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With the 2020-21 season almost over, attention will soon turn to the NBA free agency market and the moves teams make to improve their rosters for the next campaign. On August 2nd, teams can officially begin conducting negotiations with free agents, though they can only sign them once the moratorium window would end four days later.
Although some of the bigger names expected to be available in the 2021 free agency class are no longer there, there are still some intriguing options for teams to pick up, particularly in the backcourt. The New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat will all be looking to make a splash and improve their offensive prowess this summer.
Having an effective point guard who can set the tone at both ends of the court has always been key for teams making a deep run in the NBA. An example in that regard would be the two finalists this season and their leaders in the backcourt, Chris Paul and Jrue Holiday.
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Both have been instrumental in putting their teams in a position to win a chip. Although the latter is less of a traditional point guard, he is one of the NBA's premier defenders and can get his team close to 20 points each night.
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But with other point guards struggling this campaign and with several high-class options available in the NBA free agency, we could expect plenty of movement. On that note, let's take a look at the five best point guard options available in the 2021 free agency. Some are not necessarily unrestricted free agents, but they could become so by declining their player options.
#1 Chris Paul
Although Chris Paul's future looks more and more likely to be in Phoenix, he is still the best point guard who could be available in the 2021 NBA free agency window.
Considering his age, Paul has produced a remarkable season. He averaged 16.4 points, 8.9 assists and 1.3 steals during the campaign and has upped his output to over 19 points a game during the Suns' improbable run to the NBA Finals. Paul has also shot above 43% from the field and from downtown.
Paul's leadership has also been key to the success of the young Phoenix Suns team. He is back playing basketball closer to his family and has a great relationship with Monty Williams.
However, the veteran point god could opt out of his player option with the Suns to sign a longer-term deal in case his performances dip next year. The New York Knicks are reported to be interested in Chris Paul because of his wide-range of attributes, as they seek to continue building a contending team for next year.
#2 Kyle Lowry
Another veteran point guard set to be available in the 2021 NBA free agency window is Toronto Raptors legend Kyle Lowry.
Like Paul, Lowry continues to defy his age by being a consistent scorer for his team, averaging over 17 points this campaign. He has also been a decent distributor, dishing out 7.3 assists per game. Lowry is a rugged defender with quick feet and a fierce competitive spirit, averaging 1.3 steals throughout his career.
He is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and there are a number of teams with a keen eye on the crafty, two-way guard. While the Raptors could re-sign him, his future in Canada depends on the direction the franchise wants to take this summer and whether they want a re-build and return to the playoffs.
The Knicks are going to be heavily linked again with Lowry, as Tom Thibodeau loves experienced, hard-working players. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat and the LA Lakers, who were linked with Lowry at the trade deadline in March, will also be in contention for him in the NBA free agency.
#3 Dennis Schroder
While Dennis Schroder had his moments as the LA Lakers' secondary shot-creator alongside LeBron James, the German struggled to truly settle into his role with the franchise.
It was reported earlier in the season that Schroder declined a four-year, $84 million extension, and is now an unrestricted free agent. Despite his struggles at times with the purple and gold, the 27-year-old will garner interest across the league due to his ability at both ends of the floor.
Schroder is a tenacious defender who hustles on opponent's possessions. He is also a scoring guard, averaging 15.4 points this season. He has put up over 18.5 points during his 8-year career in the league. His playoff performances warranted disappointment from the Lakers faithful, but he has shown in the past that he can turn things up in the postseason.
#4 Spencer Dinwiddie
Despite missing all but three games this season due to an ACL injury, Spencer Dinwiddie will be one of the most sought-after guards in the NBA free agency market this summer.
He declined his player option to return with the Brooklyn Nets, which is hardly surprising, given their backcourt talent. Dinwiddie could either return home to LA or secure a big pay-day.
While moving back to LA appears tricky right now, with both franchises in the city limited in what they can do in the off-season, Dinwiddie could most certainly receive a huge contract from teams that need a dynamic, scoring guard.
Dinwiddie is still young and posted career-high numbers in the 2019-20 campaign - 20.6 points and 6.8 assists. While his three-point shooting needs improvement, and he lacks the defensive edge some of the other backcourt free agents do, Dinwiddie is a bonafide scorer and would be the perfect partner alongside the likes of Luka Doncic or Paul George.
#5 Mike Conley Jr.
Mike Conley rounds off our list of the best point guards entering the NBA free agency window this summer. Although the smart money is on the veteran returning with the Jazz after a hugely successful campaign alongside Donovan Mitchell, several teams could make the 33-year-old a significant offer.
Conley is coming off one of the best seasons of his career and enters the 2021 NBA free agency having averaged over 16 points and six assists per game. He shot above 40% from the field and from downtown and grabbed 1.3 steals per game throughout the campaign.
The Utah Jazz own Mike Conley's bird rights, which means they can go above the cap to sign him, which they may well have to. Nevertheless, the likes of the Knicks and Mavs need experience in their backcourts, which the savvy floor general cpuld provide. His future is less about what he can bring to the table for the Utah Jazz and more about what they can offer him in a new contract.
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