Fansided

Which impending NBA free agents could have contributed in the Conference Finals?

By Ti Windisch

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 11: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors on April 11, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 11: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors on April 11, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – APRIL 9: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 9, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – APRIL 9: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 9, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Wayne Ellington

Players who can space the floor have never been more valuable in the NBA than they are right now, and if there is one thing Wayne Ellington can do its stretch the floor. Ellington shot 39.2 percent from behind the 3-point line on an impressive 7.5 attempts per game during the 2017-18 regular season.

That high volume and efficiency led to Ellington finishing tied for sixth among NBA players in total made threes, with only Damian Lillard, Klay Thompson, Kemba Walker, Kyle Lowry, Paul George and James Harden making as many or more triples. That’s not bad company.

Ellington had his best season from long-range this past year, but he’s no stranger to sinking triples. He’s shot 38.1 percent from deep across his career thus far, and has only dipped below 37 percent twice in nine total NBA seasons. Wayne Ellington is a legit sharpshooter.

Luckily for him, that means top-level teams will likely have a lot of interest in having him in a relief role. The Golden State Warriors, for example, would kill to have Ellington around to sop up minutes that are going to Quinn Cook and Nick Young in the postseason. He’s a much better and more consistent shooter than either of those two.

Ellington might find more money with teams who have less chance of deep postseason runs, but if he decides to chase a ring he could end up being a big difference-maker come May and even June.

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