albeit at a lesser cost.
What makes sense: VanVleet trades in his enormous 2025-2026 salary for a long-term deal at a lower annual price point.
2. Chris Paul, San Antonio Spurs
Status: Unrestricted free agent
Paul loved his stay in San Antonio, which is worth noting in terms of his future, but the franchise did not make the postseason, which you have to assume is a priority to him.
Advertisement
Also a priority is spending time with his family, which means he’s likely exploring all angles. At 40 years old, could one of those options be retirement?
What makes sense: With Paul residing in California, and the Lakers acquiring Luka Dončić this past season, it may make sense to link up with him and LeBron James, the latter of whom is a close friend.
3. Tyus Jones, Phoenix Suns
Status: Unrestricted free agent
Jones’ plan of signing with the Suns for a starting role and perhaps competing for a title didn’t go as planned as Phoenix failed to make the postseason. Could this influence his value? Given that he signed a minimum deal last summer, the arrow only points up if he decides to chase the money this summer.
Advertisement
The 29-year-old remains one of the league’s most secure ball-handlers and a strong 3-point shooter (41.4%), which virtually everyone has a use for.
What makes sense: Jones as a backup point guard on a good team, especially behind a young player in need of further development. Portland wouldn’t be a bad destination.
4. Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls
Status: Restricted free agent
The raw numbers make Giddey look like a future All-Star, but the advanced numbers unearth several concerning areas, such as a general shooting inefficiency and defensive issues — two key elements for most highly paid players in today’s league.
Advertisement
Chicago, however, appears to love the guy, which raises the question: Will it make him an offer outright, as opposed to letting him go through restricted free agency? If the Bulls jump the gun, that could add several million onto the books.
What makes sense: The Bulls hold all the cards here. Entering free agency believing otherwise could prove catastrophic. Let someone else dictate his market, because odds are good no one will break the bank for him despite the headline-grabbing stats.
5. Ty Jerome, Cleveland Cavaliers
Status: Unrestricted free agent
There’s no question that Jerome turned in one of the most surprising seasons of any player in the league, as he carved out a role for himself on one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, thus significantly raising his own value.
Advertisement
Of course, Cleveland’s roster is already expensive, and it doesn’t have Jerome’s full Bird rights, which only makes the situation that much more complicated. The Cavaliers have to prepare themselves for the likelihood Jerome is off to somewhere else for a bigger payday.
What makes sense: Jerome probably isn’t a starter on a team with tall aspirations, but he could be a perfectly valid sixth man who plays more than he did this year and puts up starting-caliber numbers with high shooting efficiency. There aren’t any teams around that couldn’t use that, so he should have several suitors to choose from. The Toronto Raptors, who are in need of guard depth, wouldn’t be a bad destination.
Best of the rest
6. Malcolm Brogdon, Washington Wizards
Status: Unrestricted free agent
Advertisement
The 32-year-old is efficient and effective when on the floor, but his injury history indicates his floor time will be limited. Teams are keenly aware of this, so while he’ll have several suitors, don’t expect anyone to hand out a large contract. He’d make an interesting fit in with the Lakers as a backup to Luka Dončić.
7. D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets
Status: Unrestricted free agent
Russell has reached the point in his career, where the secret is out. He’s not year-to-year consistent in his performance, and his defensive warts remain substantial. He can score a bit, shoot a bit and pass a bit, but rarely put it all together. Orlando should give him a look, but only at a price point it feels comfortable with.
8. Dennis Schröder, Detroit Pistons
Status: Unrestricted free agent
Advertisement
Schröder is capable, he’s fast and he can get you points if you need them, even if you need them at a scaled up capacity. However, he remains an iffy shooter, his defense isn’t what it once was, and he’s getting older.
