A wave of moves this week has weakened the NBA’s free agent class.
Formerly members of this group, players like OG Anunoby (Knicks), Malik Monk (Kings), Immanuel Quickley (Raptors) and Pascal Siakam (Pacers) are no longer available.
Tyrese Maxey is also expected to sign a max contract with the 76ers, removing him from the board.
However, there are still tons of players who will make a difference and who will be attainable once the free agency period begins Sunday at 6 p.m.
The Post’s Zach Braziller ranks the players who can change teams.
1. Paul George, S.F.
The most intriguing free agent on the market, George, is 34 and remains an injury risk, even though he played in 74 games a year ago, his most since the 2018-19 campaign. The nine-time All-Star remains a high-profile player who will be able to afford a four-year, $221.1 million contract. This will likely be a battle between the Clippers and 76ers.
2. LeBron James, F
It seems like a formality that the self-proclaimed King will stay in Los Angeles, especially after the Lakers hired his podcast partner, JJ Reddick, as their new coach and drafted his son, Bronny, in the second round (55th overall).
3. James Harden, G.
Not the same player but still effective as a secondary option. Do the Clippers return Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George after injuries once again derailed this trio of stars in the playoffs?
4. DeMar DeRozan, SG
A quality veteran, DeRozan, 34, averaged 24 points, 5.3 assists and 4.3 assists last season with the Bulls. He’s not very good from three-point range (he’s made just 29.6 percent of his career three-pointers), which might give some suitors pause.
5. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG
Caldwell-Pope is a winner, a two-time NBA champion, an excellent defender and a three-point shooter. The Nuggets would like to keep him, but they will have a lot of competition.
6. Isaiah Hartenstein, C.
The 2.13-year-old broke through at the right time, averaging career-highs in rebounds (8.3), minutes (25.3) and steals (1.2). The Knicks can only offer him a maximum of four years and $72.5 million, an amount many teams can exceed (the Thunder top that list), though Hartenstein seemed to enjoy his two years in the orange and blue.
7. Klay Thompson, SG
Thompson is in decline, as evidenced by his lowest scoring average (17.9) since his second year in the league. There is still plenty of value to be had for a big, sharpshooting guard. The Magic appear to be a team to watch if he doesn’t stick with the Warriors.
8. Tobias Harris, SF
Like Russell, a poor playoff run overshadowed a quality regular season for the veteran floor-spacing wing. This may be the last chance for the soon-to-be 32-year-old to really cash in.
9. Miles Bridges, PF
It’s hard to see anyone making a long-term commitment to the talented 6-foot-8 forward after he pleaded not guilty and was sentenced to three years’ probation for domestic violence. Bridges had a good comeback season after his year away, averaging 21 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
10. De’Anthony Melton, SG
A discreet and impactful player who is entering his peak at 26 years old. Melton shoots well, hitting 36.9% of his three-point attempts in his career, and can defend very well. The 76ers went 22-11 with him as the starter. Who knows how this first-round series against the Knicks will play out if Melton, who dealt with a back injury last year that limited him to 38 games, is healthy.
11. Tyus Jones, PG
A full-time first-team starter in his career, Jones set personal bests with the Wizards in scoring (12.0), assists (7.3) and 3-point shooting (41.4 percent). ). In a weak point guard market, the 6-foot-1 Jones can benefit. He posted a 7.3-1 assist-to-turnover ratio with Washington.
12. Gary Trent Jr., SG
He picked a bad time to regress, recording his lowest production (13.7 points in 28.1 minutes) since becoming a part-time starter in 2020-21. But at 25 years old, that seems like an aberration for a fullback who plays on the field and has a solid track record.
13. Obi Toppin, PF
The former Knick has limitations as a defender and shot creator, but he’s dynamic in transition and has significantly improved his 3-point shooting. He can help your second unit.
14. Jonas Valanciunas, C.
Durable and still effective at 32, the 6-foot-11 big man will have options in a weak free-agent class. He can help a playoff team, especially in limited minutes.
15. Patrick Williams, F
Someone will see potential for overproduction in the former fourth overall pick, who has been nothing but a provocateur as a pro so far. Williams can defend multiple positions and has made positive strides as a shooter. Plus, he’s only 22 years old.
16. Eric Gordon, SG
He declined his $3.4 million player option with the Suns to become a free agent. He’s still a useful player at age 35 — he averaged 11.0 points and shot 37.8 percent from 3 last year — and has a wealth of playoff experience.
17. Kelly Oubre Jr., SF
A solid defender but limited threat on the perimeter, the 6-foot-7 Oubre is effective when used correctly on a quality team, as he showed with the 76ers last season.
18. Markelle Fultz, SG
The former No. 1 overall pick will never live up to the hype, and he took a step back last year across the board. Still, he has good size for a 6-foot-4 guard and can provide energy and depth off the bench, which he did for the Magic last season.
19. Isaac Okoro, SF
There is still room for improvement for the 3-and-D winger, who won’t turn 24 until next January. Restricted free agency is one of several big decisions the Cavaliers have made this offseason. His defense and career-best 39.1 percent three-point shooting rate won’t be easily replaced.
20. Malik Beasley, SG
He had the second-best three-point season of his career (41.3%) with the Bucks and is much more than a specialist. He doesn’t make a difference in defense, but can be a leading scorer off the bench.
21. Saddiq Bey, SF
Too bad the Knicks loaded up on the wing, because who wouldn’t want another Villanova player on Broadway? Bey is recovering from a torn ACL, which will likely limit his market, but when healthy, he’s a solid two-way player who can help a contender. A one-year probationary deal seems likely.
22. Nicolas Batum, SF
The 6-foot-8 wing showed he still has something left in him at age 35 — shooting 39.9 percent from 3 and averaging 5.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2 .2 assists after being traded to the 76ers. Batum remains a solid and affordable depth piece.
23. Derrick Jones Jr., SF
The high-flying winger has become much more than just a dunker. He thrived with the Mavericks as a center fielder and should be able to earn a multi-year deal after playing last season for a cool $2.7 million. Dallas was two points better per 100 possessions with Jones on the floor.
24. Buddy Hield, SG
His miserable playoff run, in which he could barely get on the court, might scare off contenders. Still, 3-point specialists remain valuable in the modern NBA, and the 6-foot-4 Hield is a career 40 percent 3-point shooter. Only Steph Curry has hit more 3s in the last five seasons.
25. André Drummond, C
He’s been talked about as a potential fallback option for the Knicks if they can’t bring back Isaiah Hartenstein. The 2.08m big man is coming off an efficient season in which he averaged 8.4 points and 9.0 rebounds in just 17.1 minutes for the Bulls. He led the NBA in offensive rebound percentage (18.7) among players who played at least 30 games.
26. Kris Dunn, P.G.
Once considered a failure, the former Providence star has become a useful NBA player thanks to his stellar defense. He remains limited on the other end of the court, but the Jazz were almost 2.5 points better defensively when he was on the court.
27. Haywood Highsmith, SF
He guards, shoots well (39.6 percent from deep this season) and doesn’t turn the ball over – three things that please almost every coach. The 6-foot-5 undrafted wing is another Heat success story.
28. Kyle Anderson, F
He’s had an impact on wins throughout his career, dating back to his high school days at St. Anthony’s in Jersey City. The 6-foot-10 Anderson can be a problem in spacing, but he’ll be useful everywhere else as a high-end, glue player.
29. Caleb Martin, S.F.
Martin, who measures 1.95 m, is a very interesting player thanks to his versatility. He can score in different ways and defend in multiple positions.