2025 NBA Free Agency: 20 Best Shooting Guards Available This Summer

2024-25 Stats: 24.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 3.4 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.0 BPG

Contract: $5,993,172 Qualifying Offer

It’s about time we start taking Cam Thomas seriously. Averaging 24.2 points per game, Thomas has proven he’s not just a microwave scorer but a legitimate offensive weapon. His $5.9 million qualifying offer feels almost disrespectful considering what he brings to the table.

The Nets have a decision to make: either lock him down long-term or risk losing a 23-year-old who can effortlessly drop 25 on any given night. Given his scoring prowess, teams starving for offense—think the Magic or Bulls—could throw a hefty offer sheet his way. Brooklyn better be ready to pay up.

2. Nickeil Alexander-Walker

2024-25 Stats: 9.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Contract: Free Agent

Nickeil Alexander-Walker is the classic case of a guy who flashes potential but hasn’t quite put it all together yet. With 9.4 points per game and a decent all-around skill set, he’s shown he can contribute off the bench. His free-agent status could attract teams needing depth and versatility at the two-guard spot.

The question is whether anyone will offer more than a mid-level exception. A return to a contender on a team-friendly deal makes the most sense, but a rebuilding squad with cap space might gamble on his upside. Either way, the Timberwolves cannot afford to lose another key piece from last year’s Western Conference Finals squad.

3. Caris LeVert

2024-25 Stats: 11.6 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 3.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Contract: Free Agent

Caris LeVert is stuck in a basketball identity crisis. He’s too talented to be a sixth man but not quite efficient enough to be a reliable starter. His 11.6 points per game on a free-agent deal suggest he’ll get offers, but don’t expect anything outrageous.

Teams like the Heat or Raptors might be intrigued by his ability to create his own shot, but unless LeVert improves his consistency, he’s destined to be a well-paid role player on a mid-tier contract. The Cavaliers traded him to the Hawks because they believed more in De’Andre Hunter, so Atlanta might want to bring him back.

4. Malik Beasley

2024-25 Stats: 16.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.0 BPG

Contract: Free Agent

Malik Beasley is a shooter, plain and simple. Averaging 16.6 points per game, his value skyrockets for teams in desperate need of spacing. With his free-agent status looming, hopeful contenders like the 76ers could come calling with offers in the $15-18 million range.

Beasley’s defense leaves a lot to be desired, but in today’s NBA, a guy who can hit 40% from deep will always find a home and a paycheck. We might even see the Pistons decide to cough up a long-term deal to keep him alongside Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey going forward.

5. Quentin Grimes

2024-25 Stats: 11.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Contract: $6,311,825 Qualifying Offer

Quentin Grimes is the kind of 3-and-D wing every contender covets but his offense is what is making his stock interesting. His 11.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game don’t jump off the page, but his defensive versatility and ability to knock down open threes make him an asset.

With a $6.3 million qualifying offer, the Sixers would be wise to lock him up before other teams sniff around. Grimes might not be a star, but he’s the type of glue guy you need in May and June, and the Mavericks could regret their decision to trade him.

6. Keon Ellis

2024-25 Stats: 8.0 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Contract: $2,301,587 Team Option

Keon Ellis is still figuring things out in the league, but his 1.4 steals per game suggest there’s more to his game than the modest 8 points per contest. The Kings can pick up his $2.3 million team option, which seems like a no-brainer for a guy who’s shown flashes of being a pesky perimeter defender.

Ellis’ shooting is a work in progress, but if he can develop a consistent corner three, he’ll find a steady role in any rotation. The 25-year-old is covered by the Kings so expect him to return to them on a team option, but anything can happen if the team wants a change in rotation.

7. Luke Kennard

2024-25 Stats: 9.5 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 3.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Contract: Free Agent

Luke Kennard’s three-point shooting is his meal ticket, but there’s a sense that he could be doing more. Averaging 9.5 points per game, Kennard remains one of the league’s most efficient shooters from deep which is why the Grizzlies might want to retain him on a long-term deal.

As a free agent, his market will be interesting—shooters always get paid, but his lack of defensive chops might limit offers to mid-level exception money. A return to the Clippers or a move to a contender in need of spacing seems likely if the Grizzlies don’t want him back.

8. Gary Trent Jr.

2024-25 Stats: 10.6 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Contract: Free Agent

Gary Trent Jr. can fill it up, but consistency is the issue. His 10.6 points per game are solid, but his streaky shooting and questionable shot selection make him a bit of a gamble in free agency. Still, there is no denying Trent Jr. is a top-10 talent at the shooting guard position in the upcoming free agency class.

Trent’s defense gives him a higher floor, though, and teams like the Bulls or Raptors might be willing to offer a multi-year deal of around $15 million annually if the Bucks don’t bring him back. The key for Trent will be finding the right fit—somewhere he can fire away without becoming a black hole.

9. Bruce Brown

2024-25 Stats: 7.6 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Contract: Free Agent

Bruce Brown just does everything well. His 7.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and relentless energy make him a plug-and-play option for any contender. As a free agent, Brown’s versatility on both ends should earn him a nice payday, likely in the $10-12 million range.

He’s the ultimate connector piece—a guy who can guard three positions, handle the ball in a pinch, and hit timely shots. The Nuggets or Bucks could be ideal fits if they can make the money work, otherwise Brown will look to see who offers the most money.

