With NBA free agency beginning in July, many of the big names were signed to big contracts, extensions, or sign-and-trade deals. Players like Paul George, Klay Thompson, and DeMar DeRozan were snapped up pretty quickly. But there are still several NBA players that are available to be signed by teams ahead of the new season.
Teams will be ready to make sure that they don’t lock themselves into any bad deals, which is why some of these players may have to take team-friendly contracts in order to secure their spots in the league come next season.
Isaac Okoro
Isaac Okoro is coming off a slightly underwhelming season with the Cavaliers. Last year, he played 69 games, averaging 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 0.5 steals. This was his second-best statistical season with the Cavaliers since being selected with the fifth overall pick.
With the Cavaliers having better options for big men in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, they felt as though they didn’t want to offer Okoro an extension. Perhaps a team like the Nets or the Jazz (should they lose Lauri Markkanen) may sign him, as they could be in the market for a big.
Markelle Fultz
Markelle Fultz has fallen a long way down since being the first overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. After being traded from the 76ers to the Magic in 2019, it seemed like he was turning his career around as a scorer and a guard.
But his scoring averages went down by 7 points last season, where he only averaged 7.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.3 blocks, and 1.0 steals. Perhaps a fledgling team in need of backup guards like the Trail Blazers or Pistons could sign him, especially if they end up trading some valuable assets later down the line.
Gordon Hayward
What was once a promising career for Gordon Hayward got derailed by injuries. Last season with the Hornets and then the Thunder, Hayward averaged 9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.3 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game.
At 34 years old and with a shaky injury history, teams may not want to take a chance by paying him big money. But a minimum contract for a player who has shown to be a great culture piece might allow Hayward to return to the NBA next season.
Update: Gordon Hayward, after 14 NBA seasons, is retiring from basketball.
Lonnie Walker IV
Lonnie Walker IV performed well for the Nets last season, despite not getting many opportunities. Mostly coming off the bench in his 58 games, Walker averaged 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.3 blocks, and 0.6 steals.
Walker has shown that he can make some big shots late in the game, and could provide some valuable bench minutes for a hopeful contender team like the Heat or the Pacers.
Cedi Osman
Cedi Osman found some success in his career as part of the Cavaliers, but played for the Spurs last season, alongside Victor Wembanyama. In his time with the Spurs, he averaged 6.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.2 blocks, and 0.5 steals per game.
Osman has proven his ability to play a small role on a contending team during his time with the Cavaliers and LeBron James. But most championship-level teams seem to be locked in with their current roster, barring any major changes. Osman will be one to keep an eye on.
Talen Horton-Tucker
Talen Horton-Tucker is one of the few players on this list of free agents who has some championship experience, winning the 2020 NBA championship as part of the Lakers. But he had a mediocre season with the Jazz, where he averaged 10.1 points, 3.5 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 0.4 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game.
THT could get snapped up by a low-level team like the Rockets and the Spurs who might want to bolster their guard options as they head into the next season.
Dennis Smith Jr.
Dennis Smith Jr. struggled quite a bit while playing for the Nets last season. In his 56 games with the Nets, Smith Jr. averaged 6.6 points, 3.6 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 0.2 blocks per game, and 1.2 steals per game. His scoring numbers were nothing to write home about.
Smith Jr. will likely struggle to find a team ahead of the new season tipping off. Keep an eye on him to be one of the free agent signings during the season, as players get injured and teams look to the open market to bolster their squad.
Jae Crowder
An often controversial figure, Jae Crowder usually backed up his aggression with his solid hustle and shooting. But last season, Crowder underperformed with the Bucks, averaging 6.2 points, 3.2 rebounds 1.3 assists, 0.2 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game.
Could the Bucks be waiting to figure out the rest of their roster before they bring Crowder back? It’s possible, but considering they recently signed Gary Trent Jr., Crowder may want to look to other competitive teams to be his new home.
Marcus Morris
Since being traded from the Clippers to the 76ers last season, Marcus Morris has regressed greatly. Last season, he averaged just 6.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.3 blocks, and 0.3 steals per game with the 76ers and then the Cavaliers.
With Morris’ scoring now back under double digits for the first time in almost 10 years, Morris may be showing signs of age and could be a risk for any championship-level team. But a floundering team like the Bulls or the Jazz could take a punt on him.
Robert Covington
Robert Covington might have played his last season in the NBA. He averaged just 4.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.6 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game, and only played 29 games. At 33 years old, Covington may not be the effective player he once was.
He might have to wait beyond the regular season to get a chance with an NBA team to play next year.
Davis Bertans
Davis Bertans’ inefficiency could be the reason he is no longer in the NBA. Last season, he averaged 6.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.3 blocks, and 0.6 steals per game. He shot 38.3% from three but shot just 39% from the field as a whole. This could affect his chances of landing another roster spot next season.
Landry Shamet
Landry Shamet has proven over the years that he is a valuable three-point shooter. Last season, he averaged 7.1 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.2 blocks, and 0.5 assists per game. He shot 33.8% from the three-point line, and 43.1% from the field.
Perhaps a team like the Lakers or the Suns, who are limited in terms of their spending powers, might take a chance on a decent shooter like Shamet next year.
Oshae Brissett
Oshae Brissett averaged just 3.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.1 blocks, and 0.3 assists per game. While he won the NBA championship with the Celtics last year, it is clear they have no plans for him to be a part of their roster next year.
Perhaps another contender like the Mavericks, Nuggets, or 76ers will pick him up, given that he has championship experience.
Doug McDermott
Doug McDermott proved to be a valuable piece for the Pacers last season after being traded. He averaged 4.2 points, 0.6 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 0.3 steals per game. In the playoffs, while his numbers went down, his effort in the closing moments of games proved to be very crucial in the Pacers’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Malachi Flynn
Malachi Flynn spent most of last season with the Pistons, where his role increased compared to the Knicks. Flynn with the Pistons, averaged 8.0 points, 2.1 assists, 1.8 rebounds, 0.1 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game.
This late-season showing could earn him a contract with another NBA team, like the Bulls or the Pelicans, who are looking to stay competitive next season.
JT Thor
JT Thor has turned his reputation around during his stint with South Sudan at the 2024 Olympics. In the opening two games of the Olympics, Thor has averaged 6.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game.
Perhaps a deep playoff run could land JT Thor a new contract with an NBA team looking to add size and depth to their roster next season.
As seen in the list above, there is a lot of depth in the NBA when it comes to free agency, and teams could look to the free agent market to improve their roster before the season begins. The pre-season games will be the first opportunity for teams to be able to see these players play.
And if they don’t get the chance before the beginning of the season, players might get the opportunity later on in the season, when teams look to bolster their roster.
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