5 Minimum-Contract NBA Free Agents Who Could Help Every Team Right Now
2025 NBA free agency has arrived, but this year's class is underwhelming, and only Brooklyn has serious cap space.
As a result, the looming second apron in the new CBA has teams looking for more value at a bargain price.
Let's take a look at what a veteran minimum player could bring in terms of impact next season, and who is on the list of minimum-contract free agents.
As a teaser: One is a journeyman with an injury-riddled past, and another is a big man who has carved out a niche as a backup.
Also: One is a young player looking to find his home; and we also have a hired sharpshooter looking to drop deep bombs; and there is a player ready for a larger role.
Players like Ty Jerome and Geurschon Yabusele will not appear on the list. Both are expected to sign for well above the veteran minimum.
Also, young players like Quentin Grimes, who are restricted free agents—as well as those with player or team options—will not be featured on the list.
The focus here is on unrestricted free agents.
Gary Trent Jr., Milwaukee Bucks
1 of 5
One of the best shooters in the NBA last season was playing on a veteran minimum. Gary Trent Jr. joined the Milwaukee Bucks to be a floor spacer for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Trent shot over 40 percent on nearly six attempts from three in the regular season, then he upped it to 50 percent on 8.8 attempts in the playoffs.
He was the Bucks' most consistent shooter all season, and he dropped over 30 points twice in the playoffs.
Trent has been a deadeye shooter for most of his career, especially over the last two seasons, shooting 41.6 percent last season and 39.8 percent the previous season. Teams are always looking for more shooting, and Trent came to Milwaukee at a bargain 2.6 million dollars.
There is a reason Trent is part of the bargain bin, however. He can be a liability on defense.
Despite his defensive deficiencies, though, teams will jump at an opportunity to sign a proven shooter for near the veteran minimum.
Luke Kornet, Boston Celtics
2 of 5
It took several years and multiple stops for Luke Kornet before he found himself a home.
Over the last three and a half seasons, Kornet has settled into Boston and carved out a role as a backup big. But he is coming off a one-year, 2.8 million dollar deal and will have options this offseason.
Over the past three campaigns, Kornet has seen his minutes increase from 11.7 to 15.6 to 18.6 per game. Last season, Boston was focused on resting Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, so his role expanded, and he averaged 6.0 points per night, shooting 66.8 percent from the field while averaging a career-high 5.3 rebounds (all in a career-high 18.6 minutes).
Despite trimming costs over the last week, the Celtics do want to bring Kornet back. He played 73 games for them last season, starting 16 of them.
Boston, however, will face stiff competition to sign him, since he's a bargain at a minimum.
Bringing a player like Kornet, who is willing to do all the dirty work as a big at such a low cost, will surely have his phone ringing off the hook.
Amir Coffey, Los Angeles Clippers
3 of 5
Amir Coffey is not a name that most fans will know. He has been with the Los Angeles Clippers since 2019-2020 and became a rotational player after three seasons.
Now, Coffey is coming off his best season as a pro, just as he hits free agency.
Here's a quick rundown on Coffey for those unfamiliar with him:
Coffey stands at 6'7" and played primarily as a small forward, but also played some small-ball 4 this past season. He averaged the most minutes for his career at 24.3 minutes, posted a career-best 9.7 points on 47.1 percent from the field, and he nailed 40.9 percent from three on 3.4 attempts per contest.
Coffey is coming off a three-year 11 million dollar contract. That's great value for a role player coming off the bench.
With limited exposure over the past few seasons, Coffey could be a bargain deal for a team if given an even bigger role.
Dalano Banton, Portland Trail Blazers
4 of 5
Dalano Banton has played for three different teams in four seasons. He has yet to find his footing in the league, but he has shown flashes that might make him a big find in the right landing spot.
This past season, Banton found his way on the Portland Trail Blazers. Under Chauncey Billups, he played the role of closer during some of Portland's wins, changing games with fourth-quarter scoring.
This past season, Banton averaged 8.3 points in 16.7 minutes per game, which translates to 18 points per 36 minutes. That is not far from what he did when he got 29 minutes a night, averaging 16.7 points in his first 30 games as a Blazer. At 6'9", he has promise as a defender with his body type.
Banton still has a way to go as a shooter, but he's a downhill driver who finishes well at the rim. He is the perfect candidate for a team to take a flier on.
Dante Exum, Dallas Mavericks
5 of 5
It has been a long journey for Dante Exum after getting picked No. 5 in the 2014 draft, with injuries and a lack of shooting development holding him back.
After two years in the NBL, Exum made his return to the NBA with a remade three-point shot. And over the last two seasons, Exum shot 49.1 percent and 43.4 percent from three with the Dallas Mavericks.
Pairing that with his defensive capabilities and ability to create for others makes him a promising candidate for a team to bring him in on a vet minimum contract if he can stay healthy.
Health has been the problem, though, as Exum missed a significant portion of the 2024-2025 season due to a wrist injury.
In the right situation, Exum can still give a team 20 minutes off the bench and, given his injury history, is unlikely to command a salary much larger than the veteran minimum.
Mo Dakhil spent six years with the Los Angeles Clippers and two years with the San Antonio Spurs as a video coordinator, as well as three years with the Australian men's national team. Follow him on Twitter,@MoDakhil_NBA.
