Every team would love to go out and grab Paul George, LeBron James, or James Harden. But the reality is that only six or seven teams will have major spending power during free agency. Sign-and-trades are also going to be way tougher to pull off given that the eight over-the-apron teams (the Nuggets, Lakers, Grizzlies, Heat, Bucks, Celtics, Wolves, and Suns) are not allowed to use that mechanism.
Most teams will be limited to either the $13 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception, the $5 million taxpayer mid-level exception, or minimum contracts. That doesn’t mean that they can’t add good role players. While this free agency class doesn’t have much high-end talent, it is chock full of quality rotation pieces.
These playoffs have shown time and time again that having a playable fifth, sixth or seventh man is absolutely necessary to winning at the highest levels. Here are the top players that most teams can actually afford who could potentially fill that spot.
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NBA free agency sleepers 2024
Royce O’Neale | Unrestricted free agent
At age 31, O’Neale still has a few good years left as a 3-and-D wing. The career 38.1 percent 3-point shooter can slot into pretty much any team. He played solidly after being traded to the Suns and is expected to re-sign there for around $10 million annually, per Hoops Hype’s Michael Scotto.
The Suns do have O’Neale’s Bird rights, meaning that they could bring him back. But they are deep in the tax. Another team could offer him more consistent minutes and money to pry him away.
Delon Wright | Unrestricted free agent
Wright is a nine-year vet who has bounced around the league, playing for eight different teams. He’s a good 35.4 percent 3-point shooter and a solid defender who profiles as a backup point guard.
Wright was waived midway through the season and signed with the Heat on a prorated minimum to close the year out. He might be gettable on a veteran’s minimum.
Naji Marshall | Unrestricted free agent
Marshall is a good wing who has gotten much better over the past few seasons. He hit a career-high 38.7 percent of his 3’s for the Pelicans last season and guarded well, earning the nickname “the knife” for his Swiss army versatility. He should get somewhere around mid-level exception money.
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Nicolas Batum | Unrestricted free agent
Batum wrapped up Year 16 in the league and still has some gas left in the tank. He had some huge playoff performances for the Sixers, solidifying their starting lineup with his defense and 3-point shooting.
Batum has certainly lost a step — he’s a full-time power forward now. But he’s a heady player who can still contribute in the playoffs.
Obi Toppin | Restricted free agent
The Pacers are going to be close to the tax after Pascal Siakam’s extension kicks in. Toppin might be the victim of finances and the need to open up minutes for Jarace Walker, who was selected No. 8 in the 2023 draft.
Toppin is a gifted scorer and athlete who shot a career-high 40.3 percent from 3 last season. He looked great for the Pacers in their transition attack, and also fit right in by not playing much defense. He’s definitely a one-way player, but he could be useful as a 26-year-old spark plug off the bench.
Derrick Jones Jr | Unrestricted free agent
Jones Jr. should have made this list last season. He was the bargain of last summer, finding his way into Dallas’ starting lineup after signing on a one-year veteran’s minimum contract.
He won’t come that cheaply this time around. He’s a tremendous athlete, winning the 2020 dunk contest, and he’s turned himself into a capable 3-point shooter. He’s also an underrated defender, able to guard well on the wing and get a ton of blocks and steals.
The Mavs were limited in how much they can offer Jones, until trading Tim Hardaway Jr. on Friday. Jones Jr. should earn somewhere near the mid-level exception in the open market. With the Hardaway trade, the Mavs aren’t necessarily out of the running to retain Jones Jr.
Andre Drummond | Unrestricted free agent
Drummond is expected to leave the Bulls, according to multiple Bulls beat reporters. He’s been one of the better backup big men for the past few years and has also played capably as a spot starter. He’s one of the league’s best rebounders, a decent passer, and has a surprising knack for getting steals on defense. He’s very limited offensively though, and he will make one or two perplexing plays every week.
Drummond will fill up a stat sheet though, and he would be a great first big man to bring off the bench. He’s coming off two straight seasons on a minimum deal. He should be very affordable this summer too.
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Gordon Hayward | Unrestricted free agent
Hayward’s season took a nosedive following his trade to Oklahoma City in February. He struggled to earn consistent playing time and appeared hesitant when he did get on the court. That led Thunder GM Sam Presti to acknowledge the trade as a mistake at the end of the year.
Hayward’s struggles were unexpected. Prior to the trade, he was averaging a respectable 14.5 points per game in Charlotte and contributing defensively. Injuries are always a concern for him, but he can still shoot 3’s at a high level. If he can regain his Hornets form, then he could be a great cheap signing.
Markelle Fultz | Unrestricted free agent
Fultz looked like he was carving out a role as a starter for the Magic two seasons ago, getting to the rim and hitting from the midrange consistently. Injuries completely derailed him last season, and he looked lost for most of the year.
Fultz is probably never going to become the 3-point shooter or dynamic player that he was projected to be when drafted No. 1 in 2017. But if he can get healthy, then he could be a good playmaking guard off the bench.
Monte Morris | Unrestricted free agent
Morris was considered one of the best backup point guards while with the Nuggets. He fell off the NBA radar after getting traded to the Wizards two years ago, and last year he was never able to find a rhythm due to injuries.
When he was at his best though, he was a very accurate 3-point shooter and one of the best assist-to-turnover ratio players in the league. He rarely makes mistakes and is a great game manager.
Haywood Highsmith | Unrestricted free agent
Every team is trying to find the next Derrick Jones Jr. Highsmith is the best candidate to be that guy. He’s got that same lanky frame and plus athleticism. He’s a very underrated defender who can’t really create much on offense but can finish plays and hit wide open 3’s. He should be gettable for somewhere around the taxpayer mid-level exception.