Tony Allen and Shabazz Muhammad agreed to new deals within the last week, while Dante Cunningham appears set to follow suit, further reducing the number of appealing players on the unrestricted free agent market. Meanwhile, on the restricted free agent front, we finally saw some movement this week, with Mason Plumlee and the Nuggets reaching an agreement on a multiyear contract.
As our list of 2017 free agents shows, there are still some intriguing players available, particularly on the restricted market, where Alex Len, JaMychal Green, and Nikola Mirotic remain unsigned. However, the Suns, Grizzlies, and Bulls all have plenty of flexibility to bring back their own RFAs, so those players are good bets to remain with their current teams, like Plumlee and Nerlens Noel did before them.
The unrestricted market features less upside — there are former first-round picks in their mid-20s out there, such as Trey Burke, Thomas Robinson, and Derrick Williams, but those guys appear to have settled into roles as back-end rotation players, barring a late and unexpected leap.
The most interesting names on the UFA market are veterans with a little more experience, including Deron Williams, Monta Ellis, and Aaron Brooks in the backcourt. Gerald Green, Matt Barnes, and Alan Anderson may also have some appeal for teams in need of a swingman. Up front, veteran centers like Andrew Bogut, Spencer Hawes, and Roy Hibbert are still looking for work [Update: Bogut has agreed to sign with the Lakers], while power forwards like David Lee and Kris Humphries also seek new homes.
We shouldn’t count on any of those players to be the difference between winning and losing a playoff series next spring, but some of them could still have a little value, particularly on low-risk, minimum salary contracts.
What do you think? Which of the remaining free agents would you invest in? Are there any teams that you think would be particularly good fits for any available FAs? Or do you think clubs would be better off passing on this group of players in favor of a G League call-up or an undrafted rookie?
Jump into the comment section below to share your thoughts on the remaining players from this year’s free agent class.
Got to imagine if he’s healthy Bogut comes off the board soon and hopefully it’s with the Celtics.
Allright so much for that…
I think you guys dodged a bullet.
He will break.
Koby Altman’s first personel decision was to sign Ivan Calderon, essentially scrapping Deron Williams, whose 321pt%s were 42-49-89 for the Cavs, 38-48-82 career. Well his steals and assists are down, but you just know he was told to make his shots when he came in mid-season after starting his whole career, so he did. Was he asked to run the second unit?– not likely– second units are not a thing in Cleveland. He might have to move to SG for defense, darn. Anybody want 42%/49% shooting that looks so easy it leaves you cold? Altman doesn’t.
The Cavs probably didn’t want Williams because he can’t play defense and he absolutely disappeared in the playoffs. If he’s not running the offense he’s basically worthless since he can’t be relied upon to light it up offensively either.
Ivan Calderon? The late White Sox outfielder from 25 years ago? If that is the case, he should probably be fired. I think you mean Jose Calderon.
@hiflew – I guess it’s the old, I’m old and set in my ways!
@JT19 – There are not many who go for 42% on 3s, 49% on 2s & 89% on 1s! And on the Cavs, the D comparison is with Irving/Thomas/Rose/Calderon. IDK if he was supposed to get a second unit going but that would be a big ask. Arguably Irving rarely got a first unit going.
Well the market says you’re right.