NBA free agency (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Jeff Green was a sneaky good signing for the Denver Nuggets in 2021 NBA Free Agency
Desperately needing to add more size in the frontcourt, the Denver Nuggets signed one of the more underrated free agents on the market in Jeff Green to open 2021 NBA Free Agency.
Green is coming off a solid season with the Brooklyn Nets, where he played a key role in their success. In addition to his electric 3-point shooting and rebounding ability, the veteran gave the Nets a savvy forward that could be mixed and matched in different lineups. If they needed him to play the power forward position, he could do it with ease. If they wanted to slide him down one spot to play center, he would be willing to take on the challenge.
That rangeless versatility will be crucial for a Nuggets team that has been looking for an adequate replacement for Jerami Grant since he signed with the Detroit Pistons during the last offseason. Grant’s absence left them without a top-notch defender that could guard multiple positions at a high level. The team would sign JaMychal Green in his place, and although he was serviceable last year, he did not exactly fill the void left behind from Grant’s departure.
The Nuggets handed Green a two-year deal worth $10 million in free agency, snagging him away from the handful of other contenders that were chasing him. Denver will be Green’s 11th NBA team throughout his career, and he should continue to give them quality contributions as he has done on every other stop throughout his 13 years in the league. The 34-year-old will shoot the ball efficiently from the outside while playing robust defense. Green should fit seamlessly next to the reigning league MVP in Nikola Jokic and help Denver make some noise in the star-studded Western Conference next season.
2021 NBA Free Agency</a> period in full swing as teams look to retool ahead of next season.</p>
<p>To this point, most of the high-profile players have expectedly stayed put with their respective teams. Kawhi Leonard re-signed with the LA Clippers, Chris Paul inked a lucrative deal with the Phoenix Suns, and John Collins signed a massive extension with the Atlanta Hawks.</p>
<p>With an unfathomable amount of cash being dished out across the league, there are bound to be some good moves, some bad moves, and some underrated moves sprinkled in throughout this eventful stretch in free agency.</p>
<p>Sticking with that last example, there are several signings that could quickly prove to be sneaky good from day one next season. With that being said, here are five under-the-radar deals made thus far.</p>
<h2>Wayne Ellington was a sneaky good signing for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021 NBA Free Agency</h2>
<p>Adding more outside shooting was unquestionably near the top of the offseason wishlist for the Los Angeles Lakers.</p>
<p>They initially seemed to be on the right track as they were reportedly looking to trade for<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/10/nba-free-agency-5-sneaky-good-deals/2/"https://theathletic.com/2727488/2021/07/25/bradley-beal-mulling-future-with-wizards-lakers-pursue-third-playmaker-plus-more-nba-draft-and-trade-talk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> sharpshooting guard Buddy Hield (Athletic paywall)</a> from the neighboring Sacramento Kings. However, with the snap of their fingers, the Lakers changed course and made a deal for Russell Westbrook instead. Hield and Westbrook are far different players on the floor, with the former being the far superior 3-point shooter, which would have hypothetically made him the better fit for LA.</p>
<p>With Russell Westbrook joining forces with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers would be tasked with adding shooters to complement this trio. They certainly emphasized it with their first few signings, none with more potential to pay dividends than <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/10/nba-free-agency-5-sneaky-good-deals/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ellinwa01.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Wayne Ellington</a>. While he is not a household name in the league, Ellington can shoot the basketball from the outside at a high level. Hitting an impressive 42.2 percent of his shots from deep on a career-high six attempts this past season, Ellington will give the Lakers the floor spacing boost they desperately needed.</p>
<p>What makes the move even better is that <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/10/nba-free-agency-5-sneaky-good-deals/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/03/los-angeles-lakers-nba-free-agency/">Ellington signed with the Lakers on a one-year deal </a>worth the veteran’s minimum. He was a cheap addition that has the potential to carve out an immediate spot in the rotation with his shooting prowess, which could make him a favorite for James, Davis, and Westbrook.</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/2021/08/10/nba-free-agency-5-sneaky-good-deals/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Jeff Green </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_434168" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="wp-image-434168 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/10/nba-free-agency-5-sneaky-good-deals/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%2F1296407613.jpeg" alt="2021 NBA Free Agency, Brooklyn Nets: Jeff Green, Denver Nuggets: JaMychal Green" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1296407613.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1296407613-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA free agency (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2>Jeff Green was a sneaky good signing for the Denver Nuggets in 2021 NBA Free Agency</h2>
