3 Under-the-Radar 2015 NBA Free Agents for Oklahoma City Thunder to Pursue
The Oklahoma City Thunder have never been known for making a huge splash in free agency, and this summer shouldn't be any different. With limited cap space and very few needs, the team will once again scour the NBA's bargain bin to complete its talented roster.
Last summer, the Thunder's only free-agent addition was Anthony Morrow, who signed a three-year, $10 million deal. Morrow turned out to be a steal, as he averaged 10.7 points per game and knocked down 43.4 percent of his three-point attempts. His presence was critical to the team's ability to space the floor, especially on the second unit.
Who could be this year's version of Morrow?
Oklahoma City's shopping list isn't expected to be very long. The roster is deep at every position except backup small forward, which is a hole that can be filled with the No. 14 overall pick in this month's draft. OKC also has $78.2 million on the books for next season, and restricted free agent center Enes Kanter is in line for a significant raise, which will limit the franchise's ability to spend money elsewhere.
The Thunder can trim some payroll by finding new homes for some of its seldom-used players: Jeremy Lamb ($3 million), Perry Jones III ($2 million) and Steve Novak ($3.7 million). By moving those contracts without taking any salary back, the team would save a combined $8.7 million.
Still, financial restrictions shouldn't stop general manager Sam Presti from taking a peek at what could be had for cheap. If healthy, the Thunder have the talent to be championship contenders next season, even with new coach Billy Donovan adjusting from a lengthy college run to making his NBA debut.
Luke Babbitt, Small Forward, New Orleans Pelicans
Free Agent Type: Unrestricted
2014-15 Salary: $981,084
Among qualified players, the NBA regular season league-leader in three-point percentage wasn't Kyle Korver or Stephen Curry. It was Luke Babbitt, who drained an astonishing 51.3 percent from downtown. In fairness, the 25-year-old chucked just 115 treys all season, but he's managed to shoot 40.3 percent from three for his career.
Babbitt played just 11.8 minutes per game in March and logged just 16 minutes total in all of April as the Pelicans made a playoff push. That was particularly confusing coming off a solid February that saw the lethal lefty contribute 8.6 points per contest and shoot 60.9 percent from three.
However, the Thunder's need for depth at small forward as well as spacing on the second unit would likely keep Babbitt from being shelved down the stretch in OKC.
The allure of bringing Babbitt to Oklahoma City is two-fold. After Serge Ibaka joined Kevin Durant on the injured list in March, the Thunder were left with Morrow as its only three-point threat. Even with Durant and Ibaka healthy next season, the club could use another long-range shooting option, especially on the second unit. Andre Roberson (24.7 percent) and Dion Waiters (31.9 percent) certainly aren't scaring anyone on the perimeter.
The Thunder also hired former New Orleans boss Monty Williams as an assistant. In February, Williams had this to say about the shooter with the savvy stroke and the flawless follicles, per Jimmy Smith of NOLA.com.
"He's that solid of a guy and worker and everybody loves him. You might not hear Luke say a word for a week or so. Then you'll hear him in the huddle say something, or in a time out. But he's really consistent. And I think that's a bright spot for us. He's gotten better. His percentages shooting the ball speak for themselves.
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Babbitt is the perfect kind of addition for the Thunder because he's a niche player who fills a need and will comes cheap. A reserve trio of Babbitt, Morrow and D.J. Augustin (35.4 percent from three with OKC) could open up enough space for big men like Steven Adams and Mitch McGary to operate down low.
K.J. McDaniels, Guard/Forward, Houston Rockets
Free Agent Type: Restricted
2014-15 Salary: $507,336
K.J. McDaniels post-collegiate career has been full of surprises.
Despite posting a stat line of 17.1 points, 7.1 boards, 2.8 blocks and 1.1 steals as a junior, the Clemson forward slid out of the first round and onto the Philadelphia 76ers with the No. 32 overall pick. Shortly after, McDaniels took a gamble on himself by signing a one-year, non-guaranteed deal as opposed to the typical four-year pact given to second round picks.
After contributing 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks during his first 52 games in Philly, he was shockingly dealt to the Houston Rockets at the trade deadline. According to Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie, the reasoning behind the trade was more about flexibility and less about the potential raise McDaniels was set to earn this summer, per John Smallwood of Philly.com.
