Five best available free agents: Hayward finishes meetings; Waiters could be a steal

Waiters Island could head to L.A., Gallinari is the apple of the Clippers' eye and Hayward's tour continues

Going into Monday, all but three of our top 10 free agents are off the board (not counting Kevin Durant, because he's expected to re-sign with Golden State). But there's still a few big names left, as well as some interesting buy-low candidates. 

Click here for a list of our top 80 free agents, and here's a look at the five best free agents available on the market going into Monday: 

Hayward got the full free agent wine-and-dine from the Celtics on Sunday -- complete with a trip to Fenway Park and a big Jumbotron message -- after visiting the Heat on Saturday. He's expected to meet with the Jazz on Monday in San Diego (where he makes his offseason home) before announcing his decision Tuesday or Wednesday. Looks like another Fourth of July announcement, and it wouldn't shock anyone if he made his decision public on the Player's Tribune, as Durant did a year ago. 

Hayward has a tough decision, with three good franchises going all out for his services. The Celtics offer him nearly top billing, the Utah is where he's made his home since entering the league, and Miami is, well, it's Miami. Now everyone waits for the best available free agent to make his decision. 

Porter reportedly was offered a four-year max by the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, but didn't sign the offer sheet yet. He's slated to meet with the Nets on Monday, who will no doubt offer the same. Much of this is a dog-and-pony show, because the Wizards are expected to match the offer sheet; they've broadcast that fact for months. 

Porter's deal likely will cause consternation, based on his inexperience and low-name-brand value. However, he's one of the most valuable types of player -- a stretch combo-forward who defends at a high level. More than anything, though, the offer sheet from Sacramento demonstrates the Kings are willing to offer any free agent of value a significant offer. They were linked to Vince Carter earlier in the day, a sign of their interest range. 

The market has been remarkably quiet for Hill, who had extension offers from the Jazz earlier this year, and was expecting to generate a max offer on the market, according to league sources. Instead, Hill's potential landing spots have taken different directions. The Spurs came to terms with Patty Mills to a $50 million deal. The Wolves agreed to terms with Jeff Teague, and the Jazz traded for Ricky Rubio. 

There's still the chance a team like the Kings or Sixers come through with a big offer, but Hill likely doesn't want to play for a team that bad or young at this stage. 

Which is why the Denver Nuggets continue to be mentioned in rumors as a potential suitor. The Nuggets would have to clear cap space through a trade, but Hill would work well with newly acquired Paul Millsap, along with a young core of Nikola Jokic, Gary Harris and Jamal Murray.  

Waiters Island rises from the depths. His list of interested suitors reads like a horror novel. It's the Knicks, the Lakers, and the like. The idea of Waiters feuding with Lavar Ball is interesting, and it's not a bad fit from a culture or x's and o's standpoint. 

Waiters has grown as both a shot maker and a creator, and his defense is leaps and bounds ahead of two years ago. He's better than the punchline he's been made out to be, and continues to improve. He would be a steal, given how low the interest level has been. 

Gallinari has been linked with the Clippers for several years; L.A. was interested in acquiring him when the Nuggets and Clippers held brief Blake Griffin trade talks two years ago. The two sides reportedly are engaged in sign-and-trade talks as Denver needs space for any auxilliary moves after getting Millsap, and the Clippers lack the space to sign Gallinari. 

The Clippers make sense for Gallo. L.A. is a veteran team looking to win now, with enough talent to compete withough Gallinari getting lost in the shuffle. He'd fit very well with what's left after Chris Paul and J.J. Redick departed. If the Clippers can't work out a deal, Gallinari will have other suitors. His efficiency and size make him an attractive free agent candidate in the second tier of available players.