As we close to the 2026 NBA offseason, a number of gamers have unclear futures, both because of free company standing, or having crew or participant choices hanging over their heads.
As such, it is time to break down the prime accessible point guards in this yr’s free agent market.
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(Note: Positions are decided off Basketball-Reference’s positional breakdowns, that means a participant will likely be listed at the place in which he performed the most minutes.)
Status: Player choice
Value of choice: $49 million
Young was traded to the Wizards earlier than the 2026 NBA commerce deadline and appeared simply briefly for them as he nursed numerous accidents. The heliocentric point guard is a four-time All-Star, who has averaged over 25.1 factors and 9.8 assists for his profession.
At 27, Young is in his prime, which could be mirrored in his future wage, as the Wizards — or another person — could deem it worthy to pay prime greenback for, presumably, his finest manufacturing shifting ahead.
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What is sensible: An extension, in which he declines his participant choice, and indicators from between $35 million-40 million per yr. A 3-year, $120 million contract could be logical for each him and Washington.
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Status: Player choice
Value of choice: $42.3 million
Harden really performed extra minutes at the two this season, however we’re permitting him in the point guard class as a result of he performed 68% of his minutes at lead guard after he bought traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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Harden helped the Cavs make a push to the Eastern Conference finals, however struggled with turnovers and shot choice. He stays a participant who can produce high quality numbers any given night time, however he will be 37 earlier than the begin of the season, which suggests long-term cash could be … problematic.
What is sensible: It’s unlikely Harden receives a significant long-term contract supply value, so any short-term extension must be value it to him if he declines his choice. Would $60 million over two years be sufficient? It appears unlikely, which finally results in the probability of him choosing up the choice — except Cleveland decides to interrupt the financial institution.
Status: Unrestricted free agent
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McCollum, who was acquired by the Atlanta Hawks in the Trae Young commerce, turned out to be considered one of the very best suits the group could have envisioned, particularly alongside breakout star Jalen Johnson.
The veteran’s capacity to play each on and off the ball offers the Hawks with a number of offensive appears to be like they will lean into, permitting McCollum to be both scaled down or scaled up, pending want. This is a extremely enticing characteristic for many groups.
What is sensible: McCollum has at the least a pair of fine years left in him, which makes a three-year deal very tolerable. Perhaps $75 million over three years could be a stable deal for each him and the Hawks, however competitors could result in the next value point.
Status: Unrestricted free agent
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After getting traded to Charlotte at the deadline, White performed 75% of his minutes at the one, inserting him on this record, even when — stylistically — he performs largely as an off-guard and could see his position subsequent season be extra of the shooting-guard selection.
White is an amazing scorer, who averaged 29.1 factors per-36 minutes after making the change to the Hornets. He can perform as each a starter and a extremely impactful sixth man, seeing as he additionally offers playmaking, some rebounding and a defensive degree that has improved over the years.
What is sensible: If no crew views him as a starter, then sixth-man cash, in the space of $17 million per yr, may be affordable. If a crew buys the idea of him as a starter, his value point doubtless jumps into the $20 million vary.
Status: Unrestricted free agent
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Gillespie is a high-volume (7.2), high-efficiency (40.1%) 3-point shooter who works wonders as a secondary guard to a lead playmaker so he can play off a real star, which we noticed this yr with Devin Booker.
He’ll be 27 earlier than the season, that means he is additionally a man you pay — presumably — for his prime years. Adding him to a playoff crew in want of ground spacing (Hello, Detroit!) could be an intriguing proposition.
What is sensible: A deal inside the framework of the non-tax MLE may sound wealthy, however based mostly on final season, it is not essentially that massive of of venture. Of course, he solely has one yr of enjoying at this degree, so threat is concerned.
Best of the relaxation
6. Fred VanVleet, Houston Rockets
Status: Player choice
Value of choice: $25 million
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VanVleet missed the complete season because of a torn ACL, so it could seem doubtless that he picks up his choice. If he is absolutely wholesome, he might help a contender, however whether or not he ever turns into a full-time starter once more stays to be seen.
7. Anfernee Simons, Chicago Bulls
Status: Unrestricted free agent
Simons has an argument to be ranked above VanVleet, however let’s be sincere: He’s not a real point guard however extra of a scoring combo. That mentioned, he ought to have a market, given how robust a shooter he’s and the way he can combine himself subsequent to a high-volume ball-handler. At 27, his finest years are doubtless forward of him.