4 Forgotten UFAs Your Team May Need

Now that America’s 242nd birthday has subsided, the NBA free agency push is in full swing. The biggest move of free agency is already over (LeDecision joining Lonzo Ball and the Lakers). Attention shifts to Kawhi Leonard. As ironic as this is, considering Leonard is not truly a free agent, it’s no surprise because Leonard is the second best two-way player in the game behind LeBron James. With eyes on him, some eyes have slipped from higher profile UFAs who are still available on the market. Because of my love of covering the uncovered (check out Slept On here), here are four UFAs who may have gone under the radar.

1. Isaiah Thomas, PG, Last Team: Los Angeles Lakers

OK, let’s get one thing straight. Isaiah Thomas is still good at basketball. IT’s one of the games best scorers and the best 4th quarter player in the modern NBA era. Yeah, I went there. Thomas still has gas in the tank. Two seasons ago, being fifth All-Star voting and averaging 29 PPG, Thomas would’ve been the most important player (behind LeBron) in free agency this season. However, after a lasting hip injury and some issues with the Cavaliers after being traded for Kyrie, Thomas has not bounced back to that same production level. However, he can still provide in the right situations. Considering he stays healthy and gets touches, he could be a 22-24 PPG game guy once again. His destination should be the Orlando Magic, where a barren back-court and new project in Mo Bamba could boost his abilities once again, while not taking a huge pay hit because of his diminished value.

2. Brook Lopez, C, Last Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Is Brook Lopez good? A question that stumps me to this day. I CAN tell you one thing, he’s not bad. He’s an interesting player, lacking speed but has an ability to get the ball in the basket. His newfound shooting stroke has made him a threat everywhere on the court and should have raised his Free Agency stock. However, he’s gone nearly untalked about this summer. He isn’t the same guy he was in Brooklyn, but his size, presence, and newfound scoring ability can really help a team who desperately needs a center presence. With the release of Thomas Bryant, Julius Randle’s move to the Pelicans, and only JaVale McGee to fill the Los Angeles Lakers center void, the Lakers should look into re-signing Lopez for another year before completely abandoning him.

3. Nemanja Bjelica, PF, Last Team: Minnesota Timberwolves

The 2015 EuroLeague MVP has proven that his skill is transferable to the NBA (not at the same volume, of course) and should garner a high pay rate this free agency. His deadeye three-pointer (a very European trait) has made him an NBA staple going into his fourth season. With him starting as a Restricted Free Agent this July, meaning the Timberwolves retained his rights and could match any team’s offer, his free agency suitors were few and far between. Now, after the Timberwolves lifted his restriction, he’s much more mobile and should be an active name in the markets. He could be a great addition to any piece needing a stretch big shooter. I feel like his best fit could be the Brooklyn Nets or Dallas Mavericks.

4. Michael Beasley, SF/PF, Last Team: New York Knicks

Your favorite player’s favorite player, Michael Beasley, can get buckets. His versatile athletic finishes and high IQ have let him continue to get buckets since returning from the Chinese League three years ago. As a Knick, Beasley had a resurgent year in an increased role following Kristaps Porzingis’s injury. His increasing age and decreasing stock have devalued him a little bit, and his consistently lacking jumper makes him unable to fill a need for several teams. His best choice would be staying put and attempting to be a first or second offensive option with the Knicks for another season while KP continues to heal.

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