Every offseason, there are a few players that unexpectedly cash in. Maybe it is a veteran that lands a lucrative long-term contract, much like Gordon Hayward did with the Charlotte Hornets the last NBA offseason. Or, maybe a team bets on a young player that hasn’t had an opportunity to truly break out yet.
Whatever the circumstances may be, every offseason some players receive substantial pay raises, and this year’s free-agent class won’t be any different. Bruce Brown (Nets), Alex Caruso (Lakers), Talen Horton-Tucker (Lakers) and Nerlens Noel (Knicks) are four players to keep an eye on that could all receive major paydays this summer.
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Bruce Brown has found his niche with the Brooklyn Nets this season, essentially playing the role of a big man in their offense. When you have three ball-dominant stars on one team, there have to be guys willing to do the little things to make it work and Brown is that guy.
He has excelled as the screener on offense with the Nets, finding space to hurt opposing defenses as a roll man and slasher. Brown is a great rebounder for a guard and should receive some interest around the league this offseason.
Caruso has proven to be one of the most underrated guards in the NBA. He is an excellent defender and pairs well next to superstars because he doesn’t need the ball in his hands to succeed. Caruso has even broken into the Lakers’ closing lineup on some nights as a perimeter stopper and someone who can knock down 3-pointers.
Horton-Tucker would fall under the betting on a young player. He hasn’t received a ton of opportunities on a deep Lakers team focused on winning championships, but when he has received chances, he makes the most of them.
Given his massive wingspan and size, Horton-Tucker can defend virtually every position on the court, especially if the opposing team goes small. While he needs some refining offensively, the potential is there for him to be a solid facilitator and dynamic scorer.
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Noel will most certainly cash in this offseason off his defensive prowess. He played this season out on a one-year, $5 million deal with the Knicks and it wouldn’t be shocking if he triples that in NBA free agency.
Noel was the only player in the NBA this season to average at least 2.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. What makes it even more impressive is that he played only 24.2 minutes per game for the Knicks. Only Myles Turner and Rudy Gobert, who played 31 and 30.8 minutes per game respectively, averaged more blocks per game than Noel.
If Noel could ever get it figured out offensively, he would easily be a 100 million dollar player. Despite the lack of offensive punch he provides, his defense is good enough that he should land a contract worth in the mid-teens annually.