10. BJ Boston

2024-25 Stats: 10.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Contract: $2,349,578 Team Option

BJ Boston’s 10.7 points per game suggest he’s starting to figure things out. Athletic and confident, Boston has the tools to be a reliable scorer off the bench. With a $2.3 million team option, it’s hard to see the Pelicans letting him walk.

If he keeps developing his shot selection and defense, Boston might just be one of the bigger steals of this free-agent class. If the Pelicans don’t want to retain him, the Clippers might bring him back while other contenders needing depth might give him a shot as well.

11. Keon Johnson

2024-25 Stats: 10.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Contract: $2,349,578 Team Option

Keon Johnson’s athleticism is interesting, but his 10.1 points per game feel a bit empty given his inefficiency. The team option at $2.3 million makes it a low-risk move to keep him around, but if Johnson can’t improve his jumper, he risks becoming just another high-flyer who never put it all together.

We expect the Nets to retain him by accepting their team option because there is still potential in the 22-year-old. If he walks, teams might offer a minimum deal to see how far along Johnson’s offensive game can come.

12. Ty Jerome

2024-25 Stats: 12.1 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.0 BPG

Contract: Free Agent

Ty Jerome has put together a solid year, averaging 12.1 points and 3.4 assists. His shooting and playmaking should attract some mid-level offers in free agency. Jerome’s not a starter, but as a backup who can run the offense and hit shots, he’s valuable.

A team like the Celtics or Grizzlies could use his skill set off the bench, and judging by his solid numbers offensively, he could come sign a longer-team deal with a team needing depth behind starting guards.

13. De’Anthony Melton

2024-25 Stats: 10.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Contract: Free Agent

Even if his Golden State Warriors stint didn’t go to plan due to injuries, De’Anthony Melton’s 10.3 points and defensive instincts make him a coveted role player in today’s NBA. A free agent, Melton could command offers in the $10-15 million range, especially from teams needing perimeter defense and secondary playmaking.

His ability to guard multiple positions and hit the occasional three makes him a perfect fit for a playoff team, and we expect a variety of teams to show interest in a team-friendly deal including the Celtics, Sixers, or Bucks.

14. Tim Hardaway Jr.

2024-25 Stats: 10.5 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Contract: Free Agent

Tim Hardaway Jr.’s scoring has dipped to 10.5 points per game, but his shooting remains valuable. As a free agent, Hardaway might need to settle for a mid-level deal, but a contender in need of bench scoring could see him as a bargain.

His days as a starter might be over, but there’s always a market for guys who can stretch the floor. The Detroit Pistons might not need another streaky shooter clogging up their depth chart and they might want to bring back Malik Beasley before Hardaway Jr, so the player will likely join a new side.

15. Amir Coffey

2024-25 Stats: 10.4 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Contract: Free Agent

Amir Coffey is a wildcard. His 10.4 points per game suggest he can handle a bigger role, but his free-agent market might be limited to teams willing to bet on his upside. 

A rebuilding team could see Coffey as a low-cost, high-reward signing. We don't see a situation where the Clippers simply let him walk away without trying to negotiate a minimum deal or at least a team-friendly one over a few years. 

16. Garrison Matthews

2024-25 Stats: 7.6 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Contract: Free Agent

Garrison Mathews is the kind of player who can swing a game with his shooting alone. At 7.6 points per game, he’s not filling up the box score, but his ability to space the floor is valuable. 

As a free agent, Mathews won’t break the bank—likely a minimum or slightly above—but for contenders looking for shooting off the bench, he’s a no-brainer. Teams like the Bucks or Heat could see him as a cheap sniper to fill out the rotation.

17. Gary Payton II

2024-25 Stats: 5.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Contract: Free Agent

Gary Payton II’s defensive prowess is well-known, but his offense has never quite caught up. Averaging 5.7 points per game, Payton’s value lies in his ability to guard positions 1-3 and create chaos on that end. 

His free-agent status makes things interesting—teams looking for defense-first guards (think Grizzlies or Pelicans) might make a run at him, but the lack of shooting caps his earning potential. Expect him to land a deal in the $5-7 million range annually, and the Warriors might be the team to offer that as well. 

18. Pat Connaughton

2024-25 Stats: 4.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.2 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Contract: $9,423,869 Player Option

Pat Connaughton’s numbers—4.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game—are underwhelming, but his real value comes from his hustle and timely shooting. With a $9.4 million player option, it’s a toss-up whether he exercises it. 

If he hits the market, contenders will line up for his mix of playoff experience and versatility. A return to Milwaukee feels likely, but a team like the Warriors could be a sneaky fit if they can clear some cap space.

19. Eric Gordon

2024-25 Stats: 6.8 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Contract: $3,468,960 Player Option

Eric Gordon might be on the wrong side of 30, but the man can still shoot. His 6.8 points per game don’t tell the full story—Gordon’s ability to stretch the floor and create his own shot remains valuable, especially for teams making a playoff push. 

With a $3.4 million player option, he’s almost certain to decline and test free agency. A savvy contender will scoop him up on a vet minimum deal, looking for that one series where Gordon catches fire and swings a game or two.

20. Kevin Porter Jr.

2024-25 Stats: 9.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Contract: $2,546,675 Player Option

Kevin Porter Jr. is an enigma. His 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game show the versatility that made him such an intriguing prospect, but off-court issues and inconsistent play have clouded his future. 

With a $2.5 million player option, it might be wise to exercise it, rebuild his value, and test free agency next summer. If he does hit the market, don’t be surprised if a rebuilding team rolls the dice on his upside with a prove-it deal.

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