Undrafted NBA Free Agents 2016: Rumors and Predictions for Biggest Names
Believe it or not, the NBA continues to trend toward the idea it's better for a prospect to go undrafted, a notion the 2016 NBA draft reinforced in a big way.
What used to be borderline shameful now stands as quite the attractive option because falling undrafted means a prospect has his choice of several teams instead of getting stuck in an undesirable situation.
Adam Pensack, agent for Iowa product Jarrod Uthoff, spoke with Mark Emmert of Hawk Central about this new trend.
“If a player’s goal is to play in the NBA, especially in year one, draft and stash is not the best route to do so since it yields zero chance in year one and only a very small chance in subsequent years,” Pensack said.
This would explain why it seems the undrafted market has more big names than usual this year, especially when one looks at a list compiled by Bleacher Report's Alec Nathan, which features updates with prospect commitments. Below, let's nail down predictions for prospects generating the most buzz.
Alex Poythress
Kentucky's Alex Poythress is a good example of all the above.
Poythress was a household name as a former potential lottery pick, but he fell out of favor after suffering an injury and never getting back to full form, hence going undrafted.
On the market, he opted to join the Orlando Magic for the summer, according to Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress:
Poythress managed an average of 23.6 minutes as a senior, going for 10.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
While he's older than some teams would prefer, ESPN.com summed up why he boasts more upside than most 22-year-old undrafted free agents:
"Poythress still has tremendous upside thanks to elite physical tools. As a freshman he was considered a lottery pick but never was able to improve offensively to the point that he could stay in the draft range. He's one of the few seniors that scouts still see major growth potential from. If he's big for Kentucky next year, he still could go on the mid first.
"
Orlando was one of the best possible landing spots for Poythress, who will get to further recover and develop over the years while the Magic develop Aaron Gordon and perhaps move on from Serge Ibaka.
In fact, provided Poythress continues on his current return-to-form trajectory, he should put on a show for the team this summer and earn himself an assured contract.
Prediction: Poythress sticks with the Magic.
Sheldon McClellan
It's easy to look at a small point guard who is already 23 years old, knock him off the draft board and call it a day.
NBA teams did just that with Sheldon McClellan out of Miami (Fla.) this year. Going on 24 in December and standing at 6'6" and 198 pounds, NBA teams found it simple to ignore proven production.
Not that McClellan will complain much—he got to choose where he wanted to land and picked the Washington Wizards, according to NBA.com's David Aldridge:
Washington might have the steal of the market on its hands here, as one glance at McClellan's college numbers suggests:
| 2015-16 | .504 | .406 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 16.3 |
| 2014-15 | .484 | .358 | 4.7 | 1.9 | 14.5 |
| 2012-13 | .382 | .273 | 3.9 | 0.9 | 13.5 |
| 2011-12 | .448 | .310 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 11.3 |
Defensive ability and size have always been the knocks on McClellan, but the knocks alter or get diminished when a player slips to the undrafted realm.
McClellan couldn't have landed in a better spot. Not only does he have a chance to learn from John Wall and Bradley Beal, but the Wizards have to find a rotational replacement for Ramon Sessions, and McClellan can push Garrett Temple.
Given McClellan's experience, he's sure to post strong numbers over the summer and stick with the team of his choosing.
Prediction: McClellan sticks with the Wizards.
Robert Carter
Maryland's Robert Carter is an interesting story both because he's already 22 years old and spent two years at Georgia Tech before joining the Terrapins.
A stretch forward, Carter stands at 6'9" and 250 pounds and last year managed averages of 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 55 percent from the floor and 33 percent beyond the arc.
Once Carter hit the market, he and his representatives reached out to the Golden State Warriors, according to Givony:
Call it a win for both sides.
For Carter, this is a chance to prove he'll stay in shape and motivated, one of the knocks on his stock, per ESPN.com. For the Warriors, they might have landed a younger stretch forward who can reinforce the depth behind Draymond Green, yet another addition to a small-ball approach always looking for fresh shooters.
The only problem here is the Warriors might not have the roster space to sign Carter by the time next season rolls around, especially if the team makes moves in free agency. Still, expect Carter to make such an impression he gets a deal with another team before the season begins.
Prediction: Carter earns contract with another NBA team by next season.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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