NBA free agency: Top UFAs on the market

There's never been a better time to be an NBA free agent.

With the league's new $24-billion US television deal set to kick in, each team's salary cap will rise from $70 million last year to about $94 million for next season.

This means that come July 1, when the free agency period opens, teams will have records amounts of money to throw around, and two-thirds of clubs are projected to have enough cap space to add a max-contract player.

Let the bidding wars begin.

Here's a look at the top unrestricted free agents in this year's class. (We're not including LeBron James, who opted out of his contract on Wednesday to become a free agent for the third consecutive year. It's widely considered a formality for James to re-sign with Cleveland.)

Kevin Durant

2015-2016 team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Key stats: One of the league's top scorers, Durant averaged 28.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season while shooting 50 per cent from the floor and 38 percent on three-pointers.

Bottom line: The four-time scoring champion is the big fish of this year's free agency class and a lock to receive several max-contract offers. Durant's camp has already confirmed sit-downs with six teams, including Oklahoma City, the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors. While the former MVP would turn whatever team he chooses into an instant contender, don't be surprised if Durant signs a one-year deal in order to land an even more lucrative long-term contract next off-season as the salary cap is set to rise once again.​

Al Horford

2015-2016 team: Atlanta Hawks

Key stat: Ranked 17th in the NBA with an estimated 9.4 wins produced for the Hawks last season.

Bottom line: A coveted two-way player who is solid on offence and exceptional on defence, Horford is likely to receive a five-year max offer from the Hawks, according to the Washington Post. But if Atlanta doesn't give the 30-year-old the max, several other teams likely will. Perhaps the lure of championship contention on a team like the Warriors or Spurs could land one of those teams the career-long Hawk at a bit less than a max deal.

DeMar DeRozan

2015-2016 team: Toronto Raptors

Key stats: Finished third in the league with 653 free throw attempts last season while averaging 23.5 points (ninth in the NBA).

Bottom line: Having already made his desire to return to the Raptors well known, DeRozan's likelihood of returning to Toronto grew stronger this week with a report suggesting that the two-time all-star won't sit down with any other team unless talks break down with the Raptors. This puts the pressure squarely on team management to show DeRozan the money, and the Compton, Calif., native will almost certainly land a max-contract-type deal with the only team he's ever played for. If not, the Raptors risk losing their franchise player to another team such as DeRozan's hometown L.A. Lakers.

Mike Conley

2015-2016 team: Memphis Grizzlies

Key stats: Averaged 16.1 points and 5.8 assists over the last three seasons while also hitting 37 per cent of his three-pointers.

Bottom line: With a loaded class of point guards including the likes of Steph Curry, Russell Westbrook and Kyle Lowry likely to become free agents next summer, Conley represents the lone marquee free agent at the position this off-season. After releasing a star-powered recruitment video earlier this week, Memphis is expected to offer the 28-year-old a five-year max deal in order to avoid watching the strong defender, proficient shooter and crafty finisher bolt for a legitimate contender such as the Spurs.

Hassan Whiteside

2015-2016 team: Miami Heat

Key stats: Led the league last season in blocks (269) and finished third with 865 rebounds.

Bottom line: A recently self-proclaimed businessman who plays basketball, Whiteside has made it clear that his excellent rebounding, strong pick-and-roll play, and elite shot blocking abilities will not be eligible for a hometown discount for the Heat. The former D-Leaguer may or may not receive a max-contract offer, but in either case he will be highly coveted by several teams including the Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.

Dwight Howard

2015-2016 team: Houston Rockets

Key stats: An eight-time all-star, Howard averaged 13.7 points and 11.8 rebounds last season.

Bottom line: A likely rule change that will essentially eliminate the "Hack-A-Shaq" tactic of intentionally fouling weak free-throw shooters could boost Howard's value. Opting out of a $23.5-million player option for this year and likely negotiating the last large contract of his career, expect the 30-year-old centre to receive near-max money from a team looking for a solid inside defender and lob threat on the offensive end. According to ESPN, Howard has already planned sit-downs with the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks.