2016 NBA Free Agents

The following lists the 2016 free-agent class by position, followed by their 2015-16 salary.  A free agent becomes be restricted when their team issues a Qualifying Offer.  Only players coming off a first-round rookie scale contract or with three or fewer years in the league (whose rookie scale options were not declined) are eligible.  Teams need to officially issue that Offer by June 30, 2016, to make a player restricted.

For a more detailed explanation of restricted free agency, check out Larry Coon’s NBA Salary Cap FAQ.

Players are roughly sorted in value, with the presumed most desirable player at the top of each list. Players who play multiple positions are listed where they play most often.

Definition of Options
A player headed into an option year the following season cannot be traded after the trade deadline (near the draft, etc.) without the player or team picking the option to stay.

Team Option – The decision is up to the team. If the team invokes the option by June 30th (or an earlier, agreed-upon date), the player is under contract for one more season. If the team does nothing, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent (if the player has three years or less of experience, the team can still then issue him a Qualifying Offer and make him restricted, but this scenario is unlikely).

Player Option – The decision is up to the player. If he invokes the option by June 30th (or an earlier, agreed-upon date), he is under contract for one more season. If he does nothing, he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Early Termination Option – Slightly different from the Player Option (impacting trade kickers differently than player options), but the decision is still up to the player.  If he invokes the option by June 30th (or an earlier, agreed-upon date), he becomes an unrestricted free agent. If he does nothing, he is under contract for the duration of the original deal.

Partial/Non-Guaranteed Salary – Often confused with a team option, partial/non-guaranteed contracts can be traded after the season is complete, whether or not his next year’s salary is guaranteed.  Language specific to that player’s contract often dictates the decision date but that can be changed by mutual agreement between the franchise and the player.   For the 2012/13 season, all players on a roster as of January 10 are guaranteed for the remainder of the year.

Key: T = Team Option, P = Player Option, N= Partial/Non-Guaranteed,
Q = Qualifying Offer, * = Option in Prior Year

Point Guards

NameTeamPrevious SalaryNext SalaryType
Deron WilliamsBrooklyn Nets$21,042,800 $22,331,135 E
Damian LillardPortland Trail Blazers$4,236,287 $5,651,207 Q*
Mike ConleyMemphis Grizzlies$9,388,426
Goran DragicPhoenix Suns$7,500,000 *
Raymond FeltonNew York Knicks$3,950,313 *
Austin RiversNew Orleans Hornets$3,110,796 $4,236,904 Q*
Kendall MarshallPhoenix Suns$2,989,239 $4,134,118 Q*
Tony Wroten Jr.Memphis Grizzlies$2,179,354 $3,201,471 Q*
Marcus TeagueChicago Bulls$2,023,261 $3,034,892 Q*

Shooting Guards
NameTeamPrevious SalaryNext SalaryType
Dwyane WadeMiami Heat$21,655,000 *
Eric GordonNew Orleans Hornets$15,514,031 *
Joe JohnsonBrooklyn Nets$24,894,863
Arron AfflaloOrlando Magic$7,750,000 *
Courtney LeeBoston Celtics$5,675,000
Bradley BealWashington Wizards$5,694,674 $7,471,412 Q*
Jamal CrawfordL.A. Clippers$5,675,000 *
Dion WaitersCleveland Cavaliers$5,138,430 $6,777,589 Q*
Terrence RossToronto Raptors$3,553,917 $4,790,680 Q*
Jeremy LambHouston Rockets$3,034,356 $4,175,274 Q*
John JenkinsAtlanta Hawks$2,228,025 $3,241,776 Q*
Evan FournierDenver Nuggets$2,288,205 $3,278,998 Q*
Jared CunninghamDallas Mavericks$2,204,370 $3,222,789 Q*

Small Forwards
NameTeamPrevious SalaryNext SalaryType
LeBron JamesMiami Heat$22,112,500 *
Kevin DurantOklahoma City Thunder$20,158,622
Danilo GallinariDenver Nuggets$11,559,225
Nicolas BatumPortland Trail Blazers$12,235,750
Gerald WallaceBrooklyn Nets$10,105,885
Michael Kidd-GilchristCharlotte Bobcats$6,331,404 $8,262,482 Q*
Harrison BarnesGolden State Warriors$3,873,398 $5,194,227 Q*
Jared DudleyPhoenix Suns$4,250,000 *
Jeff GreenBoston Celtics$9,445,000 *
Maurice HarklessOrlando Magic$2,894,059 $4,045,894 Q*
Wilson ChandlerDenver Nuggets$7,171,662 *
Perry Jones IIIOklahoma City Thunder$2,038,206 $3,036,927 Q*

Power Forwards
NameTeamPrevious SalaryNext SalaryType
Kevin LoveMinnesota Timberwolves$16,744,218 *
Chris BoshMiami Heat$22,112,500 *
Anthony DavisNew Orleans Hornets$7,070,730 $9,191,949 Q*
NeneWashington Wizards$13,000,000
David LeeGolden State Warriors$15,493,680
Ryan AndersonNew Orleans Hornets$8,500,000
Ersan IlyasovaMilwaukee Bucks$7,900,000 $8,400,000 N
Thaddeus YoungPhiladelphia 76ers$9,971,739 *
Jason ThompsonSacramento Kings$6,431,250 $6,825,000 N
Steve NovakNew York Knicks$3,750,000
Donatas MotiejunasHouston Rockets$2,288,205 $3,278,998 Q*
Thomas RobinsonSacramento Kings$4,660,482 $6,179,799 Q*
John HensonMilwaukee Bucks$2,943,221 $4,094,000 Q*
Jared SullingerBoston Celtics$2,269,260 $3,270,004 Q*
Andrew NicholsonOrlando Magic$2,380,593 $3,394,726 Q*
Royce WhiteHouston Rockets$2,751,260 $3,865,520 Q*
Terrence JonesHouston Rockets$2,489,530 $3,532,643 Q*
Arnett MoultriePhiladelphia 76ers$2,049,633 $3,039,606 Q*
Miles PlumleeIndiana Pacers$2,109,294 $3,113,318 Q*

Centers
NameTeamPrevious SalaryNext SalaryType
Roy HibbertIndiana Pacers$15,514,031 *
Joakim NoahChicago Bulls$13,400,000
Al HorfordAtlanta Hawks$12,000,000
Brook LopezBrooklyn Nets$16,744,218 *
JaVale McGeeDenver Nuggets$12,000,000
Ian MahinmiIndiana Pacers$4,000,000
Andre DrummondDetroit Pistons$3,272,091 $4,433,683 Q*
Jonas ValanciunasToronto Raptors$4,660,482 $6,179,799 Q*
Meyers LeonardPortland Trail Blazers$3,075,880 $4,210,880 Q*
Tyler ZellerCleveland Cavaliers$2,616,975 $3,695,169 Q*
Fab MeloBoston Celtics$2,249,767 $3,257,663 Q*
Festus EzeliGolden State Warriors$2,008,748 $3,013,123 Q*

Salary and team data changes quite often. If you notice a discrepancy, please notify HOOPSWORLD Senior Writer Eric Pincus.

(Updated 11/21/12)