The NBA free agency bell rings on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET. And sure, the headliners are LeBron James, James Harden, Jalen Duren, Peyton Watson. Those names grab the headlines and the max slots. But the new collective bargaining agreement and its apron rules mean a lot of teams are shopping for bargains, not stars.
Teams that win free agency often do it on the second and third days. The smaller deals. The guys who slide through the cracks and then produce like starters on a bench salary. So who are the real value plays this summer?
Cam Thomas: A Scorer Without a Home
Cam Thomas nearly washed out of the league. The Nets waived him. The Bucks waived him. That is a guy who averaged 24 points a game two seasons ago. His game is pure scoring, no defense, no playmaking, just buckets. That rep gets him labeled as a problem. But off the bench? As a sixth man? He can outscore any reserve in the league. Some team should take the chance.
Russell Westbrook: Still Producing, Still Waiting
Nobody calls Russell Westbrook under the radar. He is a Hall of Famer, the triple-double king, an all-time competitor. But in free agency, the phone rings late. Teams get scared by his style. They worry about fit. And then he signs somewhere in late August and plays like the best player on the floor. Last season in Sacramento, he looked like the guy. The season before in Denver, he was essential. He still gives 110% and can lift a second unit. The market might finally show up earlier this time.
Robert Williams: If He Stays Healthy
Robert Williams is a walking injury report. That is the truth. But if he stays on the floor, he is an elite shot blocker and an explosive finisher. Portland has Donovan Clingan and a young core now. Williams is likely gone. He will sign a cheap backup deal somewhere. And then he will probably block five shots in a playoff game and make whoever signed him look very smart.
Collin Sexton: The Motor Never Stops
Collin Sexton scores. He has averaged 24 points a game in a season. He shot over 40% from three the last two years. The knock on him is he is not a natural point guard. He is a spark plug. But that is exactly what contenders need off the bench. A guy who attacks every possession. He is underrated, and the numbers prove it.
Marvin Bagley: The Draft Bust Who Keeps Playing
Marvin Bagley was drafted ahead of Luka Doncic. That will always be the headline. But he has carved out a real career as a journeyman. Five teams. Two stints in Washington. And last season he shot 46% from three on real volume. He can still score inside. He is a bench big with a pulse. That has value.
Bones Hyland: From Defensive Liability to Rotation Player
Bones Hyland came into the league as a scorer who could not guard anybody. The Nuggets traded him. The Clippers barely used him. But last year in Minnesota, he got better on defense. Just enough to stay on the floor. His creation ability is legit. He can make tough shots. The Timberwolves want him back, but there will be other suitors.
Bruce Brown: The Swiss Army Knife
Bruce Brown has played point guard, small-ball center, wing defender, and screener. He won a title in Denver doing whatever they needed. Injuries have slowed his last few stops, but he ended last season back with the Nuggets, locking people up on the perimeter. He can play for any coach, in any system. That is rare.
Quentin Grimes and Kelly Oubre: Two 76ers Who Could Leave
Quentin Grimes has bounced around, but he stepped up when the 76ers were hurt and averaged nearly 22 points a game. He is a 3-and-D guy who can create off the dribble now. Kelly Oubre has averaged at least 14 points for eight straight seasons on cheap deals. Both are unrestricted free agents. Philadelphia probably cannot keep both. One of them will be a steal for someone.
Jusuf Nurkic: Still a Banger
The Jazz traded Collin Sexton for Jusuf Nurkic and everyone laughed. Then Nurkic averaged a double-double before nose surgery ended his season. He is slow and old, but he is still 6-foot-11 and knows how to play center. Teams always need that. He will find a home.
The big names sell tickets. The players on this list win games on value contracts. That is where the smart front offices will be looking.
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