NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 09 (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
2021 NBA Free Agency: DeMarcus Cousins needs to be signed immediately
If someone said five years ago that DeMarcus Cousins would be unsigned this late in free agency, they would have been called crazy. Cousins was arguably the best center in the league back then but has since battled with numerous injuries that have hindered his career drastically. Having been with the Houston Rockets and LA Clippers last season, Cousins would not get another contract in free agency and is still available on the market.
While the modern-day version of Cousins will not give any team 25 or more points and outright dominate the game like he previously would, he could still be of use. As he did with the Clippers this past season, Cousins came in and provided the team with another big body after an injury to Serge Ibaka saw him sidelined for most of the year. For teams looking to bolster their depth in the frontcourt, Cousins is arguably the best option still available on the market.
Cousins has his defensive and health concerns without question, but in a backup role, this would be a low-risk move for teams that are looking to round out their roster. The big man brings some experience to the table and could play quality minutes when called upon. He certainly will not hold out for a lucrative payday, so he may very well get a call before the season begins.
2021 NBA Free Agency</a> officially kicked off on August 2, and it was unquestionably a hectic period for the league as millions of dollars got spent.</p>
<p>Left in the rubble from free agency are several household names that some are still surprised to see not on a roster. With the start of training camp for next season just a few weeks away, teams are making signings here and there to put the finishing touches on their roster, and these players deserve consideration for a spot. With that being said, here are five players that are free agents and should be signed before the 2021-22 season.</p>
<h2>2021 NBA Free Agency: Wesley Matthews needs to be signed immediately</h2>
<p>By all accounts, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/14/2021-nba-free-agency-5-players-signed/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/matthwe02.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Welsey Matthews</a> had a poor year with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020-21 by posting career lows in several categories. Having averaged a mere 4.8 points on .353/.335/.854 shooting splits, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game, the guard was far from impressive, and his lackluster campaign made him an afterthought for most teams once 2021 NBA free agency began.</p>
<p>Despite his poor year with Los Angeles, Matthews could still be a contributor on most contending teams looking to round out their roster. The guard has made a living as a 3-and-D wing, knocking down 37.9 percent of the triples in his career and playing some reputable defense along the way. While he is not the same player he used to be, the 34-year-old could unquestionably bolster any team’s defense and shooting. After all, he is just one year removed from being a full-time starter for the Milwaukee Bucks, and he could have something left in the tank if given a chance.</p>
<p>Matthews is a low-risk signing that will not command a hefty deal from any team. Bringing him in would have some upside as he could bulk up anyone’s wing rotation with an established two-way player with a boatload of experience. His numbers from last season are undoubtedly brutal, but that should not keep him out of a job entirely. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/14/2021-nba-free-agency-5-players-signed/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/03/lakers-unsigned-nba-free-agency/">The Chicago Bulls should take a closer look at the veteran guard to load up on the defensive end.</a></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/14/2021-nba-free-agency-5-players-signed/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> DeMarcus Cousins </a>
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<img class="wp-image-435434 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/14/2021-nba-free-agency-5-players-signed/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1301819475.jpeg" alt="2021 NBA Free Agency, Houston Rockets: DeMarcus Cousins" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301819475.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1301819475-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 09 (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>2021 NBA Free Agency: DeMarcus Cousins needs to be signed immediately</h2>
<p>If someone said five years ago that <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/14/2021-nba-free-agency-5-players-signed/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/couside01.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">DeMarcus Cousins</a> would be unsigned this late in free agency, they would have been called crazy. Cousins was arguably the best center in the league back then but has since battled with numerous injuries that have hindered his career drastically. Having been with the Houston Rockets and LA Clippers last season, Cousins would not get another contract in free agency and is still available on the market.</p>
<p>While the modern-day version of Cousins will not give any team 25 or more points and outright dominate the game like he previously would, he could still be of use. As he did with the Clippers this past season, Cousins came in and provided the team with another big body after an injury to Serge Ibaka saw him sidelined for most of the year. For teams looking to bolster their depth in the frontcourt, Cousins is arguably the best option still available on the market.</p>
<p>Cousins has his defensive and health concerns without question, but in a backup role, this would be a low-risk move for teams that are looking to round out their roster. The big man brings some experience to the table and could play quality minutes when called upon. He certainly will not hold out for a lucrative payday, so he may very well get a call before the season begins.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/14/2021-nba-free-agency-5-players-signed/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Avery Bradley </a>