He’ll get a contract, but don’t expect it to run more than a couple of years and at a modest compensation level.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
The Three Biggest Disappointments of the 2025 NFL Season
Dec 11, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images We’ve made it to the final three weeks of the NFL season. At this point, we have a pretty decent idea of how teams are. Teams like the Broncos and Patriots have to be excited with how their seasons have gone, while the Chiefs and Lions must be disappointed in their likely playoff misses. Those teams aren’t close to being the biggest disappointments in 2025. The Lions are still an excellent playoff team, who could sneak into the playoffs, and the Chiefs have been a dynasty for nearly the last decade, so they can’t be too crushed by one bad season. Here are the three teams most […]
Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl becomes first German to reach 1,000 points
Dec 16, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) congratulates center Leon Draisaitl (29) on his 1000th career NHL point which was an assist against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl on Tuesday became the first German-born player to reach 1,000 points in his NHL career. Draisaitl recorded a secondary assist on Zach Hyman's goal during a 5-on-3 power play at 11:38 of the first period in Edmonton's game against the host Pittsburgh Penguins. The Oilers' players on the bench jumped on the ice to celebrate with Draisaitl. Draisaitl wasn't done, however. as he set up superstar captain Connor McDavid's power-play goal just 14 seconds later to give Edmonton a 2-0 lead. Draisaitl, 30, has totaled 1,001 points (416 goals, 585 […]
Boxing star Terence Crawford (42-0, 18 titles) announces retirement
Sep 13, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Canelo Alvarez (black/gold trunks) and Terence Crawford (black/red trunks) box during their super middleweight title bout at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images Undefeated boxing star Terence Crawford announced his retirement from the sport Tuesday. "Walking away as a great with nothing else left to prove," he said in a post on X. Crawford reached the top of the sport before leaving the ring. He won the biggest fight of his career in September when he defeated Mexican great Canelo Alvarez to become the undisputed super middleweight world champion. That victory made Crawford the first boxer in modern history to be an undisputed champion in three divisions (light welterweight, welterweight, super middleweight). Crawford, 38, retires 42-0 all time with an impressive 31 wins via knockout. He won 18 major world championships across […]
Scorecard: Australia vs England, third Ashes Test, Adelaide
Total for -, from overs. Batting Runs Balls 4s 6s SR Yet to bat Fall of Wickets Bowling Overs Maidens Runs Wickets Econ
Jerry Jones says Cowboys’ defensive play over final 3 games will be ‘big criteria’ in evaluating Matt Eberflus
Jerry Jones is at a crossroads. The longtime Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager is desperate for better defensive play, but he also understands the importance of continuity at the defensive coordinator position.Even though Matt Eberflus has struggled mightily in his first season on the job — the Cowboys are allowing 30 points per game, the second most in the league at the moment — moving on from him would mean a fourth DC in four seasons. Dan Quinn left to become the Washington Commanders' head coach after the 2023 season. Mike Zimmer didn't return when the Cowboys parted ways with Mike McCarthy following the 2024 season. Then Eberflus joined Brian Schottenheimer's staff.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJones was asked Tuesday on Dallas' 105.3 The FAN if Eberflus' job status is going to be determined by how the 6-7-1 Cowboys perform defensively over the final […]
Christensen and Rashford secure a hard-fought victory for Barcelona
Barcelona needed late goals by Andreas Christensen and Marcus Rashford to defeat third-division club Guadalajara 2-0 on Tuesday in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey in a game delayed because of problems with the stadium's temporary grandstand.Kickoff was delayed by half an hour because local authorities did not initially allow fans access to the newly built grandstand at the Pedro Escartín stadium in the city of Guadalajara near Madrid.There were long lines outside the stadium until police finally permitted fans inside. The stadium's capacity increased from nearly 6,000 to about 8,000 with the new stand.Barcelona was in control from the start but struggled to create significant scoring chances against its lower-tier opponent.Christensen finally broke the deadlock in the 76th minute with a header off a cross by Frenkie De Jong. Christensen's header deflected off a defender before […]
