Sad: LeBron James likely to hit the open market despite having a $51.4 million dollar deal on table ..
LeBron James himself is actually somewhat likely to hit the open market despite having a $51.4 million dollar deal on the table with ..

James is far from the only big name in this free agent class, though. In fact, there is something for everyone on the open market this year, including star-level players, starters, role players, and bargain options. In this article, we are going to rank the top 50 players who have a chance to become free agents once free agency starts on July 6 (negotiation period begins on June 30).

50. Patrick Beverley: Milwaukee Bucks, UFA
Patrick Beverley contributes to winning wherever he goes. He has played on six teams since 2021, but his teams always seem to make the playoffs. There are a lot of words to describe Beverley. Irritant, pest, and annoyance all come to mind. One thing is for sure, though, and that is that he is the type of player you want on your team and not one that you want to face. He plays great defense and makes life miserable for opposing guards. A team interested in signing Beverley will have to accept his ensuing four-game suspension, though.

49. Alec Burks: New York Knicks, UFA

Alec Burks is one of many Knicks players set to become free agents. He can hit the three-pointer and play gritty defense. Even if he doesn’t sign a contract at the start of free agency, he will find a home for next season at some point.

48. Jalen Smith: Indiana Pacers, Player Option
Jalen Smith has had a weird start to his career. He was a first-round pick for the Phoenix Suns, but the team moved on from him less than two years into his career after only 56 games played. Phoenix only got Torrey Craig back in that trade, meaning Phoenix didn’t believe in their former first-rounder and just wanted off of him.

Smith has become a solid rotation piece since finding a new home with the Indiana Pacers, though. He is a stretch big man capable of hitting the long ball.

47. Aaron Wiggins: Oklahoma City Thunder, UFA
The Thunder’s depth is unbelievable, but that means that they won’t be able to pay everyone. Aaron Wiggins has emerged as one of many young, exciting players in Oklahoma City, and if the Thunder prioritize different players for their future, Wiggins would be a good get for a team during free agency.

46. Markelle Fultz: Orlando Magic, UFA
2024 NBA free agent Markelle Fultz dribbling the basketball
Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Markelle Fultz was undoubtedly one of the biggest draft busts in recent memory with the Philadelphia 76ers. After becoming the No. 1 overall pick, his Philadelphia career was more than weird. It is still a little bit unclear if it was an injury or psychological issues that led to Fultz becoming a non-threat from deep. Unable to live up to the expectations that the 76ers had for him coming out of college, the team traded him to the Magic.

While shooting is still a concern with Fultz, the guard has turned his career around and become a legitimate NBA player with the Magic. Injuries have severely limited his time on the court, though, and the Magic have built an impressive rotation while he has missed time. Fultz is no longer a starter for the team, and it appears he may no longer be in Orlando’s plans going forward, either.

Fultz’s lack of a shot will always limit his ceiling, but he is a rotation-caliber player. He has great athleticism and is twitchy as a driver, allowing him to thrive when attacking the rim. Finding a good fit for him may be a tough ask, though.

45. Lonnie Walker IV: Brooklyn Nets, UFA
Lonnie Walker has gone under the radar in recent seasons, but he has become a solid scoring option and is still only 25 years old. Walker averaged double-digit scoring figures in the previous three seasons before making 9.7 points per game this year. He has been on three teams in three seasons, though. Will Walker sign with a new team again when he becomes a free agent?

44. Naji Marshall: New Orleans Pelicans, UFA
The Pelicans have great depth, which may mean that Naji Marshall is expendable when he becomes a free agent. Many teams would love to have him, though, because he is a versatile wing capable of filling a number of roles for a team.