Top NBA free-agent power forwards: Draymond Green adds a twist to Warriors' free agency
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If you are looking for major impact … power forward is not where it's at. Still there are some useful players and storylines on the free-agent landscape.
Let's break down the top power forwards who could be available on this year's free-agent market.
AdvertisementAdvertisement(Note: Positions are determined off Basketball-Reference's positional breakdowns, meaning a player will be listed at the position in which he played the most minutes.)
Free-agent position rankings: Point guards | Shooting guards | Small forwards | Centers
1. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
Status: Declined $27.6 million player option
The 36-year-old is declining, and rapidly, but he holds specific value to the Warriors as one of the main two-way cogs in that machine. His relationship with Stephen Curry is also valued within the organization, meaning Green's own value is very much tied to the Warriors, instead of the open market. Green declining his optioned reportedly gives the Warriors flexibility to pursue LeBron James in free agency and perhaps a trade for Anthony Davis.
AdvertisementAdvertisementGreen give the Warriors consistent defensive pressure, a high on-court IQ and crucial playmaking from the 4-spot. He's gone four straight seasons of hitting over 30% from behind the 3-point line, which is also worth mentioning, even if the scale is low.
What makes sense: It seems Green is willing to work with the Warriors here, but we'll see how this turns out.
2. Jonathan Kuminga, Atlanta Hawks
Status: Team option
Value of option: $24.3 million
It finally happened. Kuminga and the Warriors split. The 23-year-old is now in Atlanta, where he will attempt to break out as an All-Star, with the organization holding significant control of his current contract.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThis upcoming season will be a huge one for Kuminga, as he'll try to play his way into a raise, unless, of course, the Hawks decline his option, which seems far-fetched at this stage.
What makes sense: Expect the Hawks to retain Kuminga.
3. John Collins, Los Angeles Clippers
Status: Unrestricted free agent
After Collins enjoyed two good years in Utah, the Clippers somehow brought him back down to Earth by giving him inconsistent minutes and an odd role, all while failing to understand how to properly utilize him. Unfortunately for Collins, this will hurt his market.
Fortunately for a team out there that understands how to utilize him, Collins' suppressed market will benefit its chances of making a real upgrade. He hit over 55% of his shots, including over 40% from long range, and is a genuine lob threat and pick-and-pop option.
AdvertisementAdvertisementWhat makes sense: The Spurs should give him a look in order to inject more offense into their rotation, but the price point will be tricky. Collins could land in the non-tax MLE area, or possibly lower if the market squeezes him out.
4. Tobias Harris, Detroit Pistons
Status: Unrestricted free agent
Harris spent two productive years in Detroit and might even stick around, as the organization won 60 games this season and returned to relevance. Whether he opts to return or go somewhere else remains to be seen, but odds are good the 33-year-old will get a decent deal.
Plenty of teams could use an off-ball, spot-up shooting wing big who can do a bit of everything. Harris likely won't break the bank, but it's also unlikely he comes at a discount.
AdvertisementAdvertisementWhat makes sense: Harris should have a market, and the non-tax MLE area feels about right, albeit for three years as opposed to four.
5. Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers
Status: Unrestricted free agent
The 28-year-old wing big was one of the league's best shooters last season (44.3% from long range), and his 6-foot-8 frame makes that extra interesting for teams that wish to add floor-spacing without relinquishing size.
While Hachimura isn't a strong defender, his 230-pound frame does allow for some paint protection, which means he can play big minutes. This could be interesting for teams trying to make a deep run in the postseason.
AdvertisementAdvertisementWhat makes sense: An even $15 million per year would be fitting, but shooters get paid, so expect some extra mustard on that deal.
Best of the rest
6. Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs
Status: Unrestricted free agent
From a production perspective, Barnes has been better. But his veteran leadership, ability to optimize his own shot selection and defensive knack remain. This should have value to several teams, including his current team.
7. Khris Middleton, Dallas Mavericks
Status: Unrestricted free agent
There's no denying that current-day Middleton is a far cry from the prime version. Injuries and age have turned him into a role player, as opposed to a two-way star. But that doesn't mean he can't be effective.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
