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NBA Free Agency: 5 potential bargain signings

By Rucker Haringey

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 12: Nerlens Noel #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on against the Indiana Pacers during a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 12, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the Thunder 111-85. 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. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 12: Nerlens Noel #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on against the Indiana Pacers during a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 12, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the Thunder 111-85. 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. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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NBA Free Agency, Kent Bazemore
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 22: Kent Bazemore #26 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after making a three point basket during the second quarter in a game against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on February 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

4. Kent Bazemore

Bazemore really struggled in Portland last season, but interested teams should pay attention to how his play improved after moving to Sacramento. In particular, increasing his three-point proficiency to 38.4% behind the arc made the veteran wing a valuable contributor for the Kings.

Playoff teams should target Bazemore as a potential P.J. Tucker type player to add to their rotation. Both players lack size, but have the heft to guard larger players down in the low block. Bazemore isn’t big enough to be a small-ball center, but he can credibly guard a healthy percentage of power forwards around the league.

He’s never going to be a perimeter marksman on the offensive end of the floor, but he does shoot it well enough to maintain proper spacing. More importantly, he’s got enough game off the dribble to take advantage of slow-footed bigs that try to close him out at the 3-point line. Bazemore isn’t going to serve as an offensive initiator, but he’s got enough juice off the dribble to take advantage of mismatches in high-leverage situations.

There’s’ a chance Bazemore could also be available at the veteran minimum. The lack of quality wings available in free agency might push a team to use part of an exception to guarantee him more money, but he won’t go for anything more than the taxpayer MLE. Anything short of that mark gives Bazemore a strong chance to be a plus contract.

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