Free Agency 2022 | Top 10 wingers

The NBA season over and the 2022 Draft past, it’s now time for « free agency », which will shake up the first days of July.

This year, it will start from the night of June 30 to July 1, at midnight in France (6 p.m. in New York). As always, the signatures will only become official once the moratorium period is lifted, one week after the opening of the « free agency », on July 6 at 6:00 p.m. in France (12:00 p.m. in New York).

It is difficult to be frankly enthusiastic about this 2022 vintage of wingers free of all contracts. There are no stars on the market, but a lot of solid role players, mostly in playoff teams.

We voluntarily removed Lu Dort and Jae’Sean Tate from this list, as the Thunder and Rockets, respectively, recently activated the « team option » of the two wingers. The same goes for Kelly Oubre Jr, whose contract is only partially guaranteed by the Hornets, up to $5 million (out of $12 million), and who will become fully guaranteed on June 30.

1 – Bruce Brown (25 – unprotected – Brooklyn Nets)

2021/22 stats (regular season): 9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Stats 2021/22 (playoffs): 14 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists

An important « role player » in Brooklyn for two seasons, Bruce Brown could be one of the Nets’ summer priorities, which can focus on « free agency » with a clear head, now that the Kyrie Irving file is closed.

If his role in attack is limited alongside the leader and Kevin Durant, the former resident of Miami University is however valuable for his good defensive activity and his sense of collective.

If the Nets let him slip away, there’s no doubt that a number of playoff teams will offer him a nice contract, with a raise in salary ($4.7 million last season).

2 – Nicolas Batum (33 years old – player option – Los Angeles Clippers)

2021/22 stats (regular season): 8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Stats 2021/22 (playoffs): 8.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists

Although he has actually declined his « player option », Nicolas Batum should not leave the Clippers. The French winger wants to end his career with the neighbors of the Lakers, and we imagine then that he could sign a new two-season contract in Los Angeles, since he wants to stop at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

If the Clippers are his priority and seem largely favorites to retain the services of their luxury « role player », the club will have to deal with the Celtics and the Lakers, among others, also interested in the Frenchman.

3 – Caleb Martin (26 – protected – Miami Heat)

2021/22 stats (regular season): 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds
Stats 2021/22 (playoffs): 4.5 points, 2.2 rebounds

For his third season in the NBA, his first (without his brother) in Miami, Caleb Martin has taken a step forward within the Heat collective, and has established himself as a solid « role player » on the wings.

While he is a protected « free agent », the Heat have control over his future and can offer him a « qualifying offer » of $ 2 million for the 2022/23 season. Tyler Herro’s contract extension will soon become a major topic in Florida, and we can imagine the club keeping their low-cost winger for another season.

Otherwise, he will have other options on the market and could be rewarded with a nice contract this summer.

4 – TJ Warren (28 – unprotected – Indiana Pacers)

2021/22 stats (regular season): did not play

Absent from the courts since December 2020 following several successive injuries to the left foot, TJ Warren is a “free agent” at the “worst” moment.

Its rating is clearly not at its highest, and it will therefore not be able to be too greedy on the market this summer.

Since his last game under the tunic of the Pacers, a lot of water has flowed under the bridges and the club has swung into reconstruction mode. We therefore imagine that a departure is the most likely option for the 28-year-old winger, perhaps towards a title contender at a salary close to the minimum, to find sensations next season, and give a boost. boost to his career before the « free agency » 2023.

5 – Joe Ingles (34 – unprotected – Portland Trail Blazers)

2021/22 stats (regular season): 7.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists

Sent to Portland during the season after his heavy knee injury (rupture of a cruciate ligament), after eight years of good and loyal service in the Jazz collective, Joe Ingles is at a crossroads in his career.

At 34, he is a « free agent » and must recover from his injury, while hoping to find a last contract in the NBA before retirement.

The Blazers could keep him, at minimum wage, to bring experience to a locker room that has been greatly rejuvenated in recent months. Otherwise, we simply think of the Jazz, which could bring him back to the fold to close the loop. But the person concerned had a very bad experience of his departure…

6 – Cody Martin (26 – protected – Charlotte Hornets)

2021/22 stats (regular season): 7.7 points, 4 rebounds, 2.5 assists

7 – Amir Coffey (25 – protected – Los Angeles Clippers)

2021/22 stats (regular season): 9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists

8 – Stanley Johnson (26 years old – team option – Los Angeles Lakers)

2021/22 stats (regular season): 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists

9 – Derrick Jones Jr. (25 – unprotected – Chicago Bulls)

2021/22 stats (regular season): 5.6 points, 3.3 rebounds
Stats 2021/22 (playoffs): 3.8 points, 1.4 rebounds

10 – Andre Iguodala (38 – unprotected – Golden State Warriors)

2021/22 stats (regular season): 4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists
Stats 2021/22 (playoffs): 1.6 points, 1 rebound, 1.7 assists

Others : Jordan Nwora (protected), Jalen McDaniels (team option), Kent Bazemore (unprotected), Troy Brown (protected), Josh Okogie (protected), etc.