NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 19: Lonnie Walker IV #8 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates his third … (+)
The NBA offseason is certainly a bit quieter than July.
Many superstars are no longer on the market and major transactions appear to be on hold as front office executives take a vacation away from the summer rush. However, significant contributors are still on the market.
Last year, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Derrick Jones Jr. signed their contracts at this time. Both proved to be important players on playoff teams. The NBA is stronger than ever, which reduces the opportunities for younger veterans. Here are a few players who can have a big impact on a team in the future:
Lonnie Walker
The man was absolutely on top form during the first half of the 2023-24 season. He was one of the leaders in three-point percentage for part of the year, heading into the All-Star break with a 43.3 percent rate on 164 total attempts from beyond the arc. That number shows how much of a difference he can make on a team, especially considering he converted 45 percent of his opportunities from the corner. Teams in need of shooters could certainly use his services.
His athletic ability has been on display for years, as evidenced in his rookie season when he completed 39 percent of his shots at the basket. Relentless attacking is no longer the 25-year-old’s strategy. He’s become more of a long-range shooter who doesn’t do much inside the arc. But an athletic talent who can shoot at that rate deserves a look, especially since he’s passable on defense.
Obviously, size is the issue that stands out the most with Walker. He’s only 6’3″ but has a 6’1″ reach that helps him put pressure on opposing defenders. Last season, his save percentage was slightly below average, while his steal and block percentages were both above average. He’ll never be a reliable player in that regard, but he won’t destroy your scheme and his offensive highlights make him a worthy player to include on a roster.
Cedi Osman
It was actually surprising to see Osman without a team. He checks all the boxes you’d expect from a rotational winger off the bench, especially after seeing how serviceable he was in the playoffs when the 2023 Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the New York Knicks in the first round.
Osman has been a solid offensive player for several years. No forward in the NBA has had as effective a field goal percentage as Osman over the past three seasons. That’s an absurd statistic when you’re not yet signed as a free agent. It shows that Osman is not only a good 3-point shooter, but a productive offensive weapon who is generally efficient wherever he shoots the ball on the court. He has become more effective at finishing at the basket, even finishing last season with a better percentage than LeBron James.
The question for Osman comes on the other side of the court, where his defense remains a little questionable. The metrics rank him as fairly weak, unable to stay in front of faster defenders and lacking the muscle to battle with bigger bodies on the boards. This combination makes him a potential liability in a position where he’s hard to hide without top-notch offensive skills. His usage level generally remains high, and he has the inconsistency that makes him valuable to the right team.
Oshae Brissett
This may come as a bit of a surprise to some, and it’s understandable why. He’s an unknown player who has never had a big payday and came into the league undrafted.
In this drill, he somehow fits the role of Derrick Jones Jr. Last year, he played for the Boston Celtics and only played 630 total minutes. That’s understandable given the Celtics’ incredible depth, and isn’t necessarily an indictment of Brissett as a player. He’s versatile on defense, being able to adequately defend on the wing while also taking on bigger players. He’s also shown the ability to shoot from distance, hitting over 35 percent of his 3-pointers in two of his last four seasons.
There are no guarantees, but finding someone to help him improve his shot could make him an attractive option for a team with a gap at the power forward position.
Unless otherwise stated, all statistics on NBA.com, PBPStatistics, Cleaning the glass or Basketball ReferenceAll salary information about Spotrac or RealGM.
