CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 05: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers moves against Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls during a preseason game at the United Center on October 05, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
5 upcoming NBA free agents with uncertain contract value
DENVER, CO – APRIL 10: Malik Monk #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers shares a laugh against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on April 10, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
5 upcoming NBA free agents with uncertain contract value: Malik Monk, SG
Zach Lavine may headline the shooting guard free agents, but the Los Angeles Lakers’ guard presents as an intriguing prospect for teams looking to lure him away from Los Angeles. The fifth-year product was a rare bright spot in an otherwise horrific Lakers season, averaging a career-high 13.8 points on a more than respectable 47.3% from the field and 39.1% from three-point range.
How Monk views himself is fascinating, especially after surprisingly signing a minimum contract with the Lakers last off-season. According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fisher, Los Angeles may find it difficult to retain him in free agency.
“Expectations among league personnel polled by B/R for Monk’s next salary are quite varied but have ranged from an average annual value between $5 million and $10 million, far above the minimum number that the Lakers were able to sign him for this season.”
Monk’s defense is a question mark, as is his value as a winning player given he’s yet to play in a playoff game during his five seasons. Still, his offensive production would certainly be worth between $10-15 million per season, especially given he’s young and still ascending.
You’d think it’s unlikely he accepts another minimum deal, yet it shouldn’t be completely ruled out. Neither should a $15 million per season contract be ruled out either, particularly for a team after a quality sixth man capable of being a microwave scorer.
Estimated contract: Two-year, $20 million
5 upcoming NBA free agents with uncertain contract value: TJ Warren, SF
If we were basing it purely off his performance in The Bubble, the Indiana Pacers wing would be a near-max contract player. Unfortunately, that seems like a long time ago now, with Warren missing the entirety of this season and having played just four games last season.
Given his injury issues, a team could certainly get a bargain pickup in free agency should he overcome his foot worries. There are potential parallels to be made between Warren and Otto Porter Jr., with the latter now playing a vital role for the Golden State Warriors after a couple of seasons with major injury issues.
Warren’s expiring contract was a four-year, $47 million deal, one that appeared incredibly team-friendly over the first two years. He averaged nearly 20 points across the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, shooting over 50% from the field and over 40% from three.
The 28-year-old could certainly look for another two or three-year deal at $10-12 million per season. Alternatively, he could take the Porter route and sign a minimum deal with a contender, recoup his value by playing well in big playoff games, then reassess his contract situation next off-season.
Estimated Contract: One-year minimum deal
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Cleveland Cavaliers guard was limited to just 11 games this season, sidelined by a torn meniscus that resulted in season-ending surgery. That injury complicates Sexton’s free agency, with his value now up in the air after he and Cleveland failed to reach an agreement on a rookie contract extension last offseason.</p>
<p>Cavaliers beat writer Chris Fedor <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/30/nba-free-agents-uncertain-value/2/"https://hoopshype.com/lists/cavaliers-rumors-collin-sexton-caris-levert-kevin-love-trade-free-agent-nba-draft-targets/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently told the HoopsHype podcast</a> that “there’s a gap they need to close this offseason”, believing the two sides are negotiating Sexton’s value between 15-22 million dollars per season.</p>
<p>On the Cavaliers’ side is the fact the 23-year-old is a restricted free agent, meaning they can match whatever offer another team may put forward. Would another team be willing to overpay for a talented, young point guard whose shown clear production in his first few seasons?</p>
<p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/30/nba-free-agents-uncertain-value/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/new-york-knicks/">New York</a> Knicks are still in search of a starting point guard and have been linked to the former eighth overall pick. It’s not unfathomable to think they (or another team) could offer something in the range of four-year, $100 million.</p>
<p>Although, the Knicks would have to clear salary space to make it happen. It means that Sexton’s value could range anywhere between 15-25 million dollars per season.</p>
<p><strong>Estimated contract: Four-year, $85 million</strong></p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">DENVER, CO – APRIL 10: Malik Monk #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers shares a laugh against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on April 10, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>5 upcoming NBA free agents with uncertain contract value: Malik Monk, SG</h2>
<p>Zach Lavine may headline the shooting guard free agents, but the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/30/nba-free-agents-uncertain-value/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/los-angeles-lakers/">Los Angeles</a> Lakers’ guard presents as an intriguing prospect for teams looking to lure him away from Los Angeles. The fifth-year product was a rare bright spot in an otherwise horrific Lakers season, averaging a career-high 13.8 points on a more than respectable 47.3% from the field and 39.1% from three-point range.</p>
