Identifying Three Under-The-Radar NBA Free Agent Signings

NBA Free Agency is mostly over, with only a few big names such as Christian Wood and Kelly Oubre left on the board. For the most part, players have found new homes, or stayed at their old ones, which allows us to identify three of the summer’s biggest steals.

Cameron Reddish, Los Angeles Lakers

Contract: $4.6 million over two years

Reddish is an upside play for the Lakers, but one with a decent chance of turning out well for them. Reddish was traded to Portland in the middle of last season, where he showed some consistent production.

In 20 games as a Blazer, Reddish averaged 11.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists as a member of the rotation.

For his current compensation of just over $2.3 million per year, there’s no downside for the Lakers here. If the soon-to-be 24-year-old Reddish, and his 6’8 frame, levels up and becomes a permanent member of the rotation, the Lakers would have found themselves an absolute steal.

If he returns to his usual pattern of being an inconsistent offensive wing, the compensation level is so low, that even if he were to be used as just a wing defender, it’s still good value.

Generally, you want to sign players to contracts that have very little risk of aging poorly, and the Lakers overwhelmingly succeeded with the Reddish signing.

Now, Reddish does have a player option for 2023-2024, which he’s unlikely to pick up if he improves. But even if that is to be the case, and he leaves in a year, the Lakers will have gotten quality bang for the buck in a crucial season where they have championship aspirations.

Jevon Carter, Chicago Bulls

Contract: $19.5 million over three years

The usually underwhelming Chicago Bulls made one of the best value signings of the summer, signing the 3&D point guard to a deal that averages just $6.5 million per year, albeit with a player option for Year 3.

Carter is a high-intensity defender, who will fight over screens, stay in front of his man, communicate, and buy into team scheme. Offensively, he’s a high-volume, high-efficiency three-point shooter, exactly what the Bulls need. He hit over 42% from three-point territory last season on a variety of spot-ups and pull-ups, while netting 8.0 points in just over 22 minutes per game.

He won’t run the offense as a traditional ball-handler, otherwise he would have cost $19.5 million per season, as opposed to that being his full contract, but that might not much of an issue with DeMar DeRozan on the roster, who can certainly initiate the offense.

Carter projects as either a starter, or a player who will end up with close to starter minutes. He’ll hunt opposing ball-handlers, seek shots within the flow of offense, and thus offer himself as the release valve the Bulls have missed since Lonzo Ball went down over a year and a half ago.

For that production, the Bulls got tremendous contractual value.

NOTE: The Bulls also signed 3&D wing-big Torrey Craig, who is expected to play a significant role, to a two-year minimum deal. That’s a contract that deserves an honorable mention on this list.

Mo Wagner, Orlando Magic
MAGIC

Contract: $16 million over two years

The Orlando Magic pivoted away from Bol Bol, have Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr on-hand, and those components combined means a fairly set role for Wagner, as the primary back-up to both the power forward and center positions.

Last season, the German big man netted 10.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in just 19.5 minutes per game, which is strong per-minute production. The 6’11 big man can finish inside (73.3% near the rim), outside (31.3% from range), and connect from the foul line (84.1%), which makes him a high-utility offensive player.

He should get a larger role in Orlando this season due to Bol now being in Phoenix, and if he can adjust his production to a higher minutes load, we could be looking at a player averaging close to 15 points as the primary big man backup.

In today’s market, $8 million per year – with no option – for that level of production is insanely cheap, particularly for someone who’s only 26.

Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.