Nearly a full month into free agency, the number of impact free agents is dwindling by the day. Veterans like P.J. Washington, Christian Wood and Kelly Oubre are among the most notable players still on the market — they would be fits for most contenders and have each been linked to numerous teams. However, beyond the big names, there are several free agents who made positive impacts on their respective clubs and likely wouldn’t cost much.
Some available free agents include players who began the offseason on teams but were cut, either for financial or fit reasons, including Edmond Sumner, Trendon Watford and Lamar Stevens. Sumner and Stevens are the players with the most NBA experience out of this group, holding 161 and 165 games of experience respectively. Sumner averaged 7.1 points for the Nets last year after missing the 2021/22 season with an Achilles injury while Stevens went undrafted in 2020 but evolved into a key rotation player for the Cavaliers, averaging 5.3 points in three seasons there and making 38 starts.
Watford, on the other hand, has appeared in 110 NBA games after going undrafted in 2021. While he flew under the radar as a member of retooling Trail Blazers squads, he showed quite a bit of promise in two seasons in Portland, so it was somewhat surprising to see him go. Watford averaged 7.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in two seasons in Portland.
Then there are other free agents who have outright gone unsigned to this point. As we wrote yesterday, Derrick Jones Jr. is the only player who is still available after turning down an option for 2023/24. Jones is a high-flying forward who is still just 26 years old despite holding seven years of NBA experience.
Javonte Green is another Bulls free agent who could appeal to teams. Green has 186 games of NBA experience and started in 45 of his 65 appearances in ’21/22 for the Bulls. Meanwhile, Hamidou Diallo is another high-flying athlete who remains available after averaging 8.6 points across 263 career appearances in Oklahoma City and Detroit. He will be just 25 when the season begins.
Other available relatively young players who have proven themselves in past NBA seasons include Kendrick Nunn, who averaged 15.0 points in two seasons with Miami, Jaylen Nowell, who has reportedly drawn interest from the Mavericks, and Terence Davis, who averaged 10.4 points for Sacramento in ’21/22.
Regardless of what teams are looking for, there remain a plethora of options. If clubs are looking to fill out their rosters with veterans, players like George Hill, Will Barton, Danny Green, Ish Smith, JaMychal Green, Terrence Ross and T.J. Warren are available. If teams are looking for high-upside options, guys like Frank Ntilikina, Kevin Knox, Justise Winslow and Romeo Langford are available as former lottery picks who are all 27 or younger. Other guys who flew under the radar last season but impressed in brief stints include Lindy Waters, Jeenathan Williams and Skylar Mays.
Lastly, teams aren’t limited to guys who finished last season on NBA teams. Players like Lance Stephenson and Glenn Robinson III are reportedly seeking NBA comebacks. Ben McLemore, Dion Waiters and Stanley Johnson are some of the other players who fit this bill as guys who either worked out for teams or could hold some appeal as options to fill the bench.
That brings us to our Community Shootaround question(s) of the day: Who do you think is the most overlooked player who is still available in free agency? What teams do you think should sign these players? Is there anyone we missed?
Let us know what you think by sharing your thoughts in the comments section. We look forward to hearing what you think.
There are other guys who are not in the list that they need another chance and some playing time.
Cade. 2nd to last paragraph in Mr Tuckers article. Read the boldface. Your “other guys” doesn’t respond to Tuckers boldface question “who”. Pretty sure you need to clarify “other guys”. tfn
Perhaps Mr Cunningham is talking to Pistons brass about those “other guys” and doesn’t want the names to leak out.
good point lol
The Bulls need to go after Watford, this is one of the easiest matches left on the board, and Chicago NEEDS to lake it happen ASAP!!
Why did Portland release him
GSW has one open spot left (they are keeping the 15th open), they will get one of these guys, but who? Reply with your pick:
it’s possible gsw is waiting to see if Mcgee gets waived. no on wood, bad D ratings. Watford is big and decent defender. but not a big just to have a big. Howard has lost too much imo to be a value BUT could be worth a shot. Q is on 2way, and maybe Jayce Johnson who seemed “match-up-able” on D in summer league
Just take Christian Wood for the minimum, if he’s available. Other than that, a defensive wing like Diallo also makes sense to me.
I agree with the idea that Wood could be traded if things go south, being his bad defense might not matter due to his offense with this GSW team.
Wood catches 7+ rebounds and most of them are offensive ones, perfect fit in a minimum deal … Klay has to pass on a max deal like Middleton did to open some cap space to sign/extend a championship roster
They usually go with just 14 to save on tax
Yes, but they only have 13 right now. Still one more to add, and the front office said it will be a big.
Ross, Sumner and Green.
Green would be perfect for Denver. Plays like Brown right?
Do a illegal sign and trade. Oubre from hornets to Knicks for Fournier and picks
Silver doesn’t like veterans. Good bye fair well
Wood needs to play PF for ATL, Kings, bucks, Nets, bulls or Center position for Washington
Stevens, Jones and Warren should be on a team too
Spurs should sign Danny Green
None of them are underrated. If they were worth picking up they’d be signed by now, by the people who get paid to do it. Not a comment section that can barely tie its own shoes lol