"It (McDaniels' raise) was not a big part of it. One of the nice parts of the flexibility that we built ourselves is that we have the flexibility to do whatever we want. So I would not say that was a big part of it."
McDaniels barely played in Houston, logging 3.3 minutes in 10 games before going down in April with a fractured elbow. However, even with the limited exposure, the 22-year-old earned 20 All-Rookie team votes, which was more than lottery picks Dante Exum and Aaron Gordon.
McDaniels' restricted free agent status means Houston can match any offer for the promising forward so long as a qualifying offer is extended. Given the team's unwillingness to play him during his tenure and the Rockets' veteran depth on the wing, it shouldn't be too difficult to pry the youngster out of H-Town.
This is a golden opportunity for Presti to nab the two-way shooting guard his team sorely lacks. Waiters and Morrow are offensive contributors who struggle on the defensive end, while Roberson is an underrated perimeter stopper who doesn't provide much scoring. Lamb has the talent to be the guy, but he hasn't been able to live up to the hype during his three seasons in OKC.
Meanwhile, McDaniels is a fine athlete who stands 6'6" with an impressive 6'11.25" wingspan and 37" vertical. As a rookie, he quickly established himself as a shot-blocking force by making plays like this one against the San Antonio Spurs, when he rejected two shots in the span of 10 seconds.
In Oklahoma City, he could develop behind Durant or even play in between KD and Russell Westbrook in bigger lineups. His outside jumper will need some work, having shot just 28.7 percent from three in his two combined stops, but his production with the Sixers is a sign he can contribute on the offensive end.
If Houston doesn't have any use for him, McDaniels' potential at both ends of the court makes him worth a flier for the Thunder.
Richard Jefferson, Small Forward, Dallas Mavericks
Free Agent Type: Unrestricted
2014-15 Salary: $915,243
On paper, the Thunder have everything you'd want in a potential championship contender. They have two transcendent talents in Durant and Westbrook, an elite shot-blocker in Ibaka, a low-post scorer in Kanter and a decent bench filled with young prospects.
However, what Oklahoma City doesn't have is many experienced veterans, especially after trading Kendrick Perkins midseason. Beyond 34-year-old Nick Collison, nobody on the roster is over the age of 29. Additionally, Collison is the only member of the team with at least 10 years of NBA experience. The next-closest is Novak, who just completed his ninth season.
This is where adding Richard Jefferson comes in. Jefferson isn't the stellar two-way forward he once was with the then-New Jersey Nets, but he's still capable of being a contributor off the bench. The former Arizona star has shot at least 40 percent from behind the arc in three of his last four seasons, including 42.6 percent this year with the Dallas Mavericks.
Also, Jefferson has a plethora of postseason experience, having made two appearances in the Finals with the Nets as well as postseason berths as a member of the Spurs, Mavs and Golden State Warriors. He's also been pretty durable throughout his career. His 1,008 games ranks 17th among active players, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
Even as he gets set to turn 35 later this month and enter his 15th year in October, Jefferson left a lasting impression with teammates and coaches during his lone season in Dallas, per Earl Sneed of NBA.com.
"Richard Jefferson goes hard," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said in May. "When he’s on the floor, you know he’s out there. He’s combative on defense and he’s aggressive on offense. If you leave him open, he makes threes. I love Jefferson. I love the way he plays. He plays with a lot of force. He plays with as much force as anybody on our team, and that’s why he’s a very valuable guy on our roster."
Star forward Dirk Nowitzki added this:
"I mean, for 34, I've been really impressed. Jefferson still plays above the rim. He’s been shooting really well from the floor, spreading the floor to the three, and he just really looks in great shape."
Jefferson would be a reliable backup for Durant as an experienced veteran who could step into the starting lineup if KD's surgically-repaired foot continues to be an issue. He'd also be a huge help for Donovan as a wise voice in the locker room to help guide the troops.
As an added bonus, signing with the Thunder would give Jefferson another chance at the championship ring that has eluded him his entire career.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are hoping lightning will strike twice in free agency this summer. After stealing Anthony Morrow last year, the team will look to round out its talented roster with another under-the-radar signing.
With so much promise going into next season, the Thunder will need to make sure it gets the most bang for its buck.
All stats courtesy of NBA.com and salary information via BasketballInsiders.com, unless otherwise noted.
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