<p>How Monk views himself is fascinating, especially after surprisingly signing a minimum contract with the Lakers last off-season. According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fisher, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/30/nba-free-agents-uncertain-value/2/"https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10031683-sources-la-expected-to-part-ways-with-vogel-after-season-early-candidates-emerging" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Los Angeles may find it difficult to retain him in free agency.</a></p>
<blockquote><p>“Expectations among league personnel polled by B/R for Monk’s next salary are quite varied but have ranged from an average annual value between $5 million and $10 million, far above the minimum number that the Lakers were able to sign him for this season.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Monk’s defense is a question mark, as is his value as a winning player given he’s yet to play in a playoff game during his five seasons. Still, his offensive production would certainly be worth between $10-15 million per season, especially given he’s young and still ascending.</p>
<p>You’d think it’s unlikely he accepts another minimum deal, yet it shouldn’t be completely ruled out. Neither should a $15 million per season contract be ruled out either, particularly for a team after a quality sixth man capable of being a microwave scorer.</p>
<p><strong>Estimated contract: Two-year, $20 million</strong></p>
<h2>5 upcoming NBA free agents with uncertain contract value: TJ Warren, SF</h2>
<p>If we were basing it purely off his performance in The Bubble, the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/30/nba-free-agents-uncertain-value/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/indiana-pacers/">Indiana Pacers wing would be a near-max contract player. Unfortunately, that seems like a long time ago now, with Warren missing the entirety of this season and having played just four games last season.</p>
<p>Given his injury issues, a team could certainly get a bargain pickup in free agency should he overcome his foot worries. There are potential parallels to be made between Warren and Otto Porter Jr., with the latter now playing a vital role for the Golden State Warriors after a couple of seasons with major injury issues.</p>
<p>Warren’s expiring contract was a four-year, $47 million deal, one that appeared incredibly team-friendly over the first two years. He averaged nearly 20 points across the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, shooting over 50% from the field and over 40% from three.</p>
<p>The 28-year-old could certainly look for another two or three-year deal at $10-12 million per season. Alternatively, he could take the Porter route and sign a minimum deal with a contender, recoup his value by playing well in big playoff games, then reassess his contract situation next off-season.</p>
<p><strong>Estimated Contract: One-year minimum deal</strong></p>
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Dallas Mavericks’ superstar Luka Doncic in the 2018 draft. The former number two overall pick had a highly publicised falling out with the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/30/nba-free-agents-uncertain-value/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/sacramento-kings/">Sacramento Kings, before being dealt to the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/30/nba-free-agents-uncertain-value/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/detroit-pistons/">Detroit Pistons on February 10.</p>
<p>How Bagley’s career pans out will be interesting, starting with a crucial offseason that could make or break it. He did have a productive 18 games with Detroit, averaging 14.8 points and 6.8 rebounds off the bench.</p>
<p>There are a couple of key questions potential suitors will be asking themselves. Firstly, what is Bagley’s best position on the floor? He’s struggled to defend the more athletic players as a power forward, plus his three-point shot is yet to develop to a consistent level. Conversely, is he physical and aggressive enough to be a long-term center at the NBA level?</p>
<p>Secondly, how much do other teams weigh into Sacramento’s inability to develop young players? Could a successful playoff team trust their coaching staff to turnaround Bagley’s career and develop him into a valuable piece to a contending team?</p>
<p>That question may also come down to Bagley. Would he accept a smaller deal to go to a playoff team, or will he look to maximize his value by joining a developing team or re-signing with the Pistons? His status as a restricted free agent makes the first option unlikely, with Detroit capable of matching any deal put forward.</p>
<p><strong>Estimated Contract: Two-year, $13 million</strong></p>
<h2>5 upcoming NBA free agents with uncertain contract value: Mo Bamba, C</h2>
<p>Another player from the 2018 draft, Bamba has all the physical tools but has largely undelivered over his four seasons. The former number six pick is on an upward trajectory, though, averaging career-highs this season in minutes, points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, and three-point percentage.</p>
<p>Many believe Bamba’s time with the Orlando Magic is over though, including Forbes’ Sean Deveney in a recent article <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/30/nba-free-agents-uncertain-value/2/"https://www.forbes.com/sites/seandeveney/2022/05/29/what-will-the-orlando-magic-do-now-with-jonathan-isaac/?sh=1c60cc6c76f2%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">analyzing Orlando’s situation. </a></p>
<blockquote><p>“The team was once projected to build around center Mo Bamba, but the team looks ready to let Bamba walk as he hits free agency this summer”.</p></blockquote>
<p>Bamba’s combination of shot-blocking rim protection and capable three-point shooting theoretically provides huge value in today’s modern NBA. Again, like most other free agents, he’ll have to decide between maximizing his output and value on a developing team, or if he’d be willing to sacrifice money and role in a winning situation. Depending on what he prioritizes, Bamba could command anywhere between $3-$12 million per season.</p>
<p><strong>Estimated contract: Two-year, $16 million</strong></p>
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