The 2023-24 NBA season is off and running, with many new kids on the block showing their true worth. But no thanks to these young new stars, some players have either been displaced or left to wait as free agents.
Looking at the list of players in NBA free agency, there are notable names in the mix. With quite a number of them, here are five players who at least deserve one last ride.
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1. Stanley Johnson - Forward
Another former top pick who could still be of help to some teams is Stanley Johnson. The 27-year-old was the 8th overall pick of the 2015 NBA draft but has hardly shown he deserves more time on the floor.
Johnson owns career averages of 6.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 449 regular season games. He got his chance to shine with the Lakers, although his production hardly differed from his career averages.
Teams who are patient and willing to develop players like Johnson could take a chance. But based on his progression, it may take a while for Johnson to prove he deserves to stay in the NBA.
2. Wenyen Gabriel - Center/ Power Forward
Wenyen Gabriel showed plenty of promise when he last suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers. Unfortunately, the 26-year-old big man found himself eased out with the influx of new talent on the purple and gold roster.
He did get a brief chance to join the Boston Celtics. He signed with the Cs but was waived two weeks after failing to impress in the team's preseason games, The Athletic reported.
Gabriel has proven to be a reliable bench player who is not afraid to do the dirty work. He could still draw some interest this season, although there is no promise of reasonable playing time.
3. TJ Warren - Small Forward
Another player who showed potential before a devastating injury is T.J. Warren.
The 14th overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft surprised many with his 53-point scoring explosion while donning the Indiana Pacers uniform at the 2020 NBA Bubble on August 1, 2020. He led the Pacers to a 127-121 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
However, four months later, Warren suffered a season-ending navicular stress fracture. He underwent surgery and was never the same player after that.
Since then, his game has been on the decline. While things don't look promising for the 30-year-old forward, he could still be of use as a bench player to teams in need of added offense.
4. Terence Ross - Guard/Forward
One of the surprising names that is in free agency is Terence Ross. The 32-year-old split last NBA season with the Orland Magic and the Phoenix Suns.
The 8th overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft had his best years with the Orland Magic from 2018 to 2020. Unfortunately, that partnership ended after the Magic and Ross agreed to a contract buyout, NBA.com reported.
Ross was picked up by the Suns last February. Unfortunately, that stint didn't pan out, especially considering the stacked roster led by Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
Regardless, Ross could still get picked up as the season progresses. However, this will likely be on a veteran's minimum.
5. Kendrick Nunn - Guard
Kendrick Nunn is best remembered for his stint with the Miami Heat from 2019 to 2021. He finished second in the race for the Rookie of the Year voting for the 2019-20 season and had his share of explosive games for the South Beach squad.
After opting to become an unrestricted free agent, Nunn moved to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021. Unfortunately, he never got a chance to show his skills after suffering a knee injury.
After being traded to the Washington Wizards as part of the Rui Hachimura trade, the 28-year-old continued to struggle.
The latest on Nunn is that he signed with Greek Basketball League team Panathinaikos via EuroHoops.net. With no team interested in getting him, it may be the best course for Nunn for now.
If he fares well, there is a chance he could make an NBA return. Should the 6-foot-3 guard recall his old form, he would be a great addition to teams needing playmaking and scoring.
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