<p>Desperately needing to add more size in the frontcourt, the Denver Nuggets signed one of the more underrated free agents on the market in <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/10/nba-free-agency-5-sneaky-good-deals/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/greenje02.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Jeff Green </a>to open 2021 NBA Free Agency.</p>
<p>Green is coming off a solid season with the Brooklyn Nets, where he played a key role in their success. In addition to his electric 3-point shooting and rebounding ability, the veteran gave the Nets a savvy forward that could be mixed and matched in different lineups. If they needed him to play the power forward position, he could do it with ease. If they wanted to slide him down one spot to play center, he would be willing to take on the challenge.</p>
<p>That rangeless versatility will be crucial for a Nuggets team that has been looking for an adequate replacement for Jerami Grant since he signed with the Detroit Pistons during the last offseason. Grant’s absence left them without a top-notch defender that could guard multiple positions at a high level. The team would sign JaMychal Green in his place, and although he was serviceable last year, he did not exactly fill the void left behind from Grant’s departure.</p>
<p>The Nuggets handed Green a two-year deal worth $10 million in free agency, snagging him away from the handful of other contenders that were chasing him. Denver will be Green’s 11th NBA team throughout his career, and he should continue to give them quality contributions as he has done on every other stop throughout his 13 years in the league. The 34-year-old will shoot the ball efficiently from the outside while playing robust defense. Green should fit seamlessly next to the reigning league MVP in Nikola Jokic and help Denver make some noise in the star-studded Western Conference next season.</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/2021/08/10/nba-free-agency-5-sneaky-good-deals/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Markieff Morris </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_434167" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="wp-image-434167 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/10/nba-free-agency-5-sneaky-good-deals/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1065,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1232189321.jpeg" alt="2021 NBA Free Agency, Los Angeles Lakers: Markieff Morris, Miami Heat: Jimmy Butler" width="1600" height="1065" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1232189321.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1232189321-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NBA free agency (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2>Markieff Morris was a sneaky good signing for the Miami Heat in 2021 NBA Free Agency</h2>
<p>Among the many aggressive moves the Miami Heat have made during 2021 NBA Free Agency, the signing of <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/10/nba-free-agency-5-sneaky-good-deals/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/morrima02.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Markieff Morris</a> will fall under the radar.</p>
<p>Understandably so as the Heat have added two <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/10/nba-free-agency-5-sneaky-good-deals/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/03/miami-heat-kyle-lowry-era/">savvy veterans in Kyle Lowry</a> and P.J. Tucker while handing massive extensions to Jimmy Butler and Duncan Robinson. Following their brutal first-round sweep in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks, they wasted no time revamping the roster. Inking Morris to a one-year deal on top of everything else could pay off in a big way.</p>
<p>While Tucker will be the team’s big addition defensively, given his versatility and ability to take on some of the league’s best players, Morris falls in a similar category, albeit to a smaller degree. The forward is a solid defensive presence at 6’9″ and 245 lbs, giving him the requisite size to take on much bigger players. While the veteran is no slouch offensively, his defense is particularly how he will earn his keep in the rotation.</p>
<p>If the Heat have the inevitable rematch with the Bucks next season, Morris is someone they could throw at Giannis Antetokounmpo when Tucker needs a breather. The same notion remains if they are squaring off against the stellar Brooklyn Nets and Kevin Durant, who can score the basketball like none other. He will not get most of the spotlight down in South Beach, but snagging Morris on a minimum deal is a solid win for the Heat as they retool this offseason.</p>
<p>Morris is known for his toughness on the floor, which should help him get acquainted with his new teammates fairly quickly.</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/2021/08/10/nba-free-agency-5-sneaky-good-deals/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Rudy Gay </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_434169" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="wp-image-434169 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/10/nba-free-agency-5-sneaky-good-deals/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%2F1232676605.jpeg" alt="2021 NBA Free Agency, Utah Jazz: Georges Niang, San Antonio Spurs: Rudy Gay" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1232676605.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1232676605-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA free agency (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2>Rudy Gay was a sneaky good signing for the Utah Jazz in 2021 NBA Free Agency</h2>
