Which Under The Radar Players Could Change A Team's Fortunes In Free Agency? (Eastern Conference Edition)

There Are Some Hidden Gems In This Year's Free Agent Class That Have The Potential To Positively Impact A Team.

Players like James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Khris Middleton, Fred VanVleet, and Draymond Green can shift a team’s outlook next season if they either remain with their current team or change their address. The drawback of getting players like this might force a team to spend a big portion or all of their cap space to sign them or put their current team into a luxury tax situation.

The NBA's upcoming class of free agents includes some players who may not be on your radar but have the potential to make a significant impact next season. Despite being often overlooked and under-discussed, these players deserve greater attention and recognition. Here is a few players who could truly make a difference in this year free-agent class.

In this edition, we'll delve into the players who participated in the Eastern Conference this year.

(Thanks To John E. Sokolowski-USA Today Sports)

Dennis Smith Jr.- Point Guard

Last Team: Charlotte Hornets

Last season, the Hornets didn't receive much attention from basketball enthusiasts due to the absence of several players for various reasons. LaMelo Ball's season ended due to injuries, and Kelly Oubre Jr. and Gordon Hayward missed more than 30 games each. Despite these challenges, Smith Jr. shone on the defensive end and was a bright spot for the team.

He finished this season: (Minimum of 500 possessions and all positions included)

• 4th in the NBA in points per possession allowed (0.865)

• 6th in scoring percentage allowed (37.8%)

• 11th in turnovers caused percentage (13.9%)

When he was on the court, the opposing team shot:

• 7.5% lower from the mid-range compared to him being off the court

• 4.5% lower from beyond the arc compared to him being off the court

• 3.9% lower from the rim compared to him being off the court

Among his peers:

• Smith was in the 94th percentile, in steal percentage (2.3%) and 85th percentile in blocks percentage (0.9%).

On Jump Shots:

• Players guarded by Smith Jr. shot 33.6% from the floor and a mere 29.6% success rate from downtown.

Moreover, Dennis boasts an impressive 3.2/1 assist-to-turnover ratio on the offensive end, making him an ideal choice for teams seeking a guard who prioritizes ball security and delivers exceptional defense. Adding Dennis Smith Jr. to the roster would undoubtedly yield a favorable outcome for whoever signs him.

(Thanks to Yong Kim- Philadelphia Inquirer)

Paul Reed- Power Forward

Last Team- Philadelphia 76ers

Ever since his rookie season, loyal Philadelphia 76ers supporters have been advocating for Reed to receive more consistent playing time. And over the past three seasons, whenever "B-Ball Paul" has been given the opportunity to play, he has consistently delivered impressive results. Despite Reed's status as a restricted free agent, it would be wise for teams to submit an offer sheet for him at the beginning of the free agency period.

In his three seasons when he has played more than 20 minutes (14 times in his career):

• Reed is averaging 12 points and almost 10 rebounds a game shooting 62.5% from the floor.

• He has 8 double-doubles (57.1% of the time- in comparison both James Harden and Joel Embiid each double-doubled in 59% of the games they played this season)

• Reed averages 1.71 blocks and 1.71 steals per game

This season, Reed performed at a high level when he received playing time.

• He grabbed 12.5 rebounds per 36 minutes played. While grabbing 17.8% of offensive rebounds and 23.1% of defensive rebounds when he’s on the court.

• On defense, Reed averaged 1.4 stocks (Steals and Blocks together) in only 10.9 minutes played per game.

During the two playoff games this season when Embiid was not available to play for Philadelphia, Reed stepped up by achieving back-to-back double-doubles. His impressive performance was crucial in helping the Sixers secure victories in both games. Therefore, it is evident that Reed is capable of delivering in high-pressure situations.

(Thanks to Michael Hickey- Getty Images)

Oshae Brissett- Small Forward

Last Team: Indiana Pacers

Brissett joined the Pacers on a 10-day contract in April 2021, after being waived by the Toronto Raptors during the 2020-21 season. His impressive performance earned him a three-year contract on April 21st of the same year. Despite having slightly lower numbers this season, the 25-year-old basketball player has a lot to offer.

This season, Brissett made significant improvements on the defensive end, holding opposing players to a 39.8% shooting percentage and allowing his man to score only 37.4% of the time. This is a significant improvement from the previous season, where players shot 45.1% and scored on him 44.9% of the time while being guarded by him.

Brissett is a capable three-point shooter with a career average of 34.4%, although he struggled from beyond the arc this season with a 31% shooting percentage. When given sufficient playing time, Oshae produced numbers comparable to his other two seasons in Indiana. In 17 games over 20 minutes played this season Brissett averaged:

• 24.8 minutes per game- 9.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, shooting 41.2% FG and 36.2% from beyond the arc.

In the previous two seasons, he averaged:

• 2021-22 Season- 23.3 minutes per game- 9.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, shooting 41.1% FG and 35% from beyond the arc

• 2020-2021 Season- 24.7 minutes per game- 10.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, shooting 48.3% FG and 42.3% from beyond the arc.

Based on his past performances, it is evident that Brissett has the potential to deliver provided he is granted regular opportunities to showcase his abilities. He is the ultimate low-risk/high-reward player that should be coveted in this year’s free-agent market.