TOP 20 FREE AGENTS

The three certainties in life are death, taxes and the WBA becoming completely unhinged as it approaches the free agency window. On the eve of next week’s official start, it has been reported that Alston Irving — widely expected to remain with the Boston Massacre — will instead opt out of the final year of his contract in order to play for a championship caliber team.

Yup, here we go.

With Irving in the list of free agents, Bennet DaGama has to share the crown as the top player available. Reports indicate that he’ll head back to London, after the Irving bombshell, we have no idea what to believe. And that’s what makes WBA free agency so much fun.

Another free agent to keep an eye on is Jeremy Sims, who is expected to draw serious interest from a lot of teams. Some proven stars will look for winning situations, some veterans who have already won everything will try to sign an onerous contract to the team that pays the most. Here goes the top 20 free agents of this season

TIER 1. GUARANTEED MAX CONTRACT

1. BENET DA GAMA, 25 years (27.7 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 5,9 apg, 55.1%FG, 46%3P)

When a player can simultaneously be the best scorer, rebounder, passer or defender among all the players on the court, we all know that player is special. The most impressive thing about his stats is that he gets all of his production in just 32 minutes per game. Any team with 17 million available needs to make an offer for him. Of course, London is the favorite to continue Da Gama’s services, but the recent drama regarding David Morfeld could make the talented forward choose to try his luck in another franchise. Teams like New York or Albacete would be happy to steal this stud

2. ALSTON IRVING, 27 years (24.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 9.8 apg, 3.6 spg)

It has not been the best season for Alston Irving. The season started very badly in Albacete, although his performances were good. Once the losses in Albacete were piling up, the franchise decided to press the reset button and Alston Irving was traded for draft picks. In Boston he hasn’t done badly, but there wasn’t enough talent to compete for the title, so he decided to start from scratch. Irving can lead the team as a scorer or as a playmaker, all while he practices intense defense. Any team, whether or not it has a point guard, would improve instantly by hiring their services.

3. KELLEY BRANDON, 26 years (16.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.6 spg)

Playing for the loaded Gabon Giants, Brandon’s numbers do not particularly attract attention, but his ability to go to the line, his suffocating defense and his incomparable athleticism make him a very desirable player for a team with more than 20 million cap room. At 26 years old, he is a league veteran who knows what it’s like to play for winning franchises.

4. BOBBIE MASON, 26 years (24.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 7.1 apg, 2.9 spg)

Mister Triple double Bobbie Mason had to step in Jervan Timmons shoes when he was traded to the Miami Xtreme and he has done it really well. He can do everything on court and he has led a Paris team with some young talent really deep into the playoffs. We could think Mason is a lock to resign with the Honey Bees, but once the offers start to come it gets out of control.

5. HERVE BOURGOIS, 26 years (19.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 7.9 apg, 2.5 spg)

“Burger” has only played for the Bloods in this league, but that could change soon. Atlanta has to resign some players to keep the same core together and Jeremy Sims is starting to show his age. Bourgois can score at will from mid distance, but he loves to be everywhere on the court, not a lot of players are capable of averaging 8 rebounds and 8 assists while playing elite defense. And he is still 26. If the Bloods hesitate for a second, There are teams willing to give the max to him

6. KLAAS BINSENSHAUM, 26 years (15.7 ppg, 4,9 rpg, 7.0 apg)

Binsenshaum is still a player in permanent evolution, and some scouts declare that he is about to show all his potential.He can score from every spot on the court, but still has not been assertive enough to be the first option. His size is great for a PG, which allows him to collect rebounds against his usually smaller rivals.He puts a lot of effort in the defensive side too, rounding out a very complete player who in the right environment will excel as the second best player in an elite team.

TIER 2. COULD GET A OVERSIZED CONTRACT

7. JARIUS MILES, 33 years (18.8ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.1 spg, 1.7bpg)

Jarius Miles has been one of the best players in the league, and with Bailey the only player with 6 WBA titles. Miles has 10 presences in the All-Defensive team and 6 more in the All-WBA team.He used to lead every stat for the Rage but scoring and his presence in the zone caused havoc between rivals, not bad for a player chosen with the second to last pick in the first round…in 2008. But he has played 15 seasons in the league and his body is starting to fail that privileged basketball mind. It’s not only that his contributions have gone down, his efficiency has too. 4 seasons ago his PER was over 32, and it has decreased to 29, 26, 22 and 20 in 2023. He can be a big addition for any team, and we are sure GM Reynoso would have an alliance with Belcebu to re-sign him…but for how much? and how many years? Miles is eligible to receive more than 35 M a year, so it will be fun what happens with Rondall when a crazy spaniard GM breaks the bank.

8. JEREMY SIMS, 32 years (24.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.9 bpg)

Just like Miles, Jeremy Sims is a player starting to slow down. One of the absolute best players in the league in his prime, he is still a scoring machine who could contribute to any team. Unfortunately, Sims has never won a championship, and he is far from doing it in Atlanta, so GM Abrams has a decision to make…does he go younger or does he try to extract whatever Sims has left in the tank? Some teams could try to steal him with a front loaded offer.

