While a player’s regular season résumé generally plays a larger role in dictating what sort of contract he receives as a free agent, a strong postseason can increase both the floor and the ceiling of that contract.
Two years ago, for instance, Bismack Biyombo entered free agency well positioned for a raise after a solid season in which he posted 5.5 PPG and 8.0 RPG as the Raptors’ backup center. In a summer that saw Timofey Mozgov and Ian Mahinmi land $64MM contracts, Biyombo would’ve done well regardless of how he played in the postseason, but it was his play in those three series that cemented his place as a coveted free agent.
He appeared in 20 games for the Raptors during those playoffs, starting 10 games due to a Jonas Valanciunas injury. Biyombo’s 6.2 PPG and 9.4 RPG in those 20 contests would’ve both been career highs, and he was at the center of several key plays and moments during Toronto’s postseason run. His playoff showing ultimately helped him secure a $68MM deal from the Magic.
Free agent spending in 2018 isn’t expected to be as extravagant as it was in 2016, but there are several players across the NBA who are building cases for bigger paydays as a result of their postseason play. Here are seven of them:
Clint Capela, C (Rockets): Capela has been the breakout star of this year’s playoffs so far, as more and more observers realize he’s a legit third member of the Rockets’ Big Three alongside James Harden and Chris Paul. After leading the NBA in field-goal percentage and posting a double-double in the regular season, Capela has been even better in the postseason, increasing his averages in PPG (15.4), RPG (13.0), and BPG (2.6). So far against the Jazz, he has outplayed Rudy Gobert, arguably the league’s best defensive big man.- Rajon Rondo, PG (Pelicans): He may not love the “Playoff Rondo” nickname, but Rondo has looked like a different player in the postseason. Besides posting an NBA-best 12.9 APG (including 14.8 APG in Pelicans wins), Rondo is also scoring more (10.8 PPG), grabbing more rebounds (8.3 RPG), and shooting better (.412 3PT%) than he did in the regular season. A year ago, Rondo’s impressive postseason was cut short by an injury and didn’t do much for his free agent stock, but it should earn him a raise this time around.
- Derrick Rose, PG (Timberwolves): When Rose was traded by the Cavs and then cut by the Jazz in February, it was unclear whether he’d even land another NBA job this season. The Timberwolves’ decision to sign him was second-guessed, and Rose didn’t do much during his nine regular season games to justify that decision. However, his postseason performance was impressive, and should quiet any speculation that he needs to call it a career. His .700 3PT% in those five playoff games was an aberration, but Rose looked revitalized against the Rockets.
- Jerami Grant, F (Thunder): While Grant’s modest playoff numbers don’t jump off the page, there’s one stat that does: his on/off-court ratings. In their six playoff games, the Thunder had a +8.9 net rating when Grant was playing, and a staggering -17.1 rating when he was on the bench. Grant will be an unrestricted free agent, but that first-round series was exhibit A for why OKC would almost certainly rather have him back than Carmelo Anthony and his $28M player option.
- Kevon Looney, F/C (Warriors): Coming into the 2017/18 season, Looney had logged fewer than 500 total NBA minutes, so it was no surprise that the Warriors declined the fourth-year option on his rookie contract for 2018/19. The team likely regrets that decision now. After developing into a rotation piece during the season, Looney has taken on a larger role in the playoffs, and has delivered with 5.1 PPG and 4.6 RPG in 21.0 minutes per contest. There probably won’t be a bidding war for his services this summer, but he’ll be on a few more teams’ radars due to his newfound role for the defending champs.
- Aron Baynes, C (Celtics): Coming into the 2018 playoffs, Baynes had made four three-point shots in his six-year NBA career. In 10 postseason games this year, he has gone 6-for-11 from long range, making at least one three-pointer in every game vs. the Sixers. Baynes isn’t about to start hoisting up five or six threes per game next season, but if his outside shot is falling enough to be a threat, it can have a huge impact on his team’s spacing, pulling the opposing center out from the paint. That makes him a much more intriguing piece in the middle.
- Ian Clark, G (Pelicans): Clark was solid but unspectacular off the bench for the Pelicans during the regular season. After shooting 36.4% on three-pointers coming into the 2017/18 campaign, Clark made just 31.8% for New Orleans, which was a worrying trend. His stroke has returned in the playoffs — his 36.0% conversion rate is back near his previous career mark, and his 3.1 attempts per game would be a career high.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I like Baynes, maybe San Antonio should give him a look. Pop runs a Stevens like offense and can use Baynes as his starting center. The man is huge and stands face to face with Embiid, not to mention he can hit that 3 point shot from the corner. If Boston decides to move on from him he would fit in perfectly on the Spurs.
He played for Pop for 3 years…they let him sign with Detroit and they didn’t attempt to sign him before he went to Boston…
Well who knows maybe the Spurs pick him up again lol.
Houston needs Capela – even if it means sending away future draft picks to entice a team to take on Ryan Anderson’s contract.
Rose Per-36 are not far off from when he was an MVP. He just doesn’t get the assists b/c he has to score to show he’s worth a roster spot at this point. You could conceivably run him as a starter on some teams. The only way that could happen is if he put in the work on his shot, and got his 3PT % up.
Capela is probably gone. Think.. .Dallas?
Capela is going no where.
Once they bring back CP3 they are at 108M for 8 players. Probably looking at 18-20M for Capela. So they’re going to end up over 130M for 2 seasons. They can do it, are they willing to do it? It obviously throws out any LBJ rumors bc no one is taking Ryan Anderson.
I dont know why it would make sense to pay Capela. Hes a restricted free agent at center, in a league where not many teams are looking for his skillset, in a year where not many teams have much cap space. If I’m Houston, I let him explore his market, and if someone overpays him, let him walk, otherwise they can match a lesser offer or hope he takes his qualifying offer. There are a lot of available bigs right now that you wouldn’t have to pay $17-22 million for
Noel, if motivated, if healthy, has a similar skillset, and since he bleeped up the last few years shouldn’t cost much.
There are many guys in that mold. That’s just one example, although you have to question where Noel’s head is at sometimes. If he buys in to the right environment, I still think he can play that role, which is where I’m going with this. Look at GS and their 5 position the last 2 years. You can plug guys in, especially in that style of basketball