We're now nearly a month into NBA free
agency, and as expected, all of the big names are off the market.
But the 2021 free-agency class was so large, that even weeks later,
a number of quality pros remain available.
At this stage, your favorite squad
isn't likely to sign a game-changer. But there are plug-and-play
veterans and young castoffs who can provide value to any roster.
Paul Millsap headlines the remaining best available players, and
dozens of others are worth taking a peek at.
Below are some notable unsigned
players for each of the three umbrella positional groups.
Guards
Wesley Matthews (UFA)
Matthews has now played for five teams in three seasons. The
34-year-old most recently suited up for the Lakers in 2020-21,
averaging 4.8 points per game in a bench role. Matthews provides
toughness on both ends as a 3-and-D veteran.
J.J. Redick (UFA)
Redick can still shoot it (37.1% from three last season) but has
lost much of the explosiveness off the ball that made him such a
threat throughout his career. The 37-year-old played for the
Pelicans and Mavericks last season, and could help a team searching
for an offensive spark. Redick has said that he will likely take his time,
skipping training camp and signing with a team in a few months.
Avery Bradley (UFA)
Bradley was traded from Miami to Houston at the March 25 trade
deadline, but did shoot 42.1% from long range during his short
stint with the Heat. The 30-year-old has been part of a number of
successful teams, including the Lakers' championship squad in 2020.
He'll be able to provide adequate shooting and defense wherever he
lands.
Langston Galloway (UFA)
Galloway played a minor bench role for the Suns in their trip to
the NBA Finals. The 29-year-old did what he was asked: he shot well
from the perimeter (42.4%) and turned the ball over just 13 times
in 480 minutes. He'll be a valuable and reliable reserve wherever
he goes.
Frank Ntilikina (UFA)
The 2017 No. 8 overall pick never found his groove with the New
York Knicks. Ntilikina's minutes were halved in his fourth season
(just 9.8 per game) as he battled on the outside of Tom Thibodeau's
rotation. He's still only 23 years old, though, and is an
NBA-caliber perimeter defender. Ntilikina also made 23 of his 48
three-point attempts in 2020-21, a 47.9% clip albeit on a small
sample size.
Others Include: Isaiah Thomas, E'Twaun Moore, Brad
Wanamaker, Jordan McLaughlin, Dante Exum, Dennis Smith Jr., Tyler
Johnson, Jeff Teague, Darren Collison
Wings
James Ennis (UFA)
The journeyman wing has taken the court for seven franchises in
his seven professional seasons. Ennis has made 36.0% of his threes
in his career, but canned 43.3% of those looks with the Orlando
Magic in 2020-21. He can operate as a mini microwave scorer, and
floor-spacing wings will always have value in today's NBA.
Stanley Johnson (UFA)
Johnson worked his way to increased playing time with the
Toronto Raptors last season, even starting 13 games for the team.
It was a mixed bag — he shot just 37.8 percent from the field — but
the former 2015 lottery pick had some bright moments, including a
35-point, 10-rebound effort in a May 13 loss to Chicago. Johnson
has improve notably as a defender and may be one of the better free
agent "flier" options.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (UFA)
If a team is looking for a defensive spark plug, they should
start with Hollis-Jefferson. The 26-year-old can guard both forward
spots and even some smaller bigs with his length and energy.
Hollis-Jefferson has a rough offensive foundation, but he wouldn't
need to be relied on as more than a finisher.
Others include: Denzel Valentine, Garrison Mathews, Paul
Watson Jr., Gary Clark, Justin Jackson, Theo Pinson, Michael
Beasley, Deividas Sirvydis
Bigs
Paul Millsap (UFA)
Millsap has slowly regressed with age, and at 36 years old, is
no longer the Swiss Army knife he has usually been on both ends.
But he's still a versatile piece that teams can plug in at power
forward or center while shooting the ball respectably. Millsap
spent his last four seasons with the Denver Nuggets., and the
Warriors and Nets have reportedly
demonstrated recent interest.
Jarred Vanderbilt (RFA)
Timberwolves fans were intrigued by Vanderbilt last season. The
22-year-old made 30 starts and generally battled on defense and on
the glass. Vanderbilt also made 71.7% of his attempts around the
rim, and still radiates potential.
LaMarcus Aldridge (UFA)
It appears that the veteran Aldridge, who retired just a few
months ago due to a heart condition, has consulted with medical
personnel and decided to attempt a return to the NBA (per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski).
Just based on the finesse center's face-up capabilities and ability
to stretch the floor, he should draw plenty of suitors. He last
played for the Nets.
Isaiah Hartenstein (UFA)
The Nuggets traded Hartenstein to the Cleveland Cavaliers at
last spring's deadline. He seemed to find a groove in Cleveland,
averaging 8.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
Hartenstein is still only 23 and was a second-round pick in
2017.
DeMarcus Cousins (UFA)
Cousins fell out of the Clippers' playoff rotation because he
simply wasn't up to par with the smaller, faster matchups he often
faced. Injuries have drained the 30-year-old of his athleticism.
But Cousins quietly became a knockdown, low-volume shooter (42.1%
on 1.2 threes per game), and that could be a way to keep his NBA
stock afloat.
Others include: Aron Baynes, Bismack Biyombo, Ed Davis,
Harry Giles, T.J. Leaf, Patrick Patterson, D.J. Wilson, Ersan
Ilyasova, Alen Smailagic, Luke Kornet, Tacko Fall