TIER 3. WE CAN STILL PLAY OUR LAST CONTRACT

9. TONY HENDERSON, 32 years (16.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.9 apg)

A bad season will be enough to make Henderson’s aspirations drop in free agency? An asshole Albacete traded a huge package to make him a savior for a championship team…and it could not result any worse.Now Albacete is in full rebuild mode and Henderson can choose his destination. Even at 32, he can play all around the court contributing in any aspect of the game. Physically he has dipped a little bit, but he has still a few good years of basketball ahead of him. Getting him for the full mid level would be an absolute steal

10. KURT BECK, 33 years (17.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 4.0 apg)

It’s hard to envision a scenario where Beck signs with another team after winning the championship, but who knows? Of course GM Lawrence (the good one) has a really veteran team and has to start thinking about the future, but it’s not easy to not take a chance at another title run. Beck still can score efficiently and while his athleticism is not the same as it was some years ago, he still can defend his man. He will probably be taken care of by the Fighting Cocks with a last 3 year contract.

11. TYRIS MAYES. 33 years (11.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.5 bpg)

Mayes has been an extraordinary defender his whole career and an ultimate team player who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective. Of course he has lost some attributes due his age, but if you put scorers around him he will make his dark work. GM Reynoso will try to resign him, once Mario Bailey has come back, there’s no cap room for the Rage, so, a short, rich contract offer for a last run is the best option for him.Some team could try to steal him with a 3 years mid level exception offer, but at the end Reynoso will beat them.

12. DAMIEN BOHM, 31 years (15.7 ppg, 4 rpg, 3.4 apg)

Bohm still can play and has the age to perform well for another 3 seasons. He has been lost to a bad Toronto team which is heading another direction, so it’s easy to assume he will have a chance in a new team and he could choose a winning environment. Maybe he can’t create his own shot anymore, but surround him with good players and his long range shooting will create havoc in the weak side of the offense

13. SHERMAN MAHARA, 33 years (3.3 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 1.0 apg)

Oddly, Sherman Mahara only played 7 minutes per game in the 56 games he saw the court. Then you add the team clause drama with that broken fax machine that linked Mahara to the Blood one more season. Fortunately, the league has voided his contract and Mahara will be able to show the league and GM Abrams in particular that he still has game. While we can’t deny that his defense is not that good as some years before, Mahara is still one of the best three point shooters in the league with a career 46% 3P and he can really distribute and take care of the ball when needed.

14. DAROND LYONS, 33 years (20.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.1 apg)

Until this season, Lyons had scored over 24 points per game in the last eleven seasons. Has he hit the age wall or maybe the explosion of Hancho Durrant took some burden from his shoulders? Even at 33, Darond Lyons can score from everywhere and he knows how to go to the line for sure. He is still fast enough to compete with the younger guards around the league. Don’t rule out GM Hameleers giving him one last big contract

15. MARCUS ROGERS, 33 years (10.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.7 spg)

One of the best defenders at the guard in the history of the league and responsible for the 2 WBA titles the Honey Bees won. His stats don’t tell how important he is for a team contending for the title. We can see a team signing him with the mid level exception, unless GM Arceo loses his mind (again)

TIER 4. POTENTIAL HAS A PRICE

16. URBAN NAVRATIL, 23 years (30.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.5 apg in DEVL)

Navratil is the current Dev League MVP and he has shown he can score at will even from the parking lot. We need to question if he will be able to perform with the pros, but if you look at Hancho Durrant’s transition the answer is easy. Navratil is big for a shooting guard and he is really strong so he takes profit creating some mismatches. GM Drapeau would love to resign him for way less than the max, but once big free agent start signing, a desperate team could max Navratil down the road

17. VENCESLAS PORTOCARRERO, 24 years (23.7ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.7 spg)

We all can agree that Portocarrero has a lot to thank Jervan Timmons for his next contract. But don’t be stupid and underestimate his abilities. He is one of the best athletes in the league and can score at the rim with contact. His quickness and basketball IQ allows him to play very aggressive defense. Mr Bangerter must be generous with him if he has hope to extend his run at a championship…but retaining star plates is not very Bangerter-esque

18. JARIUS SULLIVAN, 21 years, (no stats, really)

The dragon took him as a teenager 4 seasons ago in the draft and sSullivas still hasn’t played a single minute in the league. At some moment, he could be capable of running an offense, but you need a lot of patience with him and pay him some non productive seasons

TIER 5. WE ARE ABOUT TO ENTER OUR PRIME

19. LATRELL MCDYESS, 28 years (13.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 10.4 apg)

McDyess has not become the star that scouts predicted, but he has become a solid starter in the league. not being a scorer hurts his stock, but just a handful of players in the league can pass the ball at his level. You can be sure he will be paid more than 10 million in New York or a different city

20. LONNY JORDAN (26 years (15.6 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.8 apg)

Jordan’s career will need to be analyzed once it’s over. He was the savior of the league, he averaged 27 and 10 when he was just 21 years old, and all of the sudden he started declining. It’s not a physical issue because his speed and strength are still there, but the passion isn’t. Anyway, at 27 he still has some good years ahead of him and he could get paid just in case his interest in basketball comes to life

Honorable mentions: Ajan Estay, Arcangelo Rissetto, Ritchie Reddy, Kip Toney, Casey Pointer