While the big names draw most of the attention during NBA free agency, the stealth signings can also have a great impact come playoff time.
For example, Bruce Brown didn’t exactly create major headlines when he signed with the Nuggets last summer. He went on to become an integral part of Denver’s championship run and parlayed his success into a new contract that nearly quadrupled his salary from last season. Even if there’s no clear successor to Brown in this year’s free-agency class, there were some sneaky moves worth keeping an eye on this season.
Here are four under-the-radar free-agent signings from the summer that could pay dividends down the line.
Eric Gordon, Suns
O.K., maybe I am slightly cheating with this first pick. Is Gordon under the hypothetical radar? It’s my radar, so I decide. Is he underpaid? Absolutely.
Phoenix signed Gordon for the veteran minimum, and on the spectrum of players who signed that deal this summer, Gordon is easily on the higher end. He’s a deeply respected shooter with enough counters in his offensive game to make him more than simply a standstill spacer. And he’s competitive enough defensively to hold his own in high-stakes moments.
The shooting the Suns will have on the floor when Gordon, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant play together will be hellacious. Gordon wasn’t the sexiest name on the market, but considering his talent, his contract, and the Suns’ desperate need for viable role players, this was an incredibly fortuitous signing for Phoenix.
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Dario Šarić, Warriors
Šarić’s career has been filled with twists and turns. He was part of the Sixers’ squad that finally turned the corner from The Process only to be traded in the Jimmy Butler deal. He eventually made his way to Phoenix but tore his ACL in the 2021 Finals, missing all of the following year. Last year, he returned from injury but was moved to Oklahoma City midseason.
Šarić now gets to play in basketball utopia with the Warriors. He offers Golden State great flexibility in the frontcourt, as he can be paired with Draymond Green or Kevon Looney, or play center by himself. And with Chris Paul in the backcourt as well, Šarić can hit the ground running with a familiar pick-and-roll partner.
This is a home run move for both sides. The Warriors were in desperate need of competent vets. And there are few better places for Šarić to get his career back on track than on the court with Stephen Curry.
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Josh Richardson, Heat
Richardson coming in on the minimum was a coup for Miami, which lost Gabe Vincent in free agency. Richardson isn’t as creative on the ball as Vincent but has shot better from three over his career, and he offers some more length defensively.
Richardson, who was drafted by the Heat, had the best years of his career in Miami. Erik Spoelstra was comfortable playing him on the ball, which means he should be able to take over some of Vincent’s ballhandling responsibilities.
Though Richardson may not have as high a ceiling as Miami’s starting point guard from its Finals run, he’s a high-floor player who slots seamlessly into the lineup.
Malik Beasley, Bucks
This pick is based a little more on hope than reality for now. Beasley is a career 37.8% three-point shooter, but come postseason time, his past teams’ trust in him has diminished over his career.
The biggest issue for Beasley is his defense. Fortunately for him, in Milwaukee, he will be surrounded by great defenders. If Beasley plays often alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, there should still be plenty of defense on the floor. And he will have some of the best three-point looks of his career with all the attention being paid to his teammates.
With Milwaukee’s half-court offense frequently running in mud, perhaps Beasley can take the top off defenses in a way Grayson Allen or Pat Connaughton cannot. That’s a lot to put on Beasley’s shoulders—and he’ll be beneath those guys on the depth chart—but if there was ever a situation for him to finally thrive, it has to be this one.
