By Zach Kram
While the top free agents for 2025 are already committed or have option decisions made, the focus shifts to other valuable players. As recent NBA Finals show, success requires more than just superstars; depth and a strong supporting cast capable of adapting and filling various roles are crucial for deep playoff runs.
Considering this, here are seven underrated free agents teams should consider targeting this summer. While not franchise changers, they can significantly improve a contender`s roster depth.
Chris Paul
At 40, the future Hall of Famer Chris Paul is often underestimated. He remains durable, playing 82 games last season. As a pick-and-roll expert, he ranked 9th in points per play among high-volume handlers, just ahead of Jalen Brunson. Paul also excels at playmaking, finishing 4th in assists per 36 minutes among qualified players.
While a return to San Antonio is improbable, Paul could significantly stabilize a contender`s bench unit. Potential destinations include reunions with the LA Clippers, finally teaming up with LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers, joining forces with Nikola Jokic in Denver, or even starting over Mike Conley in Minnesota. Paul seeks his first championship after coming close once. After a less visible year, he`s ready to contribute to a contender.
Chris Boucher
Chris Boucher stands out statistically, being one of only two players last season (min 800 mins) to average 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 2.5 threes per 36 minutes (the other being Victor Wembanyama). While not at Wembanyama`s level, Boucher offers a valuable frontcourt skill set. Though undersized for heavy center minutes, he provides shooting, finishing, shot-blocking, and is a prolific offensive rebounder (top 25 among active players per 36 mins). He might stay in Toronto, but other teams could target him for a dynamic energy big role off the bench.
Bruce Brown
Remember Bruce Brown? A key contributor to the 2022-23 champion Denver Nuggets, he has since been traded multiple times, often serving as salary filler. His production declined without superstars around him, suggesting a smaller contract awaits compared to his previous large deal. However, in the right system, Brown can still be impactful. A return to Denver seems logical; Nikola Jokic maximizes Brown`s versatile game, high basketball IQ, and established chemistry. For the Nuggets, he would provide reliable, cost-effective veteran depth for their bench.
Malcolm Brogdon
Similar to Brown, Malcolm Brogdon was a key player for a contender, winning Sixth Man of the Year in Boston in 2023. He too has recently been traded as salary matching. Despite playing limited games for non-contenders recently, Brogdon was consistently an above-average player for five straight seasons according to PER. At 32, with past injuries, awards are unlikely, but he remains valuable. His 39% 3-point shooting, excellent assist-to-turnover ratio, and ability to play both guard spots make him a strong fit for contenders needing backcourt depth. He could even temporarily start for teams like the Dallas Mavericks before shifting to a bench role.
Luke Kornet
Luke Kornet is the advanced stats favorite of this free agency class, despite modest box scores. The backup center consistently ranks highly in metrics like xRAPM, LEBRON, and EPM (often in the top 20-35), highlighting his significant on/off impact. Kornet excels at the `little things`: strong offensive rebounding, drawing fouls, minimizing turnovers, and setting effective screens (`die on contact` rate second only to Steven Adams). Critically, he`s a formidable interior defender, allowing the 9th lowest field goal percentage at the rim last season, placing him statistically between Rudy Gobert and Jaren Jackson Jr. Kornet is likely to return to the Celtics, who need center depth, but other contenders seeking frontcourt reinforcement should inquire. He certainly deserves a raise from his previous $2.8 million salary.
De`Anthony Melton
De`Anthony Melton is back on the under-the-radar list due to a shortened season. He tore his ACL early last season with Golden State and was later traded to Brooklyn. The positive is the early timing of the injury (November 2024), suggesting a relatively sooner return compared to many stars injured late. This presents an opportunity for teams.
Melton offers reliable shooting (38% from three over five years), opportunistic defense (1.4 steals per game career), and all-around statistical contribution. He`s a `winning player,` with his teams performing better when he`s on the court in most seasons. While post-injury athleticism is a question mark that might affect his market, a full recovery at age 27 is probable. He`d fit any team needing backcourt depth, perhaps best alongside a larger, offense-focused lead guard like Luka Doncic on the Lakers or Cade Cunningham in Detroit.
Gary Trent Jr.
Gary Trent Jr. represents a key player type flooding the market this summer: the knockdown shooter. While others like Malik Beasley, Luke Kennard, Landry Shamet, Seth Curry, Garrison Mathews, Alec Burks, Taurean Prince, and Duncan Robinson are available (Beasley`s situation uncertain), Trent is arguably the top option. A career 39% three-point shooter, he`s due a raise after a minimum deal last year.
Trent benefits from elite shooting, being a less significant defensive liability than some others, his youth (26), and a proven track record including consistent scoring and strong playoff performances. Generally, this group of pure shooters is highly attractive because perimeter shooting is essential in the modern NBA. Teams like the Pacers showed the value of depth and perimeter efficiency (leading the playoffs at 39% from three), and this free agent class offers both.
