Undrafted NBA Free Agents 2015: Rumors and Predictions for Underrated Prospects
In the days between the NBA draft and the start of the summer league, undrafted prospects are busy trying to find themselves a home.
Most of the time, that home is temporary and comes in the form of a summer roster.
Aside from the Los Angeles Lakers dangling D’Angelo Russell to the Sacramento Kings, which was reported by Mark Heisler of Forbes, any buzz surrounding last Thursday’s draft is based on where undrafted players will end up.
Let’s look at two guys who are currently underrated, but who could make a name for themselves in July.
Cliff Alexander
After entering Kansas on top of the world, Cliff Alexander is fighting to climb his way back up.
The big man, who was ranked ahead of top two picks Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell just a year ago, per 247Sports, was not taken at the draft, likely for a few reasons.
First off, he didn’t have a great freshman campaign. A meager 7.1 points and 5.1 boards under Bill Self, combined with consistent nagging injuries leading up to his pre-draft workouts, wasn’t going to impress too many general managers.
Still, it was shocking that nobody at all felt Alexander, who is loaded with potential despite his rawness, was worth taking.
After a few days of weighing his options, Alexander has reportedly agreed to play on the Brooklyn Nets summer team, according to Tim Bontemps of the New York Post.
Bob Windrem of NetsDaily.com pointed out that with limited cap room and scant draft stock, Nets GM Billy King is finding ways to add young talent:
With Alexander joining UConn’s Ryan Boatright and Rondae-Hollis Jefferson in the summer squad, Bontemps thinks this team is Brooklyn’s best in years:
Alexander will be playing alongside some serious talent over the summer, which might be his last time to impress pro general managers. Expect him to shine at times and struggle at others—like most, if not all, prospects.
Windrem also reported that Alexander is likely getting some guaranteed money, so don’t be shocked if he’s playing in Brooklyn next year:
Fuquan Edwin
During his time at Seton Hall, Fuquan Edwin was good at a whole bunch of things—but not great in any one area.
The forward has spent time in the Developmental League and overseas, but he’s getting a chance to play on the New Orleans Pelicans summer team in July, per Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders:
As Pirate Sports Network’s John Fanta pointed out, Edwin was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year just two years ago. The 6’6”, 210-pound swingman could logically land in New Orleans as the three-and-D wing the team so desperately needs:
In his senior year at the Hall, Edwin averaged 14.5 points while shooting 50.2 percent from the field and 33.3 from distance. He’s also the school’s all-time steals leader, due to his ability to jump lanes like a hawk and pick off passes with his long arms.
Edwin signed with the San Antonio Spurs last year, but he never played a pro game. He struggled rather mightily on offense in the D-League before heading overseas.
Now, Edwin gets another chance. Could it be his last?
Teams are constantly searching for new, young, moldable talent. Will a former Big East stud with a poor pro resume still be attractive after bouncing around for a few years?
Probably not.
Edwin needs to treat this summer like the NBA Finals if he is to find a steady place to rest his head in the NBA. New Orleans would be one of his best options, and the team will get a great look at him this summer.
This is make-or-break time for the former Pirate.
