Naz Reid, Ty Jerome and 2025 NBA Free Agents About To Get a Raise
The NBA playoffs are on the brink of the Finals, which means free agency is nearly upon us.
It's time to examine which bargain-bin players can expect to see a raise on their next deal.
The free-agent market may be challenging to navigate this offseason, as high-end buyers will be scarce. However, there's a group of overlooked players every team should consider.
With one exception below, our focus is on guys seeking contracts beyond their rookie deals.
Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves (Player Option)
1 of 5
The Minnesota Timberwolves' season is over. After back-to-back Western Conference Finals trips, the hard part is this: How do they retain their key pieces, starting with Naz Reid?
The 25-year-old big has a $15 million player option for next season but is likely to opt out of his deal. He has outperformed the value of his contract, winning the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2024. Reid put up a career-high 14.2 points per game and shoots 37.3 percent from three for his career.
Having a player of this caliber coming off the bench for $13.9 million has been a bargain, though that should end after this season. The interest for him will be high. He can command a salary starting in the range of $20 million if he opts out.
Several teams need to add offensive punch off the bench. Reid is going to be one of their first calls. The Wolves will also fight to re-sign him, but they must be aware of the first apron and its repercussions.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Minnesota Timberwolves
2 of 5
Another Wolves player who should be expecting a raise is Nickeil Alexander-Walker. He will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and is coming off a two-year, $9 million deal. His production over the last two seasons should get Alexander-Walker a raise this offseason.
His shooting took a dip during the playoffs, but during the regular season, he shot 38.1 percent from three on 4.5 attempts per game. He has shown flashes of being able to attack closeouts and play-make to a limited degree, as seen in the second clip below.
Teams are constantly scouring the earth looking for perimeter defenders who can shoot. Alexander-Walker's phone will be ringing quite a bit once the offseason begins.
Ty Jerome, Cleveland Cavaliers
3 of 5
There was a late-season push for Ty Jerome to make a run at the Sixth Man of the Year award. He went from being a nomad after being drafted by the Phoenix Suns, then signing with the Golden State Warriors as a two-way player, and eventually landing with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a two-year, $5 million deal.
After the season he just had, he will go from the bargain bin to a highly coveted free agent.
This past season, Jerome put up career numbers in points at 12.5 and three-point percentage at 43.9 on 3.6 attempts. He also handed out 3.4 assists in 19.9 minutes per game. His numbers took a hit during the playoffs, but Jerome will still be sought-after in the offseason.
More importantly for Jerome, the days of signing a two-year $5 million deal are over. The floor for him should be in the range of Payton Pritchard's four-year, $30 million pact with Boston. Teams that need offense—looking directly at you, Orlando—should jump at the chance to sign Jerome around that number.
Guerschon Yabusele, Philadelphia 76ers
4 of 5
Guerschon Yabusele has had an interesting career, having yo-yoed in and out of the league.
Yabusele was a first-round pick of the Boston Celtics in the 2016 draft and spent two seasons with the team from 2017 to 2019. After that, he played overseas in China and France before a three-year stint in Spain with Real Madrid. He reappeared on the NBA's radar during the 2024 Paris Olympics, playing for the French national team. That led to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
As rough of a season as it was for the Sixers, Yabusele was a bright spot. He averaged 11 points on a 50.1 field-goal percentage and 5.6 rebounds in 27.1 minutes per game. This is a big leap from the previous stint in the NBA, when he could never crack the rotation.
Yabusele made just over $2 million this past season. He will be in line for a pay raise this offseason and will be a hot commodity on the market as teams, including the Sixers, will look to add size.
Quentin Grimes, Philadelphia 76ers (Restricted)
5 of 5
One of the most unusual deals at the deadline was the Dallas Mavericks' trade of Quentin Grimes to the Philadelphia 76ers. One of the reasons for the trade was Grimes' impending restricted free agency. He is at the end of his rookie contract and should receive a substantial payday.
After arriving in Philly, Grimes' game took off. In 28 games as a Sixer, he averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Once given enough minutes, he showed he should be a consistent rotation peice. His leap couldn't come at a better time, as he will enter restricted free agency.
Grimes' rookie deal was worth $11 million over four years. Despite being a restricted free agent, he should expect to get rewarded handsomely for his play in Philly.
The Sixers want to re-sign Grimes, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, but it will come down to the price. Philly does have the advantage of this being restricted free agency. That tends to depress the offers a player might receive, and Philly has the right to match any offer if he signs elsewhere.
.png?w=600 "New Mock with Lottery Odds Locked In 🔮")