Undrafted NBA Free Agents 2016: Rumors and Predictions for Underrated Prospects
The 2016 NBA draft came and went on Thursday, but several players who did not hear their names called are set to make an impact next season as undrafted free agents.
Players like Udonis Haslem, Brad Miller and Ben Wallace were able to have successful careers as undrafted free agents, so there is precedent for the 2016 class to come in and be difference-makers. These players also have the advantage of choosing their situations, as opposed to being forced on a certain team.
Here are three undrafted players who will earn a role in the NBA next season before embarking on successful careers.
Cat Barber, New Orleans Pelicans
One would think that leading a rugged conference like the ACC in scoring last year would garner plenty of draft attention, but that was not the case for North Carolina State's Cat Barber.
Classified as a point guard, Barber put up 23.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game last season. He also shot 43.4 percent from the field and a pedestrian 36.1 percent from three.
After leaving as a junior, the undrafted free agent signed with the New Orleans Pelicans, per Joe Giglio of the News and Observer.
At 6'2", Barber is lightning-quick and an excellent defender. He is also aggressive with the ball, showing fearless tenacity to get to the rim while in college. However, Giglio noted one major flaw that may have worked against him:
"One of the main questions about Barber before the draft was: Does he make the players around him better? N.C. State's lack of team success, with Barber as the leader, might have been held against him. Of the 11 point guards taken in the draft who played college basketball, nine led their team to the NCAA tournament last season.
"
The Wolfpack finished 16-17 last year. While they had a rough season, that should not be held against Barber as an individual. He was still sensational for an undermanned team.
New Orleans needs a guard who can penetrate and break down the defense to free up Anthony Davis inside and Buddy Hield on the perimeter. Barber can certainly do that, as evidenced by this outburst against Wake Forest last season, courtesy of the ACC Network:
He may not project as a point guard in the NBA, but he will become a lockdown defender at the very worst. Expect Barber to find a home with the Pelicans.
Robert Carter, Golden State Warriors
As one of the most versatile and polished power forwards in the draft, Maryland's Robert Carter's omission on Thursday night was a surprise.
Carter was one of the best players at the NBA Draft Combine in May, per DraftExpress' Jonathan Givony. He was also coming off of a year where he averaged 12.3 points per game and shot 55.4 percent from the field in a loaded Maryland lineup.
He reportedly turned down offers to be stashed by teams with a second-round pick, per Givony:
This may turn out to be the right choice for Carter, as he is a perfect fit for Golden State.
The team utilizes athletic power forwards who can shoot it from three, and Carter fits that bill. He is rangy at 6'9", and he shot 33.3 percent from downtown last season.
He would be the perfect backup to Draymond Green, but depending on what the Warriors do in free agency, there may not be room for Carter on the roster. Regardless, he is still valuable and highly skilled, which should land him on a roster this upcoming season.
Alex Poythress, Orlando Magic
Kentucky was able to get three players from its NBA factory into the draft on Thursday, but senior forward Alex Poythress was not one of them.
He was a glue guy for the Wildcats last year, playing in all situations and chipping in a number of ways. Poythress averaged 10.2 points and six boards per game on a team that bowed out to Indiana in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Poythress then signed with Orlando, per Givony. This could be positive, per Kentucky Sports Radio's Drew Franklin:
Orlando may be prepared to run a smaller lineup this season after acquiring mobile big man Serge Ibaka to pair with athletic point guard Elfrid Payton. Poythress provides the perfect complement to Ibaka as a power forward who will hold it down defensively to free up the Congolese-Spanish 26-year-old to run the floor.
The Magic need defensive stoppers, as they allowed 103.7 points per game last season.
Standing at 6'8", Poythress is a tremendous athlete for his size, particularly on defense. In today's NBA, he can be an effective defender against small-ball lineups while still providing contributions on the offensive glass. He is a rare breed, and he should find a home in the NBA.
Statistics are courtesy of ESPN.com.
