We finally made it to free agency! In retrospect, the NBA finals lacked the lustre they usually carry, thanks to the Golden State Warrior’s death march towards a third title in four years. And while there were small moments of doubt scattered through the playoffs (Rockets Game 7, Cavs nearly stealing Game 1), the last few months of basketball had an air of inevitability to them. So I found myself letting my mind wander into the offseason, the time of year where superteams are formed, dynasties are broken and new stars are unearthed, it’s a time of infinite possibility, some brief escapism before we start the whole thing again and watch the Warriors eat the hearts of everyone who stands in their way come 2019.

The draft was one of the most promising in recent memory, undoubtedly giving rise to a few franchise players, including an 18 year old Slovenian super kid who’s already taken over Europe and now has his sights set on the USA. With all the rookies now settling in to their respective homes, teams are looking at their rosters for next season and surveying the free agency market to see who’s out there to help take them to the next step. There are a lot of big names out there this summer that half the teams in the league will be looking to lure (LeBron James, DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George) and some young but largely unproven studs entering restricted free agency that teams will try to poach by overpaying based on potential (Aaron Gordon, Jabari Parker, Julius Randle), but I’m not here for those guys.

I’m here for the leftovers, the wee gems you find tucked away in a $2 bin down the back of some dodgy suburban Salvation Army. It may be a green shirt you wore once for St Paddies day, spew on it, then never wear it again, or it could be a secondhand steal that becomes your new favourite jacket. Either way it serves a purpose, and just like that Sallies store, there are bargains to be had in the NBA Op-Shop right now. Players that have been overlooked, underrated or forgotten about completely who can still offer something in the right situation.

Last summer the Grizzlies signed Tyreke Evans for just over $3 million (USD) and he put up 19.4 points, 5 assists and 5 boards per game, entrenching himself as the 6th man of the year favourite before injury struck, Houston stole defensive stopper and human slab of concrete PJ Tucker for 4 years on a cheap contract, he became instrumental in their rise to the top of the Eastern conference. So let’s sift through the old socks and unwanted tank tops to find a bargain or two.

Joe Harris

Two words: 3, and D. Yes I realise neither of those are technically words but that isn’t point. The former second round pick made a name for himself last season as the Nets’ 6th man, averaging 10.8 points per game with a 30 point explosion against the Cavs. Harris’ skillset is far from flashy, but it’s exactly what teams want these days and he’s the kind of player contenders are looking to stack the roster with as they fit perfectly around a couple of stars.

After the 2018 All Star Break, Harris led the NBA in 3-point shooting, shooting 47% from beyond the arc. It’s that kind of instant spacing that adds an extra dimension for the LeBrons of the world, it’s why players like Kyle Korver and JJ Reddick have been valued so highly for so long. Although unlike those two Harris is at least passable as a defender with decent size for a wing (6ft 6in) and he’s developed his ball handling, this constant if unexpected development is going to make some smart team happy they threw a few dollars his way come playoff time.

Best fits: Nets, Sixers, Jazz, Thunder, Pelicans, really anytime that needs shooting.

Seth Curry

This is the 2 time MVP’s less talented, less handsome brother Seth Curry (sounds like a name Steph gave to the cops once in a panic when he couldn’t think of a good pseudonym). But Seth has more than just a famous last name, he has some of the same skills as his bro (not at the same level of course). Seth sat out last season with a stress fracture but in his prior season with the Mavericks he shot 42.5 percent from 3 while averaging 12.8 points. He could drain catch and shoot 3's, hit 3's coming off screens, and he hit 44.9 percent of his 3's off the dribble.

Last year Seth suffered a season ending leg injury. This summer he's been working with me on his comeback to dominate the NBA. Watch our workout and let us know in the comments what your range is. SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel for more videos: http://bit.ly/1FlwIUH Make sure to visit https://handlelife.com/ for more exclusive content!

As I've said; a lot of teams would kill for cheap spacing and that’s exactly what Curry-lite provides. Plus who knows maybe you sign Seth on the cheap, he likes his new home and in a few years convinces his bro to come join him for a Curry family reunion?

Best fits: Thunder, Sixers, Pacers, Magic, Warriors

Jerami Grant

Much to the disappointment of every OKC fan (myself included) Carmelo Anthony looks like he’s going to exercise his $27.9 million player option for the 2018/19 season. Melo’s offensive inefficiency, defensive laziness and general unwillingness to adapt to a new role were some of the biggest reasons behind the Thunder’s disappointing 2017/18 effort.

As the season progressed it became clear to everyone watching Thunder games that the athletic, rangy Grant was far more suited to playing the 4 position than Melo. His defensive versatility was crucial to the Thunder’s rotations, especially after defensive lynchpin Andre Roberson went down for the year. Coach Billy Donovan relied on the human Swiss-army-knife, using Grant as a small-ball center, a floor-spacing forward, and as a man-to-man defender against guards. If he can improve his 3 point stroke (30% from beyond the arc last season) he’ll be the prototypical role-player for today’s NBA, in the meantime, he’s an intriguing piece who’s worth the investment.

Best fits: Thunder, Rockets, Spurs, Knicks, Nets

Nerlens Noel

How the mighty have fallen. Only a year ago the promising young Centre turned down a 4 year $70 million deal in favour of taking the Qualifying Offer and proving himself as a near max-level player. Fast forward a few months and Noel was nowhere to be seen in the Mavericks rotation. Reportedly struggling to accept a reduced role in coach Rick Carlisle’s spread pick-and-roll system, Noel lost his minutes to 31-year-old battler Salah Mejri.

Carlisle is notorious for being hard on the players he likes and downright ruthless to the ones he doesn’t so this relationship isn’t likely to be repaired this offseason. Combine this fall from grace with the rapid decline in the Centre market as the league moves towards a more fast pace switchy, versatile style of play and I bet Nerlens is reeeallly wishing he took that 70m mil about now.

Best fits: Wizards, Rockets (If Capela leaves), Spurs, Cavaliers