<p>It was largely swept under the rug when the Utah Jazz signed <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/10/nba-free-agency-5-sneaky-good-deals/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gayru01.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Rudy Gay</a> just several days ago, but the 15-year veteran could be a solid piece for them.</p>
<p>What Gay brings to the table first and foremost is another solid scorer on the wing. The forward has averaged 16.8 points per game for his career on .454/.350/.799 shooting splits, making a living as a pure scorer. While the 34-year-old’s best days are behind him, he will undoubtedly help give this Utah team more firepower on the offensive end.</p>
<p>Hypothetically, he would claim the starting forward spot from Royce O’Neale, pairing him with other offensive minds like Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley. However, that is not guaranteed as the veteran has become a sixth man over the past few seasons. In that scenario, he would bolster Utah’s bench further alongside reigning the Sixth Man of the Year in Jordan Clarkson. That would be a lethal one-two punch to bring off the bench to hit some tough shots.</p>
<p>Furthermore, his deal is also justifiable at $12.1 million over two years, with the second being a player option. That is reasonable enough for a veteran of his stature that will bring some offensive contributions to the table right from the jump. His skill set on that side of the ball should make him an easy fit next to Utah’s other key players, and this move could prove itself to be sneaky good rather quickly as the Jazz look to take another leap next season.</p>
<p>After spending the last four years with the San Antonio Spurs, the veteran will get a fresh start on another Western Conference contender.</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/2021/08/10/nba-free-agency-5-sneaky-good-deals/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Bobby Portis </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_434170" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="wp-image-434170 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/10/nba-free-agency-5-sneaky-good-deals/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1319880019.jpeg" alt="2021 NBA Free Agency, Milwaukee Bucks: Bobby Portis" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1319880019.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1319880019-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NBA free agency (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2>Bobby Portis was a sneaky good signing for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 NBA Free Agency</h2>
<p>The only player to be featured on this list that did not change teams is <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/10/nba-free-agency-5-sneaky-good-deals/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/portibo01.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Bobby Portis</a>, who returned to the Milwaukee Bucks on a two-year deal worth $9 million.</p>
<p>Following the team’s title run, it seemed certain that Portis would be seeking a hefty contract after opting out of his player option. He certainly earned it after playing a key role as the Bucks ended their 50-year title drought. However, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Portis <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/10/nba-free-agency-5-sneaky-good-deals/2/"https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1422337375519268872" target="_blank" rel="noopener">turned down much more lucrative offers</a> from the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks to stay with the Bucks at a discount.</p>
<p>From Milwaukee’s point of view, they should be ecstatic about his decision. Portis quickly earned his place in the rotation with his endless hustle and energetic presence on the floor, which soon made him a fan favorite. Statistically, he was fantastic off the bench by averaging 11.4 points while shooting 52.3 percent from the floor and 47.1 percent from 3-point territory. Both of those were career bests for the six-year veteran, the latter percentage being the third-best mark across the league during the regular season.</p>
<p>Being able to keep Portis at such a discount is certainly something worth celebrating on top of the title the Bucks won just weeks ago. As evidenced by his efforts, Portis can be a contributor on a team competing at the highest level, which he will continue to do for Milwaukee on an incredibly team-friendly deal.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="NBA Free Agency: Grading all 30 teams on signings and trades" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/07/nba-free-agency-grading-30-teams/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/10/nba-free-agency-5-sneaky-good-deals/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/08/07/nba-free-agency-grading-30-teams/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> NBA Free Agency: Grading all 30 teams on signings and trades </a> </div>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—>">