NBA
NBA PM: Notable Unsigned Free Agents
Updated15 Oct 2021
Entering the final week of July, many of the big-name NBA free agents have been signed. Tristan Thompson is the best player remaining on the market, but that’s because he’s a restricted free agent and those negotiations can take some time. It seems like a lock that Thompson will return to the Cleveland Cavaliers next year, either on a long-term deal or the one-year qualifying offer.
Still, there are still other quality players remaining in the free-agent pool. Free agency coverage has died down, but sometimes the best signings are the bargain players who are added later on in the free agency period. Plenty of the players who remain unsigned now could go on to become a significant contributor in the 2015-16 season. That happens quite often.
In recent years, players like Matt Barnes, Patrick Beverley and Chris Andersen among others spent a long time unsigned before joining a team (with some having to wait until midseason to sign). They each inked a very reasonable contract and then surprised everyone when they became a key difference maker for a playoff team.
Yes, some of the remaining free agents come with baggage, some are past their prime and some are relatively unproven. However, these late acquisitions can sometimes be steals.
Some players get impatient and decide to travel abroad rather than wait for an NBA offer. Players who have NBA experience, especially individuals who are well known, can make good money overseas even in the twilight of their career.
However, there are still a number of players waiting for that call from an NBA team. Here are some of the notable unsigned free agents (this isn’t a complete list):
POINT GUARDS
Jason Terry, Andre Miller, Norris Cole (RFA), Luke Ridnour, Donald Sloan, Nate Robinson, Ish Smith, Will Bynum, John Lucas III, Vander Blue, Toure’ Murry, Scotty Hopson, Sebastian Telfair, Peyton Siva, Quinn Cook, Justin Dentmon
SHOOTING GUARDS
J.R. Smith, Ray Allen, Henry Walker, Ben Gordon, Jason Richardson, Willie Green, Francisco Garcia, John Salmons, Xavier Henry, Jordan Crawford, Dahntay Jones, Keith Bogans, Sean Kilpatrick, Dominique Jones, Xavier Silas, Josh Selby, Glen Rice Jr., Andre Dawkins, Jermaine Taylor
SMALL FORWARDS
Dorell Wright, Mike Miller (once waived), Michael Beasley, Tayshaun Prince, Rasual Butler, Landry Fields, Shawne Williams, Austin Daye, Luc Mbah a Moute (failed physical), Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, Chris Singleton, Carlos Delfino, Mickael Pietrus, Travis Wear, Robbie Hummel
POWER FORWARDS
Tristan Thompson (RFA), Carlos Boozer, Kevin Seraphin, Darell Arthur, Glen Davis, Reggie Evans, Jason Maxiell, Chuck Hayes, Jeff Ayres, Henry Sims, Cory Jefferson, Tyrus Thomas, Elton Brand, Jeremy Tyler, Khem Birch, Malcolm Thomas, Romero Osby, Arinze Onuaku, Justin Harper
CENTERS
JaVale McGee, Emeka Okafor, Alex Kirk, Larry Sanders (retired), Brendan Haywood (once waived), Jermaine O’Neal, Greg Smith, Ryan Hollins, Jerome Jordan, Jeff Withey, Nazr Mohammed, Greg Stiemsma, Keith Benson, Bernard James, Earl Barron, Justin Hamilton, Sim Bhullar, Hasheem Thabeet, Daniel Orton
Which players do you want your favorite team to pursue? Which unsigned player surprises you the most? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
Basketball Insiders Podcast: New Episode
If you missed it over the weekend, a new episode of the Basketball Insiders podcast dropped on Saturday. In this episode, Alex Kennedy and Jarrod Rudolph discuss their Western Conference rankings, the Houston Rockets’ trade for Ty Lawson, the NBPA Players Awards, if Summer League results actually matter and much more. Listen here:
