In recent days, some of the NBA’s more noteworthy free agents have come off the board.
Isaiah Thomas signed a 10-day contract with the Pelicans; DeMarcus Cousins agreed to a 10-day deal with the Clippers; Rondae Hollis-Jefferson reached a rest-of-season agreement with the Trail Blazers.
However, even with those players no longer available, there are still several familiar veteran names on our list of free agents. And with a number of teams around the NBA in need of at least one more player, it’s possible that many of those veteran FAs are generating some interest.
Here’s a check-in on some of the more notable names on the market:
Point Guards:
The Pelicans opted for an offense-first player when they signed Thomas, but a team in need of a defensive point guard could look to Shaquille Harrison, who was waived in February by Utah.
Quinn Cook and Jalen Lecque are among the guards who were on NBA rosters for much of this season before being released, while Jeremy Lin and Gary Payton II are among those whose play in the G League bubble in the winter may have boosted their stock a little.
Brandon Knight is seeking an NBA comeback and reportedly worked out recently for the Bucks. Shabazz Napier, Emmanuel Mudiay, Yogi Ferrell, and Tim Frazier are among the other experienced options available.
Wings:
Veterans like J.R. Smith, Dion Waiters, Allen Crabbe, Jamal Crawford, Troy Daniels, Kyle Korver, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Lance Stephenson, Treveon Graham, and Courtney Lee haven’t been on an NBA roster since the season began. If they’re healthy and in game shape, they could be intriguing depth options.
However, teams may look first as players who have been in the NBA more recently. That list includes vets like Austin Rivers, Ben McLemore, Iman Shumpert, Glenn Robinson III, and Sindarius Thornwell, as well as young players such as DaQuan Jeffries, Justin Jackson, and Terrance Ferguson. McLemore, Jeffries, and Jackson remain on waivers, so they’ll need to go unclaimed this week to formally reach free agency.
Teams in need of instant offense on the bench may take a look at Jabari Parker or Allonzo Trier, while clubs seeking a defensive stopper could target Andre Roberson.
Big Men:
It’s a bit surprising that Dewayne Dedmon hasn’t been on an NBA roster since 2020 — if he’s healthy and in shape, he should draw some interest from teams in need of a backup center. John Henson, Anthony Tolliver, Noah Vonleh, Vincent Poirier, and Tyler Zeller are among the other options for clubs seeking veteran depth.
The big man market is, frankly, more intriguing for non-playoff teams looking to take a shot on a younger player. Thon Maker, Mfiondu Kabengele, Justin Patton (once he clears waivers), Skal Labissiere, Anzejs Pasecniks, Donta Hall, T.J. Leaf, Ray Spalding, Henry Ellenson, and Omari Spellman are among the many available 25-and-under players who have some NBA experience.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
There is no way any GM is sitting around right now thinking about picking up J.R Smith or Waiters. They have gone from prospects to suspects.
The Knicks could consider bringing back Trier
I like Trier, he was fearless. Reminded me of Starks. Never played for Thibs.
Can’t believe Thon Maker is only 24 yrs old. Always thought he could be a good defensive center. I know Knicks have Pelle right now. I wonder if they will go with him. Patton was tearing up Knicks G-league team. And he got hurt while playing for Thibs in Minny.
Zeller, Patton, Dedmond, Maker I would think teams needing a true big, would look at.
I agree with initially think Thon Maker could be a good defensive center, but in the limited time I’ve seen him play this season, he is not NBA roster worthy. He is 24, but still has a body of a 18 year old. He can block a few shots, but not if contact from the offensive player is involved. He also has really bad hands. Can’t catch the ball in rhythm for the life of him. Wish him the best, but I would take any of the other names you mentioned all day.
I would definitely agree about his hands. I’ve seen him have those issues catching the ball many times
Thon might be 44 for all we know
Teams have given Thon plenty of chances but not kept him.
