Top 5 defenders available in free agency
Even in the current three-point era of the NBA, defense still wins championships.
Several superstars pack a loaded 2019 free-agent class and many of them double as defensive specialists. But teams in search of upgrades on defense may not have to break the bank as there will also be a couple of affordable options available.
As a note, Klay Thompson would feature on this list without hesitation, but his ACL tear and the undetermined length of his absence next season opens a spot for someone else.
Here are five of the best defenders available on the open market:
Al Horford
The Dominican center may have taken a step back defensively this season, but Horford is still one of the better options among big men on the market. An adaptable defender thanks to his impressive mobility, Horford is able to shadow the occasional perimeter threat off switches while still serving as a solid rim protector.
In nine games this past postseason, the Boston Celtics were notably worse without Horford on the floor, allowing 3.5 more points per 100 possessions when he sat. Though he's far removed from his prime with the Atlanta Hawks, he can still expertly anchor a defense, which is why the 33-year-old is said to be in line for a rich, multi-year deal this summer.
Danny Green
Green joked during the Raptors' championship parade that he was "the other guy" in the trade that sent Kawhi Leonard to Toronto, but the franchise doesn't win its first title without the 10-year veteran's defense. He is the prototypical 3-and-D player; the threat of his 3-point shooting stretches defenders, but he also neutralizes shooters on the opposing side.
Though the Raptors' championship squad defended well as a whole all year, the numbers help illustrate Green's impact specifically. His 53 blocks in the regular season ranked second on the team behind only Serge Ibaka, and his 73 steals tied Pascal Siakam for the club's third-highest mark. His two-way skill set won't come cheap, and the 32-year-old recently admitted as much to Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype, saying he intends to "maximize the dollars" on his next contract.
Thaddeus Young
Young may not be a household name like some of the others on this list, but the 31-year-old has carved out a quiet yet commendable 12 years in the NBA. It's no surprise then that a number of teams are already rumored to be interested in the Indiana Pacers free agent.
The 6-foot-8 forward is likely to provide a team with incredible value defensively. He can match up inside against opposing forwards but is also able to chase perimeter threats off the 3-point line in a scramble. He managed 3.3 deflections per game with the Pacers last season, tying him for the fourth-best mark in the league behind only Paul George, Robert Covington, and James Harden.
Kawhi Leonard
Nobody is going after Leonard solely because of his defensive capabilities, but they don't hurt.
The reigning Finals MVP is arguably the best two-way player in the league. A small sample of his fellow NBA players voted him the league's best defender near the end of the regular season, and with good reason. Thanks to the combination of his massive hands and elite defensive instincts, Leonard finished the 2018-19 campaign ranked top-10 in the league in steals (1.8), deflections (3.2), and loose balls recovered (1.7) per game. He also led the Raptors in total swipes with 106 - 15 more than guard Kyle Lowry, a noteworthy defender in his own right.
Even with some concerns over his recent injury history, Leonard is getting a max contract wherever he lands. When you can steal the ball without even looking, no one is going to question your demands.
Patrick Beverley
He may have made headlines for his back-and-forth with Kevin Durant during the first round of the playoffs, but don't let his talk (or the fact that Durant ultimately won that battle) distract you from the fact that Beverley is arguably one of the best defensive point guards in the league.
The 30-year-old hounds opponents at the point with his quick hands, and is comfortable reading passing lanes off the ball and guarding mismatches in the paint when required. He'll arguably shine best on a team with one or two scoring options already in place, allowing Beverley to slot in as the perfect backcourt stopper and cover for his teammates on defense.