Related
The Three Biggest Disappointments of the 2025 NFL Season
Dec 11, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images We’ve made it to the final three weeks of the NFL season. At this point, we have a pretty decent idea of how teams are. Teams like the Broncos and Patriots have to be excited with how their seasons have gone, while the Chiefs and Lions must be disappointed in their likely playoff misses. Those teams aren’t close to being the biggest disappointments in 2025. The Lions are still an excellent playoff team, who could sneak into the playoffs, and the Chiefs have been a dynasty for nearly the last decade, so they can’t be too crushed by one bad season. Here are the three teams most […]
Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl becomes first German to reach 1,000 points
Dec 16, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) congratulates center Leon Draisaitl (29) on his 1000th career NHL point which was an assist against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl on Tuesday became the first German-born player to reach 1,000 points in his NHL career. Draisaitl recorded a secondary assist on Zach Hyman's goal during a 5-on-3 power play at 11:38 of the first period in Edmonton's game against the host Pittsburgh Penguins. The Oilers' players on the bench jumped on the ice to celebrate with Draisaitl. Draisaitl wasn't done, however. as he set up superstar captain Connor McDavid's power-play goal just 14 seconds later to give Edmonton a 2-0 lead. Draisaitl, 30, has totaled 1,001 points (416 goals, 585 […]
Boxing star Terence Crawford (42-0, 18 titles) announces retirement
Sep 13, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Canelo Alvarez (black/gold trunks) and Terence Crawford (black/red trunks) box during their super middleweight title bout at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images Undefeated boxing star Terence Crawford announced his retirement from the sport Tuesday. "Walking away as a great with nothing else left to prove," he said in a post on X. Crawford reached the top of the sport before leaving the ring. He won the biggest fight of his career in September when he defeated Mexican great Canelo Alvarez to become the undisputed super middleweight world champion. That victory made Crawford the first boxer in modern history to be an undisputed champion in three divisions (light welterweight, welterweight, super middleweight). Crawford, 38, retires 42-0 all time with an impressive 31 wins via knockout. He won 18 major world championships across […]
Scorecard: Australia vs England, third Ashes Test, Adelaide
Total for -, from overs. Batting Runs Balls 4s 6s SR Yet to bat Fall of Wickets Bowling Overs Maidens Runs Wickets Econ
Jerry Jones says Cowboys’ defensive play over final 3 games will be ‘big criteria’ in evaluating Matt Eberflus
Jerry Jones is at a crossroads. The longtime Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager is desperate for better defensive play, but he also understands the importance of continuity at the defensive coordinator position.Even though Matt Eberflus has struggled mightily in his first season on the job — the Cowboys are allowing 30 points per game, the second most in the league at the moment — moving on from him would mean a fourth DC in four seasons. Dan Quinn left to become the Washington Commanders' head coach after the 2023 season. Mike Zimmer didn't return when the Cowboys parted ways with Mike McCarthy following the 2024 season. Then Eberflus joined Brian Schottenheimer's staff.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJones was asked Tuesday on Dallas' 105.3 The FAN if Eberflus' job status is going to be determined by how the 6-7-1 Cowboys perform defensively over the final […]
Christensen and Rashford secure a hard-fought victory for Barcelona
Barcelona needed late goals by Andreas Christensen and Marcus Rashford to defeat third-division club Guadalajara 2-0 on Tuesday in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey in a game delayed because of problems with the stadium's temporary grandstand.Kickoff was delayed by half an hour because local authorities did not initially allow fans access to the newly built grandstand at the Pedro Escartín stadium in the city of Guadalajara near Madrid.There were long lines outside the stadium until police finally permitted fans inside. The stadium's capacity increased from nearly 6,000 to about 8,000 with the new stand.Barcelona was in control from the start but struggled to create significant scoring chances against its lower-tier opponent.Christensen finally broke the deadlock in the 76th minute with a header off a cross by Frenkie De Jong. Christensen's header deflected off a defender before […]
Be the first to leave a comment