We’re nearing the four-week mark of the NBA’s new league year, and most of this year’s best free agents have found new teams — or new deals with their old teams. Only four players from our list of the top 50 free agents of 2018 remain unsigned.
Still, a perusal of our list of 2018’s remaining free agents reveals several noteworthy names. Roster spots around the NBA are becoming scarce, but a number of unsigned players could help out contending teams. Some of these players could sign in the coming days or weeks, while others may have to wait for injuries to open up opportunities.
In a series of posts, we’ll be taking a closer look at some of the most notable free agents still on the board, breaking them down by position. That series started on Thursday with a breakdown of some of the top guards available, and continues today with a list of some of the most intriguing veteran wings on the open market.
Let’s dive in…
Rodney Hood (RFA): Along with Rockets big man Clint Capela, Hood is the most prominent free agent still available, with restricted free agency limiting his leverage. Only the Kings still have the cap room available to throw a lucrative offer sheet at Hood, but Sacramento seems very unlikely to do so, leaving the former Jazz first-rounder to decide between accepting whatever multiyear offer Cleveland makes or signing his $3.47MM qualifying offer. Opting for the QO would be a risk, but Hood could be in line for a larger role with the Cavs in 2018/19 now that LeBron James is gone.- David Nwaba (UFA): After starting the month as a restricted free agent, Nwaba had his qualifying offer rescinded by the Bulls, seemingly opening up his market. However, despite being linked to the Spurs, Lakers, and Cavaliers since then, the standout perimeter defender is still without a deal.
- Nick Young (UFA): Young played regular minutes for the NBA champions in 2017/18 and shot 37.7% on three-pointers, right in line with his career average. It seems like it should just be a matter of time before he catches on with an NBA team. We heard earlier in the month that at least six clubs were said to have interest, so perhaps Young’s asking price was too high.
- Corey Brewer (UFA): After joining the Thunder, Brewer made 34.3% of his regular-season three-point attempts and 45.5% in the playoffs. If any team believes those numbers are sustainable, it would probably have already signed Brewer. Still, even if his shooting numbers regress and he doesn’t produce much on offense, Brewer can provide energy and defense for a second unit.
- Shabazz Muhammad (UFA): Muhammad claims he’s in the best shape of his life, and says he’s been working on corner threes in an effort to improve his career .319 3PT%. Potential suitors may prefer to hear that he’s working on his defense, but the 25-year-old could still have value as a volume scorer off the bench.
- Arron Afflalo (UFA): Afflalo averaged a career-low 3.4 PPG and 12.9 MPG with the Magic last season, but his .386 3PT% matched his career rate. While his days as a primary offensive option are behind him, the 11-year veteran is capable of being a decent depth piece.
- Luke Babbitt (UFA): Babbitt, a career 40.2% three-point shooter who can play either forward position, reportedly drew some interest from the Cavaliers. If an NBA deal doesn’t materialize, he should have opportunities overseas, with Barcelona and Maccabi Tel Aviv among the European teams that checked in on the veteran earlier in July.
- Pat Connaughton (UFA): The Trail Blazers decided not to tender a low-cost qualifying offer to Connaughton even after he played a regular role for the club last season, making him an unrestricted free agent. Connaughton is still just 25 years old and had a solid .423/.352/.841 shooting line in 2017/18.
- Joe Johnson (UFA): Johnson was deemed worthy of a roster spot by the team with the NBA’s best record last season, but his stint with the Rockets wasn’t particularly impressive. He shot .381/.279/.952 in 23 regular season contests, then appeared sparingly in eight playoff games. Still, he’s only one year removed from a solid season in Utah and is only 37 years old — if he follows in the footsteps of guys like Vince Carter and Manu Ginobili, he could still have a few more seasons in him.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Nothing much left in there really, only Joe Johnson if he was younger, now mostly would be helpful as a mentor.
I think there’s a lot on this list. Not everyone can be LeBron. I’m sure there are players here that can help a team. Even Saggin PP