Also as a poster told me “there’s no evidence Maker is older than listed”. Unfortunately, true… keeping track of birth is not a rigorous tradition in Africa. He graduated from Perth Aranmore in 2010, the again in USA in 2015 after many stops. Age cannot be proven scientifically so it’s the honor system for African immigrants. It is an easy thing to fake for anyone if there’s someome to switch with when young.
Who keeps track of kids in that new family that arrived? And what immigrant would not give their kids the best chance possible in the new world?
1 thing I would say/have said is adding a depth big that can stretch the floor would bring a different dynamic to the bigs they already have, although Taj Gibson is capable of doing a little of that, and obviously Randle has shot the ball well, and sees minutes at that position. Toppin historically has been able to make those shots, but we havent seen it yet, although I think more opportunities at the 5 might help him in that area, especially if they potentially add another shooter elsewhere
There is the long standing rumor that thon maker is actually like 7-9 years older (I cant remember) than everyone thinks. Not sure what the consensus is on that. I remember there was all this evidence going around the internet a few years ago. All that being said, I still theoretically like his skillset, and he has good numbers peripherally, including defensively, which is why I mentioned him as an option for the Heat. From what I have seen from him, he moves his feet laterally, but I think he has foul tendencies
Idk why Jordan McRae is never mentioned. I’m obviously a big fan of his, but he can really play. Last season he averaged 11-3.5-2.5 on good shooting numbers. I’m sure he is out of the league permanently, but I still enjoyed his play.
He recently signed with Beijing Ducks in China. That’s probably why he was left off this list of “available” players.
Would have said Charlotte should grab Glenn Robinson before their injuries
Skal Labissier & Dedmon should both be on a team…
All of these names and no mention of Michael Beasley. He is a little bit of a head case, but the man is a walking bucket!
No mention of Anthony Bennett either. Weird, huh?
Now he can provide offense off the bench. Forgot all about him.
Yep, and as soon as he scores 8 points in the last 3 minutes of garbage time he’s gonna be in the media and internet complaining that he should be starting…
I’ve long said he came back from China a few years ago, 1 of the last times he was there, the last time he was with the Heat, as a completely changed person and player. I thought it seemed like that carried over in his stops since, but he lacked opportunity/was potentially used questionably at times. I thought his effort, defense, playmaking, shooting, and even his basketball IQ significantly improved, and he seemed like he was becoming a legitimately good teammate as well. I’m not sure what the right situation is for him, at this point though. I think he can play small ball 5, and could be a useful scoring 4 for a team that can space it, and defend, around him
Years ago, it would be very unlikely for me to speak even decently about him, so I think that improvement is something worth mentioning
You know he’s diagnosed as bi-polar. Your right he has gotten better. Great college player.
None of these players mentioned move the needle for any team, even as depth
More big men still available:
Jordan Bell
Willie Reed
Kyle O’Quinn
Ekpe Udoh
Rakeem Christmas
Deyonta Davis
AJ Hammons
Dakari Johnson
Hasheem Thabeet
Several of the guys on your list are under contract to teams overseas and are not eligible to join NBA teams.
I am still perplexed by MIL not picking up another big. Lopez can match up with Embiid, size-wise but he gets in trouble then the next guy up, Portis, is shorter and weighs 30 bs less, in other words Embiid goes off. Dedmon hit 38% on 3s a few years ago and could work in a similar role to BroLo.
Right Philly night go thru them. Never know.
Be patient Milwaukee waiting on all the buyouts to be done on the 9th so they saving that open roster spot for another steal or they’ll settle on Austin Rivers and waive Axel Toupane for Dewayne Dedmon another former Bud player
I’d make a run at Jeremy Lin or Dedmon. Celtics?
DaQuan Jeffries was claimed off waivers by the Rockets.
Someone should pick up Parker. He can still score.
Tyler Zeller is still around?
Omari Spellman should be on the Sixers right now.
Spellman 6-8 245 listed has decent stats including 37% on 3s and should be a keeper. He does get too large so maybe NBA teams are waiting him out. The Sixers are probably favoring Paul Reed now in that kind of role.
Shaq Harrison- I have seen him listed at both 6-4 and 6-7. But Utah needs a large guard defender and waived him.