In the first installment of our position-by-position free-agent rankings, The Vertical Front-Office Insider Bobby Marks breaks down July's market for free-agent point guards.

Teams in need of a starter: Brooklyn, Houston, Memphis, New York, Philadelphia, Sacramento, Utah.

Teams in need of a backup: Brooklyn, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Memphis, Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Washington.

THE LIST

1. Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies

FA age: 28 | Salary: $9.5 million

Insider info: Production level has picked up since the Marc Gasol injury and Jeff Green trade. Has played above his $9.5 million contract. Concerns should be on the back end of the contract when Conley is 31-32 years of age. Memphis will have full Bird rights.







Rajon Rondo has improved his value but there are questions. (AP) More

2. Rajon Rondo, Sacramento Kings

FA age: 30 | Salary: $9.5 million

Insider info: Fully engaged for first time since his days in Boston. Contract year and 30 years of age should raise some concerns. Non-Bird rights in Sacramento means the max the Kings could offer is $11.4 million unless they dip into cap space.





3. Deron Williams, Dallas Mavericks

FA age: 32 | Salary: $5.4 million

Insider info: Holds a player option for next season. A bargain at $5.4 million for a starting point guard, and he has played at a high level this season. Strong comfort level in Dallas and is still being paid by Brooklyn. Would have non-Bird rights if he opted out.





4. Jeremy Lin, Charlotte Hornets

FA age: 27 | Salary: $2.1 million

Insider info: One of the top point guards coming off the bench this season. Lin has found a nice role with coach Steve Clifford. Player option with non-Bird rights means Charlotte will have a hard time affording him.





5. Brandon Jennings, Orlando Magic

FA age: 26 | Salary: $8.3 million

Insider info: More of a scoring point guard. Slow recovery from his Achilles’ injury but has had some good moments since the trade deadline. More of a backup at this point but could start if needed. Has full Bird rights with the Magic.





6. Tyler Johnson, Miami Heat

FA age: 24 | Salary: $845,000

Insider info: Undrafted and holds tremendous value inside the Heat organization. Miami is protected by the "Arenas" provision. Restricted free agent to whom teams can only offer the average player salary. Terrific athlete who can play multiple positions.





7. Ish Smith, Philadelphia 76ers

FA age: 28 | Salary: $947,000

Insider info: Lighting quick point guard who has found a second life with Philadelphia. Has shown flashes of playing up-tempo and also in a half-court game. Philadelphia would have to use cap space to sign him.





8. Matt Dellavedova, Cleveland Cavaliers

FA age: 25 | Salary: $1.1 million

Insider info: Having a career year with Kyrie Irving coming back from an injury. Points, minutes and assists have almost doubled from last season. Full Bird rights while also being restricted; the Cavaliers have the ability to match any contract.





9. Jerryd Bayless, Milwaukee Bucks

FA age: 27 | Salary: $3 million

Insider info: Before the injury bug hit, Bayless had kept Milwaukee afloat this year with his ability to make shots. More of a scoring point and not someone to run the offense. Bayless will have early Bird rights this summer.





10. Mario Chalmers

FA age: 30 | Salary: $4.3 million

Insider info: The season-ending Achilles’ injury bumped Chalmers down a few slots. Rehab and surgery will determine the length of recovery. Before the injury was one of the better points coming off the bench.





On deck: D.J. Augustin, Raymond Felton, Aaron Brooks, Norris Cole, Shane Larkin (player option), Ty Lawson, Ramon Sessions, Mo Williams (player option)

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