In the world of basketball, where every move is calculated and every player is a commodity, the free agency period is a time of both excitement and uncertainty. As the NBA awaits decisions from its biggest names, a group of players, often overlooked, are poised to become the next big bargains. These are the cheap, yet capable, free agents who could be the key to a team's success, if only someone would take a chance on them.
One player who stands out is Jordan Clarkson, a 34-year-old guard who has reinvented himself in New York. While his shot selection may remain questionable, his commitment to crashing the boards and his ability to grab offensive rebounds are invaluable. Clarkson's evolution fits the league's focus on winning the possession battle, and his new-found defensive engagement makes him a more well-rounded player. However, his shaky touch from beyond the arc may limit his appeal to some teams.
Another player who could be a bargain is Bruce Brown Jr., a 29-year-old guard who is no longer the glittery defender and Sixth Man of the Year candidate he once was. However, his ability to keep the ball moving, reach the basket, and cut and relocate in the half-court make him a valuable asset. Brown's 38.5 percent clip from deep last season is a testament to his evolution, and his ability to traffic in mostly unguarded attempts makes him a player who can be moved up or down the positional spectrum.
Brandon Williams, a 26-year-old guard, is another player who could be a steal. His ability to get both feet in the paint outside of transition and his higher-volume role for the Dallas Mavericks make him a player who can fill at least 15 minutes per game in a rotation. While his distinct lack of size hurts him on the defensive end, his 49.1 percent clip on long twos the past two years suggests there could be more levels to his scoring arsenal.
Ziaire Williams, a 24-year-old guard, is a player who has struggled with offensive consistency, but his impact on the defensive end cannot be overlooked. His steal and block rates in as many minutes are impressive, and his ability to tackle one of the opposing team's toughest assignments makes him a valuable asset. His 34.2 percent clip from distance in Brooklyn is a testament to his evolution, and his improved dribbling in tight spaces makes him a more well-rounded player.
Gary Payton II, a 33-year-old guard, is a player who has a strong case to climb up the ladder, but his availability is uncertain. His defensive utility and efficient scoring around the bucket make him a dream signing in miniature for any contender looking to improve their ability to win the possession battle. However, his scattershot usage and minimum-contract status may limit his appeal.
Gary Trent Jr., a 27-year-old guard, is a player who has a complicated value due to a down-bad 2025-26 campaign. However, his ability to deploy as a wing and his track record of downing threes and breaking up possessions at the less glamorous end make him a player who can be counted on. His defensive value, rooted in creating chaos away from the ball, is high-risk, high-reward.
Matisse Thybulle, a 29-year-old guard, is a player who has concerns over his availability and offensive limitations, but his defensive consistency and disruption are ultimately worth the offensive baggage. His ability to dominate the turnovers-forced game and sponge up difficult on-ball assignments makes him a valuable asset. However, his offensive limitations and concerns over his availability may limit his appeal.
In the end, these players may not be the biggest names in the game, but they are players who could be the key to a team's success. Their unique skills and abilities make them players who could be the next big bargain, if only someone would take a chance on them.