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<img class="wp-image-435433 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/14/2021-nba-free-agency-5-players-signed/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1313318346.jpeg" alt="2021 NBA Free Agency, Houston Rockets: Avery Bradley" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1313318346.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1313318346-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">ORLANDO, FL – APRIL 18 (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>2021 NBA Free Agency: Avery Bradley needs to be signed immediately</h2>
<p>There are not too many two-time All-Defensive honorees currently just sitting around on the open market waiting for a phone call, but <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/14/2021-nba-free-agency-5-players-signed/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bradlav01.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Avery Bradley</a> is an exception. After an injury-ridden campaign in 2020-21 saw him appear in just 27 games, teams did not bat an eye at Bradley in free agency, which was somewhat of a surprise.</p>
<p>After all, there was a time where Bradley was regarded as arguably the best guard defender on the perimeter in the entire association. His recognition on two All-Defensive teams can attest to that, and while Bradley might not be that same player, he could still provide some solid defense at the position. In addition to his defensive efforts, Bradley has proven to be a serviceable scorer by averaging 11.5 points per game throughout his 11-year career.</p>
<p>Teams looking for a capable defender at the guard position should look into signing Bradley as they put the finishing touches on their roster. Not only would he bring experience to the table, but he would contribute on both ends of the floor in a meaningful role. An injury-riddled year season in 2020-21 plagued his chances to get a new deal in free agency, but it is still somewhat shocking he remains available.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/14/2021-nba-free-agency-5-players-signed/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Langston Galloway </a>
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<img class="wp-image-425392 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/14/2021-nba-free-agency-5-players-signed/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1308013020.jpeg" alt="2021 NBA Free Agency, Phoenix Suns: Langston Galloway" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1308013020.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1308013020-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 18 (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>2021 NBA Free Agency: Langston Galloway needs to be signed immediately</h2>
<p>Having been sent to the bottom of the rotation with the Phoenix Suns this past season, NBA fans might not be too familiar with why <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/14/2021-nba-free-agency-5-players-signed/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gallola01.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Langston Galloway</a> went unsigned. Appearing in 40 games for a career-low 11 minutes per contest, the guard scarcely saw the floor for the defending champs of the Western Conference. With so little to go off of, teams did not pay too much attention to him in free agency.</p>
<p>While last season was the low point of his career, the year before was arguably the best season of his ongoing seven-year career. In 66 contests with the Detroit Pistons during the 2019-10 season, the swingman averaged 10.3 points while shooting 43.5 percent from the floor and 39.9 percent from 3-point range. He proved to be a reliable threat offensively for the team, but the Suns hardly used him as they already had a top-heavy guard rotation.</p>
<p>Teams still scouring the open market for a scoring boost off the bench should give Galloway some thought. He could bolster any team’s perimeter attack with a quality floor spacer. After having a down year in 2020-21, one would think he would be willing to take a “prove it” deal to showcase his talents on a team, which could be desirable for contending teams. Whatever the case might be, Galloway needs to be on a roster before training camp.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/14/2021-nba-free-agency-5-players-signed/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> J.J. Redick </a>
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<img class="wp-image-426181 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/14/2021-nba-free-agency-5-players-signed/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1300736538.jpeg" alt="2021 NBA Free Agency, New Orleans Pelicans: J.J. Redick" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1300736538.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1300736538-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 03 (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>2021 NBA Free Agency: J.J. Redick needs to be signed immediately</h2>
<p>Like most of the players previously mentioned on this list, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/14/2021-nba-free-agency-5-players-signed/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/redicjj01.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">J.J. Redick</a> had a down year in 2020-21. The guard averaged just 7.4 points per game while shooting 37.1 percent from 3-point range, both of which ranked around the worst in his career. Being traded from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Dallas Mavericks before the deadline, the change of scenery did not help, and the veteran must not have received many desirable offers in free agency.</p>
<p>Despite his subpar showing, the appeal with Redick remains. The 15-year veteran is among the best shooters in league history, having knocked down 41.5 percent of his triples on five attempts per game. The lowest Redick has shot in a season from behind the arc is 36.6 percent, which is a number that some players can only dream of hitting. Redick is no stranger to letting it fly, and any team looking to improve their outside shooting should make a run at signing him.</p>
<p>There are some justifiable concerns with Redick’s health and his ability to hold up after he battled through an injury last season and just recently turned 37-years-old. Still, even then, there is little to no risk in signing the veteran to bring in another solid 3-point shooter. There were some rumors swirling previously that Redick <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/14/2021-nba-free-agency-5-players-signed/2/"https://nypost.com/2021/08/26/jj-redick-talks-nba-future-amid-knicks-nets-rumors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">might be taking a look at the Brooklyn Nets</a> so he could be closer to home, and the fit makes sense.</p>
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