New Orleans Pelicans

NBA: Ranking The Four Best Free Agents Still Available

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Apr 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Carl Landry (7) reacts after his off balance shot scores against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 107-93. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

A little more than a month into the 2016-17 NBA season, we look at the four best free agents still available

It may be December and a little more than a month into the 2016-17 NBA season, but free agency never really officially ends.

Even as teams near the quarter mark of the NBA season, there are still quality basketball players just waiting for the right opportunity to present itself and start a late season run with a new team, by choice or not.

So, with honorable mentions to Carl Landry and Archie Goodwin, here are the top four NBA free agents still available as the NBA season hits full swing.

Oct 1, 2016; Bossier City, LA, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Quincy Acy (4) walks off the court after fouling out against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at CenturyLink Center. New Orleans won 116-102. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

4. Quincy Acy

Last played for: Dallas Mavericks, 2016-17 Season

Recently waived to make room for point guard Jonathan Gibson, Acy has been a free agent for a couple weeks now. He’s currently in the NBA D-League.

Fortunately, it looks like his opportunity to return to the NBA may be soon rather than later. The Mavericks are reportedly already considering bringing Acy back some point during the season.

“Horrible, horrible, horrible. We tried to get a medical exception — we didn’t have enough guys injured.” – Mark Cuban on waiving Acy

Mavs owner Mark Cuban was apparently left “heartbroken” when he had to cut Acy. With Deron Williams, Devin Harris and J.J. Barea all succumbing to injuries, cutting Acy was, according to Cuban, “purely a numbers game, and it was brutal.”

Acy is still only 26 and has room to improve so if the Mavs don’t give him the second chance he deserves, you can bet some other NBA team will take a chance instead.

Dec 14, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Washington Wizards guard Gary Neal (14) during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies beats Washington Wizards 112-92. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

3. Gary Neal

Last played for: Washington Wizards, 2015-16 Season

Gary Neal’s 2015-16 campaign was shortened in December when he tore his hip and was subsequently waived by the Wizards in March.

In the 40 games he did play, Neal proved to be a good bench scorer (9.8 ppg) and an excellent long range sniper (41% from 3).

So, why hasn’t he been signed by an NBA team yet?

Most likely due to his reputation of being a selfish and disliked locker room personality. Whilst some of his Wizards teammates such as Jared Dudley have stood up for him, other rumors have it that Neal wasn’t well-received in the Wizards locker room.

“Nothing but a good teammate” – Jared Dudley on Gary Neal

An anonymous 2015-16 teammate said that he was a “terrible teammate” and “all about himself” and other believed that he rubbed some people the wrong way.

A Facebook post on July 11 certainly didn’t help his case as he took a dig at his fellow bench unit members that received big checks in 2016 free agency while he remained without a new contract.

Neal has proven he still has something in the tank at 32 but if the rumors are true, it will be difficult to imagine Neal suiting up for an NBA team any time soon.

Feb 5, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mario Chalmers (6) reacts against the New York Knicks during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Grizzlies defeated the Knicks 91-85. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

2. Mario Chalmers

Last played for: Memphis Grizzlies, 2015-16 Season

After averaging a career-high 10.8 points per game in 55 games with Memphis in 2015-16, Mario Chalmers suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon on March 10 that ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Subsequently, he was waived by the Grizzlies despite his excellent play since arriving from Miami on November 13, 2015.

According to ESPN, Chalmers could be back on the NBA floor by early December if a team is willing to sign him.

“My last performance in the Finals, that’s the one thing I do want to change” – Mario Chalmers

Stating that he wants to redeem himself for his 2014 NBA Finals performance with Miami, Chalmers is hoping to sign with a contender and compete in his fifth NBA Finals series.

With multiple rumored suitors such as his former Grizzlies and the world champion Cleveland Cavaliers, Chalmers can rest assured that he will suit up this season as long as he can show he is 100 percent healthy.

Nov 2, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) guards New Orleans Pelicans guard Lance Stephenson (5) during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

1. Lance Stephenson

Last played for: New Orleans Pelicans, 2016-17 Season

After finally catching on with the New Orleans Pelicans late in mid-September, Lance Stephenson suffered a rather unfortunate groin injury that led to his departure from New Orleans.

Expected to miss six to 10 weeks, Stephenson will be in rehabilitation for a while but once he comes back, it is a very real possibility that New Orleans will re-sign him.

“… they’d look forward to having him back.” – Mark Bartelstein

According to Stephenson’s agent Mark Bartelstein, the Pelicans “had no interest in letting Lance go” but “because of the rules and the roster limitations and the injuries, and also what they’re going through with Holiday, it just put a crunch on their roster.”

The Pelicans really liked Stephenson and, by Bartelstein’s account , Lance “really liked it there” too. So don’t be too surprised if the Pelicans pick up Lance as soon as he is back from this groin injury.

Agree? Disagree? Leave your opinions in the comments section below!