2023 NBA Offseason: 6 Underrated Free Agency Signings
We are in the dog days of August. There hasn’t been much movement since the NBA Free Agency Flurry in early July while we await the outcomes of Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard and Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden.
Earlier this summer, I graded how each NBA team initially did in free agency, and now I’m back to outline a shortlist of the 2023 Free Agency signings I thought were the most underrated. Let’s dive into it!
(All contract numbers courtesy of Spotrac.)
Malik Beasley, Bucks
Contract: One-year, $2.71 million
Beasley was arguably the top catch-and-shoot player available in free agency. Beasley’s canned at least 38 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3-pointers in four of the last five seasons–including 40-plus percent in three of the seasons. The only year he didn’t was in 2022-23, shooting 35.7 percent on 6.0 spot-up triple attempts per game. While we don’t know what Adrian Griffin‘s offense will look like yet, Beasley’s spot-up shooting should slot in perfectly alongside Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton. He is also surrounded by good enough defenders and capable enough playmakers/connectors to most likely cover up any of his shortcomings. If he can back to where he was in 2018-21, he has the potential to be one of the best under-the-radar signings of the summer.
Josh Richardson, Heat
Contract: Two-years, $5.94M
It’s situation-dependent, but there are countless of amount of Heat players who have regressed or simply have not found their footing after leaving Miami–such as Tyler Johnson, James Johnson, Justise Winslow, Goran Dragic and Kendrick Nunn, to name a few. Richardson could be lumped into that category after getting traded for Jimmy Butler ahead of 2018-19, bouncing around between Philadelphia, Boston, Dallas, New Orleans and San Antonio. Now, Richardson returns, passing up bigger offers from Minnesota and Boston. Losing two starters off a team that made the NBA Finals is never easy, but can he potentially outperform Max Strus and Gabe Vincent‘s production with Heat? I think so. Richardson is the superior 3-point shooter, defender and playmaker with more sturdiness and length than both Strus and Vincent, who cobbled together a combined $90 million this offseason. Richardson’s on a minimum. He immediately slots in as their starting 2-guard, flanked by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo–forming a very good defensive trio.
Taurean Prince, Lakers
Contract: One-year, $4.52M
Prince is an incredibly malleable, versatile fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and can fit into myriad lineup combinations because of the size and skillsets the Lakers possess. Prince averaged 9.4 points on 59.7 true-shooting a year ago and is a career 37.2 percent 3-point shooter. Prince doesn’t command touches, carving a role as a catch-and-shoot wing who’s switchable on the defensive end; plus, if you need someone to do dirty work for 15-20 minutes, Prince can do that, too. Among the Lakers’ new additions, Prince’s is flying under the radar the most, and could potentially have the largest impact. You can never have enough two-way wings who know their role–especially for the price that Prince went for.
Tre Jones, Spurs
Contract: Two-years, $19M
When I graded each team’s offseason signings earlier this summer, I said Jones was one of the most underrated signings leaguewide. I still feel that way. He averaged 12.9 points and 6.6 assists on 53.4 percent true-shooting last year and will be the primary table-setter for one Victor Wembanyama. Ever heard of him? Jones doesn’t make any ill-advised plays and is never sped up with the ball in his hands. Defensively, Jones–despite being undersized–has turned himself into a capable point-of-attack defender; it’s also going to be easier to stomach any defensive miscues knowing he’ll have Wembanyama to cover any mistakes on the back-line, too. But overall, Jones’ continued development as a point guard has been very encouraging. He’s one of the most underrated point guards in the NBA, so I expect him to outplay his $20 million worth.
Dennis Smith Jr., Nets
Contract: One-year, $2.53M
I was impressed with what Smith Jr. offered last year for Charlotte defensively, specifically at the beginning of the season. While the Nets aren’t a poorly constructed defensive team, if Smith Jr. can stay on the court, he can provide reputable point-of-attack defense with tremendous vertical pop and improved playmaking. His efficiency is still rather inconsistent. but that’s not what teams are asking out of him. At the minimum, he’s a low-risk, high-reward flier for Brooklyn, who already has a budding defensive infrastructure with Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Nic Claxton. His second tenure in the state of New York already carries a higher floor; I don’t think there’s any question that he’s a more impactful player now–it just matters if he can stay healthy and put enough pieces together to carve out a consistent role. I bought stock last season, and I’m purchasing even more now as we speak!
Dillon Brooks, Rockets
Contract: Four-years, $86M
Is Brooks a known commodity? Yes. Is $86 million a small number? No. Is it a contract you necessarily expect Brooks to command? Also no. That said, while Brooks catches a lot of flack for his shot selection and on-court antics, he’s still one of the better perimeter defenders in the NBA. According to Basketball Index (subscription required), he ranked in the 79th percentile last year in defensive matchup versatility among 300 rotation players; he also placed in the 98th percentile or better in their perimeter isolation defense, ball screen navigation and off-ball chaser metric. That’s not nothing. Sure, you have to live with early shot-clock 3-pointers and the lack of reputable floor spacing in the halfcourt, which are a detriment in certain situations. But Brooks is a legitimately impactful defender who slots in perfectly in Ime Udoka‘s switch-prominent defensive scheme. He makes this Rockets team–one of the worst defensive teams–better and his positive impact on the perimeter alone against some of the NBA’s top guards has become very underrated relative to his current public perception.
Honorable mention: Christian Wood, Lakers
Contract: Two-year, $5.75M
This wasn’t on the original draft, but Wood, who signed with the Lakers earlier this week, deserves to at least crack the list as an honorable mention. The Lakers needed another backup center, and Wood fits that bill perfectly. He’s not the most physical big man on the interior and can oftentimes lack awareness and position defensively, but is a dynamic roller, can still score at all three levels and is a plus-rebounder. For the minimum, this is another underrated flier that has a huge upside for the Lakers.
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