Free agency started on June 30th at 6 p.m. Eastern time. It has been 51 days since the start of free agency, and a long list of players have cashed in on new contracts. Despite all of these new deals and teams looking to improve, there are players that have the label-free agent attached to their names. Nearly two months have passed, a handful of players are still in limbo. Not knowing where they will be playing basketball come the 2023-2024 NBA season. So let's get into it.
Hoops Views' Notable Free Agents
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Christian Wood
Terrence Ross
Jamychal Green
Hamidou Diallo
Stanley Johnson
John Wall
Goran Dragic
The Ones That Don't Belong in Free Agency
When looking at that list above, there are some names that jump out at you. Names that any team could use some impactful minutes from. I'm not general manager or scout, but from what I've seen in the past these players deserve an NBA contract.
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Kelly Oubre Jr. has been one of the players who has continued to improve as a player with each passing year. The 27-year-old Oubre spent his last season wearing a Charlotte Hornets jersey. His season was cut short due to a ligament injury in his left hand that required surgery. He averaged 20 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals until he got injured.
Most of the trepidation surrounding Oubre and his free agency comes from the hand injury and surgery. If you don't know it already, Oubre is a lefty. No surprise that no teams have jumped at the chance to give him a contract. As time passes and desperation sets in, maybe a team will pull that trigger and sign him. Although his efficiency will most likely slip because of the injury, he does much more on the court than just shoot and score the ball. Oubre is an athletic wing who can assume the role of an on ball defender and slasher. Oubre would be a valuable addition to any contender. He is a vet who continues to improve his game. This is a business though. It's hard to tell anyone to gamble on damaged goods.
Christian Wood
Christian Wood is the most intriguing name on this list of free agents. The NBA world witnessed his rise while he was an unknown player on the Houston Rockets. After two seasons with the Rockets, he averaged 19 points, 10 rebounds, and a block. Many would have thought he would be in high demand as a free agent. Shit, he probably thought that.
Wood's two breakout seasons in Houston sparked interest in him around the league. Ultimately he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks to play alongside Luka Doncic. What the Mavericks imagined to be the outcome of adding Wood to the team wasn't what they got. Although, he averaged a respectable 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in his lone season as a Maverick. He couldn't fulfill the role that he needed to play. Wood's defense is lacking as a center. He isn't the rim running center that Doncic meshes well with. With all this being said, it's no surprise that the Mavericks let him go.
Although he wasn't a fit for the Dallas Mavericks, many teams feel the same. Wood is still waiting to accept that offer sheet that pays him his value. A team better take that chance on him. Wood could end up being one of the steals of free agency if signed by the right team and utilized the right way. He isn't your stereotypical big man. He fits the mold of the modern day big. A versatile scorer, who can stretch the floor, and knock down threes at a respectable clip. An efficient scorer overall with 51-37-77 shooting splits (FG-3FG-FT). Wood is more than qualified enough to earn a spot on a roster. Besides his defense it's hard to point out anything else that will make him undesirable. Some team better take this chance, preferably a team on the rise and in playoff contention. The guy is 27, not like he's past his prime.
Hamidou Diallo
Every offseason is a reminder that the NBA is a business before anything else. At age 25, Hamidou Diallo is learning this first hand this summer. Supposed to be entering his sixth season in the league, Diallo still finds himself without a team to call home. His athleticism and youth warrants him finding a roster spot, so why is he still a free agent?
A former slam-dunk champion, everyone familiar with Hami knows he is one of the most athletic players in the league. The explosive guard hasn't been the most successful player in the league, but his youth should afford him some room for improvement. This past season, Diallo averaged 9.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and a steal while averaging 17.8 minutes a game. Diallo's stats don't jump out at you. When you watch him play, you can see the upside and potential. His defense is the first thing that jumps out at you. Diallo has potential to become a respectable three and d player down the road, if he improves his jumpshot.
If you ask me, the only thing holding Hamidou Diallo back from getting signed this summer is his lack of a three point jumpshot. This last season, he shot 28% from behind the arc. In the era where the three ball is so important, Diallo needs to get that number up and show teams that he is a rising three and d player that can contribute to winning basketball. He's still young. Diallo can prove to be a valuable role player down the road.
Terrence Ross
Terrence Ross has been in the NBA for 11 seasons. In those 11 years he has shot a career 36.2% from three. Like I said earlier, this is an era where the three ball is valued highly. So, it isn't unfathomable that Ross will provide some value to a team. His veteran presence in a locker room could proveto be helpful.
As of right now, Ross remains unsigned. There is a ways to go until the NBA season starts. I could see him receiving a veteran minimum. Ross is a proven knockdown shooter. No such thing as having to much shooting on a team. I'm predicting that Terrence Ross will end up on a roster as a catch and shooter off the bench.
The Vets For the Locker Room
On the list above, a couple players were key contributors to their teams in the past. Some even carried franchises on their backs. Despite this previous success, one phrase remains true no matter what: "father time is undefeated." Here are the players who can carve a niche out for themselves as leaders and teachers off the court. A veteran presence is always completes a team.
John Wall
Do you remember when John Wall was once in the discussion for being a top 5 point guard in the league? At 32, Wall finds himself holding private workouts to court potential suitors. Oh how the times have changed. Wall's resume should be enough to land him on a team missing leadership and mentorship; that's if he buys into that role.
A former number one pick and five time all-star, Wall has been at the top of the game. Today, he finds himself at the bottom, struggling to find an NBA team that wants his services. He has experienced the peaks and valleys of what it is to be an NBA player. One can only imagine what he has learned and what wisdom and guidance he can give. This chapter of his career should be the mentorship portion of his career.
His history of injuries has brought him to this point. His athleticism and insane speed isn't where it used to be. Wall's lack of a reliable jumpshot has many teams doubting what he can provide for them on the court. John Wall should take this as an opportunity to give back to the game. If he wants an NBA contract, he should embrace the mentorship role. Aim to land on young team. The Portland Trailblazers and Charlotte Hornets are two teams that come to mind when I think of place lacking veteran leadership.
Goran Dragic
Just like John Wall, Goran Dragic's injuries derailed his career in a way he hasn't been able to recover from. The 37-year-old has worn the jersey of four teams in the past three years. Having become a journey man, we already know what to expect from him if he lands on a team.
Dragic's peak was during the 2019-2020 season when he helped lead the Miami Heat to the finals alongside Jimmy Butler. Rumors of Miami having interest bringing him back goes to show what type of value he brings. Dragic is a veteran with a winning attitude that any contender should look to sign on a minimum. He is still a capable shooter and facilitator. His value is on the bench and in the locker room. Dragic will end up on a contender. I'm calling it now.