Top 10 Under The Radar Free Agents

Photo Credit: LA Clippers (5) Montrezl Harrell (PF) blocks Trail Blazers (17) Ed Davis (PF) during an NBA preseason game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Clippers on October 08, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Getty Images)

Alex Golden
Alex is a contributor at TheFiveBy5.com
 
10) Kyle O’Quinn
Kyle O’Quinn is known for his rim protection and rebounding ability.  Being a bruiser in the paint is something that can’t be overlooked.  O’Quinn is not a threat from outside the paint, but he brings toughness to every game.  He would be best suited as a 2nd string center, on a competitive team.  He has spent the majority of his career playing for teams in the NBA Draft Lottery.  If the Rockets missed out on resigning Clint Capella, Kyle O’Quinn would be a nice replacement and a better fit then Nene.

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9) Lance Stephenson
The Indiana Pacers declined the team option on the versatile wing Monday evening.  Lance is a solid defender who is an aggressive rebounder. Offensively, Lance doesn’t have a consistent stroke from behind the arc, but he is a willing passer who will wind up on a few highlights each month.  The antics are something that has held him back in previous years, but if he can maintain his emotions, he will find a spot on another team.

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8) Ed Davis
Ed Davis has always been an underrated player and his teams always play better when he is on the floor.  While the NBA has evolved into a shooters league, Davis has found himself having to play the center more than the power forward.  Davis is a perfect backup big man because he does all of the little things.  His rim protection and rebounding will always assure him a spot in this league, along with being a great locker room guy. 

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7) Jamal Crawford
Crawford is still one of the most entertaining 6th Man’s in the NBA.  It will be interesting to see where Jamal ends up this off-season, but I believe it will be with a playoff contending team.  While he is getting older, his handle and shot are still so smooth.  Crawford doesn’t have much time left in the NBA, but what little time he does have left, he will make the most of it.

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6) Mario Hezonja
The former 5th overall pick of the Orlando Magic hits the free agent market, hoping to strike gold with his next employer.  Henzonja started to show people what his game is all about last season, but he wasn’t in the best offensive system with Frank Vogel at the helm.  Hezonja is a system guy that would benefit from playing on a team like Utah or San Antonio.  He has all the intangibles that these two organizations look for, and his fit would be seamless.

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5) Nemanja Bjelica
The stretch four out of Minnesota has turned heads the last few seasons.  While there are still several wrinkles in his game, his ability to stretch the floor and defend are extremely valuable in today’s game.  Minnesota doesn’t run the most efficient system for Bjelica, but he played well within Thib’s system regardless.  Similar to Hezonja, I think Bjelica makes perfect sense to join a system team.  Depending on what his asking price is, a team like Houston makes sense for him.  Another team that could benefit from Bjelica’s talent is the Milwaukee Bucks. With Coach Bud now at the helm for Milwaukee, Bjelica would transition nicely into their system.  Especially if they are unwilling to pay for Jabari Parker.

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4) Montrezl Harrell
Harrell is a solid rim protector and rebounder.  Between Davis and O’Quinn, I believe that Harrell has the most upside.  If D’Andre Jordan does indeed opt out of his contract with the Clippers, Harrell would fit perfectly in that role.  If the Clippers decide they can’t afford Harrell, the Mavericks could give him a look.  Harrell has the ability to be a Clint Capella type of center and Capella was by far the most improved center in the NBA last season.

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3) Joe Harris
Joe Harris is a terrific young wing who can shoot the lights out.  He is sneakily athletic and has more explosiveness to the rim than you would think.  Harris will have a good amount of suitors on the open market, but their aren’t a lot of teams with money to outright sign him.  The Indiana Pacers are the team that is in the best position to do this and with their lack of three-point shooting, Harris feels like a solid target for the Pacers in the off-season.

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2) Thaddeus Young
Thaddeus Young is one of the hardest working forwards in the NBA.  His ability to create extra possessions on the offensive glass and his willingness to defend multiple positions makes him one of the most valuable role players in today’s game.  If I could describe Young’s game in one word it would be “underappreciated”.  He works his tail off every single night and has the heart of a champion.  He has spent the majority of his career playing for sub .500 teams, and this is his chance to be apart of something different.  Young might be looking for more money on a longer deal this off-season, but the serious contenders in the NBA won’t have the cap room to fulfill those wishes.  Regardless, wherever Young calls home next season, he will be a contributor to their success.

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1) Derrick Favors
The most underrated player in this Free Agent class is Derrick Favors.  Favors has been a solid piece for the Jazz and his stretch in the 2017 playoffs was phenomenal.  Playing next to Rudy Gobert has been challenging at times in the modern NBA, but his skills were too good to keep him off the floor.  Jazz fans won’t be happy to see him leave, but the price could be too high.  Favors could be a starter for multiple teams, but I see him flourishing as a five instead of a four.  He protects the rim, has a solid face up game, rebounds the ball well and is a decent passer.  A few teams I think that Favors makes sense on are the Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers.