Remaining NBA Free Agents Landing Spots (8/16/22)
Collin Sexton
Dallas Mavericks
Collin Sexton unfortunately suffered a season-ending torn meniscus last season after getting off to the worst statistical start of his career. As a result, his stock has fallen tremendously from when he was believed to be the future of the Cleveland Cavaliers. With acquisitions like Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert meshing well into the organization, alongside Darius Garland’s exponential jump and the return of Ricky Rubio, Sexton will be hard-pressed in finding rotational minutes after his severe rehabilitation. Efficiency and health aside though, Sexton proved within his first few years in the league that he can legitimately be a scoring threat. Jalen Brunson’s exit from the Dallas Mavericks creates an opening for further contributions from the team’s backcourt depth. Even though Sexton will have to compete with Spencer Dinwiddie, Tim Hardaway Jr. and the developing Josh Green for minutes, it makes more sense for the guard to seek this new opportunity rather than staying loyal to his noncommittal franchise.
Montrezl Harrell
Los Angeles Clippers
Out of all of the free agents on this list, I am most surprised by Montrezl Harell’s difficulty in finding a new contract. Similarly to his former Charlotte Hornets teammate Miles Bridges, Harrell has run into trouble with the law this offseason; facing possible prison time for drug possession, as opposed to Bridges’ domestic abuse allegations. If Harell can eventually restore the faith of the league, reuniting with the Los Angeles Clippers seems like the best option. The Clippers let Isaiah Hartenstein walk in free agency to the New York Knicks this summer, effectively losing one of the most effective and productive role players in the league. Although Harrell’s defensive prowess leaves much to be desired in comparison to the role that Hartenstein filled, both players wield similarly dominant offensive ratings (ORtg). Harrell actually boasted a 134 ORtg, whereas Hartenstein sat at an impressive 127 ORtg.
Dennis Schroder
Minnesota Timberwolves
Dennis Schroder already has a messy reputation for his short-sighted negotiating, leaving him in various unhappy situations over the years. Once a certified starting point guard, Schroder now fits the bill as a spark-plug shot-creator off the bench. The Timberwolves basically hauled their entire depth chart in order to reinvest in their defensive future, a la Rudy Gobert, so Schroder would likely fill in backup minutes for D’Angelo Russell on a team that could use some more offensive creativity.
Carmelo Anthony
Los Angeles Lakers
I don’t know why Carmelo Anthony has not resigned with the Los Angeles Lakers yet, as it is easily his best opportunity for playing time on a team that still wants to compete for the title. Whether or not they can actually contend is really dependent on the squad’s (*Anthony Davis*) health, and they are certainly not prepared for the possibility that they once again succumb to injuries. Filling out the Lakers’ depth chart are expendable players such as Troy Brown Jr. and Wenyen Gabriel. Additionally, the Lakers have consistently gone through extreme roster turnover as a result of only handing out long-term contracts to their stars, so it would be healthy for the team to actually retain some of their contributors.
LaMarcus Aldridge
Boston Celtics
LaMarcus Aldridge is clearly in the twilight of his career and signing him will mean having to adjust to his growing injury tendency, but even at 36 years old, the former All-Star managed about 13 PPG and 5.5 RPG in only around 22 MPG. As his natural athleticism has understandably diminished, Aldridge has catered his shot selection to become safer; posting a career-best 55% from the field last season. The Boston Celtics have no real support for Robert Williams III off the bench, so if they want to continue starting Al Horford and Williams alongside each other, Aldridge would be a smart investment.
Hassan Whiteside
Miami Heat
Even though Hassan Whiteside’s split from the Miami Heat was slightly ugly, and almost entirely his fault (no hometown bias though), he would arguably be a more sensible solution to our frontcourt issues than Dewayne Dedmon. Even though both big men are similarly efficient in terms of ORtg and DRtg, Whiteside’s presence in the paint would make an immediate defensive effect that Dedmon has never been able to execute throughout his career. Dedmon’s career rate of 0.8 BPG does not hold up to Whiteside’s average of 2.2 BPG, and with rumors of Bam Adebayo shifting to power-forward, it’d further justify bringing in a proven force down low.