Nearly a month after the start of free agency, the loudest names have largely left the market. But there are still a few places left in some teams, and some interesting players to fill them. Here are the top five free agents still available in the NBA.
PJ Washington
Then: Interior
Status : Restricted
Current team: Charlotte Hornets
Stats 2022-2023 : 32.6 minutes, 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 44.4% shooting, 34.8% three-pointers
PJ Washington and the Hornets seem deadlocked. The two camps have still not managed to agree on a contract extension, which could push the free agent to accept his qualifying offer of 8.5 million dollars for the 2023-2024 season. At the moment, he remains one of the most interesting players out there.
At almost 25 years old, the interior has a rare profile, in particular ruling out play with a substantial volume behind the arch. He has shown himself capable of returning his three-point shots with great accuracy (38.6% during his sophomore year), despite a decline in skill in the past two seasons. PJ Washington is not an effective scorer, but he could shine in a suitable offensive context.
This quality, added to its convincing defensive impact and its ability to cover several positions, makes it a very interesting piece. However, it is more likely that he will wait another year in Charlotte before becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer, in a more open market.
Christian Wood
Then: Interior
Status : Not restricted
Current team: Dallas Mavericks
Stats 2022-2023 : 25.9 minutes, 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 51.5% shooting, 37.6% three-pointers
It’s not such a big surprise that Christian Wood has still not found a base. His defensive shortcomings and concerns about his professionalism likely caused his NBA ratings to plummet. The sixth man of the Mavericks, however, has a card to play at the end of the offseason.
A modern interior, Wood is able to spread play and contribute effectively to scoring. He should expect a clear drop in salary compared to last season ($ 14.3 million), as well as with regard to his minutes, but he has the weapons to take on a role in a competitive team. It will be on the condition of falling into the right environment and putting one’s own into it. The Lakers would be in particular on the file, in addition to the Bulls and the Heat.
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Kelly Oubre Jr
Then: Winger
Status : Not restricted
Current team: Charlotte Hornets
Stats 2022-2023 : 32.3 minutes, 20.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 43.1% shooting, 31.9% three-pointers
As he prepares to enter his ninth season in the NBA, the qualities and faults of Kelly Oubre Jr are clearly identified. On the one hand, the winger comes out of the most prolific exercise of his scoring career with 20.3 points per game. On the other, he remains an unreliable shooter and a player who can hardly be trusted with the ball.
Kelly Oubre Jr could be a good option for a team looking for scoring and a bit of outside defense off the bench. He is notably on the radar of the Mavericks, who were hoping to strengthen themselves on the wing with the arrival of Matisse Thybulle. The New Orleans native will most certainly find a contract this summer. The question is rather that of the amount, which is expected below the 12.6 million dollars that he received at the Hornets this year.
JaMychal Green
Then: Interior
Status : Not restricted
Current team: Golden State Warriors
Stats 2022-2023 : 14 minutes, 6.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 54% shooting, 37.8% three-pointers
JaMychal Green is typically the kind of player who could receive, in the coming weeks, at least one offer from a contender. If he is on the downward slope at 33, the strong winger still has shot and experience to spare.
Established in a playoff game with Golden State last season, he showed that he could be invaluable in certain situations by sanctioning from long distance. His role in a competitive team will undoubtedly be very secondary. But securing the services of JaMychal Green on the bench, at least a veteran, is an opportunity to be seized.
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Jaylen Nowell
Then: Outside
Status : Not restricted
Current team: The Minnesota Timberwolves
Stats 2022-2023 : 19.3 minutes per game, 10.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2 assists, 44.8% shooting, 28.9% three-pointers
Jaylen Nowell has just celebrated his 24th birthday and could benefit, after his first four years in Minnesota, from a change of situation. Regularly lined up at the lead, with important responsibilities, the outside found themselves in a position that did not suit them this season. An indicator of the specific role in which he seems destined to perform.
At 49% at mid-range, Nowell is a solid scorer off the bench. He knows how to create his own shot and always has a shot to play in a second unit. The big question mark remains his three-point shot, his success rate having dropped from 39.4% to 28.9% year over year, crucial to his future in the NBA. You also have to ignore his dubious defense, which is certainly the main reason why he is still free today.
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