NBA Free Agency: 3 Free Agents Under the Radar in 2018

NBA Free Agency2018 will be defined by the lack of salary cap space available for prospective free agents, an after-effect of the bonanza summers that proceeded it. Few teams have funds available, some of those who do aren’t interested in using it yet, and quite a few teams with constraining tax concerns will hesitate to use even mundane exceptions. The market will be tight across the board for all but the very best players. Non-prime free agents will likely receive similar contracts regardless of ability. Smart franchises will be able to use this unique terrain to their advantage, bringing in underrated players on below-market deals to fill out the remaining holes in their roster.

With that in mind, here are three under-the-radar free agents this summer:

Aron Baynes,Boston Celtics

Baynes had a huge 2017-18 playoff run with the Celtics, showing off his versatile defensive abilities and stretching his offensive game to the three-point line. Boston had no trouble switching the formerly-plodding, laterally-challenged big man ontoGiannis Antetokounmpo,Ben Simmons, and evenLeBron Jamesin their three playoff series. Baynes acquitted himself well in limited possessions against all three players. While not a full 1-5 switch defender, his ability to guard 3-5 and stay in front of primary wing creators adds to his high-end defensive toolbox. A low-usage big man with a defensive focus will come cheap in an era dominated by perimeter play. While Boston has made their preference to retain him known, Baynes is unrestricted and may find more money or a bigger role elsewhere, especially since the Celtics draftedRobert Williamsand still haveGuerschon YabuseleandDaniel Theisin their big man rotation, along with incumbentAl Horfordand the returningGordon Hayward, who will play small-ball 4 for them in their best lineups next season.

JamesEnnis,Detroit Pistons

Four teams in four years usually doesn’t bode well for a player’s ability to stick in an NBA rotation, especially when the same team has given up on him twice. Ennis finished the 2017-18 season with the Pistons and hasn’t found a consistent home for more than 109 games in a row, played for the Memphis Grizzlies over two seasons. A modest 3-and-D prospect, Ennis offers a low-usage, high-efficiency wing option for teams who strike out on some of their bigger targets. The last impression he left in general managers’ minds wasn’t a good one, as he struggled mightily to get his shot going in Detroit, but he had a good first half of the year and a consistent rotation spot in a high-quality system could be just what the doctor ordered for Ennis.

Montrezl Harrell,Los Angeles Clippers

The under-sized center became a throw-in to make salaries work in theChris Paultrade last season, but might be the best center remaining for the Clippers afterDeAndre Jordanmakes his expected exit. An old-school, rough-and-tumble big man down low, Harrell finishes very well around the basket, especially considering his 6’8 stature. His individual usage has increased each of the past two seasons without seeing any significant dip in efficiency from the field. Despite playing backup to the best player on his team last season, Harrell’s lineups were actually better thanJordan’s for the Clippers. He’ll be a restricted free agent and likely to return to Los Angeles, but if the Clippers move on and his price tag stays low, a team would do well to sign him and watch him outperform the contract.